The Greens, who said they were “ecstatic” with the result, will now decide who will lead their first ever administration in Waltham Forest over the next week, reports Marco Marcelline

The Green Party has won control of Waltham Forest Council in a stunning upset that has reduced Labour to being the main opposition party with just 15 seats, down from 44. 

The Greens, who said they were “ecstatic” with the result, will now decide who will lead their first ever administration in Waltham Forest over the next week.

The new Green councillor for Lea Bridge Liz Biggs said she was “absolutely delighted” with the result. She told the Echo: “We’ve shown what can be achieved when you have the community behind you. We will continue to work hard for Waltham Forest. The real work begins now!”

A glum looking Labour party, who declined to comment whatsoever throughout the day, saw their total seat number collapse amid an evaporation in support across Walthamstow, Leytonstone and Leyton.

Meanwhile, the Conservative Party saw off a challenge from Reform UK, picking up all three seats held by the Nigel Farage-led party on top of snatching a seat from Labour’s Elizabeth Baptiste in Valley ward. 

The party’s leader Emma Best told the Echo she was proud of the “strong campaign” the party had run in the north of the borough, and pointed out the exceptionally high turnout that was witnessed in Chingford Green (51.42%).

Speaking before the final result was declared, she said: “We’re really happy with the way things have gone. I’m very confident that we’ll be returning with a strong opposition to hold the Greens to account. We know that we will still be the sensible voice for Waltham Forest as an opposition to this council.”

The turnout for this local election is 42.08%, Waltham Forest Council has confirmed. 

The day began with restrained excitement from the Green Party whose cheers grew only louder as it became clear that they were tearing into previous Labour strongholds.

Their first win came with the very first declaration, with Rachel Barrat unseating Labour cabinet member Naheed Asghar and claiming the Greens’ first ever council seat in Waltham Forest.

With 872 votes on a turnout of 31.63% – one of the lower turnouts in the borough reported – Rachel said she was “surprised” but “very excited” to get started as a councillor. 

As the afternoon wore on, the results started coming thick and fast for the Greens, with the party winning their first full slate of candidates in Lea Bridge – and wiping out Labour. 

Liz Biggs, Solène Fabios and Rosie Rowlands won with 2,433, 2,236, and 2,304 votes respectively – while Labour’s fourth-placed candidate Shabana Dhedhi trailed behind with 1,087 votes. 

This victory set off a chain of further full-slate wins in St James, High Street, Cann Hall, Grove Green, and Leyton and the party eventually secured the magic number of 31 seats with the announcement of Higham Hill ward, where they unseated two Labour councillors.

Green Party scalps included the Labour cabinet member for community safety Khevyn Limbajee, cabinet member for finances Paul Douglas and adult and social care member Louise Mitchell.

Outgoing council leader Grace Williams and co-deputy leaders Ahsan Khan and Clyde Loakes managed to keep their seats amid tight battles in William Morris, Hoe Street, and Leytonstone. 

Speaking after the final results were announced, Rob Gardner, elected to represent Leyton ward and party co-chair, said: “These amazing results demonstrate the enormous appetite for change felt by people in Waltham Forest after years of Labour domination. Our message of hope and positivity has clearly made a huge impact, and to go from no councillors to overall control is phenomenal.”

Chanté Johnson, newly elected to represent Markhouse ward, said: “Again and again on the doorstep, we heard that people want change. They want a council that is open and transparent about the challenges ahead, and involves residents in the decisions that affect their lives.

“Everyone has worked so hard during the campaign, including the hundreds of volunteers who knocked on doors, spoke to neighbours and built a huge swell of support.”

Read the full election coverage and results here

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