2026 London local elections

In May 2026, London's political landscape will undergo a major shake-up as all 32 borough councils head to the polls. These local elections aren't just about neighborhood issues; they're a critical barometer of national sentiment and could reshape how millions of Londoners are governed. With predictions of a 'political earthquake,' the capital is bracing for a truly unpredictable electoral contest. All 1,817 councillor seats across London's 32 boroughs will be contested, making this a comprehensive gauge of the city's political mood. Labour, despite past successes, faces unprecedented pressure from multiple opposing parties and independent candidates. The 2026 elections could mark significant shifts in power, potentially leading to historic losses for established parties and notable gains for emerging political forces.

Source: Wikipedia

AI Summary

In May 2026, London's political landscape will undergo a major shake-up as all 32 borough councils head to the polls. These local elections aren't just about neighborhood issues; they're a critical barometer of national sentiment and could reshape how millions of Londoners are governed. With predictions of a 'political earthquake,' the capital is bracing for a truly unpredictable electoral contest.

The Battle for London's Boroughs

On May 7, 2026, every single local council seat in London — all 1,817 of them across 32 boroughs — will be up for grabs. These elections are more than just local skirmishes; they determine who manages everything from waste collection and schools to housing and parks in one of the world's largest cities.

A Shifting Landscape: The 2022 Precedent

Just a few years prior, in the 2022 London local elections, we saw significant changes. Labour celebrated notable victories, flipping councils like Westminster, Wandsworth, and Barnet from Conservative control. This demonstrated a clear shift in voter allegiance across the capital.

This trend of Labour dominance in London only solidified in the 2024 United Kingdom general election. The vast majority of constituencies within the capital returned Labour Members of Parliament, reinforcing the party's strong position city-wide at the national level.

New Challenges on the Horizon

However, the political tides are constantly turning. As 2026 approached, reports from outlets like BBC News highlighted rising ambitions from other parties. The Green Party of England and Wales and Reform UK, for instance, are actively campaigning to expand their influence and make significant gains across London.

For Labour, despite their current stronghold, these elections are expected to be far from easy. They currently control most of London's councils, but their strong position also means they have the most to lose in a volatile political climate.

The 'Political Earthquake' Prophecy

Leading up to the elections, LSE Professor of Local Government Tony Travers issued a stark warning. He suggested that Labour could face a 'political earthquake' in London, potentially experiencing losses even more severe than some national by-election defeats. This underscores the intense pressure and unpredictable nature of the upcoming vote.

Professor Travers' analysis predicted Labour could lose over 600 of their 1,150 seats. Meanwhile, the Conservatives, who secured over 400 seats in 2022, also face the prospect of reaching a new historic low. The Greens and Reform UK are identified as potential primary beneficiaries of this seismic shift.

Fighting on Five Fronts

Pollsters indicate that Labour will be fighting a complex, multi-faceted battle in London. They are expected to contend with five distinct fronts of opposition, making their electoral strategy exceptionally challenging.

This diverse opposition means that Labour cannot focus on a single rival, requiring a nuanced approach across the city's varied communities.

Conservatives: Seeking to reclaim lost ground. Reform UK: Aiming to establish a stronger foothold. Liberal Democrats: Eyeing gains in their traditional areas. Greens: Pushing for broader environmental and social representation. Pro-Gaza Independents: Emerging as a significant new force.

Council Control: A Snapshot

London's 32 boroughs are governed by a mix of party control. Following the 2022 elections, Labour held a majority in most councils, but some remained Conservative, Liberal Democrat, or under 'no overall control,' often requiring coalitions or minority administrations.

Council	2022 Party Control	Current Governing Administration
Barking and Dagenham	Labour	Labour
Barnet	Labour	Labour
Bexley	Conservative	Conservative
Brent	Labour	Labour
Bromley	Conservative	Conservative
Camden	Labour	Labour
Croydon	No overall control (Conservative minority)	Conservative minority
Ealing	Labour	Labour
Enfield	Labour	Labour
Greenwich	Labour	Labour
Hackney	Labour	Labour
Hammersmith and Fulham	Labour	Labour
Haringey	Labour	Labour
Harrow	Conservative	Conservative
Havering	No overall control (HRA/Labour coalition)	HRA/Labour coalition
Hillingdon	Conservative	Conservative
Hounslow	Labour	Labour
Islington	Labour	Labour
Kensington and Chelsea	Conservative	Conservative
Kingston upon Thames	Liberal Democrats	Liberal Democrats
Lambeth	Labour	Labour
Lewisham	Labour	Labour
Merton	Labour	Labour
Newham	Labour	Labour
Redbridge	Labour	Labour
Richmond upon Thames	Liberal Democrats	Liberal Democrats
Southwark	Labour	Labour
Sutton	Liberal Democrats	Liberal Democrats
Tower Hamlets	Aspire	Aspire
Waltham Forest	Labour	Labour
Wandsworth	Labour	Labour
Westminster	Labour	Labour
Total London Councils		32 councils with 1,817 seats

The Councillor Count: 2022 vs. Now

Looking back at the 2022 results, Labour secured a dominant 1,156 seats across London. The Conservatives followed with 404, Liberal Democrats with 180, and the Greens with 18. A collection of 'Others' — including local residents' associations and independents — held 59 seats.

Fast forward to the present, and some shifts have already occurred due to by-elections, defections, or other changes. Labour's total has dipped slightly to 1,046 seats, while the Conservatives stand at 386. The Liberal Democrats have maintained 181, and Greens have increased to 47. Notably, Reform UK has gained 13 seats, and the 'Others' category has swelled to 136 seats, signifying the growing fragmentation of London's political landscape. This shows that the 'political earthquake' may have already begun, even before the ballots are cast in 2026.

Article

2026 London local elections

The 2026 London local elections will take place on 7 May 2026, as part of the 2026 United Kingdom local elections. All London borough councillor seats will be up for election.

Background

2026 London local elections

In the 2022 London local elections, Labour gained Westminster, Wandsworth and Barnet councils. In the 2024 United Kingdom general election, most of the constituencies in London elected Labour MPs.

In January 2026, BBC News, reported that the Green Party of England and Wales and Reform UK are seeking to make gains in the capital. The elections are expected to be tough for Labour who control most of the councils in London. Pollsters have suggested that Labour will be fighting on five fronts against the Conservatives, Reform UK, Liberal Democrats, Greens and pro-Gaza independents.

In March 2026, LSE Professor of Local Government Tony Travers said Labour could face a "political earthquake" in the upcoming London local elections worse than their loss in the Gorton and Denton by-election. He said Labour, which has plummeted in the polls, risks losing over 600 seats (more than half of their current 1,150) and the Conservatives, who won more than 400 seats in 2022, could fall to a new historic low, with the Greens and Reform being the main beneficiaries.

Councils

2026 London local elections

<table><thead><tr><th>Council</th><th>Seats</th><th>Party control</th><th>Details</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Previous</td><td>New</td></tr><tr><td>Barking and Dagenham</td><td>51</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Barnet</td><td>63</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Bexley</td><td>45</td><td></td><td>Conservative</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Brent</td><td>57</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Bromley</td><td>58</td><td></td><td>Conservative</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Camden</td><td>55</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Croydon</td><td>70</td><td></td><td>No overall control (Conservative minority)</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Ealing</td><td>70</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Enfield</td><td>63</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Greenwich</td><td>55</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Hackney</td><td>57</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Hammersmith and Fulham</td><td>50</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Haringey</td><td>57</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Harrow</td><td>55</td><td></td><td>Conservative</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Havering</td><td>55</td><td></td><td>No overall control (HRA/Labour coalition)</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Hillingdon</td><td>53</td><td></td><td>Conservative</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Hounslow</td><td>62</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Islington</td><td>51</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Kensington and Chelsea</td><td>50</td><td></td><td>Conservative</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Kingston upon Thames</td><td>48</td><td></td><td>Liberal Democrats</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Lambeth</td><td>63</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Lewisham</td><td>54</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Merton</td><td>57</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Newham</td><td>66</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Redbridge</td><td>63</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Richmond upon Thames</td><td>54</td><td></td><td>Liberal Democrats</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Southwark</td><td>63</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Sutton</td><td>55</td><td></td><td>Liberal Democrats</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Tower Hamlets</td><td>45</td><td></td><td>Aspire</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Waltham Forest</td><td>60</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Wandsworth</td><td>58</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>Westminster</td><td>54</td><td></td><td>Labour</td><td></td><td>Details</td></tr><tr><td>All 32 councils</td><td>1,817</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Councillor comparison with 2022

The table below shows the number of councillors by party for each council in London. The shaded cells show the party or parties in each council's governing administration.

<table><thead><tr><th>Council</th><th>2022 election</th><th></th><th>Current</th><th></th><th>2026 election</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Lab</td><td>Con</td><td>Lib Dem</td><td>Green</td><td>Others</td><td>Lab</td><td>Con</td><td>Lib Dem</td><td>Green</td><td>Reform</td><td>Ind</td><td>Others</td><td>Lab</td><td>Con</td><td>Lib Dem</td><td>Green</td><td>Reform</td><td>Others</td></tr><tr><td>Barking and Dagenham</td><td>51</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>47</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Barnet</td><td>41</td><td>22</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>40</td><td>19</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Bexley</td><td>12</td><td>33</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>12</td><td>30</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Brent</td><td>49</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>42</td><td>6</td><td>3</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Bromley</td><td>12</td><td>36</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>5 Chislehurst Matters: 3 Independent: 2</td><td>11</td><td>33</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>3 Chislehurst Matters: 3</td></tr><tr><td>Camden</td><td>47</td><td>3</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>45</td><td>3</td><td>6</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Croydon</td><td>34</td><td>33</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>34</td><td>33</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Ealing</td><td>58</td><td>5</td><td>6</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>59</td><td>4</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Enfield</td><td>38</td><td>25</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>35</td><td>25</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Greenwich</td><td>52</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>47</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Hackney</td><td>50</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>42</td><td>6</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Hammersmith and Fulham</td><td>40</td><td>10</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>36</td><td>10</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Haringey</td><td>50</td><td>0</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>43</td><td>0</td><td>7</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Harrow</td><td>24</td><td>31</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>23</td><td>31</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Havering</td><td>9</td><td>23</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>23 Havering Residents Association: 20 Harold Hill Independent: 3</td><td>8</td><td>16</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>28 Havering Residents Association: 25 Harold Wood Hill Park Residents Association: 3</td></tr><tr><td>Hillingdon</td><td>23</td><td>30</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>16</td><td>30</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Hounslow</td><td>52</td><td>10</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>43</td><td>10</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>6</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Islington</td><td>48</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>44</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Kensington and Chelsea</td><td>13</td><td>35</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>7</td><td>36</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Kingston upon Thames</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>44</td><td>0</td><td>1 Kingston Independent Residents Group: 1</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>42</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>4 Kingston Independent Residents Group: 4</td></tr><tr><td>Lambeth</td><td>58</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>55</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Lewisham</td><td>54</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>50</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Merton</td><td>31</td><td>7</td><td>17</td><td>0</td><td>2 Merton Park Ward Independent Residents: 2</td><td>30</td><td>7</td><td>16</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2 Merton Park Ward Independent Residents: 2</td></tr><tr><td>Newham</td><td>64</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>56</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>4 Newham Independents: 4</td></tr><tr><td>Redbridge</td><td>58</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>54</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Richmond upon Thames</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>48</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>49</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Southwark</td><td>52</td><td>0</td><td>11</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>45</td><td>0</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Sutton</td><td>3</td><td>20</td><td>29</td><td>0</td><td>3 Independent: 3</td><td>2</td><td>21</td><td>29</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3 Sutton Independent Residents Group: 3</td></tr><tr><td>Tower Hamlets</td><td>19</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>24 Aspire: 24</td><td>16</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>22 Aspire: 22</td></tr><tr><td>Waltham Forest</td><td>47</td><td>13</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>45</td><td>12</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Wandsworth</td><td>35</td><td>22</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1 Independent: 1</td><td>34</td><td>21</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Westminster</td><td>31</td><td>23</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>28</td><td>24</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>1,156</td><td>404</td><td>180</td><td>18</td><td>59</td><td>1,046</td><td>386</td><td>181</td><td>47</td><td>13</td><td>70</td><td>66</td></tr></tbody></table>

Opinion polls

Seat projections

<table><thead><tr><th>Date(s) conducted</th><th>Pollster</th><th>Client</th><th>Sample size</th><th>Area</th><th>Lab</th><th>Con</th><th>LD</th><th>Grn</th><th>Ref</th><th>Others</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>March 2026</td><td>Bombe</td><td>n/a</td><td>TBD</td><td>GB</td><td>306</td><td>464</td><td>253</td><td>575</td><td>145</td><td>75</td></tr><tr><td>5 May 2022</td><td>2022 local elections</td><td>1,156</td><td>404</td><td>180</td><td>18</td><td>0</td><td>59</td></tr></tbody></table>