Local and devolved elections 2026: Who won, who lost and what next?
Institute for Government experts brought essential analysis of the results of elections being held on 7 May in Scotland, Wales and across England.
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With a crucial set of local and devolved elections taking place in England, Scotland and Wales on Thursday 7 May, the Institute for Government devolution team hosted an expert webinar the day after to discuss the results so far.
What is the likely composition of the new governments in Edinburgh and Cardiff and what will be their policy priorities? What are the implications for UK-devolved relations? And what do election results in county councils, London boroughs, district and unitary authorities across England mean for the government’s local government reorganisation and devolution plans?
To discuss these questions and more, including from the live online audience, were the IfG’s expert devolution and local government team:
- Matthew Fright, Senior Researcher for Devolution at the Institute for Government
- Megan Isaac, Research Assistant for Devolution at the Institute for Government
- Harriet Shaw, Researcher for Devolution at the Institute for Government
This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director for Devolution at the Institute for Government.
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Local and devolved elections 2026
On Thursday 7 May, voters across Scotland, Wales and England head to the polls in a major set of local and devolved elections. The IfG will be following the campaigns, explaining why these elections matter and analysing the results.
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Our experts
Matthew Fright
Associate Director
Megan Isaac
Research Assistant
Akash Paun
Programme Director
Harriet Shaw
Researcher