Bexley Council gains a new leader in November
Bexley Council has a new leader after the ruling Conservative party selected Cllr David Leaf to takeover from November.
Current leader Teresa O’Neill is stepping down after a final council meeting on 5th November after 17 years in charge. She’d previously announced a decision not to stand for re-election next May.
How long David Leaf (Blendon & Penhill Ward) lasts in post remains to be seen with the Tories having been battered across Kent in recent elections and are doing dismally in opinion polls. The next council elections across London are being held on 7 May 2026.
Teresa O’Neill will also stand down as a Councillor at that election. She had previously been made a peer in the unelected House of Lords back in 2022.
Council press release
Bexley Council’s press release lists achievements including “significant regeneration projects in Thamesmead”.
Eh? After almost twelve years in charge Peabody have completed just one plot of seven across the masterplan site. Many residents have been evicted just for land to then sit vacant for years. It’s a poster child of failure.
O’Neill may have been pushing hard in private for faster progress though there wasn’t much evidence heard in public. Whatever the case, it’s not a success. We’ll see if she has much to say when she departs…
Future elections
With both Tory and Labour seeing dismal numbers in the national polls and losing by-elections left right and centre it’ll be interesting to see how it all pans out come next May.
Expect a fair few defections from the Tories to Reform in the near future as some councillors hope to keep seats,as the Tories could be on course for wipe out in places like Bexley and Bromley.
Labour may just about hold on in north Bexley though across the country are seeing the Greens, Lib Dems and Reform all nipping at seats as votes are split and losing to all three in various locations. There’s also Your Party coming down the line.
Each week’s by-elections see Tory and Labour vote share sink.
It’s likely the political landscape will look very different come next summer, and O’Neill has got out at a time when her party appear on the brink of losing power.
