A significant political shift has occurred in North London, with five sitting Labour councillors in the London Borough of Brent publicly defecting to the Green Party. The move deals a blow to the Labour administration and significantly boosts the Greens' presence on the council.
A Coordinated Departure from Labour
The group of defectors, announced by Green Party Leader Zack Polanski on December 15, 2025, includes prominent figures such as a Cabinet Member and the Council's Lead Whip. The councillors had already been informed in September that they would not be reselected to stand for Labour in the upcoming local elections on May 7, 2026. However, their decision to cross the floor before their terms end marks a dramatic escalation of internal party tensions.
The five defecting councillors are: Harbi Farah (Welsh Harp ward and Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, Jobs and Skills), Mary Mitchell (Welsh Harp), Iman Ahmadi Moghaddam (Wembley Park ward and Chief Whip), Tony Ethapemi (Stonebridge), and Erica Gbajumo (Brondesbury Park). Their departure means the Green Party now holds the third-highest number of seats on Brent Council, just one behind the official Conservative opposition.
Principles and Protest: The Defectors' Reasons
In explaining their decision, the former Labour representatives were scathing in their criticism of their old party. Councillor Harbi Farah stated the move was "not one made lightly" but was driven by an "overwhelming and accumulating sense of disappointment". He asserted, "I am not leaving the Labour Party because my values have changed; the party has. It no longer serves the principles it once championed."
Farah said he had found a new political home in the Greens, which he believes "fundamentally embraces socialist principles" and aligns with his vision for public ownership, wealth redistribution, and a universal basic income.
Councillor Iman Ahmadi Moghaddam directed criticism at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, accusing him of doubling down on austerity, siding with developers, and scapegoating migrants. He also condemned the government's continuation of arms exports to Israel, stating it was done "whilst it commits genocide in Gaza". Official figures show the UK has approved arms export licences to Israel worth over £500 million since 2015, with only 30 out of 350 licences suspended since Labour took power last year.
Political Fallout and the 'Green Surge'
The defections have triggered a sharp response from Labour. A leaked email to Brent councillors, seen by reporters, instructed them not to comment publicly and to demonstrate a "visible and confident show of strength". The email acknowledged the defections were "clearly disappointing" and stated that those who left would henceforth be treated as "political opponents".
For the Green Party, this is heralded as part of a wider trend. These five defections in Brent follow seven other Labour-to-Green switches in London since September, including two in Southwark last month. Leader Zack Polanski declared a "Green surge" in the capital, arguing that Labour has abandoned progressive politics. "Good Labour councillors can see Labour has abandoned any sense of progressive politics and is showing absolute cowardice," he said at the announcement in Wembley Park's Chalkhill Community Centre.
The Brent Green Party stated the move would allow the councillors to "speak out and push back" against the Labour administration locally. With the May elections approaching, this defection is poised to reshape the political battle lines in the borough and underscores the growing challenge to Labour from its left flank in parts of London.
