The last time a councillor was elected in Enfield without wearing a Labour or Conservative rosette, Tony Blair was still in Downing Street. That could be about to change. On Thursday 7 May, residents across the borough will vote in what is shaping up to be the most unpredictable local election Enfield has seen in a generation. With six parties contesting seats, there is, for the first time in years, uncertainty over whether Labour will retain control.
What does the council actually do?
If you’ve never voted in a local election before, here’s why it matters: the council controls much of what shapes daily life in Enfield. Bin collections, planning decisions, local roads, parks, social care, and school places all fall under its remit. Councillors represent their ward at the town hall, scrutinise how public money is spent, and vote on policies that affect the borough directly.
Each of Enfield’s 25 wards elects either two or three councillors, giving a total of 63 seats. Labour has been in charge since 2010 and currently hold 37 of the 63 seats, with 25 going to the Conservatives and one to an independent. To take overall control of the council, a party needs at least 32 seats.
Who’s standing and what are they promising?
Labour
Labour is seeking what would be a record fifth consecutive term in charge. The party is running on its track record in Enfield, pointing to the ongoing regeneration of Meridian Water in Edmonton and investment in council housing as evidence of long-term thinking. Their manifesto commits to building more affordable homes, improving street cleanliness, and protecting the local environment. Council leader Ergin Erbil wrote in the Labour manifesto that the party aims to “make streets safer and cleaner” and “build more genuinely affordable homes” alongside policies supporting young people.
Conservatives
The Conservatives, who currently hold 25 seats, are making council finances their central issue. Their five-point manifesto includes launching an independent inquiry into financial decision-making at the council over the past 16 years, alongside a plan to reduce debt. They are also promising to restore weekly bin collections and review Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), two issues that have been primary points of concern for residents. Maria Alexandrou, a Conservative candidate in Winchmore Hill, said her priorities include reopening roads closed by LTNs “to alleviate traffic” and reinstating weekly collections, arguing the current approach has led to “more fly-tipping and dirty streets.”
Enfield Community Independents
Enfield Community Independents are standing 17 candidates across eight wards, mainly in Edmonton, and represent something genuinely different: a locally-rooted group aligned nationally with Jeremy Corbyn’s Your Party. They are pledging to remove Enfield Council as the master developer of the Meridian Water project, arguing the decision-making has been costly. They also want to offer residents free larger recycling bins to tackle fly-tipping, and commit to regular ward forums on issues such as 20mph speed limits and LTNs. Khalid Sadur, ECI’s leader and a candidate in Upper Edmonton, told North London News that the group aims to have councillors who are “based in the community” and genuinely engaged with residents.
“People respond to people,”
he said, emphasising the importance of regular contact with residents through ward forums, addressing local issues, and responding to queries.
Greens
The Green Party is targeting wards in the west where younger, more progressive voters have been drifting away from Labour. Their manifesto focuses on protecting Enfield’s Green Belt, expanding low-traffic and LTNs, improving air quality, and opposing the expansion of the Edmonton incinerator. On housing, the Greens want to increase affordable social-rent homes and bring empty properties back into use. Claudia Mayuba, a Green candidate in Edmonton Green ward, wrote on the party’s website that her priority is to foster “a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant neighbourhood,” including improving local services and creating more opportunities for young people.
Shakira, Tathy and Claudia, the Green candidates for Edmonton Green ward, said:
“We see and hear the struggles our neighbours are going through… from maintaining council homes to a liveable standard to making sure our streets aren’t full of rubbish. We’ve had a complacent, basically unresponsive council for the best part of a decade. It’s time to give Edmonton Green a better option for positive change.”
Reform UK
Reform UK is standing a full slate of 63 candidates in Enfield for the first time. Their pitch centres on council finances, with proposals for public spending dashboards and a review of contracts and procurement. Like the Conservatives, they want LTNs removed and weekly bin collections restored. The party is also pledging to bring back street litter bins that were removed under Labour, and to work with TfL to review the bus network. On housing, Reform wants to prioritise family homes, protect the Green Belt, and review the Meridian Water development. The party has also outlined plans for community hubs and expanded mental health support for young people.
Liberal Democrats
The Lib Dems manifesto opens with democratic reform as their defining issue, promising regular open meetings where residents can raise concerns directly, a revamped consultation process, and a committee system of governance designed to give minority voices a greater say. On local issues, they are pledging to protect the Green Belt, restore street litter bins, work with TfL to review the bus network, and push Network Rail to deliver step-free access to stations on the Hertford Loop Line. The party increased its vote share significantly at the 2022 election without winning seats.
How to vote on 7 May
Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May. You will need to bring photo ID; a passport, driving licence, or one of a number of accepted alternatives. If you’re unsure which ward you’re in, who your candidates are, or where your polling station is, visit enfield.gov.uk.
