Liberal Democrats celebrate as they become main opposition party

Labour now has 59 councillors on Ealing Council

May 6, 2022

The Labour Party has held onto Ealing Council, securing power for another four years. The strong result for Labour saw the party pick up two more seats to give them 59 councillors but the Liberal Democrats also had cause for celebration increasing their number of councillors to six.

The Lib Dems added an extra seat to the one held by Jon Ball in Ealing Common and took one in Hanger Hill as well as hanging on to the three they held in Southfield ward.

The Green Party and the Ealing Independent Network won no seats with the Conservatives losing three seats and retaining five – three in Ealing Broadway ward and two in Hanger Hill with losses in Northfield, Ealing Common and Hanger Hill.

Across the borough, a total of 264 candidates from nine parties battled it out for 70 seats across 24 wards.

Labour retained control of the council despite local controversy over the introduction of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods over the course of the Covid pandemic, which saw the previous leader of the council ousted in May 2021. Other issues voters considered as they headed to the polls included the high levels of development in the borough.

Tower blocks springing up in parts of the borough have proved controversial: while supporters highlighted the need for affordable housing in Ealing, critics campaigned against building high-rise blocks of flats and the loss of open green space.

Candidates also laid out plans for how they would tackle the borough’s high levels of pollution and support its green development. The national cost of living crisis also featured on the agenda for voters.

Labour’s victory in Ealing signifies the fourth consecutive administration for the party, who have been in power since 2010. This year’s election marked a departure from previous years due to a shake up of ward boundaries, with 69 seats available in just 20 wards in 2018.

Labour Council Leader Peter Mason said, “We said we would be an open, inclusive and transparent party, and this is what Ealing Labour will continue to deliver. We are both humbled and elated to be re-elected to a historic fourth term with an increased majority.

“We remain hopeful and energetic to change our borough for the better with the faith and confidence that the people of our incredible borough have given us.”