Welcome to our election live blog for the Camden Council elections taking place today (Thursday, May 7, 2026). This is an 'all out election' where residents in every ward get to choose who they want as their councillors. Postal voting has been ongoing for several days, but the bulk of ballots will arrive at polling stations today. The last chance to vote is just before 10pm tonight, after which ballot papers will be locked away overnight before counting tomorrow (Friday). The traditional overnight count for council elections was dropped last time, though some other London councils will work into the early hours to reach a result. On this blog, we'll be following the action through polling day, right up to the final result. Check back for updates. If you have something that should be on the blog, email daisy@camdennewjournal.co.uk or tweet us on X at @newjournal. Our reporting team includes Richard Osley, Tom Foot, Caitlin Maskell, Daisy Clague, and Dan Carrier.
Starting Point for These Elections
It might be worth beginning with the starting point for these elections, as there has been much speculation about whether the ruling Labour party will lose seats in Camden. Some have predicted a 'hung council' – with no party in overall control – as Labour faces challenges from the Greens, Lib Dems, and Tories, as well as the unknowns of Reform and the Camden People's Alliance. However, this split challenge makes it difficult for any opponent to reach the magic figure of 28 for a majority. Labour, meanwhile, has the cushion of holding 45 of the 55 seats in the council chamber, meaning it would take a dramatic fall to drop below the majority line. At the last elections in 2022, Labour benefited from widespread unpopularity of Boris Johnson's Conservative government and even won a seat with a paper candidate in Hampstead. This time, the situation is reversed, as rivals encourage voters to send a message to Sir Keir Starmer and his government, which has seen declining approval ratings.
Key Races and Dynamics
The Greens are targeting several wards where they have strong local support, particularly in areas like Highgate and Gospel Oak. The Lib Dems are focusing on wards such as West Hampstead and Fortune Green, where they came close in previous elections. The Tories hope to hold onto their remaining seats in more affluent areas like Hampstead Town. Reform and the Camden People's Alliance are wild cards, potentially splitting the anti-Labour vote. Turnout will be crucial, with postal votes already counted and expected to favour Labour, but in-person voting could swing the balance.
Stay tuned for live updates throughout the day and into the night as we bring you the latest news, analysis, and results from across Camden.
