Photo: Stephen Craven · CC BY-SA 2.0No party holds a majority on Swindon Borough Council
Swindon is run by Swindon Borough Council. No party holds a majority on Swindon Borough Council. Swindon is split between 3 parliamentary constituencies.
£2,438
Band D, a year, the middle band every council sets its tax from.
Where it goes →How Swindon’s politics has changed since 2021
No majority on Swindon Borough Council
The Conservatives, the largest group, hold 23 of its 57 seats as elected, 6 short of the 29 needed. Labour holds 19, Reform UK 14 and the Liberal Democrats 1. Who’s in charge ↓
Council tax
A Band D bill in Swindon is £2,438 for 2026–27; Swindon Borough Council keeps 77% of it. The council area’s Band D has risen 67% 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 29 of Swindon’s 57 seats to run the council alone.
- Conservative23
- Labour19
- Reform UK14
- Liberal Democrat1
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 Swindon
One council runs every main service here.
The parish council for the part of Swindon inside Central Swindon North parish.
20% of Swindon’s residents · Band D precept £248
The parish council for the part of Swindon inside West Swindon parish.
Who runs Swindon: same source as Who runs Swindon, above.
The parish council for the part of Swindon inside Haydon Wick parish.
Who runs Swindon: same source as Who runs Swindon, above.
The parish council for the part of Swindon inside St Andrews parish.
Who runs Swindon: same source as Who runs Swindon, above.
Every main council service: schools, social care, roads, bins, planning, housing and libraries.
98% of Swindon’s residents
Website ↗Every main council service: schools, social care, roads, bins, planning, housing and libraries.
Who runs Swindon: same source as Who runs Swindon, above.
Website ↗Who to ask
From GOV.UK’s “Understand how your council works”: here one council runs every main service.
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 Swindon, from the most recent elections.
- 1Town or parish6 parish councilsCentral Swindon North parish councilWest Swindon parish councilHaydon Wick parish councilSt Andrews parish councilNythe, Eldene and Liden parish councilCovingham parish council
- 2Council wards18 wards · 43 councillorsLabour 19 · Conservative 13 · Reform UK 11 · all 43
- 3Police and crime commissionerWiltshire Police · elected May 2024Philip Wilkinson
- 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.
43 councillors for 18 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.
- Matthew John GouldingReform UK · May 2026
- Colin Peter LovellReform UK · May 2026
- Cathy WilliamsonReform UK · May 2026
- Ana Rosada FernandesLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Kevin David SmallLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Jim GrantLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Keith Robert WilliamsConservative · May 2026
- Suresh GattapurConservative · May 2026
- Nandini SinghConservative · May 2026
- Nadine WattsLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Jim RobbinsLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Neil Lawrence HopkinsLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Vinay ManroConservative · May 2026
- Leanne Elizabeth StevensonConservative · May 2026
- Alex HughesConservative · May 2026
- James HeadReform UK · May 2026
- Anthony James HedgesReform UK · May 2026
- Stanka WilsonLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Imtiyaz ShaikhLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Paul DixonLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Marina StrinkovskyLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Jocelina D'SouzaLabour · May 2026
- Sara Jane GodwinReform UK · May 2026
- Mark Alexander BogardReform UK · May 2026
- Martyn Graham PearceReform UK · May 2026
- Daniel AdamsConservative · May 2026
- Cherie AdamsConservative · May 2026
- Mike DaviesLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Rebecca Banwell-MooreLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Simon Lee HowardReform UK · May 2026
- Anabelle Patricia PegadoConservative · May 2026
- Adorabelle Amaral-ShaikhLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
The other 6 wards
- Lawrence Rudyard DaviesReform UK · May 2026
- Derek James O'HanlonReform UK · May 2026
- Emma BushellLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Abdul AminLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Chris WattsLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Janine HowarthLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Kevin ParryConservative · May 2026
- Barbara ParryConservative · May 2026
- Princia Jenovi FernandesLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Jake Edward ChandlerConservative · May 2026
- Kate TomlinsonConservative · May 2026
Show as a table
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lydiard, Freshbrook & ToothillSwindon · all in Swindon · 13,859 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Matthew John GouldingColin Peter LovellCathy Williamson | May 2026 |
| Rodbourne Ferndale & WesternSwindon · all in Swindon · 13,236 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Ana Rosada FernandesKevin David SmallJim Grant | May 2026 |
| Shaw & WestleaSwindon · all in Swindon · 12,998 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Keith Robert WilliamsSuresh GattapurNandini Singh | May 2026 |
| Old Town & LawnSwindon · all in Swindon · 12,779 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Nadine WattsJim RobbinsNeil Lawrence Hopkins | May 2026 |
| Priory ValeSwindon · all in Swindon · 12,738 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Vinay ManroLeanne Elizabeth StevensonAlex Hughes | May 2026 |
| Haydon WickSwindon · all in Swindon · 12,304 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | James HeadAnthony James HedgesStanka Wilson | May 2026 |
| Queen's ParkSwindon · all in Swindon · 12,076 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Imtiyaz ShaikhPaul DixonMarina Strinkovsky | May 2026 |
| ParksSwindon · all in Swindon · 10,494 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Jocelina D'SouzaSara Jane Godwin | May 2026 |
| Penhill & PinehurstSwindon · all in Swindon · 10,443 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Mark Alexander BogardMartyn Graham Pearce | May 2026 |
| St Andrews West & TadpoleSwindon · all in Swindon · 10,435 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Daniel AdamsCherie Adams | May 2026 |
| Badbury Park, Eldene & LidenSwindon · all in Swindon · 10,339 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Mike DaviesRebecca Banwell-MooreSimon Lee Howard | May 2026 |
| BroadgreenSwindon · all in Swindon · 8,753 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Anabelle Patricia PegadoAdorabelle Amaral-Shaikh | May 2026 |
The other 6 wards
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rodbourne CheneySwindon · all in Swindon · 8,165 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Lawrence Rudyard DaviesDerek James O'Hanlon | May 2026 |
| WalcotSwindon · all in Swindon · 8,073 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Emma BushellAbdul Amin | May 2026 |
| KingshillSwindon · all in Swindon · 7,893 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Chris WattsJanine Howarth | May 2026 |
| Covingham & NytheSwindon · mostly in Swindon · 6,695 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Kevin ParryBarbara Parry | May 2026 |
| Gorse HillSwindon · all in Swindon · 4,689 residents1 seat · May 2026 | 1 | Princia Jenovi Fernandes | May 2026 |
| St Andrews EastSwindon · mostly in Swindon · 4,548 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Jake Edward ChandlerKate Tomlinson | May 2026 |
Councillors can resign, change party or sit as independents between elections; a by-election winner replaces someone not named here. Swindon 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).
