Major parties in Wandsworth have set out their visions for transforming the borough over the next four years, with local elections just around the corner. Voters will head to the polls on Thursday, May 7, to elect councillors who will represent them until 2030. All 58 seats on Wandsworth Council are up for grabs across 22 wards. Labour has controlled the authority since 2022, ending 44 years of Conservative rule.
Labour Manifesto
Labour's key pledges include building 1,000 new council homes on top of 1,000 already under delivery, campaigning for rent caps, and driving out rogue landlords. The party also promises to step up street homelessness prevention, make it easier for tenants to report repairs, and support leaseholders with longer interest-free repayment periods for major works. An online tool for service charges will be created, the Cost of Living Fund extended, and care leavers exempt from council tax until age 25.
Environment and Transport
Labour will keep weekly bin collections and double street cleaning on residential roads, introduce a 'same day sweep' for litter, and increase crackdowns on fly-tipping with CCTV and fines. Other pledges include expanding mega skip days, bringing pavements up to standard by 2030, removing 1,000 unnecessary road signs, and planting 1,000 trees annually. The party will invest £1 million yearly for green corridors, improve lighting, and continue campaigning to reopen Hammersmith Bridge and Albert Bridge.
Communities and Economy
Labour plans to introduce neighbourhood wardens, invest in violence against women and girls prevention programmes in schools, and oppose new betting and vape shops. They will also auto-enrol children in libraries, roll out e-reader tablets, and provide free swimming lessons for eligible children. Council tax will stay low, a Wandsworth Card for discounts launched, and a growth plan for every high street created.
Conservative Manifesto
The Conservatives promise to give renters a chance to own their home, restore service levels for tenants and leaseholders, and hold housing associations to account. They oppose Labour's plans for Ashburton and Lennox estates but support Nine Elms regeneration. Service charge transparency and a full stock condition survey are also pledged.
Environment and Transport
The Conservatives will take a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping and dog mess, protect weekly bin collections, and improve recycling. They rule out Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and will partner with TfL to improve bus journey times. Quiet cycle routes will be expanded, and a 'fair use charter' for e-bikes and e-scooters introduced.
Communities and Economy
Extra police officers will be funded via developer levies, street wardens introduced, and anti-social behaviour on estates tackled. CCTV network expansion and a tough approach to disruptive protests are planned. Council tax will be kept low, AI adopted for efficiency, and a business-friendly high streets fund set up.
Lib Dem Manifesto
The Lib Dems will establish a tenants' champion and support abolishing leasehold tenures. They pledge to fix pavements and potholes, protect parks from over-commercialisation, and fill empty tree pits. Fly-tipping hotspots will be tackled with mobile CCTV, and street cleaning moved to coincide with bin collection days.
Communities and Economy
More visible neighbourhood policing and reduced CCTV blackout spots are promised. The party will improve high streets, use council powers to tackle empty units, and pressure the government to scrap business rates.
Green Party Manifesto
The Greens aim to ensure council homes are safe and cheap to run, champion community-led housing, and increase tax on empty second homes. They call for a 'living rent' and push for inclusion of sexual abuse and modern slavery in priority need criteria. A council letting agency expansion and advice channel on energy usage are also planned.
Environment and Transport
Local climate bonds, solar panels on council assets, and community car clubs are proposed. The Greens will manage e-bikes and e-scooters, introduce a kerbside strategy, and help residents rewild gardens. Pavement crossovers will be halted, and trees planted.
Communities and Economy
Participatory budgeting and ward citizen assemblies will be introduced. The party will create a refugee navigation hub, slash petition thresholds, and restrict new fast-food outlets near schools. A referendum on council tax is planned.
Reform UK
Reform has not published a local manifesto but promises lower council tax rises. Nationally, the party proposes mass immigration detention centres in areas that voted Green, mandatory Union Flag displays in schools, and a picture of The King.
