In 2026, voters will decide who runs London's boroughs

"In 2022 the story of the local elections was victory for Labour, which won 1,128 of just over 1,800 seats and 43.9% of the vote across London. The party took 21 councils, including taking control of Westminster, Wandsworth and Barnet from the Conservatives. PA Media The Tories won 508 seats with 28.8% of the vote, held on to Kensington and Chelsea, Bexley, Hillingdon and Bromley,"

"Most London councils have a leader elected by the largest party or coalition on the council who then appoints cabinet members responsible for specific services such as housing or finance. In those councils the mayor is a ceremonial role. In Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham and Tower Hamlets the mayor is directly elected by local voters and they appoint the cabinet. EPA/PA Media The elections will decide who runs local services such as schools, libraries and bin collections."

Londoners will vote in May 2026 in local elections to elect 1,817 councillors across 32 boroughs and five directly-elected mayors. The capital experienced major shifts after the Covid-19 pandemic, with working-from-home patterns affecting transport and city-centre businesses. In 2022 Labour won 1,128 seats and 43.9% of the vote, taking 21 councils including Westminster, Wandsworth and Barnet. The Conservatives won 508 seats (28.8%), the Liberal Democrats 152 seats (13.0%) and the Green Party 11 seats (8.6%). Most councils appoint a leader and cabinet while five boroughs have directly elected mayors. Councils manage over £12bn a year and deliver services such as schools, libraries and bin collections. The rise of Reform UK and the Green Party is likely to influence voting patterns.

Read at www.bbc.com