Residents in Bolton can now view the full results of the 2026 local elections, which saw significant changes to the political makeup of the Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council. Following the voting that took place on 7 May 2026, the council remains under no overall control, with no single party holding the majority needed to govern alone.
The election resulted in a major shift for the council leadership, as the sitting Labour Council Leader, Nick Peel, lost his seat in the Tonge with the Haulgh ward to Reform UK candidate Trevor Jones. Mr. Peel, who had led the authority since 2023, attributed the party’s losses to broader national issues rather than local policy. Following the defeat, he noted that the Labour campaign had focused on local progress and the recent history of the borough.
Reform UK emerged as a prominent force in this election, winning nine of the 20 contested seats and becoming the third-largest party group on the council. Other parties also saw changes in their representation; the Green Party successfully gained three seats from Labour in the inner-town wards of Halliwell, Rumworth, and Queens Park and Central.
Current seat totals following the 2026 election show Labour holding 20 seats, a decrease from their previous 25. The Conservatives now hold 11 seats, down from 15, while Reform UK has 10, the Liberal Democrats have four, and the Green Party has four. Independent candidates and various hyper-local parties hold the remaining seats on the 60-seat council.
As the council continues to operate under no overall control, the next steps for the leadership of the local authority will be decided at a full council meeting on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. Further details regarding the official outcome can be found through the Bolton Council website.
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