With local elections scheduled for May 7, 2026, Dudley councillors are actively canvassing voters across the borough. The elections will determine who holds seats in the council chamber, where the Conservative Party currently leads a minority administration.
Dudley Council consists of 72 councillors, divided evenly across 24 wards, each represented by three council members. This election cycle will see one-third of the seats—24 in total—up for grabs.
At present, the Conservative Party holds 33 seats, Labour 24, the Black Country Party six, the Liberal Democrats five, Reform UK three, and there is one independent councillor. Since the Conservatives do not have an outright majority, they rely on support from other members to pass measures.
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In the upcoming election, nine seats held by Conservatives, nine by Labour, three by the Black Country Party, one by Reform UK, and the one independent seat currently held by Stuart Turner will be contested. Additional seats may also be available should any councillors step down or if vacancies arise.
Unlike some Midlands councils undergoing ‘all out’ elections—where every seat is contested, usually after boundary changes—Dudley will hold its usual partial elections. The last ‘all out’ election took place in 2024 following a boundary review by the Local Government Boundary Commission.
Typically, Dudley holds elections in three out of every four years, as councillors serve four-year terms. There were no elections in 2025, setting the stage for this important 2026 vote.
Candidates must submit their nominations by 4 pm on April 9, in accordance with the Electoral Commission’s timetable. As campaigners take to the streets, Dudley’s residents will soon decide the future shape of their council leadership.