Wandsworth Council is set to be led by a Conservative administration after the party struck a deal with an Independent councillor, following dramatic local election results that ended Labour's one-term control. The council moved to no overall control on May 7, but the Conservative minority has now arranged to govern, being one seat short of the 30 needed for a majority.
Conservative-Led Administration
The Conservatives emerged as the largest single group on the authority with 29 seats, up seven from the 22 seats secured in 2022. Labour holds 28 seats, down seven from 35 at the last election. The group has agreed a confidence and supply arrangement in principle with Independent councillor Malcolm Grimston, who retained his seat with 4,081 votes, the highest tally in the ward.
Under the agreement, Councillor Grimston will support the Conservatives on key votes such as the annual budget and confidence motions. He has represented West Hill since 1994, initially as a Conservative before becoming an Independent in 2014. He will remain an Independent without a cabinet position, and the arrangement will be reviewed annually.
Priorities and Reviews
Incoming Conservative Council Leader Aled Richards-Jones stated the priority is a "well-run council that delivers for every resident." The Conservatives have launched spending and constitutional reviews, with results to be considered at the first full council meeting in July. The spending review will examine all expenditure, including major projects and borrowing plans, to identify immediate savings. A recruitment freeze is in place except in exceptional circumstances, and independent assessments of programs will be conducted.
The constitutional review aims to make the council more open, transparent, and effective, focusing on improving scrutiny, enabling councillors to raise issues, and clarifying processes. Proposed changes will go through a cross-party committee before adoption.
Election Results
Labour entered the elections with 34 of 58 seats after losing a by-election in 2024, while the Conservatives had 21 seats following a defection to Reform. The results were disappointing for Labour, a sharp contrast to 2022 when they won control for the first time since 1978. The Conservatives failed to secure a majority in what was once Margaret Thatcher's favorite council.
Key gains for the Conservatives included seats in Nine Elms, St Mary's, West Putney, Trinity, Wandle, and Battersea Park. Labour Group Leader Simon Hogg retained his seat in Falconbrook. The Greens did not win any seats but drew votes in Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway.
The Conservative manifesto focused on curbing Labour's borrowing, protecting core services, funding more police, and promoting homeownership. Labour promised to maintain low council tax, build 1,000 council homes, double street cleaning, and introduce neighborhood wardens.
Councillor Richards-Jones is set to be formally elected as Council Leader on May 27, with full governance arrangements confirmed then.
