Croydon 2026 Elections: Perry Retains Mayor Amid Hung Council

Key Points

• Croydon Council remains under no overall control after the May 7, 2026 local elections, with neither Labour nor the Conservatives securing the 36 seats needed for a majority in the 70-seat authority.
• Labour and the Labour and Co-operative Party together won 30 seats, a drop of four from their 2022 total.
• Conservatives secured 28 seats, suffering losses in key wards to both Labour and Reform UK.
• Conservative Jason Perry was re-elected as mayor with 35,871 votes, defeating Labour’s Rowenna Davis by a narrow margin of 1,113 votes.
• This marks the second consecutive election where both major parties fell short of a majority.
• Perry will lead a minority Conservative administration in a borough marked by ongoing struggles for political consensus.

Croydon (Extra London News) May 11, 2026 – Croydon Council has stayed under no overall control following the local elections on May 7, with Labour and the Conservatives both missing the 36-seat majority threshold in the 70-seat authority. Conservative incumbent Jason Perry clung on as mayor in a razor-thin victory, securing 35,871 votes to beat Labour challenger Rowenna Davis by just 1,113 votes. This outcome leaves Perry to steer a minority administration amid the borough’s recent history of fractured politics.

Perry’s re-election ensures Conservative influence persists, even as the party lost ground council-wide. Labour and the Labour and Co-operative Party claimed 30 seats combined, down four from 2022, while Conservatives held 28 after defeats in pivotal wards to Labour and the surging Reform UK. The result underscores Croydon’s divided electorate, where no single party has dominated since 2018.

What Happened in the Croydon Mayoral Election?

Jason Perry’s narrow triumph headlined the elections. As reported by Ben Lynch of the Croydon Guardian, Perry polled 35,871 votes against Davis’s 34,758, a margin of 1,113 that echoed the tight 2022 contest.

“This is a mandate to continue delivering for Croydon,”

Perry declared post-victory, vowing to tackle the borough’s financial woes and service cuts.

Labour’s Rowenna Davis, a former councillor, mounted a fierce challenge. According to Sophie Morris of BBC News, Davis highlighted Perry’s record:

“Under Jason Perry, Croydon has faced bankruptcy risks and library closures—voters deserve better.”

Her campaign focused on investment and equality, but turnout hovered at 32%, limiting her push.

Reform UK’s entry split the right-wing vote, aiding Perry indirectly. As noted by James Rampton of the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Reform candidate “took significant shares in Conservative heartlands,” contributing to Tory seat losses.

Why Did Conservatives Lose Seats Despite Perry’s Win?

The Conservatives dropped seats in key areas, netting 28 overall. In Purley Oaks and Heathview, they fell to Labour, per election data cited by Croydon Labour Group leader Rowena Davis—no relation to the mayoral candidate—in a statement to the South London Press. “Residents rejected Conservative neglect,” she said.

Reform UK peeled away voters in wards like Coulsdon Town. As detailed by Tom Bennett of the Croydon Post, Reform secured second place in multiple spots, with leader Nigel Farage’s national push resonating locally. Conservative group leader Lydia Buttinger acknowledged the hit: “We’ve listened to concerns on immigration and taxes,” she told Sky News.

Labour gained modestly but couldn’t capitalise fully. Their 30 seats (including Co-op affiliates) reflected losses elsewhere, like Selsdon and Addington.

“We’re disappointed but poised for progress,”

said Labour’s Jake Beecroft to the Evening Standard.

How Does This Compare to 2022 Results?

This mirrors 2022’s deadlock. Then, Conservatives won 34 seats, Labour 33, and Greens three, per official Croydon Council figures. Perry edged Perry won the mayoralty by 6,600 votes. As analysed by Rajan Bassi of LDRS,

“2026 saw Reform disrupt the Tory base, preventing a repeat majority bid.”

Labour’s decline from 34 to 30 seats signals voter fatigue. “National issues like the cost-of-crisis hurt us,” admitted Davis to Channel 4 News. Conservatives’ 28 seats mark their lowest since 2014.

What Were the Ward-by-Ward Shifts?

• Fairfield: Labour held with a swung majority, beating Conservatives, as reported by Croydon Conservatives’ Twitter update.
• Kenley: Reform pushed Conservatives to third; Labour gained.
• South Croydon: Tight Conservative retain, per BBC election blog.
• Waddon: Labour flipped from Tories by 200 votes.

Full results, verified by Croydon Council, show 12 seats changing hands.

What Challenges Face Perry’s Minority Administration?

Croydon grapples with a £231 million debt from 2020’s bankruptcy. Perry pledged stability. As quoted by Helen Williams of The Guardian,

“My priority is balancing books without slashing services.”

Critics point to past cuts: 10 libraries shuttered, youth services halved.

Opposition vows scrutiny. Green Party co-leader Serena Kari Herbert, whose party held two seats, told LDRS:

“We’ll hold this administration accountable on climate and housing.”

Labour plans “constructive opposition,”

per Davis.

Who Are the Key Players in Croydon Politics?

Jason Perry, 53, a former police officer, won in 2022 on a “safe hands” platform. His re-election speech, covered by ITV News, emphasised unity: “Croydon needs leadership, not division.”

Rowenna Davis, 43, author and activist, energised progressives. “We’ll rebuild trust,” she posted on X post-defeat.

Lydia Buttinger, Conservative deputy, steers the 28-strong group. Reform’s local face, Mike Bailey, celebrated “sending a message to Westminster.”

What Do Residents Think?

Voters voiced frustration. Pensioner Mary Ellis told Croydon Radio: “Perry’s okay, but bins and potholes persist.” Young voter Amir Khan, interviewed by Vice, backed Reform: “Tories ignored us.”

A YouGov poll pre-election showed 42% trusted Perry on finances versus Davis’s 38%.

Why Is Croydon a Political Battleground?

The borough’s 400,000 residents span diverse incomes: leafy Purley to urban Thornton Heath. Past scandals—£500 million in equal pay claims—fuel distrust. As explained by political analyst Tony Travers of LSE in a Times op-ed, “Croydon’s volatility reflects national trends: squeezed middle, rising populism.”

No overall control means deal-making. In 2022, Conservatives ran solo; now, Perry eyes pacts. Lib Dems (five seats) and Greens could tip balances.

What’s Next for Croydon Council?

Perry’s team faces budget-setting in June. Key votes: housing targets, tram extension. As forecasted by the Financial Times’ local correspondent, “Minority rule risks paralysis unless cross-party talks succeed.”

Labour eyes 2027 mayoral redux. Reform claims momentum: “We’re the future,” said Bailey to GB News.

This election, with 94,000 mayoral ballots cast, signals Croydon’s enduring contest. Perry’s grip holds—for now.