Stockport began as a Conservative council, with Conservative majorities from 1975 to 1982. The Liberal Democrats (Liberal Party from 1973 to 1988) overtook the Conservatives in 1992, and formed their first administration in 1999, before another period of no overall control from 2000 to 2002 with the second Liberal Democrat majority lasting until 2011.[2] A Labour minority administration replaced the Liberal Democrats in 2016, and has survived despite the Liberal Democrats becoming the largest party in 2021.[3] In the 2021 election, the Liberal Democrats made no gains or losses with 30.59% of the vote, Labour lost 1 seat with 31.96%, the Conservatives made no gains or losses with 25.76%, the Green Party won their first seat on the council with 8.15%, and Heald Green Ratepayers kept their seat up for election with 2.21%.
The seats up for election in 2022 were last elected in 2018. In that election, Labour gained 2 seats with 33.4%, the Liberal Democrats lost 1 seat with 31.6%, Conservatives lost 1 seat with 27.1%, and independents made no gains or losses with 2.9%.[4]
In the previous council elections in 2021, the Conservative group had voted with Labour to continue the Labour administration.
After these elections the Labour and Conservative councillors combined no longer held a majority, meaning a Liberal Democrat minority administration was able to be formed.
Changes since this election
Edgeley and Cheadle Heath by-election
A by-election was held on 13 October 2022 in the Edgeley and Cheadle Heath ward due to the death of councillor Sheila Bailey on 3 August 2022. Changes are relative to the 2021 election.