Council profile
Wigan
Metropolitan borough · North West · 75 seats in 25 wards · A third of seats elected in three years out of four · Next election 6 May 2027
Labour have a majority on Wigan Council. The council has 75 councillors in 25 wards. Seats by party: Labour 42, Reform 25, Other 7. The next election is on 6 May 2027.
Control
Seats by party
Vote share at the 7 May 2026 election (25 seats, all wards)
ShareSeats won
Reform46.3%24
Labour24.9%0
Green11.2%0
Conservative8.3%0
Other6.5%1
Lib Dem2.8%0
Next election
6 May 2027
25 of 75 seats up, elected by thirds
Largest party
Labour 42
majority of 9; 38 needed
Voted Leave in 2016
64%
GB 52%
Wards
Who holds each ward
LabourReformIndependentOther
Under 5 pts5 to 1010 to 20Over 20No contest data
Winning margin at the last election, in points.
Coloured by the party holding most of the ward's seats today; where seats are split evenly, by the party with the higher share at the last election.
All 25 wards
Councillors and last results
Select a ward for its full results, candidates and last by-election.
| Ward and councillors | Last election |
|---|---|
| Abram David Bowker, Nazia Rehman, Martyn Smethurst | 7 May 2026 Reform 56.1% lead 31.9 pts |
| Ashton-in-Makerfield South Danny Fletcher, Kathy Morrill-Ashford, Andrew Bullen | 7 May 2026 Reform 46.4% lead 13.9 pts |
| Aspull, New Springs & Whelley Laura Flynn, Christopher Ready, Joanne Meadows | 7 May 2026 Reform 49.6% lead 17.0 pts |
| Astley Barry Taylor, Christine Roberts, Eileen Strathearn | 7 May 2026 Reform 45.2% lead 24.9 pts |
| Atherton North Jamie Hodgkinson, Paul Watson, Stuart Gerrard | 7 May 2026 Independent Network 47.5% lead 18.2 pts |
| Atherton South & Lilford Martin Farrimond, Lee McStein, John Harding | 7 May 2026 Reform 50.9% lead 29.1 pts |
| Bryn with Ashton-in-Makerfield North Steve Jones, Robert Kenyon, Scarlett Myler | 7 May 2026 Reform 52.2% lead 28.1 pts |
| Douglas Mary Callaghan, Matthew Lambert, Matt Dawber | 7 May 2026 Reform 44.2% lead 24.2 pts |
| Golborne & Lowton West Susan Gambles, Yvonne Klieve, Susan Frame | 7 May 2026 Reform 43.2% lead 10.3 pts |
| Hindley James Talbot, Paul Blay, Paul Manniex | 7 May 2026 Reform 52.3% lead 30.9 pts |
| Hindley Green Liam Clarke, James Palmer, Vacant | 7 May 2026 Reform 52.3% lead 19.6 pts |
| Ince Gemma Painter, Tony Whyte, Maureen O'Bern | 7 May 2026 Reform 58.3% lead 38.7 pts |
| Leigh Central & Higher Folds Keith Cunliffe, Tina Kennedy, Frederick Walker | 7 May 2026 Reform 48.3% lead 23.1 pts |
| Leigh South Charles Rigby, Kevin Anderson, Leon Peters | 7 May 2026 Reform 47.5% lead 22.4 pts |
| Leigh West Susan Greensmith, Dane Anderton, David Evans | 7 May 2026 Reform 51.8% lead 26.3 pts |
| Lowton East Mike Smith, Jenny Gregory, Simon Smith | 7 May 2026 Reform 35.8% lead 6.1 pts |
| Orrell Paul Bannister, Anne Collins, Mark Tebbutt | 7 May 2026 Reform 39.9% lead 15.7 pts |
| Pemberton Simon Silcock, Eileen Rigby, Jeanette Prescott | 7 May 2026 Reform 54.2% lead 29.7 pts |
| Shevington with Lower Ground & Moor Paul Collins, Lilian Rogers, Vicky Galligan | 7 May 2026 Reform 43.1% lead 17.3 pts |
| Standish with Langtree Terry Mugan, Debbie Parkinson, Michael Whalley | 7 May 2026 Reform 32.9% lead 13.0 pts |
| Tyldesley & Mosley Common James Fish, Joanne Marshall, Adrian White | 7 May 2026 Reform 44.7% lead 24.9 pts |
| Wigan Central Michael McLoughlin, Lawrence Hunt, Lee Moffitt | 7 May 2026 Reform 44.1% lead 14.1 pts |
| Wigan West Sam Ashton, Sheila Ramsdale, Phyllis Cullen | 7 May 2026 Reform 47.3% lead 19.2 pts |
| Winstanley Paul Forbes, Clive Morgan, Paul Kenny | 7 May 2026 Reform 49.7% lead 18.7 pts |
