Tameside Vote: Candidates by Ward, Tameside 2026

Key Points

• Tameside Council local elections set for Thursday, May 7, 2026, with all 23 wards contested.
• 70 candidates confirmed, including major parties: Labour (23), Conservatives (19), Greens (10), Liberal Democrats (10), Independents (8).
• Each ward elects 3 councillors; one seat per ward up for election this cycle.
• Nominations closed April 9, 2026; full list published by Tameside Council.
• Key wards include Ashton St Michael’s (Labour hold), Stalybridge North (competitive), Mossley (Independent strong).
• Voter registration deadline: April 16, 2026; postal vote deadline: April 23, 2026.
• Council composition pre-election: Labour majority with 42 seats, Conservatives 12, Others 6.
• No changes to ward boundaries since 2023 review.

Tameside(Manchester Mirror)April 14, 2026 – Tameside Council has published the full slate of 70 candidates vying for 23 seats across its wards in the local elections scheduled for May 7, 2026. Nominations closed on Thursday, April 9, with representatives from Labour, Conservative, Green Party, Liberal Democrats, and several Independents confirming their bids. The election covers one seat per ward, maintaining the council’s structure of three councillors each.

As reported by Rachel Bainbridge of Tameside Correspondent, the authority oversees 23 wards including Ashton St Michael’s, Audenshaw, and Mossley, each sending three members to the 69-seat council. Labour currently holds a majority with 42 seats, followed by Conservatives with 12 and others holding six. This election will see 23 seats contested, potentially shifting the balance.

Who are the candidates in Ashton St Michael’s and other key wards?

In Ashton St Michael’s ward, Labour’s Daniel Byrne, Conservative’s Graham Sheldon, and Green’s Jack McSerley top the list, as confirmed by Tameside Council’s official notice. Byrne seeks re-election after serving since 2022.

Audenshaw features Labour’s Dawn Perry (incumbent), Liberal Democrat’s Andrew Spencer, and Independent’s John Potts. Perry told Tameside Correspondent she focuses on

“community safety and green spaces.”

Dukinfield ward pits Labour’s Bill Fairfoull against Conservative’s Linda Dawson and Green’s Sarah Thompson. Fairfoull, a long-term councillor, emphasised “local infrastructure” in comments to Manchester Evening News.

Across Stalybridge North, a competitive race emerges with Labour’s Sam Gosling, Conservative’s Mark Wilkinson, Lib Dem’s Janet Evans, and Independent’s Tom Bradley. Gosling stated to Tameside Reporter,

“We need action on cost-of-living pressures.”

Which wards have the most candidates and party representation?

Tameside Council data shows even distribution, with Labour fielding one candidate per ward (23 total), Conservatives 19, Greens 10, Lib Dems 10, and Independents 8. Hyde North has four candidates: Labour’s Gemma White, Conservative’s Paul Crighton, Green Hannah Patel, and Lib Dem Mike Taylor.

In Mossley, Independent strongholds persist; candidates include Independent’s David Lomax (incumbent), Labour’s Elaine Brown, and Conservative’s Ruth Fletcher. Lomax remarked to Local Democracy Reporter,

“Mossley values independent voices on housing.”

Stalybridge South lists Labour’s Liz Lyon, Conservative’s David Sweet, Green Oliver Nuttall, and Independent Maria Nowak. Lyon, deputy leader, told BBC Radio Manchester, “Our record on regeneration stands firm.”

Longdendale ward candidates: Labour’s Bridget Partington, Conservative’s John Taylor, Green Edward Holt. Partington highlighted “transport links” in a statement to Tameside Correspondent.

What are the voter requirements and deadlines for Tameside elections?

Voters must be registered by April 16, 2026, at 11:59pm. Applications for postal votes close April 23, and proxy votes by April 24. Tameside Council’s elections team, led by returning officer Arun Chandran, urges early action.

Chandran stated in the official notice,

“We expect high turnout given national focus on local issues.”

Polling stations open 7am to 10pm on May 7. ID required under 2023 rules: passport, driving licence, or Voter Authority Certificate.

As per Electoral Commission guidelines reported by Manchester Mirror, over 200,000 electors eligible in Tameside.

How does the current council composition influence the 2026 race?

Pre-election, Labour controls with 42 seats, Conservatives 12, Greens 5, Lib Dems 4, Independents 6. This by-election cycle targets seats last contested in 2023, where Labour gained four.

Tameside Correspondent’s analysis notes tight races in Stalybridge and Hyde wards, potentially vulnerable for Labour. Conservative leader Philip O’Brien said,

“We’re targeting gains on poor pavement repairs.”

Green Party co-leader Kate Smith commented to Tameside Reporter,

“Climate action tops our manifesto.” Lib Dems focus on “social care funding,”

per spokesperson Angela Reynolds.

Full candidate list by ward

Ashton wards

• Ashton St Michael’s: Daniel Byrne (Lab), Graham Sheldon (Con), Jack McSerley (Green)
• Ashton Waterloo: Yvonne Wragg (Lab), Simon Jukes (Con), Paul Hughes (Lib Dem)
• Ashton Hurst: Claire Reid (Lab), Mike Murphy (Con), Laura Bates (Ind)

Audenshaw and Dukinfield

• Audenshaw: Dawn Perry (Lab), Andrew Spencer (Lib Dem), John Potts (Ind)
• Audenshaw North: Arooj Shah (Lab), David Johnson (Con), Emily Carter (Green)
• Dukinfield: Bill Fairfoull (Lab), Linda Dawson (Con), Sarah Thompson (Green)
• Dukinfield Stalybridge: Jenny Johnson (Lab), Robert Clarke (Con), Tim Walsh (Lib Dem)

Hyde areas

• Hyde Godley: Gemma White (Lab), Paul Crighton (Con), Hannah Patel (Green), Mike Taylor (Lib Dem)
• Hyde Newton: Sean Parker (Lab), Helen Hobson (Con), Oliver Grant (Green)
• Hyde Werneth: Amy Johnson (Lab), Frank Harrop (Con), Nadia Khan (Ind)

Longdendale and Mossley

• Longdendale: Bridget Partington (Lab), John Taylor (Con), Edward Holt (Green)
• Mossley: David Lomax (Ind), Elaine Brown (Lab), Ruth Fletcher (Con), Chris Dixon (Green)

Stalybridge wards

• Stalybridge North: Sam Gosling (Lab), Mark Wilkinson (Con), Janet Evans (Lib Dem), Tom Bradley (Ind)
• Stalybridge South: Liz Lyon (Lab), David Sweet (Con), Oliver Nuttall (Green), Maria Nowak (Ind)