2026 Merton London Borough Council election

2026 Merton London Borough Council election
7 May 2026 (2026-05-07)
All 57 seats to Merton London Borough Council
29 seats needed for a majority
Turnout45.15%
  First party Second party
 
Leader Ross Garrod Anthony Fairclough
Party Labour Liberal Democrats
Last election 31 seats, 42.3% 17 seats, 25.0%
Seats before 30[1] 17[a]
Seats won 32 19
Seat change Increase 1 Increase 2
Popular vote 59,193 53,195
Percentage 30.8% 27.7%
Swing Decrease 11.5pp Increase 2.7pp
  Third party Fourth party
 
Leader Nick McLean Edward Foley
Party Conservative Merton Park RA
Last election 7 seats, 26.1% 2 seats, 2.1%
Seats before 7 2
Seats won 4 2
Seat change Decrease 3 Steady
Popular vote 29,381 3,714
Percentage 15.3% 1.9%
Swing Decrease 10.8pp Decrease 0.2pp
Map of the results of the 2026 Merton council election. Conservatives in blue, Labour in red, Liberal Democrats in orange and Merton Park Ward Residents Association in white.
Leader before election

Ross Garrod
Labour

 Leader after election

Ross Garrod
Labour

The 2026 Merton London Borough Council election took place on 7 May 2026.[2] All 57 members of Merton London Borough Council were elected. The elections took place alongside local elections in the other London boroughs and elections to local authorities across the United Kingdom.[3]

The election saw Labour retain its majority on the council.[4]

Background

In 2022, Labour held control of Merton Council[5] although their leader lost his seat to the Liberal Democrats who became the official opposition on the Council for the first time.[6] In January 2026, the pollster Lord Hayward suggested that the Liberal Democrats could mount a significant challenge to Labour in Merton at the 2026 local elections, suggesting the borough was one where the party could potentially take control.[7]

Previous council composition

After 2022 election Before 2026 election After 2026 election
Party Seats Party Seats Party Seats
Labour 31 Labour 29 Labour 32
Liberal Democrats 17 Liberal Democrats 16 Liberal Democrats 19
Conservative 7 Conservative 7 Conservative 4
Merton Park RA 2 Merton Park RA 2 Merton Park RA 2
Independent 0 Independent 1 Independent 0
Vacant N/A Vacant 2 Vacant N/A

Changes 2022–2026:

  • January 2024: Caroline Charles (Labour) suspended from party[8]
  • May 2024: Natasha Irons (Labour) and Helena Dollimore (Labour) resign – by-elections held July 2024[9]
  • July 2024: Franca Ofeimu (Labour) and Shuile Syeda (Labour) win by-elections[10][11]
  • January 2026: Jenifer Gould (Liberal Democrats) resigns – seat left vacant until 2026 election[12]
  • April 2026: Marsie Skeete (Labour) dies – seat left vacant until 2026 election[13]

Results summary

2026 Merton London Borough Council election
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Labour 32 2 1 Increase 1 56.1% 30.8% 59,193 Decrease11.5pp
  Liberal Democrats 19 3 1 Increase 2 33.3% 27.7% 53,195 Increase 2.7pp
  Conservative 4 0 3 Decrease 3 7.0% 15.3% 29,381 Decrease10.8pp
  Merton Park RA 2 0 0 Steady 0 3.5% 1.9% 3,714 Decrease 0.2pp
  Green 0 0 0 Steady 0 0% 12.3% 23,590 Increase 8.0pp
  Reform 0 0 0 Steady 0 0% 11.9% 22,775 New
  Animal Welfare 0 0 0 Steady 0% 0.06% 108 New
  Independent 0 0 0 Steady 0% 0.02% 48 New
  Libertarian 0 0 0 Steady 0 0% 0.02% 31 New
Total 57 192,036

Ward results

Abbey

Abbey (3)[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats John Braithwaite* 1,594
Liberal Democrats Klaar Dresselaers* 1,452
Liberal Democrats Barry Smith 1,370
Labour Kara Abrams 953
Labour Andrew Copeland 820
Labour Shajaki Jeyaveerasingam 701
Green George Burridge 676
Green James Sellers 622
Conservative Nigel Benbow 507
Conservative Ellie Ioannou 399
Conservative Cleon Wilson 351
Reform Zoe Miller 289
Reform Clark Inglis 275
Reform Simon Ogilvie-Harris 268
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Liberal Democrats gain from Labour Swing
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Cannon Hill

