Photo: Stephen Craven · CC BY-SA 2.0No party holds a majority on Leeds City Council
Leeds is run by Leeds City Council. No party holds a majority on Leeds City Council. Leeds is split between 7 parliamentary constituencies.
£2,273
Band D, a year, the middle band every council sets its tax from.
Where it goes →How Leeds’s politics has changed since 2021
No majority on Leeds City Council
Labour, the largest group, holds 48 of its 99 seats as elected, 2 short of the 50 needed. The Conservatives hold 15, the Greens 12, Reform UK 9, the Liberal Democrats 6, Morley Borough Independents 3 and Social Democratic Party 3. Who’s in charge ↓
The 2026 vote
Across Leeds’s wards, Labour took 28.5%, the Greens took 27.7% and Reform UK took 21% of votes in May 2026. In 2024, Labour had 50.3%. How Leeds has voted ↓
Council tax
A Band D bill in Leeds is £2,272 for 2026–27; Leeds City Council keeps 84% of it. The council area’s Band D has risen 60% 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.
No party has a majority
Seats by party as elected. A party needs 50 of Leeds’s 99 seats to run the council alone.
- Labour48
- Conservative15
- Green12
- Reform UK9
- Liberal Democrat6
- Garforth and Swillington Independents Party3
- Morley Borough Independents3
- Social Democratic Party3
Latest election: May 2026.
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 Leeds
One council runs every main service here.
The parish council for the part of Leeds inside Horsforth parish.
4% of Leeds’s residents · Band D precept £28
Every main council service: schools, social care, roads, bins, planning, housing and libraries.
Website ↗Transport, skills and regeneration across several council areas. It is led by an elected mayor.
Mayor: Tracy Brabin (Labour and Co-operative), elected May 2024
Who to ask
From GOV.UK’s “Understand how your council works”: here one council runs every main service.
94% of Leeds’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 Leeds, from the most recent elections.
- 1Town or parishParish tierHorsforth parish council
- 2Leeds City Council21 wards · 49 councillorsLabour 27 · Green 10 · Conservative 6 · Reform UK 5 · Social Democratic Party 1 · all 49
- 3Mayor of West Yorkshire Combined AuthorityWest Yorkshire Combined Authority · elected May 2024Tracy Brabin
- 4House of CommonsSplit between 7 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.
49 councillors for 21 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.
- Nilesh ChohanGreen · May 2026
- Eden HillsGreen · May 2026
- Salma ArifLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Mothin AliGreen · May 2024
- Ashgar AliLabour · May 2023
- Wayne Alan DixonSocial Democratic Party · May 2026
- Luke Anthony FarleyLabour · May 2026
- Ashgar KhanLabour and Co-operative · May 2024
- Nkele Charmaine ManakaLabour · May 2023
- Clancy WalkerGreen · May 2026
- Lou CunninghamGreen · May 2024
- Andy ParnhamLabour · May 2023
- Ed CarlisleGreen · May 2026
- David Stephen DresserReform UK · May 2026
- Matt RoganGreen · May 2026
- Shaf AliLabour · May 2024
- Andrew ScopesLabour · May 2023
- Cristiana MirosanuGreen · May 2026
- Mohammed RafiqueLabour · May 2024
- Jane DowsonLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Paula-Jane ThackrayReform UK · May 2026
- James GibsonLabour · May 2024
- Jessica LennoxLabour · May 2023
- Wenzdae RobbinsReform UK · May 2026
- David BlackburnGreen · October 2024 · by-election
- Kate HaighLabour and Co-operative · May 2024
The other 9 wards
- Kevin RitchieLabour · May 2026
- Adele RaeLabour · May 2024
- Tom HinchcliffeLabour · May 2023
- Kathleen JohnstoneLabour · May 2026
- Lisa MartinLabour · May 2024
- Jordan Daniel BowdenLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Laura Jane FisherLabour · May 2026
- Sharon HamiltonLabour and Co-operative · May 2024
- Mohammed ShahzadLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Dan CohenConservative · May 2026
- Neil Alan BuckleyConservative · May 2024
- Lyn BuckleyConservative · May 2023
- Richard BarkerReform UK · May 2026
- Kieran Richard Thomas WhiteReform UK · May 2026
- Helen Elizabeth Mary HaydenLabour and Co-operative · May 2024
- Joe InghamGreen · May 2026
- Izaak WilsonLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Emmie BromleyLabour · May 2026
- John GarvaniLabour · May 2024
- Raymond Wyn JonesLabour · May 2023
- David Stoddart-ScottConservative · May 2026
- Lee Anthony FarmerConservative · May 2026
- Caroline Helen AndersonConservative · May 2024
Show as a table
