Reform UK won 24 of the 25 seats contested across Wigan Borough in the 2026 local elections, in a strong night for Reform UK and a disastrous result for Labour.
The result marks a major shift in Wigan’s political landscape, with Reform making gains right across the borough and finishing well ahead of Labour in the overall vote. Despite the scale of that result, Wigan Council remains under Labour control for now due to the way local elections are structured.
There are 75 councillors across 25 wards, with three councillors per ward. Elections are held in thirds, so only one seat per ward is usually contested each year rather than the whole council being up for election at once. That meant just 25 seats were contested this time. Reform won 24, with the final seat going to an Independent candidate in Atherton North.
Because Labour already held a large number of seats not up for election this year, they still retain overall control of the council, but will now face a much stronger opposition group, with Reform UK significantly increasing its presence.
Following the results, the council now stands at:
- Labour: 42 seats
- Reform UK: 25 seats
- Independents: 5 seats
- Independent Network: 3 seats
Reform well ahead in the vote
Across the borough, Reform UK also came out clearly ahead in the total vote.
| Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reform UK | 43,779 | 46.6% |
| Labour | 23,542 | 25.1% |
| Green | 9,902 | 10.5% |
| Conservative | 7,920 | 8.4% |
| Independent | 6,141 | 6.5% |
| Liberal Democrat | 2,779 | 3.0% |
Turnout across Wigan Borough was 37.6%, slightly higher than recent local elections.
Reform UK celebrate result
Reform UK Wigan Borough said on Facebook they were “very proud” of winning 24 of the 25 seats contested across the borough, adding they were grateful for support across Wigan and set out ambitions to move towards full control of the council at the 2027 elections.
The party also shared pictures of its newly elected councillors with a post welcoming their new representatives. The Facebook post caption read:
“Please welcome your new REFORM Wigan Borough Councillors 🩵🩵🩵
Thank you, Wigan 🙌”
Labour respond in comment
Wigan Constituency Labour Party responded in a comment on the what’s happening in Wigan Facebook page, thanking voters, supporters, candidates and campaigners.
They described the result as an “epic loss” locally, but said there are “clear lessons to be learned both locally and nationally.” The comment added that Labour will continue to hold Reform councillors to account and remain a strong voice in the town hall, saying: “This is not the end.”
Labour leadership change ahead
While Reform UK has been celebrating its results, Labour is now preparing for a leadership change in Wigan.
Council leader David Molyneux MBE had already confirmed before the election that he would be stepping down from the role, so with Labour suffering heavy losses across the borough, attention now turns to who will take over in the coming weeks.
A major shift in Wigan politics
Simply put, a great night for Reform UK and a disaster for Labour. This result marks a massive political shift in Wigan going into 2027, with Reform UK making clear they want to go on and take full control of Wigan Council at the next local election, which should take place in May next year.
FULL breakdown of results:
Wigan and Makerfield ward results
Turnout across Wigan and Makerfield: varied, up to 45.1%
Wigan West
Turnout: 37.2%
LAB: 1,037
REF: 1,746
CON: 173
GRN: 527
LIB: 210
Sam Ashton (Reform UK) elected
Hindley Green
Turnout: 39%
LAB: 1,172
REF: 1,878
CON: 174
GRN: 258
LIB: 106
Liam Clarke (Reform UK) elected
Abram
Turnout: 32%
LAB: 844
REF: 1,958
CON: 158
GRN: 394
LIB: 138
David Bowker (Reform UK) elected
Ashton-in-Makerfield South
Turnout: 38.49%
LAB: 1,100
REF: 1,572
CON: 285
GRN: 432
Kathy Morrill-Ashford (Reform UK) elected
Orrell
Turnout: 43.2%
LAB: 983
REF: 1,621
CON: 787
GRN: 470
LIB: 199
Paul Bannister (Reform UK) elected
Hindley
Turnout: 35.5%
LAB: 750
REF: 1,832
CON: 140
GRN: 374
LIB: 125
IND: 282
Paul Manniex (Reform UK) elected
Worsley Mesnes
Turnout: 36.15%
LAB: 847
REF: 1,711
CON: 101
GRN: 320
LIB: 108
IND: 272
Keith Whalley (Reform UK) elected
Ince
Turnout: 31.8%
LAB: 608
REF: 1,809
CON: 115
GRN: 365
LIB: 135
IND: 73
Gemma Painter (Reform UK) elected
Bryn with Ashton-in-Makerfield North
Turnout: 37.7%
LAB: 816
REF: 1,770
CON: 229
GRN: 400
LIB: 177
Robert Kenyon (Reform UK) elected
Douglas
Turnout: 31.1%
LAB: 585
REF: 1,293
CON: 112
GRN: 307
LIB: 103
IND: 515
Matthew Lambert (Reform UK) elected
Pemberton
Turnout: 30.6%
LAB: 733
REF: 1,623
CON: 146
GRN: 358
LIB: 133
Simon Silcock (Reform UK) elected
Shevington with Lower Ground & Moor
Turnout: 45.1%
LAB: 1,147
REF: 1,916
CON: 312
GRN: 633
LIB: 186
IND: 253
Lilian Rogers (Reform UK) elected
Winstanley
Turnout: 42.4%
LAB: 1,174
REF: 1,881
CON: 243
GRN: 312
LIB: 176
Paul Forbes (Reform UK) elected
Wigan Central
Turnout: 42.9%
LAB: 1,205
REF: 1,771
CON: 292
GRN: 516
LIB: 229
Lee Moffitt (Reform UK) elected
Aspull, New Springs & Whelley
Turnout: 44.7%
LAB: 1,348
REF: 2,050
CON: 203
GRN: 399
LIB: 135
Jo Meadows (Reform UK) elected
Standish with Langtree
Turnout: 43.3%
LAB: 1,014
REF: 1,679
CON: 732
GRN: 757
LIB: 108
IND: 811
Michael Whalley (Reform UK) elected
Leigh and Atherton ward results
Turnout across Leigh and Atherton: 37.7%
Atherton North
Turnout: 33.8%
LAB: 407
REF: 1,010
CON: 121
GRN: 270
IND: 1,635
Jamie Hodgkinson (Independent Network) elected
Leigh Central & Higher Folds
Turnout: 32.1%
LAB: 886
REF: 1,696
CON: 216
GRN: 527
IND: 185
Tina Kennedy (Reform UK) elected
Tyldesley & Mosley Common
Turnout: 38.9%
LAB: 787
REF: 1,768
CON: 330
GRN: 560
IND: 512
Adrian White (Reform UK) elected
Leigh South
Turnout: 39.6%
LAB: 968
REF: 1,827
CON: 290
GRN: 333
LIB: 211
IND: 212
SDM: 8
Leon Peters (Reform UK) elected
Astley
Turnout: 43.3%
LAB: 942
REF: 2,100
CON: 392
GRN: 504
IND: 703
Eileen Strathearn (Reform UK) elected
Atherton South & Lilford
Turnout: 38.1%
LAB: 868
REF: 2,027
CON: 230
GRN: 398
IND: 457
Martin Farrimond (Reform UK) elected
Leigh West
Turnout: 33%
LAB: 958
REF: 1,945
CON: 251
GRN: 401
LIB: 200
David Evans (Reform UK) elected
Golborne & Lowton West
Turnout: 36.1%
LAB: 1,125
REF: 1,478
CON: 310
GRN: 281
IND: 228
Susan Frame (Reform UK) elected
Lowton East
Turnout: 44.4%
LAB: 1,238
REF: 1,817
CON: 1,508
GRN: 506
Simon Smith (Reform UK) elected