Cannon Hill (3)[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Richard Poole 1,379
Liberal Democrats Asif Ashraf 1,376
Liberal Democrats Robert Mitchell 1,278
Conservative Nick McLean* 1,038
Conservative Michael Paterson* 926
Conservative Frank Pocock 880
Labour Elizabeth Sherwood 702
Green Emma Alexander 659
Labour Mohammad Ashraf 629
Labour Neil Davies 625
Green Margaret Rogers 503
Reform Troy Bowler 474
Reform Paul Gaskin 466
Reform John Wigmore 439
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing

Colliers Wood

Colliers Wood (3)[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Caroline Cooper-Marbiah* 1,807
Labour Stuart Neaverson* 1,763
Labour Joanna Sieradzinska 1,494
Green Conor Dunwoody 950
Liberal Democrats Jenny Booth 886
Liberal Democrats George Hadjiyiannakis 772
Green Fevzi Hussein 763
Green Mehmood Naqshbandi 746
Liberal Democrats John Oliver 651
Conservative Andrew Cole 315
Reform Olivier Beumer 281
Reform William Richards 259
Conservative Rob Cossins 255
Reform Edward Smith 244
Conservative Martin Lake 243
Independent Alex Forbes 48

Cricket Green

Cricket Green (3)[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Michael Butcher* 1,576
Labour Usaama Kaweesa* 1,510
Labour Gill Manly* 1,492
Green Ryan Letbe-Holder 553
Green Adele Pinkett 549
Reform Richard Law 530
Reform Casey Powell 462
Reform Artem Mikheev 424
Conservative Eleanor Cox 316
Liberal Democrats William Woodward 300
Liberal Democrats Vivian Vella 296
Liberal Democrats Yu Wong 266
Conservative Debbie Wills 217
Conservative Peter Ludvigsen 210

Figge's Marsh

Figge's Marsh (3)[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Agatha Akyigyina* 1,569
Labour Dan Johnston* 1,374
Labour Franca Ofeimu* 1,323
Green Omar Daair 503
Green Sally Pannifex 435
Green Johnathan Knight 408
Reform Ronan Fraser 356
Reform Steeve Mandarin 326
Reform Vinayak Malhotra 320
Liberal Democrats Elizabeth Barker 235
Conservative Alice Hammond 176
Liberal Democrats Matthew Payne 172
Conservative Sally Hammond 164
Liberal Democrats Emma Wiley 141
Conservative William Woodroofe 133

Graveney

Graveney (3)[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Linda Kirby* 1,778
Labour Billy Hayes* 1,607
Labour Devina Paul 1,562
Green Franki Appleton 832
Green Darrell Ennis-Gayle 727
Green Rupert Stevens 607
Conservative Beth Mitchell 308
Liberal Democrats Iain Coleman 284
Reform Ivana Jurcevic 281
Conservative Thomas Moulton 257
Reform James Oakenfull 257
Reform Charles Williams 254
Conservative Caitilin Smith 240
Liberal Democrats Man Yip 199
Liberal Democrats Hamish Norbrook 196

Hillside

Hillside (2)[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Sarah Golby 1,366
Conservative Dan Holden* 1,089
Liberal Democrats Richard Shillito 1,063
Conservative Suzanne Grocott 944
Green Nick Robins 424
Labour Catherine Kagau 318
Labour Robert Newbery 286
Reform Angus Murray 241
Reform Guy Winterflood 206

Lavender Fields

Lavender Fields (3)[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Edith Macauley* 1,316
Labour Harry Platts 1,170
Labour Slawek Szczepanski* 1,126
Green Emma Donegan 641
Green Gareth Davidson 615
Green Dom Teuma 485
Reform Amanda Ashford 475
Reform John Furness 444
Reform Gina Harper 437
Liberal Democrats Emily Robertson 293
Liberal Democrats Malcolm Brown 284
Conservative Vivian Aku-Barton 243
Liberal Democrats Cosmo Lupton 220
Conservative Capri Fox 199
Conservative Gary Pritchard 196
Animal Welfare Mike Kelson 108
Libertarian Marco Bocci 31

Longthornton

Longthornton (3)[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Brenda Fraser* 1,637
Labour Ross Garrod* 1,494
Labour Sonia Phillips 1,472
Green Christopher Stanton 641
Green Ann Strydom 597
Reform Jonathan Deane 386
Reform Leslie King 338
Reform Ryan Powell 326
Conservative Roger Drage 311
Conservative Kelly Hockey 295
Conservative Hugo Summerson 259
Liberal Democrats Mary-Jane Jeanes 241
Liberal Democrats Christine Peace 199
Liberal Democrats Savas Nicolaides 187

