Labour has retained control of Hounslow Council following the local elections, despite losing 20 seats. The party now holds a majority of just one, its slimmest since retaking the council in 2010. In contrast, after the 2022 vote, Labour enjoyed a majority of 20. A total of 32 seats is required for a majority, a number Labour exactly achieved.
Labour's Decline and Opposition Gains
Labour experienced a significant drop in support, losing some of its safest seats across the borough. Reform UK made a breakthrough in Feltham, gaining eight new councillors compared to 2022. The Conservatives also saw success, adding seven councillors. Jack Emsley, Councillor for Chiswick Homefields, described the result as "seismic."
The Green Party gained three new councillors, though one defection had already occurred during the previous term. The Liberal Democrats secured their first councillor, winning a seat from Labour in Isleworth.
Key Battles and Notable Results
Council Leader and Labour Leader Cllr Shantanu Rajawat narrowly held his seat in Heston West, beating his nearest challenger by just 87 votes. In 2022, Rajawat had a lead of nearly 1,300 votes. Elsewhere, former councillor Farhaan Rehman lost his Hounslow Heath seat to the Conservatives after months of scandal and a council investigation that found he breached the constitution.
Conservative Leader Cllr Peter Thompson lost his Chiswick Riverside seat to Rick Rowe of the Green Party. Thompson, who led the council from 2006 to 2010, had served as a councillor for over 20 years.
Turnout and Party Breakdown
Turnout reached 41 per cent, up from 33.6 per cent in 2022, an increase of 7.4 percentage points. The final seat count compared to 2022 is as follows:
- Labour: 32 (-20)
- Conservatives: 17 (+7)
- Reform UK: 8 (+8)
- Greens: 3 (+3)
- Liberal Democrats: 1 (+1)
- Independent: 1 (+1)
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