Greens and Reform UK Break Through as Conservatives Reclaim Westminster

London’s political landscape has shifted dramatically after Thursday’s local elections. Labour now governs 21 of the capital’s 32 boroughs, down from a near‑total hold, while three parties make unprecedented gains.

Zoë Garbett became the capital’s first directly elected Green mayor, winning the Hackney mayoralty that had long been a Labour stronghold. Hours later, former Labour councillor Liam Shrivastava was elected Green mayor of Lewisham, adding a second Green mayor to the city.

The Greens also seized control of two borough councils, taking Waltham Forest and Hackney from Labour. This marks the first time the party has governed any London council.

Reform UK entered the council map for the first time by winning control of Havering. Party leader Nigel Farage declared the council “under new management” following the victory.

On the right, the Conservatives reclaimed Westminster council, which they lost to Labour in 2022. They also emerged as the largest party in Wandsworth, denying Labour a majority, and held their ground in Bexley and Bromley against Reform UK challenges.

Labour retained four boroughs—Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Brent and Hounslow—but suffered losses in several inner‑city areas, underscoring a weakening grip on the capital.

These results reshape the balance of power in a city that houses half of the Labour Party’s membership and one‑seventh of its MPs. The gains by the Greens and Reform UK introduce new pressure points on both the left and right, while the Conservative resurgence in Westminster signals a potential foothold for national parties seeking to rebuild in London.

What to watch next: how Labour’s leadership will respond to the multi‑party challenge and whether the new Green and Reform UK administrations can deliver on local promises ahead of the next general election.