Brent elections 2026: What to know as voters go to the polls

Here is our guide to some of the key points you need to know ahead of the council elections in Brent on 7 May…

How has Brent voted in the past?

Labour controls 21 out of the 32 councils in London and Brent has been one of its strongholds, controlled by the party since 2010.

However, its majority fell by 11 seats in 2022, where it won 49 of 57 seats, while five ex-Labour councillors defected to the Green Party in December last year.  

 What might happen this year?

Projected results for Brent mirror the national picture of emerging multi-party politics, with Labour predicted to retain control with a smaller majority.

Professor Tony Travers, of the London School of Economics, said in a BBC interview: “Labour is well in control in Brent, but they’re losing slightly to the Conservatives in the north of the borough.

“They could lose to Greens in other parts of the borough as well, there have been previous defections.

“So, although Labour are likely to hold on, it will likely be with a reduced majority.”

What do the parties say?

Green Party leader Zack Polanski said they aim for “a new record-breaking result” in London.

In Brent, this would mean winning six seats or more to overtake the Conservatives’ current share.

The councillors who defected claimed Labour would allow developers to build luxury homes, and that developments at Watling Gardens and Neasden Goods Yard lacked affordable housing.

Nationally, Labour’s housing secretary Steve Reed MP said the Green Party has blocked 42,000 new homes being built – including 13,000 social and affordable homes.

Brent Labour leader Muhammed Butt said: “Brent Labour is about action, not rhetoric.

“We are the only party with a proven track record of delivery in this borough.”

Butt added the council was among London’s top five homebuilders, and street repairs and community policing would make a “cleaner, safer and more affordable borough.” 

Liberal Democrat Councillor Charlie Clinton said: “People are angry.

“They walk out of their homes and they see rubbish on the streets, potholes in the road and pavements falling apart.”

Clinton added that one of his constituents fell out of their wheelchair after hitting a broken pavement.

After attacks on local businesses, a spokesperson for Brent West Conservatives said: “Labour run Brent Council has utterly failed in providing ‘Safe neighbourhood’!”

Which issues matter to locals?

The campaigns match national polling, which places potholes and the cost of living as the two most important local issues.

A petition to grant listed status to the Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre – closed by the Council last July for redevelopment – gained 1,173 signatures.

Founded in 1981 to support to Brent’s black community after the Brixton riots, it was Europe’s largest black-led social enterprise, served 3,000 people weekly and created 300 jobs.

A spokesperson for the Save Bridge Park campaign said: “Bridge Park is more than bricks and mortar — it’s a symbol of hope, resilience, and unity.”

Home to Trojan Records, which brought reggae to Britain in 1968, Brent has the sixth-highest percentage of Black Caribbean residents of any local authority in England.

Jamie, who works at an independent restaurant in Wembley, said: “It would be nice to see youth centres.

“I’d like to see more youth centres where young people can go and socialise.

“We used to have them and they started closing all the centres.”

Featured image: Joe Rattue