Westminster Leads London Local Election Count as Reform UK Targets Bexley and Havering

*TL;DR Westminster will be the first London borough to declare its local election results at 3:30 am on Friday, with Reform UK focusing on Bexley and Havering and the Liberal Democrats targeting Merton.*

Context London’s 2024 local elections begin early Friday, May 8, after polling stations close at 10 pm on Thursday. All 32 borough councils will count votes overnight, releasing results hour by hour. The schedule sets the tone for party strategies and media coverage throughout the day.

Key Facts - Westminster is slated to publish its full council results at 3:30 am, making it the first borough to do so. Labour currently defends a narrow majority won in 2022 after decades of Conservative control. - At 4 am, Ealing, Sutton and Wandsworth are expected to follow, with Wandsworth likely to see activity from smaller parties. - By 5 am, six boroughs—including Bexley and Havering—will report. Reform UK has announced a push for seats in those two boroughs, while the Liberal Democrats aim to improve their standing in Merton. - Subsequent mayoral results will roll out from 1 pm onward, covering Hackney, Newham, Islington, Waltham Forest, Lewisham, Greenwich and Croydon. - The afternoon will see Barnet, Hackney and Redbridge declare; Conservatives hope to regain Barnet, Greens target Hackney, and Reform UK plus independents seek gains in Redbridge. - Tower Hamlets mayoral result is due at 6 pm, with incumbent Lutfur Rahman of the Aspire party seeking re‑election. - Bromley is expected to be the final borough to announce its council results at 7 pm, where Conservatives face a Reform UK challenge. - Counting will continue into Saturday for a few areas, with final tallies for Croydon and Lewisham due around 4 pm and Tower Hamlets completing at about 6 pm.

What It Means Westminster’s early declaration will set the initial narrative for the night, testing Labour’s ability to hold its slim majority. A strong Reform UK showing in Bexley or Havering could signal a shift for the party beyond its traditional strongholds, while Liberal Democrat gains in Merton would indicate renewed urban appeal. The staggered release of results creates multiple news cycles, allowing parties to adjust messaging in real time. Conservatives defending Bromley and Barnet will watch Reform UK’s performance closely, as any loss could reshape the borough map ahead of the next election cycle.

Looking ahead, watch the 5 am batch for Reform UK’s first test, then monitor Bromley’s 7 pm outcome for the final indicator of how the party’s London strategy is faring.