The 2026 council and mayoral elections are fast approaching, and voters in Sutton will soon be heading to the polls.
But who can you vote for, what’s at stake and what’s going on in the area? Here is our guide to all you need to know…
Where is Sutton?
Sutton is an outer-London borough in the south of the capital.
It is bordered by Merton, Croydon, Kingston, and the county of Surrey.
What happened in the last election?
Sutton has been a happy hunting ground for the Liberal Democrats after the party took control of the council in 1986, and they have not lost their majority since.
It is one of three south west London boroughs currently controlled by the Lib Dems along with Richmond and Kingston, the latter being the parliamentary constituency of leader Sir Ed Davey.
In the 2022 council elections, the Lib Dems won 29 seats in Sutton (-4 change), the Conservatives 20 (+2), and Labour three (+3).
Three seats of the 55 available were won by independents across Sutton’s 20 wards.
Since the last election, one councillor resigned from the Lib Dems and sits as an independent, while Labour lost a 2024 by-election to the Conservatives.
What are the local issues?
The Lib Dems are vying to retain control of the borough through manifesto pledges on revitalising the high streets, fighting to improve St Helier Hospital, and providing more opportunities for children and young people.
However, following the government’s funding review which cut support for local authorities, the council announced an increase of taxes by 4.99% in February to support local services.
Residents have shared concern over the current council’s financial management on local Facebook groups, with fly-tipping and the construction of high-rise flats also gaining attention.
Reform have been using their national stance on lower council taxes and cost-cutting measures in local authorities in an attempt to attract voters.
Conservative candidates in the borough have been campaigning for improved bus links, repairing roads, and free parking on streets and at hospitals.
Controversy has raised its head in Sutton in the build-up to May’s elections.
In March, councillor Patrick Ogbonna resigned from the Lib Dems. claiming that the group had a ‘toxic’ culture.
Last week, The Mirror reported a Reform candidate standing in North Cheam, Professor Angus Dalgleish, claimed that the covid vaccine was probably a “significant factor” in King Charles’ and the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Who are the ones to watch?
Reform UK are the new kids on the block, increasing their presence in Sutton to stand 51 candidates across the borough’s 20 wards.
With polls forecasting that both Labour and the Conservatives will suffer big losses across the capital, leader Nigel Farage is hoping for success in the outer London boroughs while the Greens look likely to make gains in Labour-controlled inner-city councils.
In Sutton, it is likely to be the Tory vote share which suffers from Reform’s growth, according to PollCheck modelling.
However, while Reform may look to capitalise on parts of the borough which voted leave in the 2016 EU referendum, it would take a large turnaround to oust the Lib Dems from their longstanding control of the council.
Interesting facts about Sutton
According to the 2021 census, Sutton has a population of 209,517.
The borough ranks better than the London average on measures such as poverty rate, housing affordability, education and rough sleeping.
Sutton was branded as the safest place to live in Britain by TimeOut last year, and in 2026 recorded the third-lowest crime rate of all London boroughs.
In February 2026, health secretary Wes Streeting approved plans for a £1billion London Cancer Hub next to the Royal Marsden Hospital, which aims to support 13,000 jobs and contribute £1.2billion to the local economy.
A favourite among commuters, the town of Sutton – which holds the borough’s council – has faced friendly disagreements between residents about whether it is in London or Surrey, despite it forming part of the Greater London area since 1965.
In 2014, the area was branded as the “most normal place in Britain” by advisors at the Department for Work and Pensions, who told MPs a new benefits scheme be trialled in the borough due to its average population statistics.
In 1963, a young band were discovered while playing at The Winning Post pub on Sutton High Street by music manager Giorgio Gomelsky. They went on to make rock and roll history as The Rolling Stones.
Featured image: Wikijosh9712345533, CC BY-SA 4.0
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