On a difficult day for Labour, their blushes were spared in Islington as they retained the council despite a surge from the Green Party.
For decades, Islington has been considered a Labour stronghold, with the party controlling the council since 2010.
And while they lost 16 seats to the Greens, they still won 32 of the 51 seats on the council.
Labour councillor Sheila Chapman, who is currently on the exec committee, told the Islington Tribune: “People voted for Labour because they know that we will deliver.
“We’ve been out on the doorstep day in, day out. not just for the election, but throughout the year. Listening to people in Archway, putting their priorities first.”
However, it was not without controversy, as some Islington Community Independents (ICI) expressed their anger over the Green Party standing in specific seats.
“The Greens have shafted us”, said one candidate to the Islington Tribune.
“It just shows that it doesn’t matter how much groundwork you put in, people are going to vote based on what they see nationally”, said one ICI candidate.
However, support for the Green Party and independent candidates has steadily increased in recent years, reflecting changing political attitudes in inner London boroughs.
The Greens have claimed a landmark council victory in Waltham Forest, as well as the mayoralties of Lewisham and Hackney, with more potentially to come.
Cllr Benali Hamdache expressed great delight over his colleague Zoë Garbett’s victory in Hackney’s mayoral contest.
He keeps his seat in Highbury, along with two other Green candidates.
Former Green councillor Caroline Russell has resigned after serving Highbury for 12 years.
She told the Islington Tribune: “Not only is it the three in Highbury, they’ve now got colleagues all over the council, which will make such a difference. I was on my own for eight years and it was really tough. We can’t wait to see how amazing the new team do!”
The Green Party candidates have expressed their shock at the results after the Islington count.
Green Candidate Joy Patricia Hinson, who missed out by 12 votes in Laycock, told Islington Tribune: “We hardly even campaigned in this ward and we only missed it by 12 votes. It shows people are fed up of Labour and putting their faith in the Greens.”
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