Following the local elections held on 7 May 2026, Reading Borough Council has confirmed the final results, which saw a significant increase in voter turnout and changes to the composition of the local authority. Residents turned out in higher numbers than in previous years, with participation exceeding 41 percent and some wards reaching nearly 60 percent turnout.
Labour retained overall control of the council, securing 29 of the 48 available seats. However, the party lost four seats during the contest, which included 17 seats across all wards following a by-election vacancy in Caversham Heights. The Green Party strengthened its position as the main opposition, increasing its total to 11 seats, while the Conservatives finished with five.
The election resulted in the loss of three high-profile Labour lead councillors. Adele Barnett-Ward, who held the portfolio for Leisure and Culture, lost her seat in the Thames ward to David Clarke. Karen Rowland, the lead for Environmental Services and Community Safety, was defeated in the Abbey ward by Jacqueline Dominguez. Additionally, Ellie Emberson, lead for Corporate Services and Resources, lost the seat in Coley to Richard Walkem by a margin of nine votes.
In other ward contests, the Conservatives regained the Emmer Green seat from Reform UK. The party saw no success in the election, losing the only seat they held on the council.
Following the announcement, Council Leader Liz Terry expressed disappointment regarding the loss of experienced colleagues but affirmed the council’s focus on essential services. She stated the administration remains committed to projects including road maintenance, bin collections, and the opening of the new Central Library.
Kathryn McCann, a Green Party councillor who retained her seat in Redlands, thanked voters for their support. She noted that the party is experiencing an increase in support and emphasised that members must now work carefully to meet their responsibilities to the community.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
