Local Elections 2026: The current state of play in Peterborough

On Thursday, May 7, Peterborians will go to the polls to elect 18 councillors – roughly a third of the total number of councillors (60) – for a four-year term.

Here is a brief overview of the current state-of-play:

Council make up and candidates:

The council is currently run by a coalition of Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Peterborough First group. Going into these elections, Labour is the largest political group. This is how the make up of the council currently looks:

Labour: 13 councillors

Independent 11 councillors

Conservative: 10 councillors

Peterborough First: 10 councillors

Liberal Democrat: 8 councillors

Green Party: 5 councillors

Reform UK 1: councillor

Not specified: 1 councillor

(One seat is currently empty following the sad passing of Councillor Alan Dowson earlier this year).

The May 7 contest will see a total of 92 candidates standing for elections across 18 wards. Conservative, Labour and Reform UK will be the only parties contesting candidates in every ward.

Recent history:

The 18 city council seats up for election this year were last contested four years ago in 2022. While Labour won six of those 19 seats, seven went to the Conservatives, thereby cementing their place as the largest party (with 28 seats).

However, the Tories’ hegemony dwindled over the following 12-18 months when a number of their councillors moved across the chamber to join Peterborough First, a new group that had recently emerged within the city’s political arena.

Labour emerged as the largest party in 2024. Since then, it has been at the helm of a coalition made up of Labour, Liberal Democrat and Peterborough First councillors.

Outlook

While Labour remains the largest party on the council, its position is by no means guaranteed. Even a modest reduction in support could see them lose that position in May.

Up until 2022, the Conservatives had been leading Peterborough City Council for more than 20 years. They have not enjoyed their time on the sidelines since, and will no doubt be eager to return to pole position.

For many former Tories now campaigning under the Peterborough First flag, it will be their first time hitting doorsteps as fully-fledged party members. How will the electorate react to the shift?

The Lib Dems only have two fewer seats presently than both the Conservatives and Peterborough First. Can they – like the Greens – take advantage of enthusiastic campaigning to upset the apple cart?

And then there is the question of Reform UK. Will they take votes away from the other parties, and if so, can they do so in significant numbers? They already have one councillor (Andrew O'Neil) who was elected in a by-election earlier this year - can they add more?

Upcoming dates to remember:

April 20 - Deadline to register to vote

April 21 - Deadline to apply for a postal vote

April 28 - Deadline to apply for a proxy vote and a voter authority certificate.

May 07 - Polling day