The 2026 Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council election will take place on 7 May 2026 to elect members of Walsall Council in the West Midlands.[1] This will be on the same day as other local elections. This council is divided into 20 wards, with each having 3 councillors. 60 of the 60 seats are up for election after boundary changes that occurred in 2024.[1][2]
Since its creation in 1974, Walsall has varied between the Conservatives and Labour. Between 1973 and 2004, Walsall had been under Labour control from 1973 to 1976, 1980 to 1982, 1988 to 1992, 1995 to 1996, and 1999 to 2000.[3] It was then under Conservative control between 2004 and 2011, before reverting to no overall control and being retaken by the Conservatives in 2019.[4]
In the 2024 elections, the Conservatives retained all 12 seats up for election, receiving 37.1% of the vote, Labour gained 1 seat with 34.5%, Independent candidates, mainly pro-Gaza independents, received 13%, Reform UK received 8.8%, and the Liberal Democrats received 3.2%.
The seats up for election this year were last elected in 2022. In that election, the Conservative Party retained all 38 of its seats. The Labour Party gained one seat, increasing its representation to 20 councillors, while the number of Independent councillors remained unchanged at two.
In Walsall, each year, one councillor from every ward stands for re-election. In the fourth year, no elections take place, which is what happened in 2025.[5] The previous election took place in 2024. The election will take place by multi-member first-past-the-post voting, with each ward being represented by three councillors. Electors will have as many votes as there are councillors to be elected in their ward, with the top three being elected.
However, the Conservative Councillor Waheed Rasab, who represents the Paddock ward, has called for the introduction of all-out local elections every four years "indefinitely", rather than the current practice of annual elections.[5] Councillor Rasab states that the current process is significantly more expensive and takes money, over £250,000 each year, away from frontline services, adding that there is no ‘compelling need’ to hold elections every year.[5]
Walsall Council have stated that “To change how often elections take place in Walsall, a resolution must be passed by at least two-thirds of all voting councillors at a specially convened meeting... the council must engage with key stakeholders and other persons on any proposed changes. This would likely include elected members, community leaders and residents." And that, as 2026 is an all-out election, this would likely be the starting point for any new arrangements.[5]
Following the 2024 Walsall Borough boundary changes, Walsall Council have invited members of the public "to participate in a review of all polling districts and places used at elections within the borough."[6] This review is in line with the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013, which aims to ensure that voting remains easy and accessible for everyone following recent changes to ward boundaries.[6]
The consultation starts on Monday 9 June 2025 and ends midnight on Saturday 20 July 2025.[6][7]
Leadership of Walsall Council
Since the 2024 Local Elections, Walsall Council has seen the departure of Mike Bird, who was originally suspended amid allegations of racism and anti-Asian bullying, of which he has been cleared.[8] At the Annual General Meeting, Bird executed a putsch and took his entire Tory cabinet with him to form a separate “Conservative and Independent” group.[8] Councillor Bird resigned as council leader in June 2024. Councillor Garry Perry was elected as Leader of Walsall Council on 3 June 2024, following the resignation of Councillor Mike Bird.[9] However, Garry Perry quit on May 21, claiming he’d experienced 'political attrition, deliberate undermining, and bullying dressed up as politics'.[10]
Following the resignation, deputy leader Councillor Adrian Andrew took on the role as acting leader until a new one was chosen by the Conservative Group.[11] On June 5, 2025, Councillor Mike Bird was elected leader of the Conservative Group on Walsall Council, marking the sixth time he has held this position since first becoming a councillor for Pheasey Park Farm in 1980.[11]
This vote took place on June 10 2025.[11] Mike Bird was elected as leader for Walsall Council.[12]
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