Key points
- Wigan’s local election results took place on Thursday, 7th May, 2026.
- The results have evoked a whirlwind of reactions from the public.
- The once Labour dominated borough, is expected to change drastically in the next election.
- Labour has experienced a significant loss, whilst Reform ruled the election results.
- Not one seat was voted in by the traditional voted parties.
- There has been commotion at Downing Street.
- Drastic change has occurred in Greater Manchester’s politics.
Wigan, Manchester (Manchester Mirror) May 11 2026- In the last week, residents of uk/local/wigan/">Wigan have participated in local elections. However, the recent results have changed political history. The two traditional political parties, Labour and Conservatives, have suffered a significant change in the last polls. Whilst other parties have unexpectedly succeeded in the charts.
What were the results from Wigan’s previous election?
For the last four decades, the Labour Party has dominated the Wigan Borough as a whole. Although, last Thursday’s election has altered Northern political history forever. Out of the 25 seats available, the Reform Party gained 24 seats. Only one seat was elected from the Independent Party. This was achieved by Jamie Hodgkinson, who won Atherton North.
Reportablely, the Reform Party was mostly voted by Atherton and Leigh. Labour’s loss has significantly impacted individuals, as not one seat was successfully voted in the last election. The new opposing party (Reform) is currently increasing votes in the country. Previous statistics show that Reform holds a 25% vote, whilst Labour holds a 18% vote. The evidence shows a political shift in the country and especially in the Wigan Borough. Even with the change in public votes, Labour is still currently in charge.
How did this impact the Labour Party?
Presently, at Downing Street the Labour Party are experiencing debates about the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. Home secretary, Shabana Mahmood and other Labour MPs, are urging for Starmer to resign. However, Starmer is currently keeping his position, whilst still having support from the party. The recent political polls have shook Parliament. Several Labour MPs have spoken out publicly about Wigan’s results.
Wigan’s MP Lisa Nandy, stated about the challenging results to Labour, at Robin Park saying
“We always knew these elections were going to be really tough.”
Before Thursday’s results, the Labour Party held 62 seats but now have lost 20. The Conservative Party was threatened by the recent results. They did not gain a seat and the polls show that the Conservatives have lost one. Alongside this, the Independent Party in the Wigan Borough, have lost two seats and gained a seat. On the other hand, Reform was chosen by the majority and increased by 23 seats.
What Wigan areas were a part of Thursday’s elections?
The 7th of May elections covered various parts of the Wigan Borough. The areas covered: Abram, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Aspull, Atherton, Hindley, Ince, Leigh, Orrell and Winstanley.
Which Reform candidates gained seats?
- Worsley Mesnes elected Keith Whalley.
- Winstanley elected Paul Forbes.
- Wigan West elected Sam Ashton.
- Wigan Central elected Lee Moffitt.
- Tyldesley & Mosley Common elected Adrian White.
- Standish with Langtree elected Michael John Whalley.
- Shevington with Lower Ground & Moor elected Lilian Carol Rogers.
- Pemberton elected Simon Silcock.
- Orrel elected Paul Kevin Bannister.
- Lowton East elected Simon Smith.
- Leigh West elected David John Evans.
- Leigh South elected Leon Peters.
- Leigh Central and Higher Folds elected Tina Kennedy.
- Ince elected Gemma Painter.
- Hindley Green elected Liam Clarke.
- Hindley elected Paul David Manniex.
- Golborne and Lowton West elected Susan Jayne Frame.
- Douglas elected Matthew Lambert.
- Bryn with Ashton-in-Makerfield North elected Robert Francis Kenyon.
- Atherton South & Lilford elected Martin James Farrimond.
- Astley elected Eileen Patricia Strathearn.
- Aspull, New Springs & Whelley elected Jo Meadows.
- Ashton-in-Makerfield South elected Kathy Morrill-Ashford.
- Abram elected David William Bowker.
Greater Manchester’s election results
Even with Reform’s drastic successes across Greater Manchester, Green has achieved significant favour from the public. The Green Party has become the 2nd most voted party in the county, succumbing to Reform.
In the Tameside area, it has followed Wigan’s pattern. Labour has again suffered greatly there, as Reform gained 18 out of the 19 seats. Beforehand, Labour was known for ruling the poles in Tameside. However, a change occurred in Stockport. Lib Dems gained a seat in Stockport after fifteen years. The seat was gained by Mark Roberts, who spoke out about the recent victory. Roberts said,
“I’mreally pleased with the result tonight.”
Across the county, political opinions have changed significantly. With the rise of Reform and other parties like the Greens, the future of the country’s politics is not certain. Whilst tensions have risen in Downing Street, Sir Keir Starmer, is under high pressure to fulfill his duty.
