Key Points
- The Labour Party has maintained overall control of Camden Council, securing 30 out of 55 seats.
- This result marks a significant decline for the Labour Party, which previously held 47 seats following the 2022 elections.
- Camden Council Leader Richard Olszewski was defeated by Green Party candidates in the Holborn and Covent Garden ward, a constituency previously considered a Labour stronghold.
- The Green Party has emerged as the largest opposition group on the council, increasing its total count to 11 councillors.
- Liberal Democrat representation on the council has increased to 10 seats.
- Other results include the Conservative Party securing three seats, and the Camden People’s Alliance winning one seat in St Pancras and Somers Town.
- Turnout for the Holborn and Covent Garden ward was recorded at 37.4 per cent.
Camden (North London News) May 9, 2026 — The Labour Party has successfully retained control of Camden Council, although its overall majority was significantly reduced following a notable surge in support for the Green Party, which also resulted in the defeat of Council Leader Richard Olszewski.
Why did the Labour Party lose ground in this election?
Despite retaining 30 seats, the Labour Party saw its dominance diminish as it lost 17 seats compared to the 2022 election results. As reported by the Evening Standard, the result has left the ruling party with a reduced majority of 30 out of 55 council seats.
This election cycle saw a broad increase in electoral support for opposition parties, with the Green Party particularly benefiting, increasing their presence on the council to 11 seats.
What happened to the Council Leader Richard Olszewski?
The most high-profile casualty of the election was Council Leader Richard Olszewski, who was defeated in his attempt to secure a seat in the Holborn and Covent Garden ward.
According to reporting by The Fitzrovia News, Mr Olszewski, who previously served as a councillor for the Fortune Green ward, opted to stand in the Holborn and Covent Garden ward ahead of this election due to concerns regarding a strong challenge from the Liberal Democrats in his former ward.
This decision was described by The Fitzrovia News as a “chicken run,” where he sought a safer electoral environment only to be ousted by the Green Party in a result that analysts did not necessarily anticipate for that specific ward.
Reporting from The Guardian noted that Mr Olszewski was unsuccessful in his campaign for the Holborn and Covent Garden seat, with Green Party candidates Hamza Chowdhury, Jim Monahan, and James White achieving an “historic clean sweep” in the ward.
How do other political parties fare on the council?
The political landscape of the council has shifted to accommodate a more diverse range of representation. The Liberal Democrats have seen their influence grow, reaching a total of 10 councillors.
The Conservative Party currently holds three seats, while the Camden People’s Alliance has also secured a position on the council, winning a seat in the St Pancras and Somers Town area.
What is the background of this political development?
Camden Council has historically been a stronghold for the Labour Party, which held a robust majority of 47 seats after the 2022 local elections. The political climate in 2026, however, has seen significant volatility, with Labour facing challenges across several London boroughs, including the loss of control in Haringey and a major surge for the Green Party in areas like Waltham Forest and Hackney.
The Holborn and Covent Garden ward, which falls within the constituency of the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, was long viewed as a safe seat for Labour, making the Green Party’s victory there particularly significant in the context of London’s local political shifts.
How can this development affect local residents?
The shift toward a more balanced council with a significantly stronger opposition—led by the Green Party—is likely to impact the speed and nature of decision-making within Camden Town Hall. With Labour’s majority narrowed from 47 to 30 seats, the council’s administration will face greater scrutiny and may need to seek broader consensus or negotiation to pass major policy initiatives.
For residents, this could mean an increased focus on issues championed by the opposition, such as local environmental policies, housing concerns, and community service provisions, as the council becomes a more contested environment. Furthermore, the loss of the council leader necessitates an internal leadership transition, which will define the tone of local governance for the remainder of the term.
