The political landscape in Dudley is braced for a potential upheaval as the 2026 local council elections approach, with the rising influence of Reform UK predicted to be a decisive factor.
The Stakes for Dudley's 2026 Vote
Voters in the West Midlands borough will head to the polls on Thursday, May 7, 2026. A third of the authority's 72 seats will be contested, with one councillor elected in each of the 24 wards. The outcome could significantly alter the balance of power at Dudley Council.
Current council leader, Conservative Councillor Patrick Harley, acknowledged the new dynamic, stating his party was defending nine seats. He expressed confidence in their campaign but noted the increased competition. "With more options for voters, it is possible seats could be won and lost by very small margins," Cllr Harley said.
Could Reform UK Help the Conservatives?
In a surprising twist, Cllr Harley suggested that the Reform UK surge might inadvertently benefit his party in certain contests. "Reform could actually help us, if we get our core vote out in some of these seats and the Labour vote goes to the Lib Dems, Reform or Greens, we could come through," he explained. He remained confident the Conservatives would remain the largest party regardless.
This analysis follows a stark prediction from Electoral Calculus in mid-December, which forecast that Reform UK would win every ward in Dudley if a general election were held at that time.
The Current Council Make-Up and Seats in Play
As of early 2026, the council composition is:
- 33 Conservative councillors
- 24 Labour councillors
- 6 Black Country Party members
- 5 Liberal Democrats
- 3 Reform UK councillors
- 1 independent
In the May 2026 election, alongside the nine Conservative seats, nine Labour seats will also be defended. Three Black Country Party seats, one Reform UK seat, and the independent seat held by Stuart Turner will also be contested. The final number of vacancies could change if any councillors stand down or pass away before the vote.
Reform UK councillor Shaun Keasey positioned his party as the force for change, declaring: "Dudley needs a fresh start, the stale ideas of the past need to be swept aside."
Whether the polls predicting a landslide are accurate or not, Reform UK is almost certain to be a major influence on the final shape of Dudley Council when the results are announced on May 8, 2026.
