Greens Challenge Labour's Popular Vote Claim

A row has erupted in Reading after Labour and the Greens disputed who won the popular vote in this year's borough elections.

Labour have run Reading Borough Council since 2012. They won the most seats this year (seven elected) but lost three lead councillors to the Greens.

The Greens say they actually won the popular vote across the Reading Central constituency area. Their figures for wards wholly or mainly in Reading Central are:

• Green - 12,006
• Labour - 9,793
• Conservative - 5,429
• Reform - 4,622
• LibDem - 1,955

The Greens say that counting both the Caversham Heights election and a by-election there rather than averaging would still leave them ahead.

Cllr Dave McElroy (Green, Redlands), 2024 MP candidate and parliamentary spokesperson for the party on Reading Council, said: "These results show that more people backed the Green Party than any other party across the Reading Central constituency area. It is a huge achievement and shows that people agree with our vision for a fairer, greener and cleaner town.

"It was already an amazing election for the Green Party in Reading, with our best ever results and the Green group increasing to 11 councillors, reinforcing our position as the second-largest party on Reading Council.

"Winning the popular vote in Reading Central shows that local people are responding to our positive campaigning and year-round hard work in our communities.

"Residents want action on the issues that matter most to them: bringing down bills, making housing more affordable, and tackling congestion and pollution.

"We will continue working hard to hold the Labour-run council to account and to offer a hopeful, practical alternative for Reading. Let's make hope normal again."

Labour rejected the Greens' claim. Cllr Liz Terry (Labour, Coley) said: "We won more seats than they did across the borough and are the majority party on the council.

"They are picking and choosing. These were local elections across the whole of Reading.

"With these results, the official borough‑wide popular vote from the 2026 the council election is:

• Labour / Labour Co‑op - 15,300 votes (29.2%)
• Green - 15,113 votes (28.8%)
• Conservative - 9,179 votes (17.4%)
• Reform UK - 8,592 votes (16.4%)
• Liberal Democrats - 4,158 votes (7.9%)
• Independent - 27 votes (0.1%)

After the election, Matt Rodda, the sitting Labour MP for Reading Central, said: "I am so pleased that Labour have retained control of the council.

"I know the fantastic work our councillors have been doing and the difference it's made to locals across the area. Our members, councillors and candidates have been fighting for every vote - I'm so grateful for their hard work."

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter