Greens Surge as Southwark Council Faces No Overall Control 2026

Key Points

• No Overall Control: The Southwark Council has fallen into a state of “No Overall Control” (NOC) following the 2026 local elections, ending years of Labour dominance.
• Labour Losses: The Labour Party, led by Cllr Sarah King, lost 23 seats, finishing with 29 councillors—three short of the 32 needed for a majority.
• Green Party Surge: Under the leadership of Cllr James McAsh, the Green Party secured 22 seats, a massive increase from their pre-election standing.
• Liberal Democrat Gains: The Liberal Democrats, led by Cllr Victor Chamberlain, slightly increased their presence to 12 seats, positioning them as potential kingmakers.
• Political Defection: The result follows the high-profile defection of James McAsh from Labour to the Greens earlier this year after a contentious leadership battle.
• Coalition Talks: Formal negotiations are expected to begin immediately to determine who will lead the borough and what form the new administration will take.

Southwark Council (South London News) May 14, 2026 – The political landscape of Southwark has been fundamentally reshaped following a dramatic local election that has stripped the Labour Party of its majority and elevated the Green Party to a position of unprecedented power. For the first time in over a decade, the borough is under No Overall Control (NOC) after Labour fell to 29 seats, while the Green Party, led by former Labour cabinet member James McAsh, surged to 22. The Liberal Democrats, holding 12 seats, now find themselves in a pivotal role as the council enters a period of intense coalition brokering.

Who will run Southwark Council now that there is no overall control?

As reported by Dave Hill of On London, the transition of Southwark from a Labour stronghold to a hung council marks the culmination of a “soap opera” style political drama that has gripped the borough for nearly a year.

The central figure in this shift, Cllr James McAsh, was elected as the leader of the Southwark Green Party shortly after defecting from Labour. His departure followed a turbulent period where he was reportedly “royally shafted” by the Labour Party central office, which overturned his initial successful leadership bid in favour of Cllr Sarah King.

According to a statement released by the Southwark Council press office on May 11, the final count conducted at the Lighthouse Theatre in Camberwell confirmed the following seat distribution:

• Labour: 29 seats (-23 change)
• Green Party: 22 seats (+22 change)
• Liberal Democrats: 12 seats (+1 change)

With 32 seats required for a functional majority, no single party can govern alone. As noted by Southwark News, the borough now faces a “will they, won’t they?” scenario regarding a potential “Left Bloc” coalition or a minority administration.

How did the Green Party achieve such a historic result in Southwark?

The Green Party’s rise from a marginal presence to a major political force is largely attributed to a series of defections and voter disillusionment.

As detailed by Wikipedia’s 2026 election summary, the groundwork for this shift began in late 2025. Cllr Kath Whittam resigned from Labour in July 2025 in protest of Sarah King’s leadership, followed by the suspension of Cllr Ketzia Harper and Cllr Sam Foster for breaking the party whip.

James McAsh, formerly the cabinet member for clean air, streets, and waste, provided the final momentum when he moved to the Greens. As reported by On London, McAsh successfully defended his Goose Green ward under his new banner, capitalising on his high profile.

Victor Chamberlain, leader of the Liberal Democrats, had previously stated to Southwark News that the council would be led by either Labour or the Lib Dems, but the Green surge has effectively upended that binary prediction.

What statements have the party leaders made following the results?

In the wake of the “No Overall Control” declaration, the primary actors have remained cautious yet firm. As reported by Southwark News, Cllr Sarah King acknowledged the setback for Labour, stating that the party must “reflect on the message sent by the voters” while maintaining that Labour remains the largest single group on the council.

Conversely, Cllr James McAsh has framed the result as a mandate for radical environmental and social change.

According to PollCheck, the Green Party’s gains were most notable in wards like Chaucer and Goose Green, where they successfully squeezed the Labour vote.

Victor Chamberlain of the Liberal Democrats, as cited in On London, noted that his party had achieved its goal of increasing representation and suggested that the Lib Dems would be “responsible partners” in any upcoming discussions, though they have historically been rivals to both Labour and the Greens in Southwark.

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What were the key battlegrounds that led to the hung council?

Data provided by PollCheck highlights several razor-thin margins that decided the fate of the council. In Camberwell Green, Labour managed to lead the Greens by only 0.6 percentage points, while in South Bermondsey, the Liberal Democrats held a 0.5-point lead over a surging Green presence.

The turnout, as confirmed by Southwark Council, was 40.38%, a significant 6% increase from the 2022 elections. This spike in engagement suggests a highly mobilised electorate, particularly in areas affected by recent council policies on low-traffic neighbourhoods and social housing redevelopments—issues that McAsh and the Greens campaigned on heavily.

Background of the Southwark Council Leadership Crisis

The current state of “No Overall Control” is the first such instance in Southwark since the 2002–2010 period. For the last 16 years, Labour has enjoyed comfortable majorities, reaching a peak of 52 seats in 2022. However, internal friction began to surface following the retirement of long-term leader Peter John and his successor, Kieron Williams.

The catalyst for the current fragmentation was the summer 2025 leadership contest. James McAsh initially won the internal vote to lead the Labour group but saw the result voided by Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) due to alleged “procedural irregularities.” When the vote was re-run, Sarah King emerged victorious.

This intervention by the central party was viewed by several local councillors as an undemocratic imposition, leading to the “rebel” faction that eventually formed the backbone of the new Green Party group. By early 2026, the Labour group had already shrunk from 52 to 45 seats through defections and suspensions, leaving them vulnerable heading into the May 7 polls.

Prediction: How this development will affect Southwark Residents

The move to No Overall Control is likely to result in a period of legislative gridlock or significantly moderated policies for the residents of Southwark. Without a clear majority, Cllr Sarah King’s Labour group will be forced to negotiate every major budget and policy decision with either the Greens or the Liberal Democrats.

For the local audience, this likely means:

• Policy Shifts: The Green Party’s strong position will almost certainly lead to more aggressive environmental targets, potentially impacting local transport and waste management strategies.
• Compromise on Housing: With both the Greens and Lib Dems critical of Labour’s past handling of estate regenerations, residents can expect a more consultative and perhaps slower approach to housing developments.
• Political Instability: If a formal coalition cannot be reached, a minority administration may struggle to pass a council tax budget in 2027, which could lead to administrative uncertainty for borough services.
• Increased Scrutiny: With a much larger opposition, the “one-party state” feel of Southwark’s local government is over, ensuring more robust debate on the Tooley Street council floors.