Barnet Council has entered a state of ‘No Overall Control’ after the 2026 local election results ended in a literal dead heat between the two major parties. Both the Labour Party and the Conservative Party secured exactly 31 seats each, falling short of the 32 seats required for a functional majority in the 63-seat chamber.
The final result was confirmed at the RAF Museum on Friday evening, following a day-long count involving more than 400 staff. With a single seat won by the Green Party, the borough now faces a period of intense political negotiation to determine who will lead the administration for the next four years.
Useful details for residents
- Total seats available: 63 across 24 wards.
- Majority required: 32 seats.
- Labour Party: 31 seats.
- Conservative Party: 31 seats.
- Green Party: 1 seat.
- Total candidates: A record 312 individuals stood for election.
Labour and Conservatives reach 31-seat stalemate
The 2026 results represent a significant shift in the local political landscape. To understand the current deadlock, the following table compares the new council composition with the results from the 2022 election cycle.
| Political Group | 2022 Seats | 2026 Seats | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labour Party | 40 | 31 | -9 |
| Conservative Party | 19 | 31 | +12 |
| Green Party | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Reform UK | 1 | 0 | -1 |
| Vacant / Other | 2 | 0 | -2 |
These figures demonstrate a sharp recovery for the Conservative Party, which gained 12 seats compared to their 2022 performance. Conversely, the Labour Party lost its previous working majority of 40 seats, dropping nine representatives. The Green Party maintained its presence in the chamber with a single seat, which may now prove pivotal in deciding the leadership of the council.
Record candidate numbers surge across 24 wards
Public interest in the 2026 local elections reached an all-time high in terms of participation. A total of 312 candidates contested the 63 seats, a substantial increase from the 207 candidates who stood in 2022. This surge in candidates suggests a more competitive and fragmented local political environment across Barnet’s 24 wards.
Cath Shaw, Barnet Council’s Returning Officer and Chief Executive, oversaw the process at the RAF Museum, where the final declarations were made at 8:40 pm. Shaw expressed gratitude to the hundreds of staff members who ensured the smooth running of the election and congratulated the successful candidates. The council executive confirmed that despite the lack of a clear majority, the local authority is prepared to work with all elected members to deliver services for the borough.
Timeline for forming a new administration
The immediate future of the council leadership remains undecided. Under a ‘No Overall Control’ status, the elected councillors will spend the coming days in discussions to determine how the borough will be governed. This could result in a formal coalition, a loose confidence-and-supply agreement, or a minority administration where the largest parties attempt to govern on a vote-by-vote basis.
Residents are advised that day-to-day council services, including waste collection, schools, and social care, will continue to operate as usual during these political negotiations. The administrative structure does not change overnight, and the existing civil service remains in place to manage the borough’s operations.
The formal governance position will be confirmed at the Council’s Annual Meeting, scheduled for 19 May. During this session, councillors will officially appoint key roles, including the Leader of the Council and various committee chairs, and agree on the administration arrangements for the upcoming term. Until that meeting, the political parties will likely keep their negotiation strategies behind closed doors as they vie for the support of the lone Green Party member or seek cross-party compromises.
Source: Barnet Council
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