Richmond-upon-Thames: The borough with no opposition
Richmond-upon-Thames has become the only London borough without an opposition after the Liberal Democrats won every seat in the recent local elections. This decisive victory has raised concerns about accountability and the representation of diverse voices in local governance. Critics argue that the lack of opposition could weaken democratic scrutiny and diminish the effectiveness of resident voices.
- ▪The Liberal Democrats won all seats in Richmond-upon-Thames, gaining a total of 54 seats.
- ▪The Greens lost all five of their previous seats, while the Conservatives lost their only seat.
- ▪Council leader Gareth Roberts emphasized the importance of consulting residents despite the lack of opposition.
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| Original publisher | BBC News — Politics |
| Canonical URL | https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4207kp51po?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss |
| Publication time | Sun, 17 May 2026 15:28:23 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-17T15:48:20.753Z |
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Richmond-upon-Thames: The borough with no opposition19 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJonny Harvey,BBC Politics LondonandAmy Clarke,LondonGetty ImagesRichmond-upon-Thames is the only London borough that spans both sides of the River ThamesMuch of the focus in London after this month's local elections was on the successes of the Greens and Reform, as well as Labour's struggles.But in one leafy west London borough, a very different story unfolded, with the Liberal Democrats winning every seat in every ward at the latest local elections.The party secured a complete sweep on 7 May 2026, retaining control of Richmond‑upon‑Thames Council, leaving the chamber without formal opposition.The Lib Dems now hold 54 seats (+6), with the Greens losing all five of their previous seats and…
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