RUGBY Borough Council remains under no overall control following yesterday’s local elections.
Reform UK made three gains – winning the party’s first seats on the council – while the Liberal Democrats gained two seats.
Reform won its seats from Labour – one in Admirals and Cawston, previously occupied by outgoing council leader Michael Moran who decided not to run in this year’s election, one from cabinet member Alison Livesey in Coton and Boughton Ward, and one in Newbold and Brownsover.
The Liberal Democrats gained two seats in Bilton – one from the Conservatives, and one which was vacant, prompting a by-election.
A third of council seats – 15 out of 42 – were up for grabs.
The Conservatives remain the largest party with 15 councillors.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats each have 12 councillors, with Reform on three.
Since 2024, Labour led the council in a minority administration with 15 seats, supported by the Liberal Democrats who had 10.
The two parties’ combined 24 seats would be enough to form a new joint administration, as the Conservatives and Reform can only muster 18 between them.
Turnout in Rugby was 42.24 per cent, well above the 2015-2025 local election average of 30-35 per cent.
By 2028, the government plans to scrap the six councils in Warwickshire and replace them with either one or two larger single-tier authorities – meaning councillors elected in Rugby today will not serve full four-year terms.
Rugby Borough Council local election results 2026
Admirals and Cawston Ward – Reform UK GAIN
Benn Ward – Labour HOLD
Bilton Ward – Liberal Democrats GAIN / Liberal Democrats GAIN (two seats contested due to by-election for vacant seat)
Coton and Boughton Ward – Reform UK GAIN
Dunsmore Ward – Liberal Democrats HOLD
Eastlands Ward – Liberal Democrats HOLD
Hillmorton Ward – Conservative HOLD
New Bilton Ward – Labour HOLD
Newbold and Brownsover Ward – Reform UK GAIN
Paddox Ward – Liberal Democrats HOLD
Revel and Binley Woods Ward – Conservative HOLD
Rokeby and Overslade Ward – Liberal Democrats HOLD
Wolston and The Lawfords Ward – Conservative HOLD
Wolvey and Shilton Ward – Conservative HOLD
