The 2026 council elections in Dudley may bring substantial change, with Reform UK emerging as a formidable contender. The Dudley Council consists of 72 councillors, each representing one of the borough’s 24 wards with three councillors per ward. On Thursday, May 7, 2026, voters will elect one-third of these seats, potentially altering the political landscape.
Election prediction site Electoral Calculus recently suggested that Reform UK could sweep all wards in Dudley if a general election were held today. While this forecast has raised eyebrows, Conservative Council leader Cllr Patrick Harley remains optimistic. “We are defending nine seats and with our usual campaign efforts and the dedication of our candidates and volunteers, I’m confident we will hold all nine,” he said.
Cllr Harley acknowledges the changing dynamics, noting that the presence of more parties could lead to tightly contested seats. “Reform UK might even work to our advantage. If we mobilize our core voters and the Labour vote shifts to the Lib Dems, Reform, or Greens, we stand a good chance,” he added. “Even without gaining seats, we will remain the largest party by far.”
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As of now, Dudley Council’s composition includes 33 Conservatives, 24 Labour members, six from the Black Country Party, five Liberal Democrats, three Reforms UK councillors, and one independent. In the upcoming elections, nine Conservative and nine Labour seats will be contested, alongside three Black Country Party seats, one Reform UK seat, and the independent seat held by Stuart Turner.
Unexpected vacancies might also arise if sitting councillors step down or pass away before the election, potentially increasing the number of contested seats.
Regardless of whether Reform UK achieves a predicted landslide, their growing presence is sure to influence the council’s makeup after May 7. Reform UK Councillor Shaun Keasey emphasized this shift: “Dudley needs a fresh start; the stale ideas of the past need to be swept aside.”