The 2026 Winchester 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 15 of 32 members of Winchester City Council in Hampshire, England.
Prior to the election, the council was under Liberal Democrat majority control. They won thirteen of the fifteen seats contested at this election, increasing their majority on the council.
Due to ongoing local government reorganisation, this election is planned to be the final election to Winchester City Council before it is abolished and replaced by a successor unitary authority, Mid Hampshire Council. Elections to the successor authority are due to take place in 2027.
Summary
Background In 2024, the Liberal Democrats retained control of the council with an increased majority.
Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats 33 32 8 8 3 4 1 1
Changes 2024–2026: June 2024: George Prest (Liberal Democrats) resigns – by-election held July 2024 July 2024: Richard Murphy (Liberal Democrats) wins by-election March 2025: Hannah Greenberg (Liberal Democrats) resigns – by-election held May 2025 May 2025: Liam Bailey-Morgan (Green) gains by-election from Liberal Democrats
Election result
Incumbents
Ward Incumbent councillorParty Re-standingResult Alresford & Itchen Valley Margot Power Liberal Democrats YesHeld seat Badger Farm &Oliver's Battery Brian Laming Liberal Democrats YesHeld seat Bishop's Waltham Steve Miller Conservative YesLib Dem Gain Central Meon Valley Malcolm Wallace Green YesHeld seat Colden Common & Twyford Susan Cook Independent YesHeld seat Denmead Caroline Brook Conservative YesLib Dem Gain Southwick & Wickham Neil Cutler Liberal Democrats YesHeld seat St Barnabas James Batho Liberal Democrats YesHeld seat St Bartholomew Kathleen Becker Liberal Democrats YesHeld seat St Michael Mark Reach Liberal Democrats YesHeld seat St Paul Lucille Thompson Liberal Democrats YesHeld seat The Worthys Jackie Porter Liberal Democrats YesHeld seat Upper Meon Valley Neil Bolton Conservative YesLib Dem Gain Whiteley & Shedfield Anne Small Liberal Democrats YesHeld seat Wonston & Micheldever Patrick Cunningham Conservative YesLib Dem Gain
Results
Alresford & Itchen Valley
Badger Farm & Oliver's Battery
Bishops Waltham
Central Meon Valley
Colden Common & Twyford
Denmead
Southwick & Wickham
St Barnabas
St Bartholomew
St Michael
St Paul
The Worthys
Upper Meon Valley
Whiteley & Shedfield
Wonston & Micheldever
References