A significant political shake-up is underway in the North London borough of Brent, with both the leader and deputy leader of the local Conservative group being de-selected ahead of next year's crucial local elections.
A Pattern of Political Purges
This move by the Brent Conservatives follows a similar, and equally surprising, decision by the Labour Party just months earlier. In September, eight sitting Labour councillors were blocked from seeking re-election in the elections scheduled for May 7, 2026. The Labour purge included prominent figures such as the local branch's Chief Whip and a Cabinet member, with selections being overseen by the party's London region and its National Executive Committee (NEC) instead of the local branch.
Now, the Conservatives are experiencing their own internal upheaval. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has learned that Conservative Leader, Cllr Suresh Kansagra, and Deputy Leader, Cllr Michael Maurice, have not been selected as candidates. This decision was made by party members during selection meetings for the Kenton ward, where both councillors currently hold seats.
New Faces for the Conservative Ticket
Instead of the established leadership, Brent Conservative members have chosen two new candidates to represent them in Kenton. They are Sai Karthik Madabhushi, who is the Campaign Head of Conservative Friends of India, and Anup Patel, a director of a local company. The third sitting councillor in Kenton, Cllr Sunita Hirani, was successfully re-selected.
The de-selection of Cllr Kansagra is particularly notable given his long tenure; he was first elected to Brent Council in 1998. Cllr Maurice, elected in 2015, has also been a vocal and active participant, especially in Planning Committee meetings. The local Conservative branch, along with both councillors, declined to comment on the decision.
Electoral Context and Potential Fallout
The Conservatives currently hold six seats on Brent Council, making them the official opposition. Their seats are located in the Kenton, Queensbury, and Wembley Central wards. The group recently gained a seat following the defection of one of the de-selected Labour councillors, Cllr Rajan-Seelan.
These sweeping changes within both major parties signal a dramatic transformation of the local political landscape. A Labour source previously warned that their party's de-selections, orchestrated by a Campaign Improvement Board (CIB), were a "mystery" and would "undoubtedly have an electoral cost," potentially causing "internal splits." It remains to be seen what impact the Conservative de-selections will have on their electoral fortunes and internal unity as Brent prepares for a highly contested election in 2026.
