Voters across Ilkley and Wharfedale will head to the polls in May for a major shake-up of local democracy, with every council seat being contested in an 'all-out' election.
On Thursday 7 May 2026, residents across the Bradford District will vote to elect 90 councillors, following a boundary review which has reset the electoral cycle.
Due to this boundary review, Addingham has merged with Ilkley to create a newly enlarged ward. Residents will be asked to vote for three candidates to represent this ward.
The candidates standing in the Ilkley & Addingham ward are:
Conservative Party
- Richard Michael Downey
- Andrew John Patrick Loy
- Jane Sellers
Green Party
- Ros Brown
- Ellen D'Arcy
- Richard Wilson
Labour Party
- Lorraine Dowson
- John Flaherty
- Stephen Anthony Hey
Liberal Democrats
- Mark Fredrick Stidworthy
Reform UK
- Ray Lenik
- Greg Robinson
- Craig Sanderson
The candidates standing in the Wharfedale ward, covering Menston, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Burley Woodhead are:
Conservative Party
- Peter Sidney Cochrane
- Bob Felstead
- Jo White
Green Party
- Daniel Guy
- Lottie Kitching
- Chris Turner
Labour Party
- Peter Martin Iliff
- Amanda Peters
- Christopher Eric Steele
Liberal Democrats
- Pauline Heather Allon
Reform UK
- Nicholas Charles Carter
- Ronald Harriman
- Dan Neal
[Further details of the new 30 wards and boundaries from 7 May 2026 can be found at https://www.bradford.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/ward-maps. To download a list of all candidates for each ward click here.]
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on election day, 7 May. The counting and results will take place on Friday 8 May and Saturday 9 May.
If you are not currently registered to vote the deadline to do so is midnight on Monday 20 April. This includes anyone who has moved home and needs to register at their new address. Registration can be completed online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Applications can also be made by contacting Electoral Services by telephone on 01274 431360.
Anyone wishing to vote by post needs to complete an application form at: www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote or for a paper form contact Electoral Services. Deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April.
If you need a paper postal vote application to be sent to you by post please contact Electoral Services at electoralservices@bradford.gov.uk or telephone us on 01274 431360. Deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April.
Voters are reminded that photo identification is now mandatory at polling stations. Accepted forms include passports, driving licences, blue badges and certain travel cards. Those without ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, with a deadline of 5pm on Tuesday, 28 April.
Dr Lorraine O’Donnell, Returning Officer and Chief Executive of Bradford Council, said:
“It is really important that our residents have all the information on how they can have their say in the local elections on Thursday, 7 May. Voters also need to be reminded that they will need to show photo ID at polling stations, so we urge them to make sure they have the relevant ID now or apply for a free Voter ID Certificate.
“If you’re in doubt about whether you need to register to vote, or have questions about how to apply for a postal or proxy vote, or free ID, you can contact Bradford Council on 01274 431360 or by email on electoralservices@bradford.gov.uk.”
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