| Worsley Mesnes David Hurst, Keith Whalley, Paul Molyneux | 7 May 2026 Reform 50.9% lead 25.7 pts |
Abram
David Bowker ReformMartyn Smethurst LabourNazia Rehman Labour
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| David William Bowker Elected | Reform | 1,958 | 56.1% |
| Eunice Smethurst | Labour | 844 | 24.2% |
| James Galloway | Green | 394 | 11.3% |
| Janet Elizabeth Walch | Conservative | 158 | 4.5% |
| Graham Trevor Suddick | Lib Dem | 138 | 4.0% |
Ashton-in-Makerfield South
Andrew Bullen LabourDanny Fletcher LabourKathy Morrill-Ashford Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathy Morrill-Ashford Elected | Reform | 1,572 | 46.4% |
| Anca Condescu | Labour | 1,100 | 32.5% |
| Holly Abbott | Green | 432 | 12.7% |
| Paul John Chapman | Conservative | 285 | 8.4% |
Aspull, New Springs & Whelley
Christopher Ready LabourJoanne Meadows ReformLaura Flynn Labour
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jo Meadows Elected | Reform | 2,050 | 49.6% |
| Ron Conway | Labour | 1,348 | 32.6% |
| Peter George Edmund Kitts | Green | 399 | 9.6% |
| Luke Christian Marsden | Conservative | 203 | 4.9% |
| Donald John MacNamara | Lib Dem | 135 | 3.3% |
Astley
Barry Taylor LabourChristine Roberts LabourEileen Strathearn Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eileen Patricia Strathearn Elected | Reform | 2,100 | 45.2% |
| Adam Michael Hollis | Labour | 942 | 20.3% |
| Sandra Robinson | Independent Network | 703 | 15.1% |
| Simeon Rhys Rowlands | Green | 504 | 10.9% |
| David John Stirzaker | Conservative | 392 | 8.4% |
Atherton North
Jamie Hodgkinson IndependentPaul Watson ReformStuart Gerrard Independent Network
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Hodgkinson Elected | Independent Network | 1,635 | 47.5% |
| Nigel Taylor | Reform | 1,009 | 29.3% |
| Paul Blinkhorn | Labour | 407 | 11.8% |
| Ellie Kemp | Green | 270 | 7.8% |
| Marie Elizabeth Cooper | Conservative | 121 | 3.5% |
Atherton South & Lilford
John Harding LabourLee McStein LabourMartin Farrimond Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martin James Farrimond Elected | Reform | 2,027 | 50.9% |
| Richard Thomas Phelan | Labour | 868 | 21.8% |
| Michael Thomas Livesey | Leigh & Atherton Independents | 457 | 11.5% |
| Cobi Hughes | Green | 398 | 10.0% |
| Ellis Rowlands | Conservative | 230 | 5.8% |
Bryn with Ashton-in-Makerfield North
Robert Kenyon ReformScarlett Myler IndependentSteve Jones Independent
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Kenyon Elected | Reform | 1,770 | 52.2% |
| Louis Andrew Beckley | Labour | 816 | 24.1% |
| Michael Thompson | Green | 400 | 11.8% |
| Judith Atherton | Conservative | 229 | 6.8% |
| Christopher Stephen Davies | Lib Dem | 177 | 5.2% |
Douglas
Mary Callaghan LabourMatt Dawber LabourMatthew Lambert Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Lambert Elected | Reform | 1,293 | 44.2% |
| Alex Sharples | Labour | 585 | 20.0% |
| Pat Draper | Independent | 515 | 17.6% |
| David Beddows | Green | 307 | 10.5% |
| Margaret Atherton | Conservative | 124 | 4.2% |
| John Peter Burley | Lib Dem | 103 | 3.5% |
Golborne & Lowton West
Susan Frame ReformSusan Gambles LabourYvonne Klieve Labour
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Jayne Frame Elected | Reform | 1,478 | 43.2% |
| Gena Merrett | Labour | 1,125 | 32.9% |
| Edward Noel Houlton | Conservative | 310 | 9.1% |
| Kathryn Godfrey | Green | 281 | 8.2% |
| Richard Andrew Scott | Leigh & Atherton Independents | 228 | 6.7% |
Hindley
