← Reading (all cycles) · 7 May 2026 cohort

Reading 2026

Local elections held 7 May 2026.

16 ward races
17 seats
13 elected below the proportional quota
76.5% of seats below quota
3 unfairly awarded seats
17.6% of seats unfairly awarded

Each race compares the marginal winner's share of valid ballots to the proportional quota — the share they'd need under any common proportional method. How the numbers are derived →

If votes were counted by party

Across the 16 wards in this cycle, parties received the vote totals below. The proportional column shows what each party would have won if the 17 seats had been shared out in proportion to votes received (how, with caveats). The Δ column is the actual seat count minus the proportional seat count — positive numbers are parties First-Past-the-Post over-represented; negative are parties it under-represented.

PartyVotesVote %Seats won% of seatsProportional seatsProportional %Δ
Labour Party15,30029.2%741.2%529.4%+2
Green Party15,11328.8%635.3%529.4%+1
Conservative Party9,17917.5%317.6%317.6%0
Reform UK8,59216.4%00.0%317.6%-3
Liberal Democrats4,1587.9%15.9%15.9%0
The Liberal Party510.1%00.0%00.0%0
Social Democratic Party290.1%00.0%00.0%0
Independent270.1%00.0%00.0%0
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition250.0%00.0%00.0%0
Total52,474100.0%17100.0%17100.0%0

Vote share vs seats won

The top bar is each party's share of votes cast in this council. Below, one square per seat, coloured by the party that won it — first the actual First-Past-the-Post result, then what a proportional method would have produced from the same vote totals. Divergence between the bar and the actual grid is the indictment of the method.

Vote share
Actual seats
Proportional seats

Council composition: what this election replaced

Two opencouncildata snapshots: the council immediately after the 2026 election (current) and immediately before it (2025). Only ~⅓ of seats were contested in 2026 — most of the bench is unchanged, and the cycle's effect on the overall composition is what shifts.

Current (2026)
Previous (2025)

Wards in this council

Sorted with the largest gap below the quota first. Click any ward to jump to its full result.

Race results

Emmer Green · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 27.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −22.2 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 4,111

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Alex SmithConservative Party1,14327.8%−22.2 ptsElected
2Hannah ConibearGreen Party1,10326.8%
3Clarence MitchellReform UK80519.6%
4Ollie WhiteLabour Party77018.7%
5Nishikant GuptaLiberal Democrats2907.1%

Electorate 7,835 · Invalid 6 · EC ward code local.reading.emmer-green.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Kentwood · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 32.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −17.6 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,128

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Glenn Anthony DennisLabour Party1,01432.4%−17.6 ptsElected
2David Milne-BuckleyConservative Party77524.8%
3Stephen Daniel RustonReform UK73623.5%
4Tim LiddleGreen Party47615.2%
5Jibril Leite Al-NabahaniLiberal Democrats1274.1%

Electorate 6,720 · Invalid 6 · EC ward code local.reading.kentwood.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Coley · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 33.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −16.6 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,915

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Richard WalkemGreen Party97333.4%−16.6 ptsElected
2Ellie EmbersonLabour Party96433.1%
3Petru MereacreReform UK44515.3%
4John David AngusConservative Party36712.6%
5Christopher WardLiberal Democrats1665.7%

Electorate 7,008 · Invalid 14 · EC ward code local.reading.coley.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Whitley · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 34.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −15.4 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,658

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Rachel Claire EdenLabour Party91934.6%−15.4 ptsElected
2Richie SahniReform UK61223.0%
3Vani GoelConservative Party47317.8%
4Kathy SmithGreen Party44916.9%
5Pieter De BoiserieLiberal Democrats2057.7%

Electorate 8,346 · Invalid 9 · EC ward code local.reading.whitley.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Norcot · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 35.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −14.6 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,731

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Alison FosterLabour Party96735.4%−14.6 ptsElected
2Oliver Ross MaunderReform UK64123.5%
3Isobel Claire HoskinsGreen Party55820.4%
4Kes WilliamsConservative Party29310.7%
5Brandon MasihLiberal Democrats2218.1%
6Stephen Anthony GrahamThe Liberal Party511.9%

Electorate 7,598 · Invalid 13 · EC ward code local.reading.norcot.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Southcote · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 36.0% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −14.0 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,865

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Ulrike MagyarosyLabour Party1,03236.0%−14.0 ptsElected
2Bev HeslinReform UK62321.7%
3Rosemary Anne CroftGreen Party61421.4%
4Grace Holly BlackmoreConservative Party40814.2%
5Benjamin Francis SimsLiberal Democrats1886.6%

Electorate 7,741 · Invalid 10 · EC ward code local.reading.southcote.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Abbey · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 37.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −12.4 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,104

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Jacqueline DominguezGreen Party79237.6%−12.4 ptsElected
2Karen Jean RowlandLabour Party68332.5%
3Robert DaltonConservative Party27913.3%
4Paul NewtonReform UK2029.6%
5Henry David WrightLiberal Democrats1396.6%
6James William MorganTrade Unionist and Socialist Coalition90.4%

Electorate 6,512 · Invalid 5 · EC ward code local.reading.abbey.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Caversham · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 38.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −11.6 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 3,748

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Jacopo LanzoniLabour Party1,43838.4%−11.6 ptsElected
2Sam WildGreen Party92024.5%
3Jeff LewisReform UK60016.0%
4Andrew James BallsdonConservative Party54914.6%
5Anthony Martin SpencerLiberal Democrats2256.0%
6Bill RunacreSocial Democratic Party160.4%

