In what may later be viewed as the beginning of Labour’s electoral comeback following the devastating May local elections, the party retained the Trinity Ward seat in Wandsworth to deny the Conservatives outright control of the council.
The by-election, triggered by the resignation of former Deputy Leader and Labour Councillor, Lizzy Dobres, was seen as the first real test of the Conservatives’ minority leadership after the Labour party lost control of the Council in May.
While also acting as a litmus test of Burnham’s premiership more broadly, the by-election was crucial for the governing conservatives who were one seat short of a majority, relying on an independent councillor to pass important local legislation.
In what was a closely fought victory fought by all five key parties, Labour’s Shirin Georgiani pipped third time Conservative Candidate Otto Jacobsson to the post, securing 1,558 in comparison to his 1,431.
While control was narrowly fought by these two candidates, the competition dropped away, with the Greens, Liberal Democrats and Reform struggling to secure more than 5% of the vote, netting 168, 75 and 51 votes respectively.
The by-election therefore does not change the composition or control of the council; however it prevents the Conservatives from securing outright control and keeps them beholden to independent Councillor, Malcolm Grinston, who they rely on through a confidence and supply agreement.
It also follows the resignation of Conservative leader Aled Richards-Jones in July, after which the party appointed Robert Morritt as the new leader of Wandsworth Council.
While the leadership transition has provided continuity for the administration, Labour’s victory in the Trinity by-election denies the Conservatives an opportunity to strengthen their position on the council, meaning the new leader will continue to govern in a politically sensitive environment with little room for error.
This result will therefore likely worry Conservatives both in Wandsworth and London more broadly, who have now seen the Burnham bounce in polls materialise into a result for Labour in Wandsworth.
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