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headingley & Hyde Parkall in Leeds · 31,176 residents1 seat · May 2026 | 1 | Nilesh Chohan | May 2026 |
| Little London & Woodhouseall in Leeds · 31,073 residents1 seat · May 2026 | 1 | Eden Hills | May 2026 |
| Gipton & Harehillsall in Leeds · 30,881 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Salma ArifMothin AliAshgar Ali | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Middleton Parkall in Leeds · 29,608 residents1 seat · May 2026 | 1 | Wayne Alan Dixon | May 2026 |
| Burmantofts & Richmond Hillall in Leeds · 28,524 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Luke Anthony FarleyAshgar KhanNkele Charmaine Manaka | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Armleyall in Leeds · 26,719 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Clancy WalkerLou CunninghamAndy Parnham | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Hunslet & Riversideall in Leeds · 26,466 residents1 seat · May 2026 | 1 | Ed Carlisle | May 2026 |
| Killingbeck & Seacroftall in Leeds · 26,306 residents1 seat · May 2026 | 1 | David Stephen Dresser | May 2026 |
| Beeston & Holbeckall in Leeds · 26,152 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Matt RoganShaf AliAndrew Scopes | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Chapel Allertonall in Leeds · 24,956 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Cristiana MirosanuMohammed RafiqueJane Dowson | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Cross Gates & Whinmoorall in Leeds · 24,850 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Paula-Jane ThackrayJames GibsonJessica Lennox | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Farnley & Wortleyall in Leeds · 24,374 residents3 seats · May 2026, October 2024, May 2024 | 3 | Wenzdae RobbinsDavid Blackburnby-electionKate Haigh | May 2026, October 2024, May 2024 |
The other 9 wards
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bramley & Stanningleyall in Leeds · 24,021 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Kevin RitchieAdele RaeTom Hinchcliffe | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Roundhayall in Leeds · 23,813 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Kathleen JohnstoneLisa MartinJordan Daniel Bowden | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Moortownall in Leeds · 23,782 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Laura Jane FisherSharon HamiltonMohammed Shahzad | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Alwoodleyall in Leeds · 23,514 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Dan CohenNeil Alan BuckleyLyn Buckley | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Temple Newsamall in Leeds · 22,486 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024 | 3 | Richard BarkerKieran Richard Thomas WhiteHelen Elizabeth Mary Hayden | May 2026, May 2024 |
| Kirkstallall in Leeds · 22,246 residents1 seat · May 2026 | 1 | Joe Ingham | May 2026 |
| Weetwoodall in Leeds · 21,881 residents1 seat · May 2026 | 1 | Izaak Wilson | May 2026 |
| Horsforthmostly in Leeds · 19,262 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Emmie BromleyJohn GarvaniRaymond Wyn Jones | May 2026, May 2024, May 2023 |
| Adel & Wharfedalemostly in Leeds · 14,601 residents3 seats · May 2026, May 2024 | 3 | David Stoddart-ScottLee Anthony FarmerCaroline Helen Anderson | May 2026, May 2024 |
Councillors can resign, change party or sit as independents between elections; a by-election winner replaces someone not named here. Leeds City 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 has led every council vote since 2021
Share of all votes cast for candidates in Leeds’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 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | 12.4% | 13.1% | 16.2% | 20.5% | 27.7% |
| Labour | 50.2% | 51.6% | 52.7% | 50.3% | 28.5% |
| Liberal Democrat | 7.9% | 8% | 8.5% | 7.1% | 6.2% |
| Conservative | 24.7% | 23.1% | 18.2% | 15.5% | 12.8% |
| Reform UK | 0% | 0% | 0.2% | 1.2% | 21% |
In 2026, the Greens won 7, Labour won 7, Reform UK won 5 and the Conservatives won 3 of the 23 seats up in Leeds’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.
Leeds council election, May 2026
Results in the wards that make up Leeds, as declared. Percentages are of votes cast for candidates in each ward; where a ward elects several councillors, each voter has that many votes.
21 wards voted. Not every seat in the town’s wards was up this time.
No election is scheduled yet for Leeds’s wards in Democracy Club’s list. Councils publish a notice of election about five weeks before polling day.