Electorate 7,608 · Invalid 12 · EC ward code local.reading.caversham.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Tilehurst · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 38.4% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −11.6 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,977

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Meri O'ConnellLiberal Democrats1,14438.4%−11.6 ptsElected
2Steven David LowReform UK76325.6%
3Caroline Susan BasdenLabour Party43914.7%
4Caroline HearstGreen Party34311.5%
5Raihana RahimiConservative Party2889.7%

Electorate 7,235 · Invalid 9 · EC ward code local.reading.tilehurst.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Thames · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 39.1% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −10.9 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,636

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1David Graham ClarkeGreen Party1,03139.1%−10.9 ptsElected
2Adele Barnett-WardLabour Party75028.5%
3Alexander KellyReform UK35113.3%
4Jaykumar Sanatbhai PatelConservative Party30811.7%
5Christopher Simon BurdenLiberal Democrats1836.9%
6James HallsSocial Democratic Party130.5%

Electorate 6,226 · Invalid 4 · EC ward code local.reading.thames.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Church · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 39.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −10.4 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,768

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Ruth McEwanLabour Party1,09539.6%−10.4 ptsElected
2Matthew ReynoldsReform UK68024.6%
3Jamie WhithamGreen Party46816.9%
4Adam PhelpsConservative Party36213.1%
5Mark Clifford ColeLiberal Democrats1635.9%

Electorate 8,174 · Invalid 11 · EC ward code local.reading.church.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Battle · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 41.6% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −8.4 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,838

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Pratikshya GurungLabour Party1,18041.6%−8.4 ptsElected
2Zoe Elena MannGreen Party99835.2%
3Diana Alphonsine Stephanie WhitehouseReform UK33511.8%
4Ben BlackmoreConservative Party2077.3%
5John Berkeley GroutLiberal Democrats1184.2%

Electorate 7,470 · Invalid 12 · EC ward code local.reading.battle.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Caversham Heights · 2-seat (bloc vote)

Marginal winner Voter-share estimate of the lowest-vote elected candidate. Comparable to the proportional quota. The raw vote share would be ~2× smaller. 28.1% Proportional quota 33.3% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. −5.2 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 2 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 4,327

This is a 2-seat ward under bloc vote — each voter could cast up to 2 votes, so summing candidate votes overcounts voters by ~2×. We show share of votes (matches the council's published figure) and share of voters (est.) (raw share × 2, the figure comparable to the proportional quota). Why two columns →

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Share of voters (est.) Estimated share of voters who supported this candidate, comparable across single- and multi-seat wards. Each voter could cast up to 2 votes, so we approximate ballots as total votes ÷ 2. This is the figure compared against the proportional quota.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Isobel BallsdonConservative Party1,90022.0%43.9%+10.6 ptsElected
2Saadia SaadatConservative Party1,21814.1%28.1%−5.2 ptsElected
3Richard Martin StainthorpLabour Party1,08812.6%25.1%
4Jo MusominariLabour Party1,05812.2%24.5%
5Danny McNamaraGreen Party86610.0%20.0%
6Adil KhanGreen Party7618.8%17.6%
7James Robert StothardReform UK5806.7%13.4%
8Ilayda MolloyReform UK4965.7%11.5%
9Jo RamsayLiberal Democrats4164.8%9.6%
10Vania Costa-KrolLiberal Democrats2713.1%6.3%

Invalid 7 · EC ward code local.reading.caversham-heights.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Katesgrove · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 50.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +0.8 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,640

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Louise Kaye KeaneGreen Party1,34050.8%+0.8 ptsElected
2Richard WongLabour Party60422.9%
3Matthew CallowConservative Party28110.6%
4Prabhdeep SinghReform UK27910.6%
5Sarah Lucy DobsonLiberal Democrats1094.1%
6Jean Louis PascualIndependent271.0%

Electorate 7,591 · Invalid 12 · EC ward code local.reading.katesgrove.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Redlands · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 54.8% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +4.8 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,828

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Kathryn Elizabeth McCannGreen Party1,54954.8%+4.8 ptsElected
2Roy RangariraiLabour Party70825.0%
3Darren Christopher SewardReform UK2549.0%
4Abdoulaye SowConservative Party1796.3%
5Christopher James WilsonLiberal Democrats1224.3%
6Melanie DentTrade Unionist and Socialist Coalition160.6%

Electorate 7,065 · Invalid 10 · EC ward code local.reading.redlands.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index

Park · single-seat

Marginal winner Winning candidate's share of valid ballots. 65.2% Proportional quota 50.0% Below quota Marginal winner's share minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = below; positive = above. +15.2 pts Valid ballots (est.) Estimated voters: total votes ÷ 1 seats. Source data does not publish a ballot count for this cycle. 2,873

RankCandidatePartyVotesShare of votes Candidate votes ÷ total votes cast in this ward. Matches the share the council publishes.Below quota Each elected candidate's share of valid ballots minus the proportional quota for this race. Negative = won the seat below the quota; positive = cleared it.Elected
1Rob WhiteGreen Party1,87265.2%+15.2 ptsElected
2James Anthony CuggyLabour Party59120.6%
3Stephen Richard HamReform UK1906.6%
4Kris LundConservative Party1495.2%
5Jassien Adel SabriLiberal Democrats712.5%

Electorate 6,741 · Invalid 13 · EC ward code local.reading.park.2026-05-07 · Back to ward index