Lower Morden

Lower Morden (3)[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Sally Kenny* 1,604
Labour Dan Hogan 1,499
Labour Daniel Shearer 1,379
Reform Fraser Robertson 1,088
Reform Elizabeth Weeks 1,051
Reform Rohan Kempadoo 1,001
Conservative Joe Hackett 908
Conservative Jack Gebhard 894
Conservative Harry Todd 821
Green Martin Astrand 608
Liberal Democrats Vincent Bolt 540
Green Ahmed Nasir 522
Liberal Democrats Georgina Dilali 416
Liberal Democrats Guy Mercer 356

Merton Park

Merton Park (2)[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Merton Park RA Edward Foley* 1,916
Merton Park RA Stephen Mercer* 1,798
Green Melinda Balatoni 443
Liberal Democrats Emma Maddison 406
Labour Elizabeth Hawes 381
Liberal Democrats Christopher Oxford 286
Labour Shirley Pritchard 286
Conservative Hayley Ormrod 213
Reform Christopher Dunn 202
Conservative Yuriy Lysenko 182
Reform Ricky Bello 181

Pollards Hill

Pollards Hill (3)[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Joan Henry* 1,696
Labour Martin Whelton* 1,574
Labour Ryan Rodrigues 1,556
Green Zainul Abadeen 643
Reform Chun Yin Cheung 428
Reform Sandy Gretton 425
Reform Irene Perdomo 396
Liberal Democrats Anne Blanchard 256
Conservative Stephen Crowe 225
Conservative Michael Ormrod 207
Conservative Anton Gjeta 201
Liberal Democrats Susie Hicks* 198
Liberal Democrats Nicholas Harris 184

Ravensbury

Ravensbury (3)[26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Stephen Alambritis* 1,321
Labour Val Hoppichler 1,172
Labour Peter McCabe* 1,158
Liberal Democrats Christopher Michael Bird 815
Liberal Democrats Edward Marsh 696
Liberal Democrats David Miller-Holland 575
Green Nicholas Prangnell 532
Reform James Bogle 526
Reform Simon Goldstein 509
Reform Alexander Smith 478
Conservative Julia Cox 235
Conservative Jeremy Klerck 175
Conservative Brian Lewis-Lavender 173

Raynes Park

Raynes Park (3)[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Victoria Wilson* 2,093
Liberal Democrats Chessie Flack* 2,087
Liberal Democrats Matthew Willis* 2,072
Conservative Michael Bull 735
Green Angela Manser 659
Conservative Nigel Popham 655
Green Richard Evans 626
Labour Sandy Cowling 610
Conservative Sivas Ranjan 560
Labour Mark Featherston 556
Labour Timothy McLoughlin 461
Reform Darren Manning 432
Reform Charles McSwiggan 410
Reform Kadir Kadir 397

St Helier

St Helier (3)[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Andrew Judge* 1,215
Labour Nedra Daniel 1,209
Labour Shuile Syeda* 1,135
Green Pippa Maslin 929
Green Steve Coles 834
Green Benjamin Smith 761
Reform Christopher Lovejoy 537
Reform Andrew Parr 508
Reform Assana Haghi 485
Liberal Democrats Hermione Peace 296
Conservative Charlie Beale 276
Conservative Sophia Paterson 248
Conservative Joshua Harmston-Gething 239
Liberal Democrats Sarah Weber 235
Liberal Democrats John Raymond 220

Village

Village (3)[29]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Max Austin* 2,169
Conservative Jan Comer 1,973
Conservative Will Orson 1,939
Liberal Democrats Ursula Faulkner 1,701
Liberal Democrats Iain Wadie 1,542
Liberal Democrats Leo Liao 1,478
Green Rachel Eileen Brooks 441
Reform Fiona Beumer 421
Reform Alistair Boyd 395
Labour Andrea Colquhoun 377
Labour Ann Gillespie 347
Reform Eoin Fraser 337
Labour Margaret Tulloch 323

Wandle

Wandle (2)[30]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Eleanor Stringer* 1,155
Labour Sebastian Budner 1,076
Liberal Democrats Kirsten Galea* 986
Liberal Democrats Philip Ling 864
Green Gideon Tarry 438
Reform Richard Dalton 238
Reform Jeremy Singer 218
Conservative Thomas McCall 192
Conservative Oonagh Moulton 185

