Malcolm Grimston blocks Conservative majority in Wandsworth
Wandsworth went to no overall control after Labour lost six seats and fell to 28 councillors at the 2026 local election count. The Conservatives reached 29 councillors, one short of a majority, after independent councillor Malcolm Grimston won the only other seat in West Hill ward.
Grimston's 4,081 votes were described as the highest number of votes seen so far in any ward in London. That result fixed the balance of power on the council and stopped the Conservatives taking control on their own.
West Hill Ward Count
West Hill ward provided the deciding seat in Wandsworth. Grimston secured the only other seat there while the Conservatives missed a majority by one seat.
The council count came during overnight London results, with 10 councils counted overnight and the remaining 22 counting on Friday daytime or Saturday in Croydon. Wandsworth's result was part of that wider count, but its seat balance changed at the local level in one ward.
Wandsworth Seat Balance
Labour's total fell to 28 councillors after losing six seats. The Conservatives finished on 29 councillors, leaving no party with overall control.
That left council control dependent on the final distribution of seats rather than a single-party majority. For residents and groups dealing with the council, decisions now sit with a chamber in which neither of the two largest parties can govern alone.
London Council Results
Other London counts delivered clear outcomes elsewhere. Labour held Hammersmith and Fulham Council and Ealing Council, though it lost 19 seats in Ealing. The Greens made gains in Ealing.
The Liberal Democrats won all 54 seats in Richmond and 38 of 40 seats in Sutton. In Southall Green, Labour held all three seats, including Council Leader Peter Mason. In Norwood Green, Labour held two seats and lost one to an independent. In Greenford Broadway, Labour held all three seats, while in the West End ward the Conservatives won all three seats and took one seat from Labour. In South Acton, the Green Party gained one seat from Labour and Chief Whip Gareth Shaw lost re-election.
