Manchester Local Elections 2026 Result: The 2026 local elections in Greater Manchester have delivered one of the biggest political shocks in recent years, with Reform UK making dramatic gains across several Labour-held boroughs. Overnight counting showed voters shifting away from Labour in multiple working-class areas, raising fresh concerns for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the party leadership.
Reform UK secured major victories in councils traditionally considered Labour strongholds, while several boroughs saw sharp changes in political control. The results are already being viewed as a warning sign for Labour ahead of future national elections.
Manchester Local Elections 2026: Reform UK Dominates in Wigan and Tameside
Wigan produced one of the most striking results of the night, with Reform UK winning 24 of the 25 contested seats. Labour suffered heavy losses in an area long associated with the party’s northern support base.
Labour MP Jo Platt reacted to the result by admitting voter frustration had driven the outcome.
“It is about the voters. They wanted to give us a kicking, and they have.
“This is about the voters. This is about listening, and that’s what we’ve got to take stock of locally and nationally. We have got to listen to what they said, and it starts tomorrow.”
In neighbouring Tameside, Reform UK won 18 of the 19 available seats, pushing the council from Labour control into no overall control. The result marked one of Labour’s biggest setbacks in Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester Full Winner List in the 2026 Local Elections
| Ward | Result |
| Astley Bridge | Reform UK (Previously Conservative) |
| Bradshaw | Conservative Hold |
| Breightmet | Reform UK (Previously Conservative) |
| Bromley Cross | Conservative Hold |
| Farnworth North | Labour Hold |
| Farnworth South | Reform UK Gain (Previously Farnworth and Kearsley First Party) |
| Great Lever | Labour Hold |
| Halliwell | Green Gain (Previously Labour) |
| Heaton, Lostock & Chew Moor | Conservative Hold |
| Horwich North | Horwich & Blackrod First Independents Gain (Previously Independent) |
| Horwich South & Blackrod | Horwich & Blackrod First Independents Hold |
| Hulton | Reform UK Gain (Previously Labour) |
| Kearsley | Reform UK Gain (Previously Farnworth and Kearsley First Party) |
| Little Lever & Darcy Lever | Reform UK (Previously Conservative) |
| Queens Park & Central | Green Gain (Previously Labour) |
| Rumworth | Green Gain (Previously Labour) |
| Smithills | Liberal Democrats Hold |
| Tongue with the Haulgh | Reform UK Gain (Previously Labour) |
| Westhoughton North & Hunger Hill | Reform UK (Previously Conservative) |
| Westhoughton South | Reform UK Gain (Previously Liberal Democrats) |
Where to Check LIVE Greater Manchester Election Results 2026?
Voters and political observers can follow the live counting and official declarations through the individual council election portals across Greater Manchester, including Bolton, Salford, Wigan, Oldham, Stockport and Tameside councils. Major British broadcasters are also providing continuous live coverage, seat updates and political analysis as results continue to emerge throughout Friday and into the weekend.
Who Won the Greater Manchester Local Elections 2026?
Reform UK emerged as one of the biggest winners across Greater Manchester after securing major gains in several Labour-held boroughs. The party made strong advances in Wigan, Salford, Oldham, Bolton and Tameside, significantly reshaping the region’s political landscape.
Labour suffered major losses in a number of traditional strongholds, while the Liberal Democrats strengthened their position in Stockport. However, some councils are still counting votes, meaning additional seat changes could still happen later in the day.
When Will the Remaining Greater Manchester Results Be Announced?
Several Greater Manchester councils completed overnight counting, while others are expected to declare results throughout Friday. Additional declarations from councils, including Bury, Manchester, Trafford and Rochdale, are still expected. Election officials will confirm final seat totals once verification and ward-level counting processes are completed across all boroughs.
Which Parties and Candidates Contested the Greater Manchester Elections 2026?
The elections featured candidates from Labour, Conservatives, Reform UK, Liberal Democrats, Green Party and several local independent groups. Reform UK focused heavily on working-class boroughs traditionally dominated by Labour, while the Conservatives attempted to defend suburban support bases. Labour campaigned to retain control in key northern councils, while Greens and Liberal Democrats targeted gains in urban and mixed-voter wards.
What Happened in the 2022 Greater Manchester Local Elections?
In the 2022 local elections, Labour largely maintained its dominance across Greater Manchester, holding control in several borough councils despite some Conservative and Liberal Democrat gains in selected areas. Reform UK had only a limited presence at the time, making the party’s strong 2026 breakthrough one of the biggest political developments in this year’s local elections.
