The Labour Party held on in Merton to take some rare solace on a difficult night for the party in the local elections across South West London and beyond.
Despite pre-election predictions that the borough could swing to the Liberal Democrats, Labour actually extended its majority, securing 32 of the borough’s 57 seats.
In opposition the Lib Dems reached a tally of 19, an increase of two seats from previous years.
Labour Council Leader Ross Garrod said: “We are deeply humbled by the trust that the people of Merton have put in us once again, and we will work hard every day over the next four years to repay it.”
As the votes were counted in the early morning in Mitcham, it was clear Labour were heading towards a strong position despite multiple wards being recounted.
The Liberal Democrats entered the race establishing themselves as the largest opposition group in Merton which typically held a Conservative-Labour marginal council in previous years.
Liberal Democrat MP for Wimbledon Paul Kohler said: “We consolidated our position, we increased our number of councillors, we didn’t win, of course we would’ve liked to have won but we’ve gone further and we will hold Labour to account now.”
This was seen as their number one hope for further extending their south west reach into London, but it leaves them with only wins in Richmond and Sutton to celebrate overnight.
Former Labour Council leader and Ravensbury Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: “The Liberal Democrats have failed miserably in trying to add Merton Council to their others in South West London because the Labour administration is hard working and we have been talking about what’s to come forward.”
The Conservatives secured just four seats and the independent Merton Park Ward Residents Association won two.
The turnout total for Merton was 45.15%, a rise of 5.15% on the last local elections in 2022.
During the night at Canons Leisure Centre in Mitcham, party allegiances were briefly put aside, when a Liberal Democrat candidate collapsed and was assisted by a Reform UK candidate who is a doctor.
Merton’s election night focused on cleanliness around the borough with cross party policies on waste collection and accessibility tips.
The borough was a tense but orderly atmosphere as candidates reacted to the votes count.
You can check out all of South West Londoner’s local election coverage here.
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