Dip in Labour vote ushers Tories home in Westminster by-election
By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter
Labour has lost another central London by-election to the Conservatives in a vote which saw Reform UK surge to third place. This marks the second defeat for Westminster Labour in as many months.
Thursday’s Vincent Square ward by-election saw Westminster Labour’s vote drop almost 11 per cent while the Liberal Democrats, who placed fourth, experienced a swing against it of almost five per cent, according to Election Maps UK.
Martin Hayes, who is described by his party as a ‘pro-nightlife, pro-hospitality, pro-pub voice’, received 978 votes (45.4 per cent) while Labour’s Joanna Camadoo-Rothwell came in second with 700, taking 32.5 per cent of the vote. Turnout was just over 29 per cent.
Reform UK’s Nick Lockett surged to a distant third place with 206 votes (9.6 per cent), followed by the Lib Dems at 156 (7.2 per cent), The Green Party at 101 (4.7 per cent) and the Christian Peoples Alliance with 14 (0.6 per cent).
Mr Hayes said: “As someone born in the old Westminster Hospital, who has lived in the area his whole life and even opened successful businesses locally, it was a huge honour to secure such a resounding victory on Thursday for Westminster Conservatives.
“It was a massive team effort that concentrated on local issues that struck a chord on the doorstep. I am really looking forward to working with my ward colleagues, David Harvey and Selina Short, to help residents sort out the problems they face every day.”
London Labour declined to comment but a party insider said postal votes played a decisive role in the victory. They said the Conservative Party has a track recording of turning out the postal vote in local elections. They also believed Labour’s vote held well given the national snapshot.
They added: “Labour had a great candidate and a bigger turnout in May 2026 might give a different outcome.”
The by-election was called following the death of councillor Gillian Arrindell in November. She was the only Labour councillor elected to Vincent Square in 2022, when three councillors were elected in that ward. She came second with 1,324 votes with the other two seats going to the Conservatives.
In September, Labour lost one of two by-elections to replace councillors who resigned after winning MP seats in July’s General Election. Jessica Toale’s West End seat was won by Westminster City Conservatives’ Tim Barnes by 627 votes. Tim Roca’s seat of Harrow Road was retained by Labour’s Regan Hook by 268.
Jessica Toale won the parliamentary seat of Bournemouth West during July’s General Election. Tim Roca won the seat of Macclesfield.
In July, the Tories won the safe seat on Westminster City council, of Abbey Road, by 508 votes. The by-election took place following the resignation of Conservative councillor Amanda Langford.
Pictured top: Martin Hayes (Picture: Reece Fox 2025)
