City of Westminster (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour Party confirms its West End ward candidates for the 2026 Westminster election, setting the stage for a competitive local political race.
Along with current councillor Patrick Lilley, Sarah Littleton and Tim Lord have been chosen by the Labour Party of the City of Westminster to run for the West End ward in the next council elections.
The plans to pedestrianize Oxford Street and establish a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) have put all three contenders at odds with Sadiq Khan, the mayor of Camden, the deputy prime minister, and the Labour-run Camden Council.
According to the Westminster Labour Party, Littleton, who resides in the West End, identifies as a community activist and has collaborated as an organizer with Rachel Blake MP.
She says she wants to make the West End safer for women and girls and was a student at the London School of Economics.
As the chair of the Soho Society for several years, Lord is a well-known local who has resided in Soho for more than 34 years.
“He has worked on issues including safety, regulation of pedicabs, controls on short lets, noise nuisance and better public toilet provision in Soho,” says Westminster Labour.
Councillor Lilley has represented Fitzrovia, Mayfair and Soho on Westminster Council since 2022.
“As Westminster’s Disability Champion, he fights for accessibility and ensures residents’ voices are heard on planning, licensing, and Oxford Street. He entered politics to oppose Conservative cuts and is proud Labour is now investing in free school meals and safer streets,” says Westminster Labour.
Paul Fisher declared in April of this year that he was switching from Labour to the Conservatives after Labour won all three of the West End ward’s seats in 2022 but lost one to Conservative Tim Barnes in a 2024 by-election.
According to the Labour ward team for the West End, the establishment of an MDC for Oxford Street is “unnecessary and disruptive,” and they “firmly oppose” it.
Their position is in line with the Labour-led Westminster Council and locals who are concerned about buses, taxis, and other motor traffic being displaced by the Oxford Street pedestrianization plans, even if it is at odds with the Labour mayor of London and the party’s national leadership.
“Westminster’s own plan would have delivered major public realm improvements while protecting vital public transport links along Oxford Street,” say the Labour West End team.
“We are demanding — and confident — that the bus services between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road will be retained, reducing possible traffic displacement to Soho and Fitzrovia. We don’t believe there is any practical way of removing buses from eastern Oxford Street,” they say.
With 28 seats in Westminster Council, Labour has a narrow majority compared to the Conservatives’ 26.
In May 2026, council elections will take place.
What are the key issues influencing voters in Westminster’s West End ward?
Significant political swings have recently occurred in the ward; in 2022, Labour took control of Westminster Council for the first time in decades, but in a 2024 by-election, the Conservatives regained a seat in the West End.
Perceptions of Labour’s effectiveness in running the council, particularly in relation to social services and housing delivery, are weighed against Conservative attempts to retake power to influence voters.
One of the main local issues has been the Mayor of London’s plans to pedestrianize Oxford Street. The effects on accessibility, traffic, and the local economy worry a lot of locals and businesses.
In response to local disquiet, conservatives have resisted these proposals and are prepared to file legal challenges. One of the main concerns is striking a balance between the requirements of locals and tourists and economic vitality.