Political Reshuffle in Kensington and Chelsea as Councillors Step Down
Significant changes are underway in the political landscape of Kensington and Chelsea, with several councillors from major parties announcing their departure ahead of the upcoming local elections in May. The borough, which currently has a Conservative majority, is set for a potential shake-up as all seats become contested.
Departing Councillors Confirmed
According to information obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, two Labour councillors and one Liberal Democrat councillor will not be seeking re-election. Labour's Marwan Elnaghi, who has represented Notting Dale ward since 2018, and Mo Bakhtiar, who has served Colville ward since 2014, are both retiring from their positions.
From the Liberal Democrats, Earl's Court Councillor Tim Verboven has confirmed he will be stepping down due to plans to move out of the borough. These departures come at a crucial time, with all 32 London borough councils facing elections on May 7th.
Current Council Composition and Upcoming Contests
Kensington and Chelsea Council currently consists of 36 Conservative councillors, seven Labour councillors, two Liberal Democrat councillors, four Independent councillors, and one Green Party councillor. While official candidate lists have not yet been released borough-wide, several parties have begun announcing their selections for the forthcoming contests.
The Conservatives, who hold the majority, have not confirmed whether any of their councillors will be stepping down, though Cem Kemahli has indicated he will run again. Independent councillor Emma Dent Coad has also confirmed she will seek re-election.
Labour's New Candidates Announced
Kensington and Bayswater Labour have revealed their candidates for the May election, following a period of internal changes that saw five defections since 2022 and one expulsion. In Colville ward, former councillor Monica Press will be joined by Jack Reason and Cihan Cheron as candidates.
Dalgarno ward will see Alex Porter standing alongside incumbent councillor Abdullahi Nur, while Golborne ward will be represented by former Labour councillor Nadia Nail, Peter Marshall, and current ward councillor Sina Lari. Notting Dale ward will feature current councillors Portia Thaxter, Claire Simmons, and local Labour Leader Kasim Ali as candidates, with Cllr Thaxter moving from St Helen's Ward and Cllr Ali from Dalgarno ward.
St Helen's ward will be contested by Billy Beckett and Lucy Shaw, completing Labour's candidate announcements for the borough.
Liberal Democrat Selections Confirmed
The Liberal Democrats have confirmed their candidates for two key wards. In Earl's Court ward, James Ortiz and Sofia Gurrola will join incumbent councillor Linda Wade in contesting the seats. Pembridge ward will see Sam Dodgshon, who narrowly missed out in the previous election, and Hridi Chowdhury representing the party.
Cllr Wade commented on the upcoming election, stating: "After decades without real change, residents in Kensington and Chelsea are increasingly clear that the current approach is no longer working. From housing to financial decisions to the everyday condition of our streets, people want a council that listens and delivers."
She added: "Liberal Democrats are offering a credible local alternative — standing in every ward, focused on accountability, practical solutions and restoring confidence in how the borough is run."
Green Party Candidates Enter the Fray
The Green Party has confirmed its candidates for several wards, including sitting Councillor Mona Adam, a former Labour councillor, who will be joined by James Alexander Clarke and Mona Crocker in Golborne ward. In Dalgarno ward, Mary Toover and Bhupinder Kaur Sudan will be pitching to voters.
Perhaps most notably, former Labour councillor turned Independent Toby Benton will represent the Green Party in Colville ward. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I care deeply about North Kensington and about the future of the Left. North Kensington deserves better than careerists, foisted on us by a party machine that puts party before principle. That's why, this May, I'm standing for re-election in Colville as a Green."
Benton continued: "For too long, Labour has not only abandoned its socialist roots, but has pursued a sustained and deliberate project to marginalise the Left, attack local activists, and undermine local democracy, leaving far too many ordinary people politically homeless. The Green Party's renewed leadership, growing membership, and commitment to democracy now make it the only credible vehicle for the genuinely unifying left voice we so badly need."
He concluded: "I will continue working closely with my colleagues in the Independent Group to challenge the Tory council, mounting the bold opposition Labour cannot and providing an authentic voice for the people of our legendary community."
Election Context and Borough Significance
These candidate announcements and departures come at a critical moment for Kensington and Chelsea, one of London's most politically significant boroughs. With all seats contested and multiple parties fielding candidates in every ward, the May elections could potentially reshape the council's political balance.
The borough has experienced considerable political turbulence in recent years, making these elections particularly important for residents and political observers alike. The full candidate lists are expected to be released in the coming weeks, providing a complete picture of the electoral landscape before voters go to the polls.
