Croydon Voters Return Mayor Perry to a Divided Town Hall

Jason Perry has secured a second term as Croydon’s Executive Mayor, yet he faces a significantly altered political landscape following the 2026 local elections. While the Conservative mayor retained his executive position, the borough’s council chamber has moved into a state of no overall control, leaving no single party with a functional majority to pass legislation or budgets unchallenged.

The final tallies, verified on Saturday, 9 May, confirm that while the Labour Party holds the highest number of individual council seats, they lack the executive power held by the Mayor. Conversely, Mayor Perry must now navigate a chamber where the Green Party, Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK hold the balance of power on key committee votes and scrutiny decisions. This result marks a complex chapter for the borough, requiring cross-party negotiation to maintain administrative stability.

What readers need to know

• Jason Perry (CON) re-elected as Executive Mayor for a second term.
• Labour remains the largest party in the chamber with 30 seats.
• The Green Party has emerged as a significant force with 8 seats.
• Total voter turnout reached 41.02%, representing 286,933 residents.
• No single party holds more than half of the 70 available council seats.

Detailed Breakdown of the 2026 Ward Results

The composition of the council shifted during the count as final council seats are filled across the borough’s diverse wards. The distribution of representatives reflects a fragmented electorate, with smaller parties gaining ground at the expense of the traditional two-party dominance.

This distribution means that the 28 Conservative councillors, aligned with the Mayor, will need to find common ground with at least eight other members to reach the 36-vote threshold required for a simple majority on standard council business. The return of Jason Perry for a second term ensures continuity in the executive office, but the legislative path forward appears more constrained than in his previous term.

Governing Croydon Without a Single Party Majority

Under the directly-elected mayor model, Jason Perry holds significant executive powers, including the ability to appoint a cabinet and propose the annual budget. However, the full council retains the power to amend or reject the budget if a two-thirds majority (47 councillors) can agree on an alternative. In a chamber where the opposition—Labour, Greens, Lib Dems, and Reform—collectively hold 42 seats, the Mayor is not immediately at risk of a budget veto, but he faces a robust challenge in passing everyday policy.

The presence of eight Green Party councillors is particularly notable. This group now serves as a potential kingmaker in committee discussions, particularly regarding environmental policy, urban planning, and transport initiatives. The Liberal Democrats and Reform UK, with two seats each, also hold enough weight to influence close votes, making every council session a matter of tactical negotiation.

Voter Participation and Democratic Engagement

The 41.02% turnout indicates a high level of civic engagement compared to many other London boroughs during this election cycle. With 286,933 people casting ballots, Croydon’s count was among the largest in the capital. This high participation rate suggests that residents remain deeply invested in the borough’s recovery and future direction following years of financial scrutiny and administrative restructuring.

The administrative focus now shifts to the first full council meeting of the new term. During this session, the chairs of the various scrutiny and planning committees will be appointed. Given the lack of an overall majority, the allocation of these roles will be a litmus test for how the parties intend to cooperate or compete over the next four years. Residents can view the full list of elected members for each specific ward on the official Croydon Council website.

Source: Croydon Council