Croydon Mayoral Election 2026: Perry vs Davis Results

Key Points

• Voters in Croydon participated in the 2026 mayoral election on Thursday, May 7, 2026, electing a mayor to lead Croydon London Borough Council with responsibility for policy and services.
• Incumbent Conservative Jason Stephen Perry, first elected in 2022 by a narrow 589-vote margin over Labour’s Val Shawcross, sought re-election.
• Eight candidates competed: Rowenna Frances Davis (Labour and Co-operative Party), Ben Flook (Reform UK), Ben Goldstone (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Richard Michael Howard (Liberal Democrats), Jose Joseph (Independent), Jason Stephen Perry (Local Conservatives), Michael Pusey MBE (Taking the Initiative Party of Britain), and Peter Underwood (The Green Party).
• Polls closed at 10pm on May 7, with counting starting at 8am on Friday, May 8; results expected from 4pm at Fairfield Halls.
• The election coincided with contests for 70 Croydon councillors and local elections across 136 English authorities with over 5,000 seats, plus mayoral races in six areas.
• Pre-election betting markets like Polymarket heavily favoured Labour’s Rowenna Davis at 68-81% odds to win, with Perry at 1-2% and others low.
• Croydon Council projections suggest no majority, Conservatives leading with 30 of 70 seats, Labour dropping to 19.
• As of May 8 evening, full official results were not yet declared despite expectations.

Croydon (Extra London News) May 8, 2026 – Voters in the London Borough of Croydon have cast their ballots in the closely watched 2026 mayoral election, with results anticipated later today amid high stakes for the borough’s leadership. The contest features eight candidates vying to replace or retain incumbent Conservative Jason Perry, who has held the role since narrowly winning in 2022. Counting is underway following polls closing at 10pm yesterday, with declarations due from 4pm.

Who Were the Candidates in the Croydon Mayoral Election?

The 2026 Croydon mayoral race drew a diverse field of eight contenders, as listed on the official Croydon Council nomination statement.

Rowenna Frances Davis represented the Labour and Co-operative Party; she is a current Waddon ward councillor since 2022 and has experience as a teacher and political journalist. Ben Flook stood for Reform UK, while Ben Goldstone campaigned for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition.

Richard Michael Howard flew the flag for the Liberal Democrats, and Jose Joseph ran as an Independent. Jason Stephen Perry, the Local Conservatives candidate, sought re-election after his 2022 victory, launching a manifesto in April promising continued financial recovery and town centre improvements. Michael Pusey MBE, from the Taking the Initiative Party of Britain, and Peter Underwood of The Green Party completed the lineup.

As reported by Wikipedia editors citing council sources, Labour’s Davis and Green’s Underwood emerged as Perry’s strongest challengers pre-election.

What Is the Role of Croydon’s Elected Mayor?

The Mayor of Croydon provides leadership and direction to the London Borough Council, holding overall responsibility for policy and services.

This directly elected position was established following a 2021 referendum, with Jason Perry becoming the first holder in 2022.

The role oversees the council’s strategic direction amid Croydon’s history of financial challenges, including multiple bankruptcies.

According to Perry’s campaign site, the mayor focuses on rebuilding finances, attracting investment, and ensuring equitable recovery across the borough.

When and How Did Voting and Counting Proceed?

Polling stations across Croydon operated until 10 pm on Thursday, May 7, 2026, coinciding with local council elections for 70 ward councillors.

Counting commenced at 8 am on Friday, May 8, at a venue likely the Fairfield Halls, with mayoral results slated for declaration from 4 pm.

This timeline aligns with broader English local elections involving 136 authorities and over 5,000 seats, plus mayoral votes in six areas.

As of 8:33 pm PKT on May 8—late afternoon UK time—no full results had been declared publicly, though Polymarket traders anticipated a Labour victory.

What Do Pre-Election Polls and Betting Markets Predict?

Betting platform Polymarket showed overwhelming support for Rowenna Davis, with probabilities ranging from 54% to 81% across updates through May 8, reflecting pre-election bookmaker odds and tight polls. Incumbent Perry trailed at 1.6-35%, Peter Underwood at 1-6%, and others like Ben Flook, Richard Howard, and Jose Joseph under 5%.

Inside Croydon journalist Steven Downes noted in a May 6 piece that Davis was positioned to lead, with Conservatives and Labour expected to split over half the vote, potentially allowing a winner with just a quarter of turnout.

PollCheck projections for council seats favoured Conservatives at 30, Greens at 14, Labour at 19, indicating a hung council.

Who Is Jason Perry and What Did He Achieve?

Jason Stephen Perry, elected in 2022 as Croydon’s inaugural mayor, narrowly defeated Labour’s Val Shawcross by 589 votes, a rare Conservative win in London locals. In a ConservativeHome op-ed, Perry stated,

“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together. But I’m even more focused on what comes next: continuing to rebuild our finances, unlocking further investment, improving our town centre, and making sure every part of Croydon shares in our recovery”.

His April 2026 manifesto, launched via jasonperry.uk, emphasised building on recovery post-bankruptcies. City A.M. reported Perry edged out Labour in the debut race after the 2021 referendum.

Who Is Rowenna Davis and Why Is She Favoured?

Rowenna Frances Davis, Labour and Co-operative candidate, serves as Waddon councillor since 2022, winning with 1,620 votes. Her background includes teaching and political journalism, positioning her as a strong contender. Polymarket odds consistently led her as the frontrunner, with Inside Croydon predicting she would be ahead at declaration.

WhoCanIVoteFor.co.uk lists her for both mayoral and Waddon council races, with results pending.

How Does This Fit into Wider London and UK Elections?

Mayoral elections occurred in six London areas, including Croydon, alongside vast local polls [query context]. BBC coverage highlighted Green wins elsewhere, like Hackney’s Zoe Garbett, and Reform UK gains. Croydon’s marginal status, post-bankruptcies, drew focus, with no projected council majority.

What Happens Next After Results?

Once declared—expected around or after 4pm May 8—the winner assumes leadership, guiding policy amid a potentially fragmented council. Official results will appear on Croydon.gov.uk, with full vote tallies for mayor and 70 councillors. Perry’s re-election bid or Davis’s potential victory could signal shifts in Labour-Conservative battles.

BBC noted similar races’ drama, but Croydon’s remained unresolved at press time. Markets like Polymarket will resolve post-consensus reporting from Croydon Council.