Labour Holds Redbridge Council as Independents Surge in 2026; Redbridge 2026

Key Points

• Labour retained control of Redbridge Council with 43 seats, down 15 from their previous 53 (or 58 in some prior counts) out of 63 total seats.
• Independents secured 9 seats, marking a +9 gain; many under Redbridge Independents banner.
• Conservatives held steady at 5 seats with no change.
• Green Party gained 5 seats.
• Reform UK won 1 seat.
• Elections held on Thursday, 7 May 2026, across all 32 London boroughs, with over six million eligible voters in London.
• All 63 seats in Redbridge were contested; turnout varied by ward, e.g., 52.52% in Monkhams, 27% in Clementswood.
• Notable winners include Jyotsna Islam (Labour, Aldborough), Harminder Bal (Labour, Barkingside), Stephen Adams (Conservative, Bridge), Muhammad Afzal (Redbridge Independents, Chadwell).
• Redbridge is a leafy, residential borough in north-east London, bordered by Epping Forest, Waltham Forest, Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Newham; known for schools, affordable housing, green spaces like Hainault Forest.

Redbridge (East London Times) May 13, 2026 – Labour Party has held onto control of Redbridge Council in the local elections on 7 May 2026, securing 43 of the 63 seats despite losing 15 to other parties.

Who Won the Local Election in Redbridge?

Labour emerged as the largest party with 43 seats after all votes were counted, maintaining majority control in the 63-seat council. Going into the election, Labour controlled 53 seats, with Conservatives on five, Independents on two, Ilford Independents on one, and two vacant, as reported in the live thread by NE Londoner.

The final tally showed Independents rising to 9 seats (+9), Conservatives at 5 (no change), Greens at 5 (+5), and Reform UK at 1 (+1).

As detailed on the official Redbridge Council website, ward-by-ward results confirmed Labour victories in multiple areas, such as Jyotsna Rahman Islam (1,729 votes, Aldborough), Lebo Phakoe (1,646 votes, Aldborough), and Kam Rai (1,874 votes, Aldborough).

In Barkingside, Harminder Singh Bal (1,785 votes), Syeda Ferdause Pasha (1,630 votes), and Martin Sachs (1,649 votes) won for Labour.

What Happened in Redbridge in the 2026 Council Election, and Who Won?

The election saw all 63 seats up for contest across Redbridge’s 21 wards, with turnout ranging from 27% in Clementswood to over 52% in Monkhams. Conservatives swept Bridge ward with Stephen Adams (1,475 votes), Adam Joiner (1,302 votes), and Josiah Moseley (1,182 votes).

Greens made inroads in South Woodford, where Kallan Greybe (1,299 votes) and Monika Patel (1,309 votes) were elected alongside Labour’s Beverley Lisa Brewer (1,464 votes).

In Chadwell ward, a diverse outcome emerged: Muhammad Touseef Afzal (Redbridge Independents, 1,060 votes), Niamh Victoria Atkins (Green, 946 votes), and Bert Alexander Jones (Labour, 1,171 votes). NE Londoner highlighted key shifts, noting Redbridge Independents’ successes like Hossain Mohammed Enamul in Ilford Town (905 votes).

Redbridge Council’s results page lists full candidate votes, such as in Hainault where Reform UK’s Neil Philip Anderson won with 1,378 votes against Labour’s Shah Muhammad Jahir Ali (1,523 votes) and Helen Mullis (1,573 votes).

When Were the 2026 Local Elections in London?

More than six million Londoners were eligible to vote in the council elections on Thursday 7 May 2026, covering all 32 London boroughs. Mayoral elections also occurred in five boroughs: Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, and Tower Hamlets.

In Redbridge, the notice of election was published on 9 April 2026, with nominations closing 4pm that day, as posted by Redbridge Council Official on Facebook.

Polling stations operated standard hours, with results declared overnight into 8 May, as tracked by NE Londoner and BBC News.

Explore More Redbridge Council News

Redbridge local election results 2026 – Redbridge 2026

Redbridge 2026 Elections: Reform vs Labour in Key Wards, Redbridge 2026

Ward-by-Ward Breakdown: Key Victories and Surprises

Labour dominated in wards like Churchfields, with Lloyd Jacob Duddridge (1,808 votes), Judith Anne Naomi Garfield (1,664 votes), and Guy Owen Mansfield Williams (1,597 votes). Fullwell saw Matthew Goddin (1,868 votes), Linda Anne Mullis (1,771 votes), and Vibhu Taneja (1,773 votes).

In Clayhall, Kalpana Bose (1,529 votes), Kamal Hussain Qureshi (1,284 votes), and Jamal Uddin (1,359 votes) prevailed.

Independent and Green Gains

Redbridge Independents performed strongly in Cranbrook: Mohamed Shukry Haleemdeen (1,088 votes) and Feza Haque (1,200 votes), with Labour’s Chaudhary Mushtaq Ahmed (1,143 votes). Valentines ward elected Rashida Khanam Choudhery (1,576 votes) and Marwan Elfallah (1,435 votes) for Independents, and Labour’s Alex Charlton-Holmes (1,501 votes).

Greens succeeded in Wanstead Park with Milli Richards Clack (1,156 votes) and Wanstead Village with Susan Imelda Whitehead (1,478 votes).

Conservative and Reform Wins

Monkhams went to Conservatives Joel Anthony Herga (2,055 votes) and Clark Edward Vasey (1,972 votes). Reform UK’s sole seat was Neil Philip Anderson in Hainault.

Broader London Context

Across London, results were mixed: Conservatives gained Westminster from Labour (32 seats to 22), Liberal Democrats held Richmond upon Thames (54 seats) and Sutton (51 seats), Reform UK won Havering (39 seats), as per Secret London. Labour held several boroughs but faced losses; Greens’ Zoe Garbett won Hackney mayoralty, Labour’s Forhad Hussain took Newham.

Pre-election projections by PollCheck had Labour at 37 seats (range 27-41), but they achieved 43.

Background of the 2026 Redbridge Election

Redbridge, in north-east London, borders Epping Forest District (Essex) to the north, Waltham Forest to the west, Havering to the east, Barking and Dagenham to the south-east, and Newham to the south-west.

The borough is predominantly residential and leafy, popular with families and commuters due to Central line links to the City, high-performing schools, relatively affordable housing compared to central London, and green spaces like Hainault Forest.

Prior to 2026, Labour had strengthened its hold; 2022 saw them at 58 seats versus Conservatives’ 5. The 2026 vote followed national trends of rising Independents and smaller parties, amid campaigns on local issues like housing and environment. Redbridge notice of election started the period on 9 April 2026. Turnout averaged around 40-45% across wards.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Redbridge Residents

Labour’s retained majority with 43 seats enables continued policy implementation on housing, schools, and green spaces, providing stability for the borough’s family-oriented residents. The 9 Independent seats, particularly Redbridge Independents, may push for localised scrutiny on issues like community facilities, potentially leading to cross-party collaborations or oppositions on budgets.

Green gains (5 seats) could influence environmental priorities, such as expanding Hainault Forest or sustainability projects, affecting commuters seeking greener transport options. Conservatives’ 5 seats and Reform’s 1 may advocate for fiscal conservatism, impacting council tax decisions for the over six million Londoners’ suburban counterparts.

Residents in wards like Bridge (Conservative) or South Woodford (mixed Labour-Green) might see tailored services, while lower-turnout areas like Clementswood (27%) signal potential disengagement risks, influencing future voter outreach. Overall, fragmented opposition could slow major decisions but foster diverse representation for Redbridge’s diverse commuter population.