As counting stretched into the early hours at Peterborough’s counting centre, the faces of exhausted candidates, jubilant supporters, and anxious campaign teams told the real story of the 2026 city council elections.

CambsNews captured the tension and relief in sharp detail: weary smiles breaking through at decla

ration time, handshakes across party lines, and clusters of activists checking phones under harsh lighting as results trickled in from 18 wards.

The elections, held on Thursday 7 May, delivered another hung council with no party securing overall control of the 60-seat authority.

Turnout reached 35.24%, a modest increase reflecting local interest amid national volatility.

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Reform UK emerged as a significant winner, securing four of the seats up for election and boosting its total representation to five councillors – a notable breakthrough for the party.

Conservatives held strong in several wards, winning six seats but seeing a slight net loss.

Labour, previously the largest group, suffered heavier losses with only two gains from the contested seats, dropping their overall numbers.

Liberal Democrats picked up three, Greens two, and Independents one, maintaining the fragmented political landscape that has defined Peterborough governance in recent years.

Key moments from the overnight count included tight races in wards like Bretton, where Reform’s John Robert Bolton edged out Conservative Scott Warren, and Orton Waterville, where Green candidate Alex Bowerbanks triumphed.

In Fletton and Woodston, Green Ed Murphy secured victory in a competitive field.

The results underscore shifting voter priorities, with concerns over housing, local services, and national issues influencing outcomes. Coalition talks are expected in the coming days as groups negotiate to form a working administration.

Peterborough City Council elections 2026: Full results ward by ward

Voters across Peterborough went to the polls on Thursday, 7 May, to elect councillors in 18 wards across the city.

Overall turnout across the elections was 35.24 per cent.

The results saw gains spread across several parties and independents, with victories for Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Greens, Reform UK and local independent candidates.

Bretton

REFORM GAIN FROM CONSERVATIVE

Turnout: 30.8%

Central

LABOUR HOLD

Turnout: 34.17%

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Dogsthorpe

CONSERVATIVE GAIN (WINNING CANDIDATE SUSPENDED FROM PARTY)

Turnout: 32%

East

LABOUR HOLD

Turnout: 34.6%

Eye, Thorney and Newborough

REFORM GAIN FROM CONSERVATIVE

Turnout: 41.56%

Fletton and Stanground

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT HOLD

Turnout: 32.2%

Fletton and Woodston

GREEN GAIN FROM LABOUR

Turnout: 34.5%

Gunthorpe

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT HOLD

Turnout: 39.7%

Hampton Vale

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GAIN FROM CONSERVATIVE

Turnout: 29.3%

Hargate and Hempsted

CONSERVATIVE GAIN FROM PETERBOROUGH FIRST

Turnout: 29.3%

North

CONSERVATIVE GAIN FROM LABOUR

Turnout: 32.6%

Orton Longueville

REFORM GAIN FROM CONSERVATIVE

Turnout: 33.85%

Orton Waterville

GREEN GAIN FROM INDEPENDENT

Turnout: 42.7%

Park

CONSERVATIVE GAIN FROM LABOUR

Turnout: 39.4%

Paston and Walton

CONSERVATIVE GAIN FROM LIBERAL DEMOCRAT

Turnout: 35.8%

Ravensthorpe

CONSERVATIVE GAIN FROM GREEN

Turnout: 39.6%

Stanground South

REFORM GAIN FROM PETERBOROUGH FIRST

Turnout: 30.5%

Werrington

PETERBOROUGH FIRST HOLD

Turnout: 40.7%

Party performance summary

The highest turnout was recorded in Orton Waterville at 42.7 per cent, while the lowest was in Hampton Vale and Hargate and Hempsted, both at 29.3 per cent.