WHICHEVER party wins control of the city council will be winners in one of the most recognisable parts of the country.

As things stand experts believe it’s a two-party race, between Labour and the Conservatives. Together with Reform UK and the Greens they are standing 54 candidates across the 18 wards. The Liberal Democrats are fielding 45; there is one independent and one Workers’ Party candidate running, but only the main parties have a chance of taking sole control of the authority.

Here are the major manifesto promises for the principal parties running candidates in Westminster borough.

Conservative Party

Housing and services
-Assess each building in the PDHU (Pimlico District Heating Undertaking) and create a costed plan focusing on value for money
-Introduce five core standards for temporary accommodation
-A community-based repairs guarantee for urgent and emergency repairs
-More homes for those who serve in Westminster

Communities
-Implement a cabinet member for enforcement from day one
-Protect Outstanding children’s services
-Transform libraries into modern hubs
-Lobby for short-stay mental health beds

Environment and transport

-Remove graffiti from the streets and introduce inspectors at key problem times
-Fight for an accessible and locally-shaped Oxford Street
-Expand EV charging
-Protect bus routes and tackle noisy road users
-Reach WHO air quality targets by 2040

Economy and finance

-Keep council tax as low as possible and fight against the proposed Family Home Tax
-Review council contracts and spending
-Back businesses and the night-time economy
-Resist any attempt by the mayor to seize licensing powers from the council
-Unlock vacant buildings

Labour Party

Housing

-Build 1,500 social and truly affordable homes across Westminster by 2035
-Provide responsive and high-quality housing services
-Stamp out short-term lets
-Sort out the controversial Pimlico District Heating Undertaking

Communities

-Invest in community centres, hubs, libraries and leisure centres
-Install a further 150 cameras across the borough to help tackle crime
-Raise the income threshold when older and disabled residents pay for home care to over £300 per week
-Support plans by Imperial NHS to build a new St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington

Economy and finance

-Deliver plans to pedestrianise Lower Regent Street
-Guaranteed work placements for young people who are not in education, employment or training
-Keep council tax in the borough low, after it was already frozen this year
-Introduce a programme to deliver savings and maintains robust council reserves

Environment and transport
-Reduce the number of children killed or seriously injured on roads to zero by 2030
-Improve late-night transport and air quality
-Keep Westminster’s streets clean by tackling fly-tipping and increasing recycling rates
-Continue to progress towards being a net zero city by 2040

Green Party

Housing

-Ensure repairs are carried out and damp and mould are tackled without delay
-Tackle social housing waiting lists
-Push for more genuinely affordable homes

Communities

-Create safe spaces and clubs where young people can socialise
-Expand career pathways for young people
-Address the root causes of ASB and knife crime
-Call on Westminster Council to divest public money from companies profiting from the occupation of Palestine

Economy and finance

-Keep high streets open and vibrant
-Relaxed approach to licensing in Soho
-Ensure people are not priced out by sky-high rents and bills

Environment

-Safe, clean streets where children can play
-More bins, action on fly-tipping and dog fouling
-Protect parks and green spaces

Liberal Democrats

Economy and finance

-Improve spending and focus on front-line services to make council tax better value for money
-Secure Westminster’s fair share of the overnight visitor levy
-Support independent businesses and local high streets

Communities

-More visible policing on the streets and crack down on crime
-More green spaces for children and rebuild youth services
-Increase community meeting spaces and ensure residents feel listened to
-Improve access to mental health and SEND support
-Hold the Mayor of London to account for decisions affecting Westminster

Housing

-Deliver genuinely affordable homes for local people
-Ensure short-term lets contribute fairly through higher visitor levy rates
-Bring empty homes back into use

Environment and transport

-Secure the best deal for residents impacted by Oxford Street’s pedestrianisation and address traffic displacement
-Tackle air pollution in residential areas and near schools
-Increase tree planting and green spaces

Reform UK

Housing

-Enforce regulation on short-term rentals
-End poor repair services for council tenants and leaseholders

Communities

-Fight crime by increasing front-line officers
-Add more CCTV coverage
-Stop “hate marches” in Westminster

Environment and transport

-Restore Grade A street cleaning, remove graffiti, and fly-tipping prosecutions
-Fine e-bike operators for bad parking
-Coordinate roadworks with AI to minimise disruption to your lives
-Create cycleways that work for everyone
-Oppose Oxford Street’s pedestrianisation

Economy and finance

-Keep council tax low
-Make council spending more efficient