Reading Borough Council control after election 2026

Going into the election, Labour had 31 councillors, the Green Party had eight, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats each had three, with councillor Clarence Mitchell for Reform UK and cllr Sarah Hacker, an Independent.

The ruling Labour Party lost three seats to the Green Party.

But predictions of a Green wave didn't materialise, and Labour has maintained control with 29 councillors, four above the 25 needed for a majority.

You can view how the council has changed using the graphic below:

Of the 17 seats up for election, Labour won seven, the Green Party won six, the Conservatives won three, and the Liberal Democrats won one.

Labour held seven seats but lost three in Abbey, Thames and Coley wards.

They also effectively lost the seat vacated by councillor Sam Juthani in Caversham Heights.

The Greens held three and gained Abbey, Thames and Coley.

The Conservatives effectively won two seats and held the one occupied by councillor Isobel Ballsdon, and cllr Meri O'Connell held her seat in Tilehurst for the Liberal Democrats.

Clarence Mitchell, the Reform UK councillor for Emmer Green, lost to Conservative challenger Alex Smith. 

The vacancy left by Independent councillor Sarah Hacker was filled by Labour candidate Pratikshya Gurung.

Cllr Hacker was elected on a Labour ticket in 2022 but was removed from the party in April 2023. 

In-person voting took place on Thursday, May 7, with the results coming in the morning on Friday, May 8.