The list excludes several current councillors, including Tom Connor and Jonathan O’Dea, who are generally seen as being on the left-wing of the party, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
Waltham Forest Labour has unveiled its list of incumbent candidates standing in the 2026 election.
Waltham Forest Council is controlled by a substantial Labour majority, with the Conservatives forming the official opposition with 13 members.
The list excludes several current councillors, including Tom Connor and Jonathan O’Dea, who are generally seen as being on the left-wing of the party.
Councillor Connor, who represents the High Street ward and sits on the housing scrutiny committee, was suspended in January after voting against cuts to council tax support.
The controversial scheme, which officials said would save the town hall £2.23 million, changed the tax rules so thousands of residents on low incomes who previously only paid 15% of their council tax bill now pay as much as 43%.
The councillor told the Echo, shortly after his hearing: “A decision that would increase the financial hardship of those residents already known to be in poverty is not something I could vote for.”
A retired local government worker, he was supported by the socialist pressure group Momentum when he was selected to stand for election in 2017.
Other absences include St James ward councillor Sebastian Salek, while Lea Bridge councillor Gerry Lyons will now stand for election in the Valley ward.
No cabinet members have been removed from the ballots.
The party says candidates for the remaining wards will be selected later in the year.
Next year’s local elections, set for 7th May, will be seen as an indicator for how people feel about the mainstream political parties.
Most seats in the country were last up for election in 2022, when Labour won control of 74 councils against the Tories’ 35.
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations
