Election results reshape political leadership across London boroughs
Voters across London went to the polls last week, delivering a new set of local election results. Their votes reshaped political leadership in several boroughs, creating a more varied political landscape in the capital.
Labour remains the largest party in London local government, holding overall control in 10 boroughs including Islington, Camden and Greenwich. The Conservatives won in seven boroughs, including Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and Bromley.
The Liberal Democrats retained their stronghold in south west London, holding Kingston, Richmond and Sutton. The Green Party took overall control in Hackney, Lewisham and Waltham Forest for the first time.
Seven councils are now under no overall control. Political administrations in these boroughs will be formed in the coming weeks at their Annual General Meetings.
Other parties also made breakthroughs. Reform UK took control of Havering for the first time, while Aspire secured both the mayoralty and council control in Tower Hamlets.
Changes to council Annual General Meeting dates following elections
Following the local elections, a number of London councils have confirmed revised dates for their Annual General Meetings (AGMs).
AGMs are a formal part of the council calendar and are held each year to confirm political leadership, agree committee appointments and carry out key constitutional business. These meetings usually take place shortly after local elections, once results have been declared.
Several councils have adjusted their AGM dates to ensure this business can be carried out smoothly in the post‑election period. The revised dates are:
- Royal Borough of Greenwich: 27 May
- Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea: 27 May
- London Borough of Lambeth: 27 May
- London Borough of Barking and Dagenham: 22 May
- London Borough of Hackney: 28 May
Next steps at London Councils following the elections
We are a cross-party, politically-led organisation.
Following the recent elections, all London boroughs will formally appoint their administrations at their Annual General Meetings in the coming weeks. London Councils’ Chair and Executive Committee will then be elected by borough leaders and directly elected mayors at our Annual General Meeting on 16 June.
Our Leaders’ Committee, attended by the leaders or directly elected mayors of every London borough, will start to set out London Councils’ future strategy and priorities when it meets on 21 July.
London Councils Chief Executive shares leadership journey on Solace podcast
London Councils’ Chief Executive, Ali Whiteley, has recorded a new episode of the Solace Local Government Stories podcast, reflecting on her career journey and her experience of leading London Councils.
In the episode, Ali discusses her path into local government, key moments that have shaped her leadership, and the challenges and opportunities facing councils across the capital. She also reflects on what it means to be Chief Executive of London Councils at a time of significant financial and service pressures for boroughs.
The episode was released on Monday 11 May, coinciding with Ali’s return from extended leave, and will be available via the Solace Local Government Stories podcast platform.
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