London Local Elections: Labour Holds Merton, Wandsworth Results Emerge

Labour has kept control of Merton council with 30 seats, while Wandsworth shows significant gains for Reform UK and Liberal Democrats.
By Newsroom | Politics, London |

Key Declarations Emerge as Major Parties Navigate Uncertain Terrain

Initial results from local elections across England, Scotland, and Wales, including all 32 London boroughs, are beginning to surface, with several key London councils facing tight contests. The process, which saw polls close on Thursday, has shifted to vote counting, with a significant number of declarations expected throughout Friday.

Merton Declared: Labour Retains Grip

In Merton, the Labour party has successfully retained control of the council. The declaration, made at 05:34 BST, saw Labour secure 30 seats, fending off a challenge from the Liberal Democrats, who obtained 17 seats. Merton has been under Labour's control since 2014.

Wandsworth: A Mixed Picture in Progress

The borough of Wandsworth presents a more fluid situation. Results indicate a significant presence for Reform UK, with 292 councillors declared and 35 gained. The Liberal Democrats have also seen gains, with 218 councillors and 35 gained. Labour has experienced losses, currently showing 174 councillors with 218 lost, while the Conservatives have also seen a decrease, with 156 councillors and 109 lost. Independents account for 17 councillors with no change.

Read More: Reform UK Gains Seats, Labour Loses Councils in England Elections

Wandsworth's electoral history shows a shift: it was controlled by Labour in 2022, prior to which it was held by the Conservatives from 2010 onwards. The current elections involve 58 out of 58 seats, with no boundary changes reported for this borough.

Westminster: Contested Territory

While specific results for Westminster are still emerging, the reporting suggests the council is in a "knife-edge" position, indicating a highly competitive outcome between the major parties.

Broader Electoral Landscape

These local elections represent a significant test for party leaderships across the United Kingdom. Votes were cast not only in London but also in councils across England, and in Scotland and Wales. The ongoing counting process is providing an interactive map of results, tracking gains and losses across over 7,500 wards. Data is being sourced from official council declarations, the Electoral Commission, and Democracy Club. The general trend suggests a complex electoral map, with parties assessing performance and voter sentiment.

Read More: London Elections: Reform UK Gains, Labour Faces Setbacks

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which London council did Labour retain control of in the local elections?
Labour has retained control of Merton council. They secured 30 seats, with the Liberal Democrats gaining 17 seats. Merton has been under Labour's control since 2014.
Q: What are the results for Wandsworth council in the local elections?
Wandsworth shows a mixed picture. Reform UK has gained 35 councillors and the Liberal Democrats have also gained 35 councillors. Labour has lost 218 councillors and the Conservatives have lost 109 councillors.
Q: Is Westminster council's election result known yet?
Results for Westminster council are still emerging. Reports suggest the council is in a 'knife-edge' position, meaning the outcome is very close between the main parties.
Q: When did the polls close for these local elections?
The polls for these local elections closed on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024. The vote counting process is ongoing, with many results expected to be declared throughout Friday, May 3rd, 2024.