Swindon council election, May 2026
Results in the wards that make up Swindon, as declared. Percentages are of votes cast for candidates in each ward; where a ward elects several councillors, each voter has that many votes.
18 wards voted. Every seat in the town’s wards was up.
No election is scheduled yet for Swindon’s wards in Democracy Club’s list. Councils publish a notice of election about five weeks before polling day.
Who can I vote for? ↗11,782 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
11,088 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
12,763 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
Every ward’s result (15 more)
13,822 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
9,634 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
10,789 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
9,785 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
4,042 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
3,942 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
4,993 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
10,264 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
5,667 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
3,464 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
4,411 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
4,927 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
6,161 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
1,348 votes for candidates
4,979 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.
Swindon is split between 3 constituencies
The constituencies’ MP and the 4 July 2024 general election, the whole constituency’s result.
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024
60% of Swindon’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 62% (England 60%).
Majority 9,606 of 44,794 votes (21.4%): wider than in 69% of England’s 543 constituencies.
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024
38% of Swindon’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 60% (England 60%).
Majority 4,103 of 44,165 votes (9.3%): the 175th-narrowest of 543 in England.
Liberal Democrat, MP since 4 July 2024
1% of Swindon’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 73% (England 60%).
Majority 4,973 of 52,287 votes (9.5%): the 180th-narrowest of 543 in England.
44,794 votes for candidates · majority 9,606
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 44,794 votes from 72,575 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 9,606 of 44,794 votes (21.4%): wider than in 69% of England’s 543 constituencies.
Swindon North
44,165 votes for candidates · majority 4,103
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 44,165 votes from 73,224 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 4,103 of 44,165 votes (9.3%): the 175th-narrowest of 543 in England.
South Cotswolds
52,287 votes for candidates · majority 4,973
Liberal Democrat, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 52,287 votes from 71,971 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 4,973 of 52,287 votes (9.5%): the 180th-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.
Swindon’s Band D council tax is £2,438 a year
Where a Band D bill goes, what it has cost over the years, and what the councils plan to spend per resident.
Swindon Borough Council keeps £1,866.50 of a Band D bill (77%); the rest goes to the Parish councils, the Wiltshire police and crime commissioner and the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority.
Band D since 1993
Swindon’s Band D bill has risen 67% in ten years, from £1,460.09 in 2016–17, against England’s average (56%). It was £553.50 in 1993–94.
Your bill by band
A Band D home in Swindon, 2026–27, before discounts. The Valuation Office Agency’s band search gives any home’s band.
Council budgets per resident, 2026–27
Show as a table, with Wiltshire
| Swindon | Swindon’s councils | Wiltshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult social care | £464 | £504 | £487 |
| Children’s social care | £371 | £223 | £290 |
| Roads and transport | £33 | £52 | £41 |
| Housing (not council homes’ rents) | £42 | £39 | £61 |
| Bins, street cleaning, environment | £86 | £118 | £119 |
| Libraries, leisure, culture | £22 | £33 | £44 |
| Planning and development | £13 | £21 | £26 |
| Public health | £64 | £54 | £78 |
| Running the council | £19 | £21 | £59 |
| Other | £0 | £0 | £19 |
| Total, schools apart | £1,114 | £1,064 | £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. Wiltshire 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 Swindon 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.
swindon.gov.uk ↗Anyone can comment while an application is open for consultation.
swindon.gov.uk ↗The rules, nomination papers and guidance for council candidates.
Electoral Commission ↗Questions about how Swindon is run
Does Swindon have a town council?
Parts of it do: Central Swindon North parish council, West Swindon parish council, Haydon Wick parish council and St Andrews parish council.
Who is the MP for Swindon?
Swindon is split between 3 constituencies: Swindon South (Heidi Alexander, Labour), Swindon North (Will Stone, Labour) and South Cotswolds (Dr Roz Savage, Liberal Democrat). Parliament’s Find your MP service matches a postcode to its MP.
How many councillors does Swindon have?
43 ward councillors represent Swindon’s 18 wards.
When are the next elections in Swindon?
No election is scheduled yet in Democracy Club’s list for Swindon’s wards. The next UK general election must be held by August 2029.
How much is council tax in Swindon?
Band D council tax in Swindon is £2,438 for 2026–27. Your bill depends on your home’s band, from A (6/9 of Band D) to H (18/9).
Who controls Swindon Borough Council?
No party has a majority. As elected, Conservative 23 · Labour 19 · Reform UK 14 · Liberal Democrat 1 of 57 seats; a majority needs 29. The council’s website lists who leads it now.
Who won the 2026 council election in Swindon?
In Swindon’s wards on 7 May 2026, Labour 19 · Conservative 13 · Reform UK 11 of the 43 seats up. Labour had the largest share of votes, 31.8%.
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.