CON: Jason Perry Re-Elected: Mayor of Croydon.

Labour’s surge in Croydon: Rowena Davis’s valiant campaign narrows the gap

Labour significantly tightened the race in Croydon’s 2026 mayoral election, with Rowena Davis delivering a remarkably strong challenge that brought the contest to within roughly 1,000 votes. Despite her momentum,

Jason Perry was re‑elected as Executive Mayor after receiving 35,871 votes, according to the official declaration on Friday 8 May 2026. Voting took place the previous day, with turnout recorded at 40.99%.

Rowena Davis’s campaign: energy, visibility, and community focus

Davis’s performance reflected a high‑engagement, borough‑wide effort that resonated across diverse communities. Her campaign was marked by:

• Persistent doorstep engagement — Davis and her team maintained a visible presence in neighbourhoods that had previously seen lower political participation. 
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• Issue‑driven messaging — She centred her campaign on local concerns frequently raised by residents, helping Labour reconnect with voters who had drifted away in recent cycles.
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• Volunteer mobilisation — Labour’s ground operation in Croydon was one of its most active in London, with Davis’s leadership credited for energising supporters.
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• Resilience in a challenging political climate — Her ability to close the gap so significantly underscored both strategic discipline and personal commitment.