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Local authorities are facing weeks of uncertainty after elections left a record number of councils without any party in overall control.More than four in 10 (42%) of councils in England now lack a one-party majority, taking the total to more than 120, according to the LGiU think-tank.Chief executive of think-tank Localis, Jonathan Werran, warned local governance could be put at risk as the ‘grey rosettes of no overall control' become increasingly commonplace.He said: ‘We must imagine scenarios of inexperienced elected members and leaders, often in patched-together rainbow local coalitions, bearing the weighty responsibilities of balanced budget setting and local stewardship.'Chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, Owen Mapley, said: ‘Where councils and administrations are operating under no overall control or in new coalition arrangements, collaboration and robust financial scrutiny will be particularly important.'Jack Shaw, a local government commentator and former Labour councillor, said agreements between parties generally depended on shared priorities, but that did not guarantee positive results. He added: ‘The type of coalitions that are likely to emerge are likely to be flawed.'In London, Labour strongholds such as Newham, Lambeth and Brent LBCs fell into no overall control.No party has overall control in Birmingham, where Reform UK is the largest party but needs the support of at least two other parties to form a majority.Birmingham's Lib Dem leader Roger Harmer declared his party ready to work with others, adding: ‘We have looked at the manifestos of the other political parties and believe there is sufficient common ground to work on this basis.'At Swindon BC, the Conservatives ousted Labour but were six short of an overall majority. Both parties have ruled out working with Reform, which is the third largest party with 14 seats.Conservative leader Gary Sumner told The MJ his group was looking to form a minority administration, with Labour abstaining or possibly offering support as needed.Labour policy requires councillors to inform its national executive committee before entering coalitions or confidence and supply arrangements with other parties.Former Swindon Labour leader Jim Robbins did not rule out negotiating with the Conservatives over budget issues and said his councillors would probably ‘sit on their hands' when the council elected a new leader.At Enfield LBC, the Conservatives and Greens are reported to be discussing joint working that falls short of a coalition, partly to oppose housebuilding. It remains to be seen whether the Conservatives and Reform reach an agreement at Basildon BC, where Labour lost all six seats it was defending.In East Sussex, Reform is the largest party with 22 seats, but the Lib Dems and Greens have a combined 24. Reform is three short of an overall majority at Norfolk CC. Labour lost its majority at Exeter City Council after 14 years but could continue governing with Green or Lib Dem backing.

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POLICY AND POLITICS

Scale of no overall control delivers uncertainty

By Neil Merrick | 12 May 2026

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