Stockport voters will be heading to the polls in two days’ time – as parties contest 21 council seats.
The Liberal Democrats, Greens, Conservatives, Labour, Reform, Party of Women, Your Party, Edgeley Community Association, TUSC and Independents will battle it out for votes.
Victory for the Lib Dems could mean a takeover of the council while their rivals, particularly Labour, will seek to wrest power from them.
Campaign issues that may prove decisive include social deprivation and inequality, environmental protection, crime and urban regeneration.
Stockport is south-east of Greater Manchester and encompasses surrounding areas like Bramhall, Bredbury, Cheadle and Cheadle Hulme.
In the 2024 elections, the minority power Lib Dems were on the brink of taking control, Labour retained a significant vote share and the Conservative remained seatless.
Conservatives: 0 (0)
Labour (including Labour and Co-operative): 22 (-2)
Lib Dems: 31 (+2)
Since 2024, by-elections were held in Bramhall South & Woodford, Bredbury Green & Romiley and Cheadle West & Gatley but did not significantly impact figures.
There are a number of contemporary issues affecting the area.
Flooding poses an ongoing threat; Stockport borders the rivers Goyt, Tame and Mersey, and more than 400 locals were stranded in flats over Christmas 2025.
Housing, urban development and the use of greenbelt land are key concerns too.
A £350m town centre regeneration project called Stockport 8 is in progress, as are similar initiatives at the Interchange transport hub and Weir Mill.
Residents and activist groups protested the council’s draft Local Plan to build more than 25,000 homes before 2042, as it would involve using some greenbelt land.
In addition, the council itself legally challenged a proposition to build 540 homes on greenbelt land near the A555 in April.
Crime is a moderate problem in Stockport, particularly in certain neighbourhoods.
The police launched Operation Vulcan in Brinnington to address endemic, organised criminality such as drug dealing, violence and anti-social behaviour.
Social inequality and deprivation are prevalent themes – areas such as Lancashire Hill (Reddish South) are poor in contrast with Cheadle Hulme and Bramhall.
2022 figures state 9.6% of children (aged 0-15yrs) live in absolute low-income households.
According to PollCheck, the Lib Dems are on course to assume control of the council, by winning one crucial seat.
The Conservatives and Greens are set to hold onto their current small shares, but Labour and Others are forecast to lose a seat each.
PollCheck projects that Reform should win another seat, doubling their existing number.
A full list of candidates can be found on Stockport council’s website.
Stockport has a population of 303,929.
It is famous for its hat-making heritage and is home to the UK’s unique Hat Works Museum.
It also has impressive musical lineage – it is the birthplace of indie band, Blossoms while Joy Division and The Stone Roses recorded at Strawberry Studios.
Resident Roman Dubowski, a retired IT analyst, last month became the seventh person to win the jackpot on ITV’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
What will be the direction of travel for votes? Blue skies preside over Stockport roads. This photo is by Vedanth Ravi on Unsplash
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