Elections to Preston City Council took place on 1 May 2008.

Preston council is elected "in thirds" which means one councillor from each three-member ward, and councillors from selected two-member wards, are elected each year, with one year free from all elections to ensure all councillors serve a full term.

Due to the "in thirds" system, these election results are compared to the 2004 Preston Council election.

In this summary, "seats" represent the number of wards each party are defending. In two cases this year, the winning candidate in 2004 has since defected to another party, but for comparison the defending party is that from 2004.

In this summary box, The Left List are a party split from RESPECT - The Unity Coalition.

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Conservative Party, majority 51

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Labour Party, majority 265

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Liberal Democrats, majority 329

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by independent, majority 221

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Conservative Party, majority 41. The winning candidate subsequently defected to the Liberal Democrats (and switched back to the Conservatives after losing the 2008 election). The result in 2008 will be based on the Conservative "defence", as is normal practice when comparing election results.

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Conservative Party, majority 650

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Conservative Party, majority 1,142

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Liberal Democrats, majority 380. The winning candidate subsequently defected to the Conservative Party. The result in 2008 will be based on the Liberal Democrat "defence", as is normal practice when comparing election results.

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Liberal Democrats, majority 137

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Liberal Democrats, majority 409

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Conservative Party, majority 828

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Conservative Party, majority 1,711

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Labour Party, majority 631

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Labour Party, majority 185

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Conservative Party, majority 639

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Labour Party, majority 185

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Labour Party, majority 199

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Labour Party, majority 142

Won in corresponding 2004 elections by Labour Party, majority 49

Held by Labour in 2008 by-election, majority over Liberal Democrats of 23.

• Preston City Council^{[permanent dead link]}