2026 Local Elections Preview: We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Vote | ep. 147

The 2026 Local Elections are set to be the most seismic the country has faced in a generation. Across all of Britain the old order is being thrown out of the window and the brave new world of six-party fragmentation will be laid bare for all to witness. This will, seemingly, come at the expense of the Labour Party, whose time in government hasn’t been all too well recieved as of yet.

In Wales, Plaid Cymru and Reform look set to displace Labour as the biggest parties in the Senedd. The SNP look to maintain their hold on Holyrood. And in England, the story of different places will be told – Reform look set to take large seats up and down, while the Greens target urban areas for their gains.

One of the most significant of these is set to be London, where Labour’s two-decade long stronghold looks to dissipate.

To discuss all of this and provide a preview of the local elections, Compass’ Deputy Director Lena Swedlow was joined by:

• Elly Baker, Labour London Assembly Member from the Londonwide list since 2021 and Labour group spokesperson for Transport.
• Laura Beveridge, Junior Political Correspondent at PoliticsJOE and Washington Post Stern-Bryan Fellow 2026.