James Talbot LabourPaul Blay LabourPaul Manniex Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul David Manniex Elected | Reform | 1,832 | 52.3% |
| Jim Churton | Labour | 750 | 21.4% |
| Matthew Baron | Green | 374 | 10.7% |
| Jordan James Gaskell | Independent | 282 | 8.1% |
| Cyril Pendlebury | Conservative | 140 | 4.0% |
| John Charles Skipworth | Lib Dem | 125 | 3.6% |
Hindley Green
James Palmer LabourLiam Clarke ReformVacant Vacant
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liam Clarke Elected | Reform | 1,878 | 52.3% |
| John Melville Vickers | Labour | 1,172 | 32.7% |
| Nat Smith | Green | 258 | 7.2% |
| Marie Winstanley | Conservative | 174 | 4.8% |
| Gary John Skipworth | Lib Dem | 106 | 3.0% |
Ince
Gemma Painter ReformMaureen O'Bern IndependentTony Whyte Independent
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemma Painter Elected | Reform | 1,809 | 58.3% |
| Terence William Halliwell | Labour | 608 | 19.6% |
| Gareth Nelson | Green | 365 | 11.8% |
| Vincent Dean Holgate | Lib Dem | 135 | 4.3% |
| Yamini Gupta | Conservative | 115 | 3.7% |
| The Zok | Independent | 73 | 2.4% |
Leigh Central & Higher Folds
Frederick Walker LabourKeith Cunliffe LabourTina Kennedy Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tina Kennedy Elected | Reform | 1,696 | 48.3% |
| Sarah Victoria Johnson | Labour | 886 | 25.2% |
| Ashley Trigg | Green | 527 | 15.0% |
| Margaret Mary Winstanley | Conservative | 216 | 6.2% |
| Hannah Elizabeth Sephton | Leigh & Atherton Independents | 185 | 5.3% |
Leigh South
Charles Rigby LabourKevin Anderson LabourLeon Peters Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Peters Elected | Reform | 1,827 | 47.5% |
| Barbara Ann Caren | Labour | 968 | 25.1% |
| Jonathon Hughes | Green | 333 | 8.7% |
| Dominic Alexis Sutton | Conservative | 290 | 7.5% |
| Jayson Allan Hargreaves | Leigh & Atherton Independents | 212 | 5.5% |
| Christopher John Noon | Lib Dem | 211 | 5.5% |
| Neil Andrew Gordon | Social Democratic Party | 8 | 0.2% |
Last by-election, 4 July 2024
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara Ann Caren Elected | Labour | 2,389 | 49.3% |
| Eileen Patricia Strathearn | Conservative | 989 | 20.4% |
| Jayson Allan Hargreaves | Leigh & Atherton Independents | 502 | 10.4% |
| Craig Buckley | Independent | 330 | 6.8% |
| Christopher John Noon | Lib Dem | 326 | 6.7% |
| Brodie Andrew Prescott | Green | 305 | 6.3% |
Leigh West
Dane Anderton LabourDavid Evans ReformSusan Greensmith Labour
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| David John Evans Elected | Reform | 1,945 | 51.8% |
| Samantha Clare Brown | Labour | 958 | 25.5% |
| Canaan Thomas | Green | 401 | 10.7% |
| Gerard Joseph Houlton | Conservative | 251 | 6.7% |
| Lorraine Gillon | Lib Dem | 200 | 5.3% |
Lowton East
Jenny Gregory LabourMike Smith LabourSimon Smith Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Smith Elected | Reform | 1,817 | 35.8% |
| Kathleen Houlton | Conservative | 1,508 | 29.7% |
| Garry Peter Lloyd | Labour | 1,238 | 24.4% |
| Julie Shawcross | Green | 506 | 10.0% |
Orrell
Anne Collins LabourMark Tebbutt LabourPaul Bannister Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Kevin Bannister Elected | Reform | 1,621 | 39.9% |
| Jim Nicholson | Labour | 983 | 24.2% |
| Michael Winstanley | Conservative | 787 | 19.4% |
| Julia Davenport | Green | 470 | 11.6% |
| Neil Duncan Stevenson | Lib Dem | 199 | 4.9% |
Pemberton
Eileen Rigby LabourJeanette Prescott LabourSimon Silcock Reform
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Silcock Elected | Reform | 1,623 | 54.2% |
| Paul Prescott | Labour | 733 | 24.5% |
| Olivia Farrimond | Green | 358 | 12.0% |