West Barnes

West Barnes (3)[31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Hina Bokhari* 1,816 17[32]
Liberal Democrats Robert Page* 1,560 14[33]
Liberal Democrats Mariam Hakim 1,540 14[34]
Labour Oenone Flambert 666 6[35]
Conservative Gilli Lewis-Lavender 664 6[36]
Conservative Sarah McAlister 618 6[37]
Conservative Teresa Engley 614 6[38]
Green Charles Barraball 610 6[39]
Labour Rebecca Tate 567 5[40]
Green Susan O'Connor 517 5[41]
Labour John Townsend 484 4[42]
Reform Christopher McLaughlin 449 4[43]
Reform Petra Frolkova 420 4[44]
Reform Alex Pinna 406 4[45]

Wimbledon Park

Wimbledon Park (3)[46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Jil Hall* 2,078 19[47]
Liberal Democrats Tony Reiss* 1,853 17[48]
Liberal Democrats Nick Thomas 1,777 16[49]
Green Juliet Boyd 741 7[50]
Conservative Janice Howard 610 6[51]
Conservative Andrew Howard 604 6[52]
Conservative Linda Taylor 552 5[53]
Labour Hugh Constant 538 5[54]
Green James Robson 510 5[55]
Labour David Cowling 444 4[56]
Labour Terry Daniels 392 4[57]
Reform John Pearson 284 3[58]
Reform Stephen Gibson 280 3[59]
Reform Edward Powell 263 2[60]

Wimbledon Town and Dundonald

Wimbledon Town and Dundonald (3)[61]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Samantha MacArthur* 2,664
Liberal Democrats Anthony Fairclough* 2,618
Liberal Democrats Simon McGrath* 2,287
Green Huw Buckley 840
Labour Abigail Jones 793
Conservative Anthony Cole 634
Conservative Sarah Poole 620
Conservative Katie Russell 589
Labour Peter Payne 571
Labour Joel Winter 544
Reform Lisa Bassett 339
Reform Timothy Becker 308
Reform John Bradbury 306

Notes

  1. ↑ Includes the vacant seat in Cannon Hill that was last held by the Liberal Democrats.

References

  1. ↑ "Merton Council Composition: Latest". opencouncildata.co.uk. Open Council Data UK. Archived from the original on 16 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  2. ↑ "Local elections in London will test support for Reform UK and Greens". BBC News. 1 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "Number of councils that have requested delay to local elections revealed - is yours one of them?". Sky News. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  4. ↑ Galliven, Harrison (8 May 2026). "Merton Council election result 2026 - Labour keep control". Wandsworth Times. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "Merton result - Local Elections 2022". BBC News. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  6. ↑ "Labour unable to celebrate far from perfect Merton win as Lib Dems claim major scalp". Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  7. ↑ "Exclusive: Labour facing 'fierce battles' to keep hold of at least 12 London boroughs in May local elections". Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  8. ↑ Mendonça, Susana; Kelly, James (27 January 2024). "Merton Labour councillor quits over Israel-Gaza posts". BBC News. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  9. ↑ Galliven, Harrison (30 May 2024). "Councillors resign to become MPs with one going for seat 65 miles away". My London. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  10. ↑ "Local Elections Archive Project — Figge's Marsh Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  11. ↑ "Local Elections Archive Project — St Helier Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  12. ↑ Galliven, Harrison (9 January 2026). "Merton Lib Dem councillor resigns as family leaves UK". My London. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  13. ↑ "Remembering former Mayor of Merton Councillor Marsie Skeete". Merton Council Newsroom. 28 April 2026. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  14. ↑ "Election results for Abbey: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  15. ↑ "Election results for Cannon Hill: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  16. ↑ "Election results for Colliers Wood: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  17. ↑ "Election results for Cricket Green: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  18. ↑ "Election results for Figge's Marsh: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  19. ↑ "Election results for Graveney: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  20. ↑ "Election results for Hillside: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  21. ↑ "Election results for Lavender Fields: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  22. ↑ "Election results for Longthornton: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  23. ↑ "Election results for Lower Morden: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  24. ↑ "Election results for Merton Park: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  25. ↑ "Election results for Pollards Hill: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  26. ↑ "Election results for Ravensbury: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  27. ↑ "Election results for Raynes Park: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  28. ↑ "Election results for St Helier: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  29. ↑ "Election results for Village: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  30. ↑ "Election results for Wandle: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  31. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  32. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  33. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  34. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  35. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  36. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  37. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  38. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  39. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  40. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  41. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  42. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  43. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  44. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  45. ↑ "Election results for West Barnes". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  46. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  47. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  48. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  49. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  50. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  51. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  52. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  53. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  54. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  55. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  56. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  57. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  58. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  59. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  60. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Park". merton.gov.uk. Merton Borough Council. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  61. ↑ "Election results for Wimbledon Town and Dundonald: Local Elections - Thursday 7 May 2026". London Borough of Merton. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
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