Photo: Mr Ignavy · CC BY-SA 2.0Labour holds a majority on Reading Borough Council
Reading is run by Reading Borough Council, Wokingham Borough Council and West Berkshire Council. Labour has a majority on Reading Borough Council. No party holds a majority on Wokingham Borough Council. The Liberal Democrats have a majority on West Berkshire Council. Reading is split between 3 parliamentary constituencies.
£2,576
Band D, a year, the middle band every council sets its tax from.
Where it goes →How Reading’s politics has changed since 2021
A majority on Reading Borough Council
Labour holds a majority on Reading Borough Council: 29 of its 49 seats as elected. The Greens hold 12, the Conservatives 5 and the Liberal Democrats 3. Who’s in charge ↓
The 2026 vote
Across Reading’s wards, the Greens took 26.8%, Labour took 24.9% and the Conservatives took 16.6% of votes in May 2026. In 2024, the Greens had 12.7%. How Reading has voted ↓
Council tax
A Band D bill in Reading is £2,613 for 2026–27; Reading Borough Council keeps 85% of it. The council area’s Band D has risen 59% in ten years, against England’s 56%. Council money ↓
Written from the data on this page: Democracy Club results since May 2021, the UK Parliament Members API and MHCLG council tax.
Who holds the seats on Reading’s councils
Seats by party as elected. A party needs 25 of Reading’s 49 or 31 of Wokingham’s 60 or 22 of West Berkshire’s 43 seats to run the council alone.
- Labour29
- Green12
- Conservative5
- Liberal Democrat3
Latest election: May 2026.
- Liberal Democrat28
- Conservative21
- Labour8
Latest election: May 2026.
- Liberal Democrat29
- Conservative11
- Green2
- Labour1
Latest election: May 2023.
Seats are counted from election results: each ward’s most recent winners until its seats are filled. Councillors who have since changed party or resigned aren’t reflected, and which parties lead the council, and who is leader, comes from the council itself.
Results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), elections since May 2021; seats per ward from its EveryElection.
The councils that run Reading
One council runs every main service here.
The parish council for the part of Reading inside Earley parish.
16% of Reading’s residents · Band D precept £88
The parish council for the part of Reading inside Tilehurst parish.
Who runs Reading: same source as Who runs Reading, above.
The parish council for the part of Reading inside Holybrook parish.
Who runs Reading: same source as Who runs Reading, above.
The parish council for the part of Reading inside Purley on Thames parish.
Who runs Reading: same source as Who runs Reading, above.
Every main council service: schools, social care, roads, bins, planning, housing and libraries.
69% of Reading’s residents
Website ↗Every main council service: schools, social care, roads, bins, planning, housing and libraries.
Who runs Reading: same source as Who runs Reading, above.
Website ↗Every main council service: schools, social care, roads, bins, planning, housing and libraries.
Who runs Reading: same source as Who runs Reading, above.
Website ↗Who to ask
From GOV.UK’s “Understand how your council works”: here one council runs every main service.
69% of Reading’s residents live outside any parish, with no parish council.
Councils from ONS lookups (wards and councils May 2026, parishes 2025), names and websites from GOV.UK’s local council finder; parish councils from MHCLG’s 2026–27 list of precepting parishes.
From the parish to Westminster
Every elected tier that speaks for Reading, from the most recent elections.
- 1Town or parish4 parish councilsEarley parish councilTilehurst parish councilHolybrook parish councilPurley on Thames parish council
- 2Council wards19 wards · 55 councillorsLabour 25 · Green 11 · Liberal Democrat 10 · Conservative 10 · all 56
- 3Police and crime commissionerThames Valley Police · elected May 2024Matthew Barber
- 4House of CommonsSplit between 3 constituencies
Party colours are neutral on purpose: they tell parties apart and aren’t the parties’ own. Tap an MP’s name for their contact page on parliament.uk.
55 councillors for 19 wards
Wards with at least 2% of the town’s residents, or half their own inside it. Each shows who won its most recent elections, newest first, until its seats are filled.
