Croydon Mayor Jason Perry Re-elected 2026

Key Points

• Conservative Jason Perry re-elected as Croydon Executive Mayor on May 7, 2026, defeating Labour’s Rowenna Davis by 1,113 votes (35,871 to 34,758).
• Voter turnout rose to 40.99% from 35% in 2022, with 117,714 verified votes cast.
• Perry was first elected in 2022, defeating Labour’s Val Shawcross by a narrow margin of 589 votes (50.4% to 49.6%).
• Following victory, Perry promised borough finances “fully stabilised” by the end of the second term.
• Perry stated Croydon still faces “serious issues” and aims to build on progress made.
• Other candidates: Green Peter Underwood (19,404 votes), Reform Ben Flook (14,467), Lib Dem Richard Howard (7,815), others lower.
• Result declared at Fairfield Halls on May 8, 2026, by Returning Officer Elaine Jackson.

Croydon (South London News) – May 8, 2026 – Conservative Jason Perry secured re-election as Executive Mayor of Croydon after a tight race against Labour’s Rowenna Davis, winning by 1,113 votes in the election held on May 7, 2026.

Who Won the 2026 Croydon Mayoral Election?

Jason Perry of the Conservative Party was declared the winner at 17:15 on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the Ashcroft Theatre in Fairfield Halls, as reported in live coverage by Steven Downes of Inside Croydon. Perry received 35,871 votes, equivalent to approximately 30.7% of the total, according to Wikipedia’s entry on the election. Labour candidate Rowenna Davis polled 34,758 votes, with Green Party’s Peter Underwood in third place on 19,404 votes, as detailed in the official results announced by interim CEO and Returning Officer Elaine Jackson.

The victory margin was narrower than some expected, echoing Perry’s 2022 win by just 589 votes over Val Shawcross, where he garnered 38,612 votes to her 38,023 in the final round. Voter turnout increased significantly to 40.99%, up from 35% in 2022, with stronger participation in southern wards like Sanderstead (54.4%) compared to northern areas like Fairfield (31.1%), according to Inside Croydon’s on-site reporting.

What Did Jason Perry Promise After His Re-election?

Immediately following his victory, Croydon Mayor Jason Perry outlined priorities for residents, stating that the borough’s finances would be “fully stabilised” by the end of his second term, as covered by MyLondon News. As reported by MyLondon, Perry said people can expect progress on stabilising London’s most populous borough, which he narrowly retained after defeating Labour.

Perry acknowledged ongoing challenges, noting that Croydon still faced “serious issues” and expressing eagerness to build on achievements already made, according to the same MyLondon report. In a pre-election social media post referenced in Inside Croydon coverage, Perry reflected:

“We inherited a council in crisis, but together we’ve stabilised Croydon, started restoring pride, and begun rebuilding confidence in our borough again,”

signed off as polls closed on May 7.

Why Was the Election So Close?

The race was described as tight throughout the count, with Inside Croydon reporters noting at 5 pm on May 8 that agents anticipated a narrow outcome, buoyed by a higher turnout but split votes across parties. Rowenna Davis was absent initially from the stage but joined before the declaration, while Perry’s team appeared confident amid delays in wards like Thornton Heath.

Analysts pointed to turnout disparities: southern Tory-leaning wards showed higher engagement (e.g., Old Coulsdon 52.76%), potentially aiding Perry, while northern Labour areas lagged. Reform UK’s Ben Flook took 14,467 votes, but with less erosion of the Conservative share than feared nationally, where Reform gained seats elsewhere. Peter Underwood of the Greens urged collaboration post-election, stating to Inside Croydon’s Gabriel MacArthur:

“Regardless of the end vote, which I believe will be very tight, the party that wins should be very collaborative with all the councillors.”

What Were the Full Election Results?

Official figures from Croydon Council and Inside Croydon live updates list:

Total verified votes: 117,714, with council elections counted separately on May 9.

How Does This Compare to 2022 Results?

In 2022, Perry won with 38,612 votes (50.4% final round) against Shawcross’s 38,023 (49.6%), on a lower turnout of 35%. First preferences were Perry 33,413 (34.8%), similar to his 2026 raw share before transfers. Croydon Council noted Perry as the new mayor post-2022, marking his first term.

What Challenges Did Perry Inherit?

Perry took office in 2022 amid financial distress, with the council issuing two Section 114 notices (effective bankruptcy declarations) prior. Debt stood at £1.4 billion, costing £86 million annually to service in recent budgets. Progress included £229 million in savings since 2020-21, reducing exceptional support needs from £153 million to £119 million.

Jason Perry’s campaign site highlighted debt stabilisation after years of growth, pledging honesty on affordability, no risky speculation, a focus on core services, and long-term debt deals. Auditors Grant Thornton confirmed improved governance in 2025.

Budget and Stabilisation Efforts

Croydon Council’s February 2026 budget, approved under Perry, targeted £34 million savings for 2026/27 and £30 million annually to 2029, without exceeding the 4.99% council tax cap. Measures include technology for resident services, preventative approaches, and partnerships with voluntary groups to shrink operations efficiently.

Perry stated in October 2025:

“When I became Mayor, Croydon was in financial freefall. The Council had declared effective bankruptcy three times… Through difficult decisions and firm financial discipline, we’ve now stabilised the Council’s finances.”

Background of the Development

Jason Perry was first elected Croydon Executive Mayor on May 5, 2022, defeating Labour’s Val Shawcross in a supplementary vote system, with final tallies of 38,612 to 38,023. The role, introduced that year, gives the mayor executive powers over the Labour-run council since 2020, amid inherited crises including multiple Section 114 notices in 2020 and 2021 due to overspending on projects like brickwork failures and failed investments. By 2026, efforts had stabilised debt growth and improved audits, setting the stage for Perry’s re-election bid on May 7 amid national and local elections.

Prediction: How This Can Affect Croydon Residents

Perry’s re-election with a pledge for full financial stabilisation by term end could lead to continued savings measures, potentially affecting service delivery through efficiencies like digital tools and partnerships. Residents may see no council tax hikes above the cap, but ongoing debt servicing at £86 million yearly could limit investments in areas like streets or communities unless a government debt deal is secured. Narrow win and multi-party votes suggest a need for cross-party collaboration on priorities, impacting how issues like town centre regeneration proceed for the borough’s 400,000 population.