Who can I vote for? ↗6,135 votes for candidates
4,350 votes for candidates
6,355 votes for candidates
Every ward’s result (18 more)
5,771 votes for candidates
4,961 votes for candidates
5,308 votes for candidates
5,692 votes for candidates
5,774 votes for candidates
5,714 votes for candidates
7,809 votes for candidates
7,337 votes for candidates
6,438 votes for candidates
6,213 votes for candidates
8,699 votes for candidates
8,374 votes for candidates
8,079 votes for candidates
13,034 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
6,471 votes for candidates
7,919 votes for candidates
8,845 votes for candidates
16,456 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
Candidates and results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), from councils’ declared results; polling dates from Democracy Club’s EveryElection.
Leeds is split between 7 constituencies
The constituencies’ MP and the 4 July 2024 general election, the whole constituency’s result.
31,678 votes for candidates · majority 11,279
Labour, MP since 10 June 1999.
turnout in July 2024: 31,678 votes from 75,953 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 11,279 of 31,678 votes (35.6%): wider than in 92% of England’s 543 constituencies.
| Constituency | MP | Share of town |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds East | Richard Burgon | 17% |
| Leeds West and Pudsey | Rachel Reeves | 11% |
| Leeds North West | Katie White | 6% |
| Leeds South West and Morley | Mark Sewards | 5% |
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.
Leeds’s Band D council tax is £2,272 a year
Where a Band D bill goes, what it has cost over the years, and what the councils plan to spend per resident.
Leeds City Council keeps £1,903.74 of a Band D bill (84%); the rest goes to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority.
Across the whole town the average Band D is £2,273 (parishes differ; weighted by residents).
Band D since 1993
Leeds’s Band D bill has risen 60% in ten years, from £1,428.80 in 2016–17, against England’s average (56%). It was £600.75 in 1993–94.
Your bill by band
A Band D home in the unparished part of Leeds, 2026–27, before discounts. The Valuation Office Agency’s band search gives any home’s band.
West Yorkshire’s councils
Average Band D in each council area, 2026–27, parish precepts included. Bars start at £2,100.
Council budgets per resident, 2026–27
Show as a table, with West Yorkshire
| Leeds | Leeds’s councils | West Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult social care | £435 | £435 | £487 |
| Children’s social care | £288 | £312 | £290 |
| Roads and transport | £30 | £25 | £41 |
| Housing (not council homes’ rents) | £44 | £42 | £61 |
| Bins, street cleaning, environment | £122 | £119 | £119 |
| Libraries, leisure, culture | £78 | £61 | £44 |
| Planning and development | £16 | £22 | £26 |
| Public health | £79 | £89 | £78 |
| Running the council | £55 | £64 | £59 |
| Other | £-37 | £13 | £19 |
| Total, schools apart | £1,111 | £1,182 | £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. West Yorkshire 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 Leeds 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.
leeds.gov.uk ↗Anyone can comment while an application is open for consultation.
leeds.gov.uk ↗The rules, nomination papers and guidance for council candidates.
Electoral Commission ↗Questions about how Leeds is run
Does Leeds have a town council?
Parts of it do: Horsforth parish council.
Who is the MP for Leeds?
Leeds is split between 7 constituencies: Leeds South (Hilary Benn, Labour), Leeds Central and Headingley (Alex Sobel, Labour), Leeds North East (Fabian Hamilton, Labour), Leeds East (Richard Burgon, Labour), Leeds West and Pudsey (Rachel Reeves, Labour), Leeds North West (Katie White, Labour) and Leeds South West and Morley (Mark Sewards, Labour). Parliament’s Find your MP service matches a postcode to its MP.
How many councillors does Leeds have?
49 ward councillors represent Leeds’s 21 wards.
When are the next elections in Leeds?
No election is scheduled yet in Democracy Club’s list for Leeds’s wards. The next UK general election must be held by August 2029.
How much is council tax in Leeds?
Band D council tax in Leeds is £2,273 for 2026–27. Your bill depends on your home’s band, from A (6/9 of Band D) to H (18/9).
Who controls Leeds City Council?
No party has a majority. As elected, Labour 48 · Conservative 15 · Green 12 · Reform UK 9 · Liberal Democrat 6 · Morley Borough Independents 3 · Social Democratic Party 3 · Garforth and Swillington Independents Party 3 of 99 seats; a majority needs 50. The council’s website lists who leads it now.
Who won the 2026 council election in Leeds?
In Leeds’s wards on 7 May 2026, Green 7 · Labour 7 · Reform UK 5 · Conservative 3 · Social Democratic Party 1 of the 23 seats up. Labour had the largest share of votes, 28.5%.
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.