- Kathryn Elizabeth McCannGreen · May 2026
- Dave McElroyGreen · May 2024
- Will CrossLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Ruth McEwanLabour · May 2026
- Andrew Hornsby-SmithLabour and Co-operative · May 2024
- Paul Richard WoodwardLabour · May 2023
- Louise Kaye KeaneGreen · May 2026
- Kate NikulinaGreen · May 2024
- Doug CresswellGreen · May 2023
- Caroline SmithLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Pauline Alison JorgensenConservative · May 2024
- Moses Amowie IyengunmwenaConservative · May 2024
- Rachel Claire EdenLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Micky LengLabour · May 2024
- Alice Mpofu-ColesLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Rob WhiteGreen · May 2026
- Sarah MagonGreen · May 2024
- Josh WilliamsGreen · May 2023
- Pratikshya GurungLabour · May 2026
- Wendy Pamela GriffithLabour · May 2024
- Amjad Iqbal Tahir TararLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Alison FosterLabour · May 2026
- Mamuna NazLabour · May 2024
- Finn McGoldrickLabour · August 2023 · by-election
- Richard WalkemGreen · May 2026
- Liz TerryLabour and Co-operative · May 2024
- Paul Stephen GittingsLabour · May 2023
- Ulrike MagyarosyLabour · May 2026
- Graeme William HoskinLabour · May 2024
- John Joseph EnnisLabour · May 2023
- Melanie Cheryl De JongLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- David HareLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- Rohit AhlawatConservative · May 2024
- Andy Ng Siu-HongLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Mike SmithLiberal Democrat · June 2025 · by-election
- Norman JorgensenConservative · May 2024
- Stephen NewtonLiberal Democrat · May 2024
The other 7 wards
- Janine LewisLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Jane Monica LangfordConservative · May 2023
- Paul Christopher Stephen KanderConservative · May 2023
- Jacqueline DominguezGreen · May 2026
- David StevensLabour · May 2024
- Mohammed AyubLabour · May 2023
- Meri O'ConnellLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- James William John MooreLiberal Democrat · May 2024
- Anne ThompsonLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Glenn Anthony DennisLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Mark KeepingLabour · May 2024
- Raj SinghConservative · May 2023
- Joanne Lisa StewartConservative · May 2023
- Clive TaylorLabour · May 2023
- Richard James SomnerConservative · May 2023
- Biyi OlokoConservative · May 2023
- David Graham ClarkeGreen · May 2026
- Richard DaviesLabour · May 2024
- Ama AsareLabour · May 2023
Show as a table
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| RedlandsReading · all in Reading · 14,709 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Kathryn Elizabeth McCannDave McElroyWill Cross | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| ChurchReading · all in Reading · 12,164 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Ruth McEwanAndrew Hornsby-SmithPaul Richard Woodward | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| KatesgroveReading · all in Reading · 11,930 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Louise Kaye KeaneKate NikulinaDoug Cresswell | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| HillsideWokingham · all in Reading · 11,559 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024 | 3 | Caroline SmithPauline Alison JorgensenMoses Amowie Iyengunmwena | May 2026, May 2024 |
| WhitleyReading · all in Reading · 11,508 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Rachel Claire EdenMicky LengAlice Mpofu-Coles | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| ParkReading · all in Reading · 11,447 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Rob WhiteSarah MagonJosh Williams | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| BattleReading · all in Reading · 11,446 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Pratikshya GurungWendy Pamela GriffithAmjad Iqbal Tahir Tarar | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| NorcotReading · all in Reading · 11,414 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, August 2023 | 3 | Alison FosterMamuna NazFinn McGoldrickby-election | May 2026, May 2024, August 2023 |
| ColeyReading · all in Reading · 11,034 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Richard WalkemLiz TerryPaul Stephen Gittings | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| SouthcoteReading · all in Reading · 10,982 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Ulrike MagyarosyGraeme William HoskinJohn Joseph Ennis | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| HawkedonWokingham · all in Reading · 10,725 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024 | 3 | Melanie Cheryl De JongDavid HareRohit Ahlawat | May 2026, May 2024 |
| Maiden Erlegh & WhitegatesWokingham · all in Reading · 10,564 residents3 seats · May 2026, June 2025, May 2024 | 3 | Andy Ng Siu-HongMike Smithby-electionNorman JorgensenStephen Newton | May 2026, June 2025, May 2024 |
The other 7 wards
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tilehurst & PurleyWest Berkshire · all in Reading · 10,249 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Janine LewisJane Monica LangfordPaul Christopher Stephen Kander | May 2023 |
| AbbeyReading · all in Reading · 10,150 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Jacqueline DominguezDavid StevensMohammed Ayub | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| TilehurstReading · all in Reading · 9,867 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Meri O'ConnellJames William John MooreAnne Thompson | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| KentwoodReading · all in Reading · 9,257 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Glenn Anthony DennisMark KeepingRaj Singh | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Tilehurst Birch CopseWest Berkshire · all in Reading · 7,863 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Joanne Lisa StewartClive Taylor | May 2023 |
| Tilehurst South & HolybrookWest Berkshire · all in Reading · 7,402 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Richard James SomnerBiyi Oloko | May 2023 |
| ThamesReading · mostly in Reading · 5,279 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | David Graham ClarkeRichard DaviesAma Asare | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
Councillors can resign, change party or sit as independents between elections; a by-election winner replaces someone not named here. Reading Borough Council’s website lists who sits now.
