The 2026 Oxford 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 24 of 48 members of Oxford City Council in Oxfordshire, England.
Prior to the election, the council was under no overall control, with Labour being the largest party and running the council as a minority administration. The election saw the council remain under no overall control. Labour had a net loss of seats, but remained the largest party. Following the election, there were negotiations to see if an alliance or coalition which would command a majority could be formed. These negotiations were unsuccessful, and therefore Labour continued to run the council as a minority administration.
Due to ongoing local government reorganisation, this was the final election to Oxford City Council before it will be abolished and replaced by a successor unitary authority. Elections to the successor authority are due to take place in 2027.
Summary
Background In 2024, the council remained under no overall control with the Labour Party the largest party. The council election was not delayed after a debate.
Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats 20 21 9 9 8 9 4 4 7 5 Changes 2024–2026: June 2024: Alistair Morris (Green) resigns – by-election held July 2024 July 2024: Kate Robinson (Green) wins by-election March 2025: Barbara Coyne (Independent, elected as Labour) resigns – by-election held May 2025 May 2025: James Taylor (Labour) nominally gains by-election from Labour January 2026: Edward Mundy (Independent, elected as Labour) joins Greens
Election result
Incumbents
Ward Incumbent councillorParty Re-standing Barton & Sandhills Mike Rowley Labour Yes Blackbird Leys Lubna Arshad Labour Yes Carfax & Jericho Alex Hollingsworth Labour Yes Churchill Susan Brown Labour Yes Cowley Amar Latif Independent No Cutteslowe & Sunnymead Laurence Fouweather Liberal Democrats Yes Donnington Rosie Rawle Green Yes Headington Christopher Smowton Liberal Democrats Yes Headington Hill & Northway James Taylor Labour Yes Hinksey Park Naomi Waite Labour No Holywell Edward Mundy Green No Littlemore Tiago Corais Labour Yes Lye Valley Ajaz Rehman Independent Yes Marston Kate Robinson Green Yes Northfield Brook Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini Independent No Osney & St Thomas Lois Muddiman Green Yes Quarry & Risinghurst Chewe Munkonge Labour Yes Rose Hill & Iffley Ed Turner Labour Yes St Clement's Jemima Hunt Labour No St Mary's Emily Kerr Green Yes Summertown Katherine Miles Liberal Democrats Yes Temple Cowley Sajjad Malik Independent Yes Walton Manor Louise Upton Labour Yes Wolvercote Jo Sandelson Liberal Democrats No
Ward results
Barton & Sandhills
* Change compared to 2024 when standing as an Independent Oxford Alliance candidate.
Blackbird Leys
Carfax & Jericho
Churchill
Cowley
Cuttleslowe & Sunnymead
Donnington
Headington
Headington Hill & Northway
Hinksey Park
Holywell
Littlemore
Lye Valley
Marston
Northfield Brook
Osney & St Thomas
Quarry & Risinghurst
Rose Hill & Iffley
St Clements
St Mary's
Summertown
Temple Cowley
Walton Manor
Wolvercote
References