Which councils does Labour control with the smallest majority?

As of October 14, 2026, Labour controls several councils with extremely narrow majorities, indicating highly competitive political landscapes in these areas. The data reveals that four councils are held by Labour with a majority of just one seat, making them particularly vulnerable to shifts in local political sentiment or by-election outcomes.

These councils are:

• Lincoln: Labour holds 17 out of 33 seats, giving them a majority of 1. This represents a bare 51.5% of the council seats, meaning any single defection or by-election loss would result in a hung council.
• North East Derbyshire: Labour controls 27 out of 53 seats, also with a majority of 1. Similar to Lincoln, this is a 50.9% share of the seats, highlighting its marginal status.
• York: Labour holds 24 out of 47 seats, securing a majority of 1. This 51.1% seat share underscores the finely balanced political dynamics in the city.
• Bridgend: In Wales, Labour holds 26 out of 51 seats, again with a majority of 1. This 51.0% seat share makes it another highly precarious Labour administration.

Following these, four councils are controlled by Labour with a majority of two seats:

• Rochdale: Labour holds 31 out of 60 seats, a 51.7% share.
• Hounslow: Labour holds 32 out of 62 seats, a 51.6% share.
• Thanet: Labour holds 29 out of 56 seats, a 51.8% share.
• Middlesbrough: Labour holds 24 out of 46 seats, a 52.2% share.

Finally, two councils on this list have a majority of three seats:

• Knowsley: Labour holds 24 out of 45 seats, a 53.3% share.
• Medway: Labour holds 31 out of 59 seats, a 52.5% share.

These figures demonstrate that in these ten councils, Labour's control is far from absolute. The average seat share for Labour across these councils is approximately 51.6%, indicating that their hold is often just above the 50% threshold required for outright control. Such slender majorities mean that these councils are prime targets for opposition parties in future local elections and are highly susceptible to the impact of national political trends or local issues. The political stability of these administrations is inherently fragile, requiring careful management and consistent electoral performance to maintain control.