Kensington and Chelsea election: Routine hold for Tories in west London

By Jacob Phillips, Local Democracy Reporter

The Conservative Party has tightened its grip on Kensington and Chelsea Council by winning 35 seats at the local election.

Despite Labour making huge gains in neighbouring councils, the Conservatives still have a tight grip over Kensington and Chelsea, with Labour unable to improve on their 2018 result.

The opposition party still has 13 seats, with a second Liberal Democrat councillor also being elected.

Across the borough, a total of 146 candidates battled it out for 50 seats across 18 wards.

The Conservatives and Labour had both put forward 50 candidates while there were also 39 Liberal Democrat candidates, four Green candidates, and three Independents.

The night saw little drama with the most excitement coming over the hotly contested Earl’s Court ward.

A recount was held for the seat after there were just eight votes separating the Lib Dems and Tories. Ultimately the Tories took one seat and the Lib Dems took the other two.

Pictured top: A polling station