The 2026 Richmond upon Thames London Borough Council election took place on 7 May 2026. All 54 members of Richmond upon Thames 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.

The Liberal Democrats, who have controlled the council since the 2018 election, and increased their majority in the 2022 election, once again increased their majority to become the only party on the council, taking all 54 seats. The opposition Green Party and Conservative Party were thus left without representation, however Conservatives had previously lost their sole seat in a by-election in 2024.

Background History The thirty-two London boroughs were established in 1965 by the London Government Act 1963. They are the principal authorities in Greater London and have responsibilities including education, housing, planning, highways, social services, libraries, recreation, waste, environmental health and revenue collection. Some of the powers are shared with the Greater London Authority, which also manages passenger transport, police and fire.

Since its formation, Richmond upon Thames has been under Conservative control, Liberal Democrat control, SDP–Liberal Alliance control and no overall control. The Liberal Democrats regained control from the Conservatives in the election in 2018. They won 39 seats with 46.7% of the vote across the borough while the Conservatives won 11 seats with 37.6% of the vote and the Greens won 4.5% of the vote. The Labour Party won 10.4% of the vote but did not win any seats. The leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Gareth Roberts, became council leader following the election.

Council term A by-election for Hampton North ward was held on 18 January 2024, with the Liberal Democrats gaining the seat from the Conservatives. On the same day, a by-election was held for Teddington ward with the Liberal Democrats holding the seat.

Andrée Frieze became leader of the Green Party group in May 2023, she planned to retire at this election.

Electoral process Richmond upon Thames, like other London borough councils, elects all of its councillors at once every four years. The previous election took place in 2022. The election will take place by plurality block voting, with each ward being represented by two or three councillors. Electors had as many votes as there are councillors to be elected in their ward, with the top two or three being elected.

All registered electors (British, Irish, Commonwealth and European Union citizens) living in London aged 18 or over are entitled to vote in this election. People who live at two addresses in different councils, such as university students with different term-time and holiday addresses, are entitled to be registered for and vote in elections in both local authorities.

Previous council composition After 2022 election Before 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats 48 49 5 5 1 0

Election result

Wards results Candidates seeking re-election are marked with an asterisk (*). Councillors seeking re-election for a different ward are marked with a cross (†).

Due to an administrative error, some candidates lacked the description ‘Green Party’ in wards where the party did not already have councillors; however, the Green Party emblem appeared against their names on all ballots.

Barnes

East Sheen

Fulwell and Hampton Hill

Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside

Hampton

Hampton North

Hampton Wick and South Teddington

Heathfield

Kew

Mortlake and Barnes Common

North Richmond

South Richmond

South Twickenham

St Margarets and North Twickenham

Teddington

Twickenham Riverside

West Twickenham

Whitton

Notes

References