Results from Democracy Club’s candidates database (CC BY 4.0; elections since May 2021) and ward seats from its EveryElection, matched to ONS wards (May 2026) and county divisions (May 2025).
Labour led each vote to 2024; the Greens led in 2026
Share of all votes cast for candidates in Reading’s wards at each scheduled council election since 2021. A gap is a year with no election here.
Seats won at each election
Show as a table
| Party | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | 18.7% | 17.2% | 12.7% | 26.8% |
| Labour | 51.2% | 39.2% | 32.2% | 24.9% |
| Liberal Democrat | 8% | 16.1% | 25.2% | 15.2% |
| Conservative | 21.6% | 26.8% | 28.4% | 16.6% |
| Reform UK | 0% | 0% | 0.3% | 16.4% |
In 2026, the Greens won 6, Labour won 6 and the Liberal Democrats won 4 of the 16 seats up in Reading’s wards.
Results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0). Where a ward elects several councillors at once, each voter has that many votes; all of them count here.
Reading council election, May 2026
Results in the wards that make up Reading, as declared. Percentages are of votes cast for candidates in each ward; where a ward elects several councillors, each voter has that many votes.
16 wards voted. Reading elects a third of its councillors at a time, so a third of the seats were up.
No election is scheduled yet for Reading’s wards in Democracy Club’s list. Councils publish a notice of election about five weeks before polling day.
Who can I vote for? ↗2,828 votes for candidates
2,768 votes for candidates
2,640 votes for candidates
Every ward’s result (13 more)
3,966 votes for candidates
2,658 votes for candidates
2,873 votes for candidates
2,838 votes for candidates
2,731 votes for candidates
2,915 votes for candidates
2,865 votes for candidates
3,538 votes for candidates
4,015 votes for candidates
2,104 votes for candidates
2,977 votes for candidates
3,128 votes for candidates
2,636 votes for candidates
Candidates and results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), from councils’ declared results; polling dates from Democracy Club’s EveryElection.
Reading is split between 3 constituencies
The constituencies’ MP and the 4 July 2024 general election, the whole constituency’s result.
Labour, MP since 8 June 2017
41% of Reading’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 62% (England 60%).
Majority 12,637 of 45,291 votes (27.9%): wider than in 82% of England’s 543 constituencies.
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024
31% of Reading’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 62% (England 60%).
Majority 848 of 45,914 votes (1.8%): the 36th-narrowest of 543 in England.
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024
28% of Reading’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 68% (England 60%).
Majority 1,361 of 46,551 votes (2.9%): the 58th-narrowest of 543 in England.
45,291 votes for candidates · majority 12,637
Labour, MP since 8 June 2017.
turnout in July 2024: 45,291 votes from 73,600 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 12,637 of 45,291 votes (27.9%): wider than in 82% of England’s 543 constituencies.
Earley and Woodley
45,914 votes for candidates · majority 848
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 45,914 votes from 73,548 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 848 of 45,914 votes (1.8%): the 36th-narrowest of 543 in England.
Reading West and Mid Berkshire
46,551 votes for candidates · majority 1,361
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 46,551 votes from 68,781 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 1,361 of 46,551 votes (2.9%): the 58th-narrowest of 543 in England.
MPs and results: UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0); constituencies from ONS (2024 boundaries). Percentages are of valid votes; turnout is votes cast over the electorate.
