Sheffield local election results: Labour loses 13 councillors to Greens and Reform
Labour lost 13 councillors and returned only three in the 2026 local elections, although it remained the largest party on 25 councillors, as only a third of members were up for election.
The Labour leader of Sheffield Council Tom Hunt said he was left “incredibly disappointed” as he lost his seat, in a tough election for Sir Keir Starmer’s party in the Steel City.
Labour lost 13 councillors and returned only three, although it remained the largest party on 25 councillors, as only a third of members were up for election.
It is likely that a coalition with the Liberal Democrats, with 22 councillors, and the Greens, who rose to 20, will continue the administration going forward.
Mr Hunt said: “I’m incredibly disappointed, but proud of my local track record as a ward councillor and leader of the council.
“We've always known that this is gonna be a difficult set of elections for the Labour Party in Sheffield, in South Yorkshire, across the whole country. As votes are being counted today, it looks like that has certainly been the case.
“Voters across the country voted two years ago for change, and they aren't feeling that quick enough. It's incumbent on the government to bring about change as quickly as possible.”
He had led the council since 2022. The Green Party’s Andy Davies took Mr Hunt’s Walkley seat by 73 votes.
Overall, the Greens gained six councillors, with Coun Davies saying: “We're moving forward, and we can't afford to go back.”
“I feel a bit for Tom Hunt, speaking to my now-fellow councillors, there’s a lot of respect for him, and certainly from the community as well.
“Certainly if it hadn’t been for the national picture, I wouldn't have overcome the deficit, the margin they had from the last couple of years, however hard I worked because Tom will always be able to match that.”
Reform won 12 seats, a substantial gain for the party. Coun Sean Maloney said: “Our people turned out and voted because they want change. They want better roads, they don’t want to see our green belt destroyed.
“Pity that it was only a third of councils this time. I think we’d have swept everything. It’s looking good.”
Labour has been the largest party on the council since 2011, however it appears Sheffield will once again be governed by coalition.