| Jean Margaret Peet | Conservative | 146 | 4.9% |
| David John Burley | Lib Dem | 133 | 4.4% |
Shevington with Lower Ground & Moor
Lilian Rogers ReformPaul Collins LabourVicky Galligan Labour
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lilian Carol Rogers Elected | Reform | 1,916 | 43.1% |
| Michael John Crosby | Labour | 1,147 | 25.8% |
| Caeryn Collins | Green | 633 | 14.2% |
| Marjorie Clayton | Conservative | 312 | 7.0% |
| Debbie Fairhurst | Standish Independents | 253 | 5.7% |
| Brian Crombie-Fisher | Lib Dem | 186 | 4.2% |
Standish with Langtree
Debbie Parkinson LabourMichael Whalley ReformTerry Mugan Labour
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael John Whalley Elected | Reform | 1,679 | 32.9% |
| Margaret Therse Gaffney | Labour | 1,014 | 19.9% |
| Gareth William Fairhurst | Standish Independents | 811 | 15.9% |
| Hayley Patricia Pierce | Green | 757 | 14.8% |
| Neil Joseph Dunlop | Conservative | 732 | 14.4% |
| Aimee Laverick | Lib Dem | 108 | 2.1% |
Tyldesley & Mosley Common
Adrian White ReformJames Fish IndependentJoanne Marshall Labour
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian White Elected | Reform | 1,768 | 44.7% |
| Jess Eastoe | Labour | 785 | 19.8% |
| Paul Binns | Green | 560 | 14.2% |
| Anthony Thomas Waite | Independent Network | 512 | 12.9% |
| Susan Atherton | Conservative | 330 | 8.3% |
Wigan Central
Lawrence Hunt LabourLee Moffitt ReformMichael McLoughlin Labour
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Moffitt Elected | Reform | 1,771 | 44.1% |
| Navas Olavakkode Beeravu | Labour | 1,205 | 30.0% |
| Jude Scrutton | Green | 516 | 12.9% |
| Paul Martin | Conservative | 292 | 7.3% |
| Andrew Julian Lee Holland | Lib Dem | 229 | 5.7% |
Last by-election, 2 October 2025
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Moffitt Elected | Reform | 1,391 | 47.2% |
| Adam Boon | Labour | 970 | 32.9% |
| Gareth William Fairhurst | Wigan Independents | 196 | 6.7% |
| Paul Martin | Conservative | 151 | 5.1% |
| Simeon Rhys Rowlands | Green | 130 | 4.4% |
| John Peter Burley | Lib Dem | 109 | 3.7% |
Wigan West
Phyllis Cullen LabourSam Ashton ReformSheila Ramsdale Labour
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Ashton Elected | Reform | 1,746 | 47.3% |
| Dave Wood | Labour | 1,037 | 28.1% |
| Rosalind Hackett | Green | 527 | 14.3% |
| Stuart David Thomas | Lib Dem | 210 | 5.7% |
| Allan Atherton | Conservative | 173 | 4.7% |
Winstanley
Clive Morgan LabourPaul Forbes ReformPaul Kenny Labour
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Forbes Elected | Reform | 1,881 | 49.7% |
| Marie Teresa Morgan | Labour | 1,174 | 31.0% |
| John Logan | Green | 312 | 8.2% |
| William John Parkinson | Conservative | 243 | 6.4% |
| Robert Duncan Stevenson | Lib Dem | 176 | 4.6% |
Worsley Mesnes
David Hurst LabourKeith Whalley ReformPaul Molyneux Labour
Last scheduled election, 7 May 2026
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Whalley Elected | Reform | 1,711 | 50.9% |
| Helen Louise O'Neill | Labour | 847 | 25.2% |
| Deborah Browne | Green | 320 | 9.5% |
| Danny Cooke | Independent | 272 | 8.1% |
| Stuart John Worthington | Lib Dem | 108 | 3.2% |
| Ayodeji Samuel Odukoya | Conservative | 101 | 3.0% |
Next election
Seats up on 6 May 2027
25 of 75 seats are up. Seats held now, by party:
Labour 21 Independent 2 Other 1 Vacant 1
| Ward | Councillor whose term ends |
|---|---|
| Abram | Martyn Smethurst Labour |
| Ashton-in-Makerfield South | Danny Fletcher Labour |
| Aspull, New Springs & Whelley | Christopher Ready Labour |
| Astley | Christine Roberts Labour |
