The country heads to the polls this Thursday (May 7), with elections in 136 English local authorities across the UK. After bankruptcies and bin strikes, all eyes are on Birmingham to be one of the biggest stories. Still, there are council elections all across the West Midlands—for all councillors in Coventry, Sandwell, Solihull, and Walsall, and one third of councillors in Dudley and Wolverhampton.
What is happening in the 2026 Birmingham City Council election?
All 101 council seats are up for election across 37 single-member and 32 two-member wards in Birmingham. In the previous council election (in 2022), the Labour Party maintained control of the council by winning 65 seats—though this number has since dropped to just 51 seats.
The Labour Party has held majority control of Birmingham City Council since 2012, while no other political party has had control of the council since the Conservatives from 1982 to 1984 (although no party held overall control between 2003 and 2012). With the Labour Party under pressure, Birmingham could be due for a huge change.
Most polls predict Labour to lose its majority, with a large increase in council seats going to Reform UK, the Green Party and independent politicians. The outcome of the 2026 Birmingham City Council election, however, is expected to result in a No Overall Control council.
What other council elections in the West Midlands should I keep an eye on?
Sandwell will also be voting on all 72 members of its council on Thursday, where Labour have held majority control since 1979, but many are predicting a “political earthquake” here too. Meanwhile, the Conservative-run Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, where councillors are normally elected in thirds, is having a rare, full 51-seat election due to boundary changes.
Upests could also happen at the Labour-controlled (since 2010) Coventry City Council, which has a full election of 54 seats for the first time since 2004, and the Conservative-led Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, where all 60 seats are up for grabs. Less change is expected in Dudley and Wolverhampton councils, where only one-third of seats are being decided on.
When do polls open and close on Thursday?
The polls for voting in person on Thursday, May 7, will open at 7am and will close at 10pm that same day, but the opportunity to apply for a postal or proxy vote has passed. Remember, you will need a valid photo ID to vote in person, like a passport or driving licence.
When will we hear the results?
Council election results will start to trickle in just a few hours after the polls close, but the majority will arrive throughout the day, the following day on Friday, May 8, with the final results announced on Saturday, May 9.
As the largest local authority in Europe, Birmingham City Council may take some time to count and verify, but it’s estimated that it could be announced as late as 6pm on Friday, barring any recounts.
Most other local council election results in the West Midlands county are also expected on Friday afternoon, including in Coventry (5pm), Sandwell (5pm), Solihull (3pm), Walsall (5pm), and Wolverhampton (4pm). Only Dudley will see early results, where it may be as early as 3.30am.