Reading’s Band D council tax is £2,613 a year
Where a Band D bill goes, what it has cost over the years, and what the councils plan to spend per resident.
Reading Borough Council keeps £2,223.18 of a Band D bill (85%); the rest goes to the Thames Valley police and crime commissioner and the Berkshire Fire and Rescue Authority.
Across the whole town the average Band D is £2,576 (parishes differ; weighted by residents).
Band D since 1993
Reading’s Band D bill has risen 59% in ten years, from £1,647.82 in 2016–17, against England’s average (56%). It was £607.50 in 1993–94.
Your bill by band
A Band D home in the unparished part of Reading, 2026–27, before discounts. The Valuation Office Agency’s band search gives any home’s band.
Berkshire’s councils
Average Band D in each council area, 2026–27, parish precepts included. Bars start at £1,800.
Council budgets per resident, 2026–27
Show as a table, with Berkshire
| Reading | Reading’s councils | Berkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult social care | £416 | £465 | £487 |
| Children’s social care | £363 | £286 | £290 |
| Roads and transport | £25 | £37 | £41 |
| Housing (not council homes’ rents) | £69 | £46 | £61 |
| Bins, street cleaning, environment | £114 | £116 | £119 |
| Libraries, leisure, culture | £33 | £20 | £44 |
| Planning and development | £6 | £17 | £26 |
| Public health | £75 | £56 | £78 |
| Running the council | £58 | £55 | £59 |
| Other | £13 | £2 | £19 |
| Total, schools apart | £1,170 | £1,101 | £1,234 |
Net budgeted service spending, MHCLG Revenue Account budget 2026–27, per resident (ONS mid-2025 estimates). Schools are left out: academies are paid for directly by government, so council school budgets depend on how many schools have converted. Berkshire and England: all their councils together. Police, fire and transport authorities aren’t included.
Band D: MHCLG Band D council tax 2026–27 (each authority’s own figure, excluding parish precepts) and Council Tax statistics for town and parish councils 2026–27; since 1993–94, MHCLG’s area averages including parishes.
Having a say in how Reading is run
It takes about five minutes online; the deadline is 12 working days before a poll.
gov.uk ↗Type a postcode to write to each of its councillors and its MP.
WriteToThem ↗GOV.UK sends the report to the council that looks after the road.
gov.uk ↗Council and committee meetings are open to the public, with agendas and minutes online.
reading.gov.uk ↗Anyone can comment while an application is open for consultation.
reading.gov.uk ↗The rules, nomination papers and guidance for council candidates.
Electoral Commission ↗Questions about how Reading is run
Does Reading have a town council?
Parts of it do: Earley parish council, Tilehurst parish council, Holybrook parish council and Purley on Thames parish council.
Who is the MP for Reading?
Reading is split between 3 constituencies: Reading Central (Matt Rodda, Labour), Earley and Woodley (Yuan Yang, Labour) and Reading West and Mid Berkshire (Olivia Bailey, Labour). Parliament’s Find your MP service matches a postcode to its MP.
How many councillors does Reading have?
55 ward councillors represent Reading’s 19 wards.
When are the next elections in Reading?
No election is scheduled yet in Democracy Club’s list for Reading’s wards. The next UK general election must be held by August 2029.
How much is council tax in Reading?
Band D council tax in Reading is £2,576 for 2026–27. Your bill depends on your home’s band, from A (6/9 of Band D) to H (18/9).
Who controls Reading Borough Council?
Labour has a majority: 29 of 49 seats as elected. The council’s website lists who leads it now.
Who controls Wokingham Borough Council?
No party has a majority. As elected, Liberal Democrat 28 · Conservative 21 · Labour 8 of 60 seats; a majority needs 31.
Who won the 2026 council election in Reading?
In Reading’s wards on 7 May 2026, Green 6 · Labour 6 · Liberal Democrat 4 of the 16 seats up. The Greens had the largest share of votes, 26.8%.
Sources: ONS ward, county division, parish, constituency lookups (Census 2021 output areas; Open Government Licence v3.0) · GOV.UK local council finder · Democracy Club candidates (CC BY 4.0) and EveryElection · UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0) · MHCLG Band D council tax, parish precepts and Revenue Account budgets 2026–27 (OGL v3.0) · ONS mid-2025 population estimates. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.