Major Shake-Up at Westminster City Council as Eight Councillors Depart
Westminster City Council is facing a significant transformation as eight councillors have confirmed they will not be standing in the upcoming local elections this May. The departures include representatives from three major political parties, marking one of the most substantial changes to the council's composition in recent years.
Political Landscape Shifts Ahead of May Elections
The confirmed departures consist of five Labour councillors, two Conservative councillors, and one Reform UK representative. This exodus comes as voters prepare to go to the polls on May 7th, with all parties expected to field new candidates in the coming weeks. The council, which Labour won control of for the first time in 2022, currently has 28 Labour members, 24 Conservative members, and two Reform UK members who recently defected from the Conservative Party.
Reform UK's Mayoral Candidate Leads Departures
Among the most prominent figures stepping down is Reform UK councillor Laila Cunningham, who has represented Lancaster Gate ward since 2022. Cunningham has officially declared her intention to run for Mayor of London in 2028 and will not be contesting her council seat to focus entirely on her mayoral campaign. She recently pledged that her party's manifesto would be written "by Londoners, for Londoners" and has criticised current Mayor Sadiq Khan for allegedly ignoring the capital's needs.
Cunningham recently defended her decision to attend an event with a grooming gang survivor rather than a Full Council meeting, stating through a spokesperson that the issue was important to her residents and survivors who have been "failed by the system." Her Reform UK colleague on the council, Alan Mendoza, has yet to confirm whether he will contest his Abbey Road ward seat.
Labour Councillors Cite Various Reasons for Departure
The Labour councillors stepping down represent a diverse range of experiences and reasons for leaving:
Ryan Jude, Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology, Culture and Air Quality, is leaving due to family reasons and plans to return to the North West. Jude, who also serves as director of the Green Finance Institute, expressed pride in Labour's achievements in Westminster, particularly regarding climate action and social housing development.
James Small-Edwards, who serves as both a councillor for Bayswater ward and a London Assembly Member for West Central, is stepping down to focus on his GLA responsibilities. His work has included funding youth clubs and helping introduce affordable housing planning documents.
Matt Noble is ending eight years as Church Street ward councillor for personal reasons, having previously served in cabinet positions including Climate Action, Regeneration and Renters. Noble recently faced scrutiny over a housing development contract with Geoffrey Osborne, which collapsed two years after being awarded despite internal warnings about the company's financial stability.
Ruth Bush, who became Westminster's first Labour Lord Mayor in 2019-20 after being first elected in 2005, announced her retirement during a Full Council meeting in January.
Paul Dimoldenberg, who has served on the council since 1982 across different wards and served as Lord Mayor last year, is also retiring after announcing his departure in June.
Conservative Departures Mark End of Era
The Conservative councillors stepping down both bring considerable experience to their retirement:
Jacqui Wilkinson, who has represented Pimlico since 2015 in various ward configurations, is retiring after holding multiple deputy cabinet positions.
Louise Hyams, elected to the council in 1998 and representing St James's Ward since then, served as Lord Mayor of Westminster in 2008-2009 and is now retiring from her council duties.
Parties Prepare for Election Battle
Westminster Labour Chief Whip Iman Less thanked the departing councillors for their "exceptional" service and confirmed several replacement candidates. Jenneba Sie-Jollah and Connor Jones will join sitting councillor Ellie Ormsby to contest Lancaster Gate ward seats, while Fiona Parker will replace Matt Noble in Church Street, Nigel Medford will replace Paul Dimoldenberg in Hyde Park, and Rhys Thomas will replace Ruth Bush in Harrow Road.
Conservative Leader Paul Swaddle expressed gratitude for the "many decades" of public service provided by the departing councillors and confirmed his party would announce candidates closer to the election. Reform UK stated they would be standing candidates in every ward for the upcoming London local elections, with announcements to follow in due course.
The mass departure represents a significant moment for Westminster City Council, potentially reshaping the political dynamics of one of London's most historically significant local authorities as it approaches the May elections.
