The ruling Labour Party and the opposition Green Party in Reading have clashed over who won the popular vote for the election this year.
With all the votes added up, Labour won the popular vote with 15,300 votes, with the Greens coming a close second with 15,113 votes.
That is a majority of 187.
The result saw Labour win seven seats, the Greens six, the Conservatives winning three and councillor Meri O’Connell (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) keeping her seat.
Ultimately, the election was a setback for Labour, as three lead councillors lost their seats.
Liz Terry (Labour, Coley), the leader of the council, said: “I am pleased we won the popular vote and the most seats across the town, leaving Labour still in control of the council.
“The system of voting in elections can sometimes be used by losing parties to say that it won the popular vote even when it didn’t win the most seats. That isn’t the case in Reading.
“I would like to thank everyone who voted for a Labour candidate.
“I am delighted to have returned a good majority so we can continue to deliver our promises, building on what we have already achieved, taking pride in our town.
“Disappointed to lose good, hard-working councillors in Karen Rowland, Adele Barnett-Ward and Ellie Emberson, and I hope that they will be back, but it is too soon to say.
“We gained a ward – Battle – and increased the vote share in places like Kentwood.
“I think that this election was to some extent a protest vote, but I recognise that we need to continue to prove to residents that we are making a positive difference in Reading.
“Also pleased that Reading did not vote in any Reform candidates whose divisive politics have no place in our town.”
But the popular vote tally has been disputed by Rob White, the leader of the opposition, who argued the votes in Caversham Heights ward, where two councillors were elected, should be factored in as averages.
He claimed this is how most psephologists, who analyse election data, would count the popular vote.
If an average vote from Caversham Heights is factored into the overall figures, the Greens narrowly beat Labour with 14,300.5 votes to 14,227.
Cllr White (Green, Park) said: “It was an amazing election for the Green Party in Reading. Our best ever result, taking the Green group up to 11 councillors and reinforcing our position as the second-largest party on Reading council. It also positions us well for a Green versus Labour general election in the Reading Central parliamentary constituency.
“If you average votes for Caversham Heights rather than giving residents there two votes in the popular vote, then the Green Party won the popular vote in Reading this year!
“We also had some close second places, such as in Emmer Green, where we missed out by just 40 votes, and Battle.
“We have council elections again in 2027 and will be continuing with our year-round hard work to turn these into wins.
“We will also be working hard holding the Labour-run council to account on the bring down bills, making housing more affordable and tackling congestion and pollution. Let’s make hope normal again.”
The election results came in on Friday, May 8.
The council now has 29 Labour councillors, 11 Greens, and three each for the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
