London Regional Polling
Labour holds London but faces a surging Green party at 20%. Reform UK at just 15% — their weakest English region. May 2026 voting intention data.
London Voting Intention — May 2026
London Polling Data Table
| Party | VI (May 2026) | 2024 GE London | Change | Seat Implications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour | 28% | 43% | −15pts | At risk in several inner-London marginals from Green challenge |
| Greens | 20% | 7% | +13pts | Credible threat in 5–8 inner-London seats |
| Conservatives | 17% | 18% | Flat | Defending outer London seats against Reform |
| Reform UK | 15% | 8% | +7pts | Weak in inner London; outer London boroughs more competitive |
| Lib Dems | 12% | 9% | +3pts | Richmond Park and Kingston under scrutiny |
The Green Surge in London
▲ Greens +13pts from 2024The Green party's rise to 20% in London is the most striking regional story of 2026. Nationally the Greens poll around 9–11%, but in London they have surged to double that figure. The reasons are structural: London has the highest concentration of graduates, under-35 voters and environmentally engaged citizens of any UK region.
Labour's collapse from 43% in the 2024 General Election to 28% in 2026 London polling has left a large pool of progressive voters seeking an alternative. Many are not gravitating towards Reform or the Conservatives — they are moving to the Greens. This dynamic creates real electoral risk for Labour in seats such as Islington, Hackney, Streatham and Lewisham, where a Green vote in the mid-to-high teens can split the left-of-centre vote and let Conservatives or Reform through the middle.
Why London Resists Reform
Reform UK's platform on immigration and national identity polls poorly in a city that is 40% non-white British and heavily oriented towards European cultural and economic links. London voted 60% Remain in the 2016 referendum and that electorate has not fundamentally changed.
Mayoral Context
Sadiq Khan won the 2024 London Mayoral election with 43.8% of first preference votes. Under Mayoral voting, Labour's structural strength in inner London boroughs gives them a floor that Westminster polling does not fully reflect. But the Green surge complicates any future Mayoral race.
London vs. National Polling
| Party | London VI | National VI | London vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labour | 28% | 18% | +10pts in London |
| Greens | 20% | 10% | +10pts in London |
| Conservatives | 17% | 19% | −2pts in London |
| Reform UK | 15% | 28% | −13pts in London |
| Lib Dems | 12% | 11% | +1pt in London |
National VI figures approximate averages from May 2026 polling. London figures from regional cross-breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads London polling in 2026?
Labour leads London voting intention at 28% in May 2026, ahead of the Greens on 20%, Conservatives on 17%, Reform UK on 15% and Lib Dems on 12%. Labour's lead is sharply reduced from their 43% London result in the 2024 General Election.
Why are the Greens so strong in London?
The Greens poll at 20% in London due to the capital's large graduate population, younger demographics, climate-engaged voters and Labour's significant polling collapse from 33% nationally. The Greens are effectively capturing left-wing Labour defectors who do not want to vote for Reform or the Conservatives.
Is Reform UK competitive in London?
Reform UK trails at 15% in London, their weakest region in England. London's diverse, graduate-heavy and strongly pro-Remain electorate is significantly less receptive to Reform's platform than post-industrial regions in the Midlands and North, where Reform leads at 33% and 30% respectively.
Could the Greens win London Westminster seats?
At 20%, the Greens are credibly targeting several inner-London constituencies where Labour incumbents are defending slim majorities. Seats like Islington South, Hackney South and Streatham & Croydon North are among the most discussed potential Green targets at a 2029 General Election.