Westminster City Council will be “one to watch” at the upcoming elections on May 7. Whichever party wins control of the local council will be victorious in one of the most recognisable parts of the country.
As things stand, experts believe the results will be a two-party race, between the Conservatives and the Labour Party. Tony Travers, who is a researcher in elections and lecturer at the London School of Economics, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the results balance on a “knife-edge” margin.
Labour, Conservatives, Reform and the Greens are all standing 54 candidates across the 18 wards. The Liberal Democrats will be fielding 45 nominees. There is also one independent and one Workers Party candidate running.
Here are the major manifesto promises for the principal parties running candidates in Westminster, in the event they take or keep control of the council.
Conservatives
There are some of the key things the Conservatives have pledged in Westminster. You can read their full manifesto on their website.
Housing and services
- Assess each building in the PDHU (Pimlico District Heating Undertaking) and create a costed plan focusing on value for money
- Introduce five core standards for temporary accommodation
- A community-based repairs guarantee for urgent and emergency repairs
- More homes for those who serve in Westminster
Communities
- Implement a Cabinet Member for Enforcement from day one
- Protect Outstanding children’s services
- Transform libraries into modern hubs
- Lobby for short-stay mental health beds
Environment and transport
- Remove graffiti from the streets and introduce inspectors at key problem times
- Fight for an accessible and locally-shaped Oxford Street
- Expand EV charging
- Protect bus routes and tackle noisy road users
- Reach WHO air quality targets by 2040
Economy and finance
- Keep council tax as low as possible and fight against the proposed Family Home Tax
- Review council contracts and spending
- Back businesses and the night-time economy
- Resist any attempt by the Mayor to seize licensing powers from the council
- Unlock vacant buildings
Labour
There are some of the key policies and things Labour has pledged in Westminster.You can read their full manifesto here.
Housing
- Build 1,500 social and truly affordable homes across Westminster by 2035
- Provide responsive and high-quality housing services
- Stamp out short-term lets
- Sort out the controversial Pimlico District Heating Undertaking
Communities
- Invest in community centres, hubs, libraries and leisure centres
- Install a further 150 cameras across the borough to help tackle crime
- Raise the income threshold when older and disabled residents pay for home care to over £300 per week
- Support plans by Imperial NHS to build a new St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington
Economy and finance
- Deliver plans to pedestrianise Lower Regent Street
- Guaranteed work placements for young people who are not in education, employment or training
- Keep council tax in the borough low, after it was already frozen this year
- Introduce a programme to deliver savings and maintains robust council reserves
Environment and transport
- Reduce the number of children killed or seriously injured on roads to zero by 2030
- Improve late-night transport and air quality
- Keep Westminster’s streets clean by tackling fly-tipping and increasing recycling rates
- Continue to progress towards being a net zero city by 2040
Liberal Democrats
There are some of the key policies and things the Liberal Democrats have pledged in Westminster. You can find out more here.
Economy and finance
- Improve spending and focus on frontline services to make council tax better value for money
- Secure Westminster’s fair share of the Overnight Visitor Levy
- Support independent businesses and local high streets
Communities
- More visible policing on the streets and crack down on crime
- More green spaces for children and rebuild youth services
- Increase community meeting spaces and ensure residents feel listened to
- Improve access to mental health and SEND support
- Hold the Mayor of London to account for decisions affecting Westminster
Housing
- Deliver genuinely affordable homes for local people
- Ensure short-term lets contribute fairly through higher visitor levy rates
- Bring empty homes back into use
Environment and transport
- Secure the best deal for residents impacted by Oxford Street’s pedestrianisation and address traffic displacement
- Tackle air pollution in residential areas and near schools
- Increase tree planting and green spaces
Greens
There are some of the key campaign priorities for the Green Party in Westminster. You can find out more here.
Housing
- Ensure repairs are carried out and damp and mould are tackled without delay
- Tackle social housing waiting lists
- Push for more genuinely affordable homes
Communities
- Create safe spaces and clubs where young people can socialise
- Expand career pathways for young people
- Address the root causes of ASB and knife crime
- Call on Westminster Council to divest public money from companies profiting from the occupation of Palestine
Economy and finance
- Keep high streets open and vibrant
- Relaxed approach to licensing in Soho
- Ensure people are not priced our by sky-high rents and bills
Environment
- Safe, clean streets where children can play
- More bins, action on fly-tipping and dog fouling
- Protect parks and green spaces
Reform
These are some of the key campaign priorities for Reform UK in Westminster. You can find out more here.
Housing
- Enforce regulation on short-term rentals
- End poor repair services for council tenants and leaseholders
Communities
- Fight crime by increasing frontlines officers
- Add more CCTV coverage
- Stop “hate marches” in Westminster
Environment and transport
- Restore Grade A street cleaning, remove graffiti and fly-tipping prosecutions
- Fine e-bike operators for bad parking
- Co-ordinate roadworks with AI to minimise disruption to your lives
- Create cycleways that work for everyone
- Oppose Oxford Street’s pedestrianisation
Economy and finance
- Keep council tax low
- Make council spending more efficient