| Atherton North | Stuart Gerrard Independent Network |
| Atherton South & Lilford | John Harding Labour |
| Bryn with Ashton-in-Makerfield North | Steve Jones Independent |
| Douglas | Mary Callaghan Labour |
| Golborne & Lowton West | Yvonne Klieve Labour |
| Hindley | Paul Blay Labour |
| Hindley Green | Vacant Vacant |
| Ince | Maureen O'Bern Independent |
| Leigh Central & Higher Folds | Keith Cunliffe Labour |
| Leigh South | Kevin Anderson Labour |
| Leigh West | Dane Anderton Labour |
| Lowton East | Jenny Gregory Labour |
| Orrell | Mark Tebbutt Labour |
| Pemberton | Jeanette Prescott Labour |
| Shevington with Lower Ground & Moor | Paul Collins Labour |
| Standish with Langtree | Debbie Parkinson Labour |
| Tyldesley & Mosley Common | Joanne Marshall Labour |
| Wigan Central | Lawrence Hunt Labour |
| Wigan West | Phyllis Cullen Labour |
| Winstanley | Paul Kenny Labour |
| Worsley Mesnes | David Hurst Labour |
Term end dates from Open Council Data.
By-elections
Every council by-election since 2021
3 by-elections since July 2021, 1 of them gains.
| Date | Ward | Result | Winner's share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 October 2025 | Wigan Central | Reform gain from Labour | 47.2% |
| 4 July 2024 | Leigh South | Labour hold | 49.4% |
| 15 December 2022 | Ashton | Labour hold | 62.8% |
Parliament
Parliamentary constituencies
| Constituency | Share of council | 2024 winner | Projected now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wigan | 33% | Labour | Labour 46% |
| Leigh and Atherton | 32% | Labour | Labour 43% |
| Makerfield | 31% | Labour | Labour 50% |
| Worsley and Eccles | 4% | Labour | Labour 44% |
Share of the council: the proportion of its census neighbourhoods (2021 LSOAs) in each seat. The projection is PollCheck's demographic model at current polling, not a forecast.
People
Who lives in Wigan
329,321 residents in 143,101 households
Voted Leave in 2016
64% 12 above GB
Degree or higher
26% 8 below GB
No qualifications
21% 3 above GB
Own their home
66% 5 above GB
Rent from a council or housing association
17% same as GB
Rent privately
16% 4 below GB
Aged 15 to 34
29% 2 below GB
Aged 65 and over
23% 1 above GB
GB figure. 2021 Census (Scotland: 2022): age as a share of residents aged 15 and over, qualifications of residents aged 16 and over, housing as a share of households. Leave: 2016 EU referendum, Electoral Commission results by counting area.
Similar
Councils most like this one
Newcastle-under-LymeReform UK (Majority)Cannock ChaseReform UK (Minority)RedditchConservative / Independent CoalitionNorth NorthamptonshireReform UK (Majority)Nuneaton and BedworthReform UK (Minority)
Closest on the measures above: the 2016 Leave vote, age, qualifications and housing. Maps show which party holds each ward.
Sources
Sources and method
Seat totals and control: PollCheck council control tracker. Councillors: Open Council Data (CC BY-SA 4.0). Election results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), with some vote counts from DCLEAPIL, Leman (2025) (CC BY-SA 4.0), and corrections checked against councils' official declarations. Ward boundaries: Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Census: Office for National Statistics and National Records of Scotland.
Councillor lists and DCLEAPIL-derived vote counts on this page are available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
In wards electing more than one councillor, a party's share counts only its leading candidate (the Rallings and Thrasher method). Independents count individually. The lead is the gap between the top two parties' shares.