Westminster Labour’s Response to Cllr Paul Swaddles’ Full Council Speech
Westminster Labour remains deeply concerned by the priorities and direction set out by the new Conservative administration following its narrow election victory at Westminster City Council, secured with just 35% of the vote.
In Cllr Paul Swaddle’s first speech to Full Council, there was an absence of any meaningful reference to some of the biggest challenges facing our city, including child poverty, housing affordability, climate action and economic inequality.
At a time when 43% of children in Westminster are living in poverty during an ongoing cost of living crisis, we believe residents deserve to hear more about how the council intends to support those most affected.
We are also concerned by the lack of detail on jobs, skills, youth opportunities, and support for small businesses, charities and local high streets.
Housing remains one of Westminster’s most urgent issues, with more than 6,000 households currently on the council’s waiting list. We will be seeking clear assurances that commitments to social housing will be maintained under the new administration, especially in light of its manifesto pledge to review social housing in favour of intermediate housing across the borough.
Previous Conservative-led spending decisions wasted £6 million on the Marble Arch Mound and £34 million on earlier Oxford Street proposals. Whereas now the Conservatives have now announced a new Cabinet Member for ‘Value for Money’.
In contrast, over the past four years, Labour invested in community hubs, supported local charities, expanded green spaces, and backed public art and culture accessible to all residents. We introduced free school meals for children aged three to 14, rebuilt Westminster’s CCTV network, and delivered new social and affordable housing, with a further 1,500 affordable homes in the pipeline.
We also maintained Westminster’s Council Tax at one of the lowest levels in the country while continuing to deliver key local services.
Over the past four years, we set out a clear vision for a fairer, greener, and more inclusive Westminster – one focused on opportunity, investment, and support for every community in our city.
We are concerned that, so far, the new Conservative administration has yet to demonstrate the same level of ambition or provide a clear vision for Westminster’s future.
Cllr Ellie Ormsby, Leader of the Opposition: “Residents across Westminster are worried about the cost of living, housing, child poverty and the future of their local communities. The fact that these issues were barely addressed in the new administration’s first major speech shows just how out of touch the Conservatives are with the real concerns of people in Westminster. Residents deserve leadership that understands their challenges and has a serious plan to address them.”