Labour faces worst London council election result in almost 50 years
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 1
Labour faces worst London council election result in almost 50 years
6 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 1
YouGov says Labour could lose control in boroughs including Hackney and Barking and Dagenham, with all 32 councils and five borough mayoralties contested next week.
The party is being squeezed by Greens in inner London, Reform in outer boroughs, while Conservatives target Barnet, Westminster and Wandsworth and Liberal Democrats seek gains in southwest London.
The warning reflects fragmented politics and voter anger over living costs and immigration, threatening Labour's London stronghold and potentially intensifying pressure on Keir Starmer nationally.
With rivals surging from left and right, is Labour's long-held dominance over London politics about to completely shatter next week?
Will London's predicted election outcome lead to widespread council gridlock, paralysing essential public services for millions of residents?
Labour Faces Historic Collapse in London 2026 Local Elections: Control Slashed to 15 Boroughs
Overview
The 2026 London local elections forecast a historic collapse for Labour, with the party expected to control only 15 of 32 boroughs and see its vote share drop sharply. This decline is driven by a dual squeeze: the Green Party gaining support in inner London and Reform UK breaking through in outer boroughs, both fueled by voters splitting their tickets. Labour’s internal crises, including leadership scandals and failure to address key issues, further weaken its position. The resulting fragmentation reshapes London’s political map, threatening Labour’s traditional strongholds and signaling a broader national crisis that endangers its future electoral prospects.