Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party has been hit by a significant defection in the capital, with five of its councillors in Brent crossing the floor to join the Green Party.
A Significant Blow Ahead of Local Elections
The mass defection, confirmed on Monday 15 December 2025, represents a major political headache for Labour's leadership. The move comes just months before critical local elections across the country, where control of town halls will be fiercely contested.
The group of defectors includes prominent local figures Harbi Farah, a former cabinet member, and Iman Ahmadi-Moghaddam, a former whip. They are joined by councillors Mary Mitchell, Tony Ethapemi, and Erica Gbajumo.
Green Surge in the Capital
Green Party leader Zack Polanski enthusiastically welcomed the new members. He framed the move as evidence of a "Green surge" taking hold in London, sentiments he claims are echoed nationwide. The defections are seen as a potential indicator of shifting political loyalties at a local level, particularly in urban areas.
This event raises tangible concerns within Labour that the Greens could now pose a serious threat to their control of other London councils. One area of particular focus is Camden, the borough which covers Sir Keir Starmer's own parliamentary constituency. A loss of control there would be a deeply symbolic and personal blow to the Labour leader.
Part of a Broader Political Realignment
The defection in Brent is not an isolated incident but appears to reflect a wider trend of political realignment across the UK. The Green Party has reported a notable increase in membership and support, capitalising on voter concerns about issues like the climate crisis and social justice.
Simultaneously, a mirroring movement is occurring on the right of the political spectrum, with the Conservative Party experiencing defections to Reform UK. This suggests a fracturing of the traditional two-party dominance, with voters and representatives increasingly looking beyond the established political blocs.
The coming local elections in 2026 will now be a crucial test of whether this defection is a one-off event or the beginning of a more sustained challenge to Labour's urban strongholds from the Greens.
