2026 Lambeth London Borough Council election

The 2026 Lambeth Council elections will be held on Thursday 7 May 2026. All 63 council seats will be contested, as part of the wider London elections and the 2026 local elections.

Background

History

The thirty-two London boroughs were established in 1965 by the London Government Act 1963. They are the principal authorities in Greater London and have responsibilities including education, housing, planning, highways, social services, libraries, recreation, waste, environmental health and revenue collection. Some of the powers are shared with the Greater London Authority, which also manages passenger transport, police and fire. ^[1]

Since its formation, Lambeth has generally been under Labour control apart from one period from 1968 to 1971 of Conservative control and several periods of no overall control. The council was controlled by a Liberal Democrat-Conservative coalition from 2002 to 2006, and since 2006 has continuously had a Labour majority.

Changes since 2022

By-Elections

Following the 2022 elections, the Labour Party secured a majority on Lambeth Council with 58 seats. The Liberal Democrats formed the official opposition with three seats, while the Green Party won two.

A by-election in the Vauxhall ward was held in October 2023, following the death of Labour councillor Liam Jarnecki. Labour retained the seat, with Tom Swaine-Jameson. ^[2]

Two by-elections took place in May 2024. In Knight’s Hill, Labour councillor Sonia Winifred resigned after having the party whip suspended for defying it in a Gaza ceasefire vote. ^[3] Labour held the seat, with Emma Nye elected. On the same day, a by-election was held in Streatham Common and Vale following the resignation of Tom Rutland, who stepped down to focus on contesting East Worthing and Shoreham. Labour retained the seat, electing Sarah Cole.

A further by-election in Streatham Common and Vale took place in July 2024 after the resignation of Hena Shah. The seat was again held by Labour, with Dominic Armstrong elected. ^{[4] [5]}

In May 2025, a by-election was held in Herne Hill and Loughborough Junction following the election of Jim Dickson as MP for Dartford. The seat was gained by the Green Party, with Paul Valentine elected, making the Greens the joint opposition party on the council. ^[6]

Affiliation Changes

Cllr Martin Abrams resigned from the Labour Party in August 2025, highlighting a culture of alleged bullying and factionalism. He was suspended by Lambeth Labour in early 2024 after voting for a ceasefire motion in Gaza. ^[7] He joined the Greens in September 2024, making them the official opposition group on Lambeth Council. ^[8]

In July 2025, Cllr Irfan Mohammed was suspended from Labour after being charged with a criminal offences relating to exposure, controlling behaviour and sexual assault. ^[9] He sat as an Independent. ^[10]

Campaign

Labour

In September 2025, Labour’s candidate selections in Lambeth for the 2026 council elections were suspended after local member Mark Sheiham launched a High Court challenge against being blocked from standing. ^[11]

Results by ward

An asterisk * at the end of a candidates name highlights an existing councillor seeking re-election

Clapham Common and Abbeville

Clapham Common and Abbeville (2)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	James Graham
	Conservative	Guy Roberts
Turnout

Clapham Town

Clapham Town (3)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Joshua Forrester
	Conservative	Promise Phillips
	Conservative	Neil Salt
Turnout

References

1. "The essential guide to London local government | London Councils". www.londoncouncils.gov.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
2. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Lambeth_London_Borough_Council_election#cite_note-21
3. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/labour-party-lambeth-council-whip-gaza-ceasefire-vote-b1141958.html
4. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Lambeth_London_Borough_Council_election#cite_note-27
5. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Lambeth_London_Borough_Council_election#cite_note-28
6. https://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2025/05/greens-edge-out-labour-in-herne-hill-and-loughborough-junction-upset-as-valentine-claims-council-seat/
7. https://insidecroydon.com/2025/08/29/jewish-councillor-quits-labour-over-bullying-and-anti-semitism/
8. https://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2025/09/ex-labour-councillor-martin-abrams-defects-to-lambeth-greens-party-now-becomes-official-opposition-at-town-hall/
9. "UPDATE: Full details emerge after Lambeth Labour councillor Irfan Mohammed charged with controlling behaviour, sexual assault and exposure".
10. "Lambeth Labour councillor charged and suspended as party moves to limit fallout".
11. https://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2025/09/lambeth-labour-hopeful-takes-party-to-high-court-as-lambeth-suspends-all-2026-candidate-selections/