The local elections across the country are fast approaching, and voters in Redbridge will soon be heading to the polls.
But who can you vote for, what’s at stake, and what’s going on in the area?
Here is our guide to all you need to know ahead of the election on 7 May…
Where is Redbridge?
The borough of Redbridge is in north east London. It borders Waltham Forest to the west, Havering to the east, Barking and Dagenham to the south-east, Newham to the south-west, as well as Epping Forest in Essex to the north.
Notable areas in the borough include Ilford, Wanstead, and Woodford.
Copyright: Wikimedia Creative Commons, Alan Hughes
What happened in the last election?
In the 2022 elections, Labour held a majority of the council, which it first gained in 2014 after a period no overall control:
Labour: 58 (+7)
Conservatives: 5 (-7)
Since 2022, Labour has lost five councillors to by-elections, resignations, and defections.
In Chadwell, one seat is vacant, previously occupied by Hannah Chaudhry.
Rosa Gomez, former Labour-turned-Independent councillor of the Churchfields ward, alleges she was ousted from her position by ways of disability discrimination. Her seat also remains vacant until the elections next week.
Kabir Mahmud (Clayhall) and Shanell Johnson (Fullwell) both left Labour to become independent candidates, with Johnson previously standing as an independent MP for Leyton and Wanstead in the 2024 elections.
Noor Jahan Begum of the Ilford Independents was elected a councillor for Mayfield in 2025 after Jas Athwal was elected MP for Ilford south, and both Begum and Mahmud are up for re-election this year.
What are the local issues?
Redbridge Council recently received £61.5million in fairer funding from the government for the next three years.
This will aid extra investment in street cleansing, new council homes, CCTV upgrades, and the reopening of South Woodford Library.
Ones to watch
New YouGov data has predicted that Labour will lose a large vote share in many Labour councils, but in the case of Redbridge, it foresees the party maintaining its majority.
Projections from PollCheck anticipate six ward losses for Labour, with Barkingside and South Woodford turning Conservative, Bridge turning Green, and Churchfields going to Reform.
It also predicts the wards of Mayfield and Seven Kings to have independent majorities, likely on the back of victory of Noor Jahan Begum in 2025.
A full list of candidates can be found on Redbridge Borough Council website.
Interesting facts about Redbridge
Redbridge’s population was estimated to be 321,231 in 2024 with a median age of 35, which is one year younger than the median across all London boroughs.
It also has a higher-than-average population of 0-15-year-olds, and those aged 65 and over.
Redbridge is home to the constituencies of health secretary Wes Streeting (Ilford North), and former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan-Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green).
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
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