Barnet voters leave council in deadlock with Labour and Conservatives tied
Barnet has entered a state of No Overall Control following a dramatic night at the RAF Museum, where both the Labour Party and the Conservative Party secured exactly 31 seats each. With 63 seats contested across 24 wards, the final declaration at 8:40 pm on Friday confirmed that neither major party achieved the 32 seats required for an absolute majority.
What this means locally
- Labour and Conservatives are tied with 31 seats each, creating a political stalemate.
- The Green Party holds a single seat, potentially acting as a kingmaker in leadership votes.
- Council services will continue to operate as normal during upcoming political negotiations.
- A formal administration will be confirmed at the Annual Meeting on May 19.
Deadlock at the RAF Museum count
The verification and counting process involved more than 400 staff members working throughout Friday to process ballots from across the borough. This election saw a significant surge in local political participation, with a record 312 candidates standing for office. This represents a nearly 50% increase from the 207 candidates who ran in the 2022 cycle.
Barnet Council Returning Officer and Chief Executive Cath Shaw confirmed the results after the final ward tallies were completed. Despite the high number of candidates from various smaller parties and independent groups, the electorate remained polarized between the two largest parties, resulting in the rare 31-31 split.
Comparison of seat distribution
| Political Group | 2026 Seats |
|---|---|
| Labour Party | 31 |
| Conservative Party | 31 |
| Green Party | 1 |
| Total Seats | 63 |
Shift in power from the previous administration
The 2026 results represent a stark departure from the previous council composition. Before this election, the Labour Party held a comfortable majority with 40 councillors. The Conservatives previously held 19 seats, meaning they have gained 12 seats in this election cycle to reach the current tie.
The Green Party maintains a presence on the council with one seat, which now carries significant weight. In the previous term, the non-aligned seats were held by one Reform representative and one Green Party member, alongside two vacancies. The consolidation of the vote into the two main parties, while leaving them neck-and-neck, creates a complex governance challenge for the borough.
Governance negotiations and the May 19 deadline
With no single party holding a majority, the coming days will be defined by intense discussions behind closed doors. Leaders from the Labour Party and the Conservative Party must now determine how the council will be governed. This could involve a formal coalition, a “confidence and supply” arrangement with the Green Party, or a minority administration.
Cath Shaw thanked the election staff for ensuring a smooth process and noted that the council’s focus remains on delivering aspirations for the borough. Residents are advised that day-to-day council services, including waste collection, social care, and planning, will not be interrupted by the political stalemate.
Implications of No Overall Control for Barnet
A status of No Overall Control (NOC) means that no single group can pass a budget or major policy shifts without the support of at least some members from another party. This often leads to a more consultative form of local government, though it can also result in political gridlock if parties fail to find common ground on key issues like housing developments or local tax rates.
The single Green Party councillor now occupies a pivotal position. While one seat usually offers limited influence, in a 31-31 split, that individual’s vote could decide the leadership of the council. Alternatively, the two main parties could seek a grand coalition, though such arrangements are rare in UK local government.
The record-breaking 312 candidates suggest a diversifying political landscape in Barnet, even if the final seat count narrowed the field. Voters across the 24 wards have sent a message of divided priorities, tasking their elected officials with finding a collaborative path forward until the next election cycle. The formal structure of the new administration, including the appointment of the Mayor and key cabinet roles, will be finalized at the Council’s Annual Meeting on May 19.
Source: Barnet Council
