Residents of Peterborough can now view the full list of candidates running in the local elections on Thursday 7 May 2026. A total of 92 candidates are standing for 18 seats across the city, with voters encouraged to research those appearing on their ballot before heading to the polls.
The elections involve 18 of the council’s 22 wards, including: Bretton; Central; Dogsthorpe; East; Eye, Thorney and Newborough; Fletton and Stanground; Fletton and Woodston; Gunthorpe; Hampton Vale; Hargate and Hempsted; North; Orton Longueville; Orton Waterville; Park; Paston and Walton; Ravensthorpe; Stanground South; and Werrington. Information about the candidates is available through the Peterborough City Council engagement hub.
The council currently holds a varied composition with 13 Labour councillors, 11 Independents, 10 Conservatives, 10 Peterborough First members, 8 Liberal Democrats, 5 Green Party members, and 1 Reform UK councillor. There is also one vacant seat following the death of Councillor Alan Dowson. The Labour Party currently leads the council through a coalition with Peterborough First and the Liberal Democrats, headed by Councillor Shabina Qayyum.
Conservative, Labour, and Reform UK are the only parties fielding candidates in every ward. The upcoming vote follows a recent by-election in Fletton and Woodston, where Andrew O’Neil secured the first seat for Reform UK on the council.
Residents have until midnight on Monday 20 April 2026 to register to vote. Those wishing to apply for a postal vote or amend an existing one must submit their application by 5pm on Tuesday 21 April, while the deadline for new proxy vote applications is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April. Votes will be counted at the Kingsgate Conference Centre, with results expected in the early hours of Friday 8 May.
These elections take place as the city prepares for significant structural changes. Starting in April 2028, Peterborough City Council will cease to exist as part of a wider move toward new unitary councils across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
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