Why Swindon's first all-out election in more than a decade matters

Voters are being asked to decide who they want to run Swindon Borough Council, in the first "all-out" election since 2012.

That means unlike previous years when a third of seats were in contention, all 57 councillor seats, across 23 wards, are being contested.

Traditionally, the way Swindon votes has been an indicator of how national politics pans out, so expect political party leaders to make it their business to be seen in Swindon over the next few weeks.

The borough council has been run with a comfortable Labour majority since 2023, after being under Conservative control for 20 years. It has been a two-horse race between Labour and the Conservatives for decades.

However this two-party grip on power appears to be loosening, which would show that once again this town's politics tends to reflect the national picture.

The Green Party have been growing, helped by councillors who have defected from Labour. Reform are hoping to win several seats from a standing start, inspired by success elsewhere in 2025, while the Liberal Democrats are campaigning for votes on a fully locally rooted campaign.

Many candidates say with polls showing a changing national political landscape, and the local ward boundaries being updated, its impossible to predict how Swindon council will look after 7 May.

Swindon's town centre, which like many across the country has many vacant units, is talked about a symbol of the whole town's decline.

Bernie, who has lived in Swindon all her life, said: "There's nothing here.. no nightlife, shops are appalling, can't go shopping, there's nothing here to enjoy anymore, they've taken it all away."

The only town centre cinema complex is currently being demolished, just a decade after it was opened.

Miso, who has has lived in Swindon for two years said: "Entertainment-wise there isn't that much going on, most of the shops are closing down."

In the campaign leaflets, there are also promises about housing developments, fixing potholes, and bin collections.

It is worth remembering what a local council like Swindon can and cannot influence.

Some voters will use their vote to express how they feel about things like the cost of living crisis, the NHS, immigration, or climate change.

The reality is that the borough council have very little influence on these issues.

Which is perhaps why there's a level of apathy among many about the local elections. Chris, who despite being cross at the council for the state of the pavements, said: "They make all these promises and stick to nothing. I won't be voting, I haven't voted since the 70s."

The vast majority of Swindon Borough Council's budget is spent on services they are obliged to pay for, like adult social care and children's services, and its because of those pressures that council tax has been rising – another big talking point.

Polling day is Thursday, 7 May, with polling stations open from 7am to 10pm.

Official ID like a passport, driving licence, older person's bus pass, or a veteran card will need to be shown at the polling station before a ballot paper is given.

Applications for postal votes must be made before Tuesday, 21 April.

Ballot papers will be counted on Friday, 8 May, with a result expected before the end of the day. A party needs to win 29 seats in order to gain overall control of the borough council.

A full list of who is standing in the elections in your area will be published on Swindon Borough Council's website along with details of how and where you can vote.

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