In the latest episode of the Better Places Podcast, Concilio’s Sam Griffiths is joined by Professor Tony Travers of the London School of Economics, to discuss the upcoming local elections in London in May 2026.
Tony is the leading academic expert on London’s government and politics, and this fascinating discussion explores the forces changing London politically and how they are making the elections next year increasingly hard to predict.
The topics Tony and Sam cover include:
- How is the rise of so-called ‘Pro-Gaza independent’ groups in parts of East London going to challenge Labour’s traditional dominance in these areas, and what ideology drives these new campaigners?
- How will the new Green party leader Zack Polanski, and his energetic brand of ‘eco-populism’, impact the race and tempt younger votes away from Labour?
- Are the Liberal Democrats poised to make gains, not just in their traditional strongholds in South-West London but also in the centre of the city?
- Can the Conservatives stage a fightback and take back control of their former ‘flagship’ councils like Westminster and Wandsworth?
- What will the Reform UK factor be? How will Farage’s upstart party disrupt the contest and what councils could they win?
- And finally, what does this upheaval mean for planning and development in the capital?
This is an indispensable briefing on the current state of the race to control London’s councils next year, and if you want to understand how planning and development could change in the capital as a result.
Concilio will shortly be launching the first in a series of London local election reports – giving you data-led analysis of the key council races, the latest news on campaigns and candidates, and our analysis of what it could mean for the property sector. To sign up to receive the first report when it is released, please click here or email londonelections@conciliocomms.com.
