Labour Loses Control of Wandsworth and Brent: London West Elections 2026

Key Points

• Shift to No Overall Control (NOC): Wandsworth and Brent transitioned from Labour majorities to No Overall Control (NOC), marking a significant shift in the West London political landscape.
• Labour Retention: Despite losses elsewhere, the Labour Party successfully retained control in Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Hounslow.
• Liberal Democrat Dominance: The Liberal Democrats maintained their strongholds in Kingston and Richmond, achieving a total “clean sweep” in the latter.
• Conservative Resilience: Hillingdon remains under Conservative control, while the party also saw seat gains in Hammersmith and Fulham and Wandsworth.
• Rise of Third Parties: Significant gains were made by the Green Party, Reform UK, and Independent candidates, particularly in Brent and Hounslow.
• Voter Turnout: Participation varied across the region, ranging from 34.2% in Brent to a high of 51% in Richmond.

West, (The Londoner News) May 14, 2026 election results have fundamentally redrawn the political map of the capital, as Labour’s previous dominance was challenged by a surge in support for smaller parties and a resurgent Conservative opposition in specific pockets. While Labour managed to hold its ground in Ealing, Hounslow, and Hammersmith and Fulham, the headlines were dominated by the fall of Wandsworth and Brent into No Overall Control. The Liberal Democrats cemented their status as the dominant force in the south-west, while the Conservatives held firm in Hillingdon, ensuring that West London remains a patchwork of divided political loyalties.

London (London West News) May 14, 2026 – The electoral landscape across eight key boroughs has shifted dramatically following the recent local polls, with the emergence of No Overall Control (NOC) in Wandsworth and Brent serving as the most striking development of the night. As reported by Mike Lightfoot of UK Property Forums, the results saw six boroughs remain under their previous leadership while two key Labour-held councils slipped from the party’s grasp, necessitating potential coalition talks or minority governance.

Which Boroughs Have Moved to No Overall Control?

The most significant news of the election cycle involves the shift of Wandsworth and Brent away from single-party majorities. In Wandsworth, a borough that has historically been a “crown jewel” for the Conservatives before falling to Labour in 2022, the pendulum has swung back to a state of deadlock.

As documented by official Wandsworth Council records, the Conservatives secured 29 seats, while Labour followed closely with 28.

According to a statement provided by the Wandsworth Council Press Office, the final balance of power rests with a single Independent:

“All the results are in and no single party has overall control of Wandsworth Council… The remaining seat has been retained by Councillor Malcolm Grimston who stood again as an independent candidate.”

Further analysis from Wikipedia’s election summary indicates that the Conservatives, led by Aled Richards-Jones, made a slight recovery from their 2022 performance, whereas Labour, led by Simon Hogg, saw their majority evaporate. The voter turnout in Wandsworth was recorded at 48.2%, reflecting the high stakes of the contest.

In Brent, the shift to NOC was even more pronounced. Reports from LabourList indicate that Labour lost 21 seats across the borough.

The new council composition sees Labour holding 26 seats, the Conservatives 11, the Liberal Democrats 11, and the Green Party 9. This fragmentation means no party reached the threshold for an outright majority, leaving the borough in a state of political uncertainty with a turnout of 34.2%.

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How Did Labour Fare in its Remaining Strongholds?

Despite the setbacks in Brent and Wandsworth, the Labour Party maintained its grip on several key councils. In Ealing, Labour secured a decisive majority. As reported by the Ealing Council official results portal, the party took 46 of the 70 available seats.

This ensures Labour control in the borough until 2030. The Liberal Democrats emerged as the primary opposition in Ealing with 13 seats, followed by 5 Conservatives, 5 Greens, and 1 Independent.

Writing for OnLondon, journalist Dave Hill noted that while Ealing remains one of Labour’s “safest London boroughs,” the Green Party and Liberal Democrats made notable inroads. The turnout in Ealing was 43.5%.

In Hounslow, Labour also retained control, though the margin was significantly tighter than in previous years. According to Mandy Skinner, the Returning Officer and Chief Executive of Hounslow Council, the party won 32 of the 62 seats. This gives Labour a razor-thin majority of just one seat.

The Hounslow results were notable for the performance of Reform UK, which secured 8 seats, and the Green Party, which took 3.

Where Did the Liberal Democrats Achieve a Clean Sweep?

The Liberal Democrats showcased their regional strength by holding Kingston and Richmond with overwhelming majorities.

In Richmond, the party achieved what Navigate Politics described as a “North Korean-style clean sweep,” winning all 54 seats on the council. This total dominance was backed by a 51% turnout, the highest in the London West region.

In Kingston, the Liberal Democrats were nearly as dominant, winning 44 of the 48 seats. As reported by UK Property Forums, the Kingston Independent Residents Group and the Conservatives took just 2 seats each.

The formal declaration for Kingston was made on Friday, 8 May, confirming the Lib Dem’s continued mandate in the borough.

Did the Conservatives Maintain Their Hold on Hillingdon?

Hillingdon remains a bastion of Conservative support in West London. As reported by Dave Hill of OnLondon, the Hillingdon Conservatives were “famously resilient,” winning 30 seats—a figure identical to their 2022 performance. While Labour remains the main opposition with 16 seats, the Conservatives’ hold on the council is secure.

The UK Property Forums report noted that Hillingdon remained under Conservative leadership with a total of 31 seats counted following the final tallies.

What Happened in Hammersmith and Fulham?

Hammersmith and Fulham provided a bright spot for Labour amidst the mixed results elsewhere. The party actually increased its hold on the council, rising to 38 seats—a gain of one from the previous election. However, the Conservatives also saw some momentum, securing 12 seats.

As reported by Mike Lightfoot, this result solidified Labour’s clear win in the borough, even as the political climate elsewhere turned more volatile.

How Will “No Overall Control” Affect Governance?

The emergence of NOC in Wandsworth and Brent introduces a period of political negotiation. In Wandsworth, the balance of power held by Independent Councillor Malcolm Grimston means that both major parties may have to court his support or seek a formal coalition. A statement from Wandsworth Council clarified the immediate future:

“Over the coming days, those elected will discuss how the Council will be governed… The formal position will be confirmed at the Council’s Annual Meeting on 27 May.”

In Brent, the situation is even more complex due to the four-way split between Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Greens. Analysts suggest that the 2026 results reflect a broader trend of voters moving toward specific issue-based parties, such as the Greens and Reform UK, particularly in Hounslow and Brent where these parties made their strongest showings.