What does 2026 hold for Northamptonshire politics?

At the start of the first full week of a brand new year, our MPs are returning to Parliament, and council meetings start up again after the festive break.

So what’s in store for Northamptonshire politics in 2026?

Eight months ago, a turquoise wave swept across Northamptonshire as Reform UK made its mark at the ballot box.

Nigel Farage’s party gained control of both West and North Northamptonshire councils – pushing the Conservatives out of power.

The message from voters seemed clear – change was wanted.

It is still fairly early days for each Reform UK council, but with the process of setting the 2026-27 budgets well under way, some of the party’s biggest tests are beginning.

Both authorities announced before Christmas that council tax would have to rise by 4.99% in April – the maximum amount possible, without a referendum.

Like councils all across the country, the two unitary authorities continue to face pressures on their services, particularly in supporting vulnerable adults and children.

West Northamptonshire Council has already faced some criticism over proposals to bring in car parking charges to Daventry, Towcester and Brackley as part of its draft budget.

The council said it knew the proposals were “not going to be popular with everyone” but that its “top priority must be protecting the most essential services and our most vulnerable people”.

In November, the local authority revealed it was anticipating a £30m gap in its revenue for the next financial year.

The budgets are currently being consulted on and will go to full council in February.

The regeneration of Northampton town centre continues. A major development, which is due to open in 2026, is the Stack leisure venue.

The £12m entertainment hub will be built in the old Peacock Place building, overlooking the Market Square.

In the North Northamptonshire area, Avondale Grange in Kettering, Kingswood in Corby, and Queensway in Wellingborough will all see national investment of £2m a year for the next 10 years as part of the government’s Pride in Place scheme.

By the summer, each area must confirm its Neighbourhood Board’s membership, and by winter, each area must submit a regeneration plan to the government for approval.

A decision on what would be the largest solar farm in the UK is expected this year.

The proposed Green Hill Solar Farm would cover about 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares) of land south and west of Wellingborough and north of Northampton, extending into Warrington in Buckinghamshire.

More than 1,200 people and businesses have sent comments to the Planning Inspectorate, which is examining the proposal and is due to complete its findings in March.

Once the examination stage has finished, the three inspectors, considering the development, then have up to three months to submit a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, who will then make the final decision later this year.