Submitted by daniel on Fri, 15/05/2026 - 07:00 Picture Image Description Saiqa Ali, the suspended Green candidate elected for Streatham St Leonard’s just last week, has decided not to take up her seat – leaving one of three seats vacant in what has long been the Green Party’s strongest ward in the borough. The seat was won on 7 May by Saiqa Ali who initially stood as a Green candidate but had been suspended by the party before polling day following controversial social media posts. Under the Local Elections Rules 2006, a candidate’s name cannot be removed from the ballot once nominations have closed. Ali therefore remained on the ballot, and was elected alongside the ward’s two other Green candidates, former party leader Scott Ainslie and Dr Alice Weavers. The Lambeth Green Party suspended Ali ‘pending investigation’ on 28 April and made a futher announcement on 9 May that she was ‘not a member of Lambeth Green Group.’ Last night a Lambeth Green Party spokesperson told Brixton Buzz: “The candidate was suspended by the national party and has decided not to take up her seat on the council.” – Lambeth Green Party spokesperson A notice published on Lambeth council’s website yesterday, 14 May confirms the seat is vacant. Issued by Ian Davis, Lambeth’s Returning Officer, under the Local Government Act 1972, it does not state why the seat has become empty. The notice also sets out that a by-election is held if two local government electors, i.e. people registered to vote in Lambeth’s council elections – write to the Returning Officer to request one. A polling date must then be set within 35 working days. The vacancy comes as the council prepares for its first full meeting of the new term on 27 May, when full council will elect a leader. The historic 7 May election ended Labour’s 20-year control of Lambeth, but left no party holding a majority – now, even with the Streatham St Leonard’s seat empty, the Greens have become the largest group. More Info Green Party statement on Saiqa Ali – 28 April 2026 Lambeth Council notice on vacant seat Join the local discussion Lambeth Borough Council Elections – Thursday 7 May 2026 Web Link Suspended Green candidate Saiqa Ali declines Streatham St Leonard’s seat after … Brixton Buzz