The 2026 St Helens Borough Council election was held on 7 May 2026, alongside the other local elections across the United Kingdom being held on the same day. All 48 members of St Helens Borough Council were elected. The election in the Town Centre ward was postponed until 25 June following the death of one of the original candidates.
Prior to the election, the council was under Labour majority control. At this election, Reform UK won 35 of the 48 seats on the council, giving them a majority. Labour was left with only three seats, and the incumbent Labour leader of the council, Anthony Burns, was one of those who lost his seat. After the election, Reform chose George Woodward to be its new group leader. He was formally appointed as leader of the council at the subsequent annual council meeting on 20 May 2026.
Summary
Background In 2022, Labour retained control of the council.
Election result
Ward results
Billinge & Seneley Green
Blackbrook
Bold & Lea Green
Eccleston
Haydock
Moss Bank
Newton-le-Willows East
Newton-le-Willows West
Parr
Peasley Cross & Fingerpost
Rainford
Rainhill
St Helens Town Centre
The vote for St Helens Town Centre was postponed until 25 June 2026, following the death of Andrew John Feeney, one of the Reform UK candidates.Haydock and St Helens Town Centre Ward Elections 25 June 2026
Sutton North West
Sutton South East
Thatto Heath
West Park
Windle
By-elections
Haydock A by-election was held in Haydock on 25 June 2026 after the resignation of Reform councillor Stephen Mousdell.
Billinge & Seneley Green
References