Keir Starmer's Labour on course for 'historic losses' in London strongholds held for decades

Keir Starmer's Labour on course for 'historic losses' in London strongholds held for decadesThe left-wing Green Party, which currently controls no councils in the 32 London boroughs up for grabs on May 7, could emerge as the biggest party in four local authoritiesCommentsNewsAshley Cowburn Deputy Political Editor11:29, 22 Apr 2026Updated 11:36, 22 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesKeir Starmer's Labour faces a bruising night in the capital, major MRP poll suggests(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)Labour faces “historic losses” across its London heartland as the Green Party eats into its vote, a major poll shows just a fortnight before voters head to the polls.‌According to YouGov's MRP survey, Keir Starmer's party will maintain the biggest vote share in 15 councils - down by six compared to the 2022 borough elections.‌Meanwhile the left-wing Green Party, which currently controls no councils in the 32 London boroughs up for grabs on May 7, could emerge as the biggest party in four local authorities. They are areas Labour has been in power for decades, including Hackney, Lambeth, Waltham Forest and Lewisham.‌Nigel Farage's right-wing Reform UK could also become the largest party on three suburban councils in London - Bromley, Havering, and Barking and Dagenham.Across the capital as a whole, YouGov's survey shows Labour on 26% of the vote - down 16% compared to the last borough elections in 2022 - and the Greens on 22%. It found the Tories on 17%, the Liberal Democrats on 15% and Reform UK on 14%.READ MORE: Keir Starmer's united front with Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham ahead of crunch electionsREAD MORE: Angela Rayner outlines the 'bold action' needed from Keir Starmer over Iran war falloutView 2 ImagesKeir Starmer with the Labour Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)‌The pollster, which surveyed over 4,500 adults in London, said its results project a "seismic shift for local government in the capit...