2026 Southampton City Council election

The 2026 Southampton City Council election will be held on 7 May 2026, alongside the other local elections across the United Kingdom being held on the same day, to elect 18 of 51 members of Southampton City Council. In addition to the regular 17 seats up for election, there will be an additional by-election in Shirley ward due to the resignation of the incumbent councillor.

Due to ongoing local government reorganisation, this will be the final election to Southampton City Council before it is abolished and replaced by a successor unitary authority. Elections to the successor authority are due to take place in 2027.

Council composition

Changes 2024–2026:

• August 2024: Satvir Kaur (Labour) resigns – by-election held October 2024
• October 2024: George Percival (Liberal Democrats) gains by-election from Labour
• March 2025: Matt Renyard (Labour) joins Greens
• June 2025: Matthew Bunday (Labour) joins Liberal Democrats
• August 2025: Rebecca McCreanor (Labour) joins Liberal Democrats
• January 2026: George Percival (Liberal Democrats) resigns – by-election held February 2026
• February 2026:
• Sarah Powell-Vaughan (Conservatives) joins Reform
• Chris Shank (Liberal Democrats) wins by-election

Summary

Background

In 2024, Labour retained control of the council.

Election result

Incumbents

Results

Notes

References