The 2026 Wakefield Council election was held on 7 May 2026, alongside the other local elections across the United Kingdom being held on the same day. All 63 members of Wakefield Council were elected.
Prior to the election, the council had been under Labour majority control since the council's creation in 1974. At this election, Reform UK won 58 of the 63 seats on the council, giving them a sizeable majority. The incumbent Labour leader of the council, Denise Jeffrey, lost her seat. After the election, Reform chose Karl Johnson to be its new group leader. He was formally appointed as the new leader of the council at the subsequent annual council meeting on 20 May 2026.
Background In 2024, Labour retained control of the council. Following ward boundary changes, all 63 seats on the council were up for election.
Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats 56 48 3 2 0 2 3 1 0 1 1 9 Changes 2024–2026: October 2024: Graham Isherwood (Labour) dies – by-election held December 2024 December 2024: Scott Haslam (Labour) wins by-election March 2025: Pete Girt (Liberal Democrats) leaves party to sit as an independent April 2025: Jakob Williamson (Labour) leaves party to sit as an independent May 2025: Stan Bates (Labour) leaves party to sit as an independent June 2025: Michael Graham (Labour) and Kevin Swift (Labour) leave party to sit as an independent Nick Farmer (Conservative) joins Reform September 2025: Martin Roberts (Labour) leaves party to sit as an independent Olivia Rowley (Labour) suspended from party January 2026: Samantha Harvey (Conservative) joins Reform March 2026: Nadiah Sharp (Independent) joins the Green Party Steve Tulley (Labour) leaves party to sit as an independent Shabaan Selim (Labour) leaves the party to sit as an independent
Election results
Ward results
Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton
Airedale and Ferry Fryston
Altofts & Whitwood
Castleford Central and Glasshoughton
Crofton, Ryhill and Walton
Featherstone
Hemsworth
Horbury and South Ossett
Knottingley and Ferrybridge
Normanton
Ossett
Pontefract North
Pontefract South
South Elmsall and South Kirkby
Stanley and Outwood East
Wakefield East
Wakefield North
Wakefield Rural
Wakefield South
Wakefield West
Wrenthorpe and Outwood West
References