Local Elections 2026: Conservatives buck national trend with gains in Broadheath and Hale

The Conservatives bucked the national trend in the Altrincham area wards of Trafford, gaining two seats in Broadheath and Hale, as Labour held overall control of Trafford Council.

Across England, the party suffered significant losses, with Reform UK making substantial gains nationally. But that picture was only partly reflected in the Altrincham area, where Reform finished second in Timperley North but no higher than third in the other six wards.

The Greens held Altrincham, with the Liberal Democrats holding on to both Timperley North and Timperley Central.

Labour retained control of Trafford Council overall, though the party's local MP Connor Rand said Labour "must reflect" on its performance.

"Over the moon"

Nathan Evans, leader of the Conservatives on Trafford Council, said he was "over the moon" with the day's results.

"We had our targets, we delivered for the residents, and they've rewarded us with votes," he told Altrincham Today.

Evans pointed to hard work on local issues as the key to the party's performance. "Supporting residents, picking up what residents cared about - roads, inappropriate developments. The residents have recognised that and rewarded us."

Overall, Labour retained control of Trafford Council but lost six seats on the night, leaving them with 35 of the 63 seats.

The Conservatives gained two to finish on 12, while the Greens also gained two to end on seven. The Liberal Democrats held steady on seven, and Reform UK picked up two seats to enter the council for the first time with two councillors, in Bucklow St Martins and Davyhulme.

"Really difficult results"

Local Labour MP Connor Rand said that Labour "must reflect" on its performance today.

He said: "There have been some really difficult results today. Labour must reflect on that and show people that we’re listening to them.

"We have made progress on important local issues - whether that is 300 new school places, falling NHS waiting lists or record investment in the Bee Network – but there is clearly much more for us to do locally and nationally.

"I congratulate everyone that has won in Altrincham and Sale West. My door is open to any councillor who wants to work with me in the best interests of residents."

Today's count took place at the Manchester Suite at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium.

Full results in Altrincham area wards in the Local Elections 2026

Altrincham - Greens hold

Dan Jerrome held Altrincham ward for the Green Party with 44.7% of the vote. The Conservatives' Nick Dean finished second with 28.1%, ahead of Reform UK's Stuart Niven on 14.2%. Labour's Mark Nesbitt took 9.3%, with the Liberal Democrats' Donald McIntosh on 4.6%.

Dan Jerrome (Green) — 1,744 (44.7%)
Nick Dean (Conservative) — 1,099 (28.1%)
Stuart Craig Niven (Reform UK) — 556 (14.2%)
Mark Nesbitt (Labour) — 363 (9.3%)
Donald McIntosh (Liberal Democrat) — 180 (4.6%)

Total votes: 3,942

Bowdon - Conservatives hold

Shengke Zhi held Bowdon for the Conservatives with 54.6% of the vote. The Green Party's Bridget Green finished second with 29.7%, well clear of Reform UK's Michelle McCusker in third. Labour and the Liberal Democrats both finished with under 5% of the vote.

Shengke Zhi (Conservative) — 2,616 (54.6%)
Bridget Mary Green (Green) — 1,424 (29.7%)
Michelle Lesley McCusker (Reform UK) — 445 (9.3%)
Kate Lamerton (Labour) — 203 (4.2%)
Ludo Tolhurst-Cleaver (Liberal Democrat) — 105 (2.2%)
Ron Hutton (Advance UK) — 11 (0.2%)

Total votes: 4,804

Broadheath - Conservatives gain from Labour

Prakash Nathani won Broadheath for the Conservatives, overturning the seat from Labour. Javed Khwaja finished second for Labour with 21%, ahead of the Liberal Democrats' Barbara Gerard on 17.4%. Reform UK's Terence Charnock took 14.5% in fourth, with the Greens' Alexander Young on 10.4%.

Prakash Nathani (Conservative) — 1,721 (35.5%)
Javed Bakht Khwaja (Labour) — 1,018 (21.0%)
Barbara Gerard (Liberal Democrat) — 842 (17.4%)
Terence Charnock (Reform UK) — 704 (14.5%)
Alexander Young (Green) — 504 (10.4%)
Stephen John Farndon (Independent) — 33 (0.7%)

Total votes: 4,822

Hale - Conservatives gain from Greens

Hale was the former ward of Hannah Spencer, who left her council seat after becoming the Green Party's MP for Gorton and Denton. Rupert Kelly took the seat for the Conservatives with 45.6%. The Greens' Orla Weir, who also stood in November's Hale by-election, finished second with 36.9%. Reform UK's Richard Shean took 8.1%, with Labour's Seth Champion on 6.4% and the Liberal Democrats' Jason Stack on 3.8%.

Rupert Owen Kelly (Conservative) — 1,941 (45.6%)
Orla Weir (Green) — 1,571 (36.9%)
Richard Anthony Shean (Reform UK) — 346 (8.1%)
Seth Edward Champion (Labour) — 271 (6.4%)
Jason Stack (Liberal Democrat) — 162 (3.8%)

Total votes: 4,291

Hale Barns & Timperley South - Conservatives hold

Nathan Evans held his seat with 51.9% of the vote. The Liberal Democrats' Matt Sellars finished second with 26.3%, ahead of Reform UK's Leslie Cupitt on 10.5%. The Greens' Centaine Parker took 7.3%, with Labour's Isaac Jones on 4.4%. Evans said he was pleased with the majority he secured. "Our majorities in the wards that we already held have all increased, so very pleased," he said.

Nathan Evans (Conservative) — 2,138 (51.9%)
Matt Sellars (Liberal Democrat) — 1,084 (26.3%)
Leslie Cupitt (Reform UK) — 431 (10.5%)
Centaine Wendy Parker (Green) — 299 (7.3%)
Isaac Jones (Labour) — 183 (4.4%)

Total votes: 4,135

Timperley Central - Liberal Democrats hold

Julian Newgrosh held Timperley Central for the Liberal Democrats with 38.9% of the vote. Reform UK's Philip Holt finished second with 24.9%, ahead of the Conservatives' Vineeta Chouhan on 17.6%. The Greens' James Brooke-Taylor took 10.9%, with Labour's Barbara Twiney on 7.5%.

Julian David Newgrosh (Liberal Democrat) — 1,693 (38.9%)
Philip Alexander Holt (Reform UK) — 1,081 (24.9%)
Vineeta Singh Chouhan (Conservative) — 765 (17.6%)
James William Brooke-Taylor (Green) — 475 (10.9%)
Barbara Ruth Twiney (Labour) — 325 (7.5%)

Total votes: 4,339

Timperley North - Liberal Democrats hold

Will Frass held Timperley North for the Liberal Democrats with 53.3% of the vote. Reform UK's Anthony Shaw finished second with 19.4%, ahead of the Greens' Aagash Vadera on 11.0%. The Conservatives' Angela Bruer-Morris took 15.1%, with Labour's Jo Sharpe on 10.3% and Advance UK's Angela O'Neill on 0.5%.