The 2026 Portsmouth City Council election was held on 7 May 2026, alongside the other local elections across the United Kingdom being held on the same day, to elect 14 of 42 members of Portsmouth City Council.
Prior to the election, the council was under no overall control. The Liberal Democrats were the largest party, and ran the council as a minority administration. They won enough extra seats at this election to give them an overall majority.
Background In 2024, the council remained under no overall control.
Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election After 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats Party Seats 19 18 22 0 10 12 8 9 4 4 4 3 2 1 1 9 0 N/A Changes before the elections September 2024: Raj Ghosh (Labour) suspended from party May 2025: Raj Ghosh (Independent) and Judith Smyth (Independent) readmitted to Labour July 2025: Raymond Dent (Portsmouth Independent) and George Madgwick (Portsmouth Independent) join Reform September 2025: Brian Madgwick (Portsmouth Independent) resigns – by-election held October 2025 October 2025: Joe Standen (Reform) gains by-election from Portsmouth Independents Matthew Cordy, Chris Dike, Derek North, and Russell Simpson join Reform from the Portsmouth Independent Party November 2025: Jason Fazackarley joins Reform from the Liberal Democrats Feb 2026 Cllr Leo Tindall and Emily Strudwick join Reform from the Portsmouth Independent Party
Election result
Incumbents
Ward Pre Election Post Election Incumbent councillorParty Re-standing Elected councillorParty Baffins Abdul Kadir Liberal Democrats Yes Abdul Kadir Liberal Democrats Central Southsea George Fielding Labour Yes Kate Dorrington Liberal Democrats Charles Dickens Yinka Adeniran Labour Yes Sam Coupland Reform Copnor Benedict Swann Conservative Yes Carl Inman Reform Cosham Asghar Shah Labour Yes Lamara Fudge Reform Drayton & Farlington Simon Bosher Conservative Yes Simon Bosher Conservative Eastney & Craneswater Matthew Winnington Liberal Democrats Yes Matthew Winnington Liberal Democrats Fratton Tom Coles Labour Yes Billy Ansell Liberal Democrats Hilsea Russell Simpson - PIP / Reform Yes Russell Simpson Reform Milton Steve Pitt Liberal Democrats Yes Steve Pitt Liberal Democrats Nelson Jason Fazackarley - Liberal Democrats / Reform Yes Steve Andrews Liberal Democrats Paulsgrove Joe Standen Reform Yes Joe Standen Reform St Jude Judith Smyth Labour Yes Denise Perry Liberal Democrats St Thomas Mark Jeffery Liberal Democrats Yes Mark Jeffery Liberal Democrats
Ward results
Baffins
Central Southsea
Charles Dickens
Copnor
Cosham
Drayton & Farlington
Eastney & Craneswater
Fratton
Hilsea
Milton
Nelson
Paulsgrove
St Jude
St Thomas
Notes
References