The race to pick up seats at Southwark Council has led to both the Green Party and Reform standing significantly more candidates borough-wide than in the 2022 elections, writes Rich Brann.
Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats will contest every seat in Southwark ahead of May’s local elections, according to data from the Lib Dems, but the Greens have massively increased their number of candidates.
In particular, Zack Polanski’s party will be standing 61 candidates out of a possible 63 seats on the council, only failing to stand the maximum possible number of candidates in London Bridge and West Bermondsey, and Old Kent Road.
Reform UK, in the meantime, have stood 35 candidates in Southwark, standing the maximum number of candidates in Goose Green, St Georges, Newington, Rotherhithe, and Dulwich Wood only, with polling suggesting a fairly low level of support for Nigel Farage’s insurgent party in the borough.
In 2022, the Greens had stood 37 candidates across the borough, winning no seats at the time but have since picked up six councillors due to defections, including former council leader candidate James McAsh.
Labour currently control 45 of Southwark’s seats after originally being elected with 52, with the Lib Dems holding 11, the Greens holding 6, and there being one independent councillor.
The Conservatives have, as they did four years ago, stood a full 63 candidates across Southwark despite winning no seats in the previous election, with polls indicating generally tepid support.
Recent polling in Southwark has suggested that Labour may lose overall control of the borough as the Greens and Lib Dems pick up votes and wards, though not all polls have suggested this.
Southwark News will be covering the run-up to the 2026 local election in great detail, with our handy guide to the overall process available here.
Relatedarticles
