The leader of Wandsworth Council has held off a challenge to his position from a Labour colleague, according to sources close to the contest, whose result was decided at the Labour group’s annual general meeting this evening.
Simon Hogg (pictured), who led Labour to a long-awaited victory in the former Conservative flagship borough in 2022, defeated his fellow Falconbrook ward councillor Kate Stock and now looks set to head his party’s bid to retain control of Wandsworth at the full council elections due to be held next May.
A source has told On London that Hogg prevailed by 21 votes to 13. Tooting Broadway councillor Rex Osborn had also considering running or the leadership, but dropped out before the vote. He is understood to have instead sought the deputy leadership role.
Hogg previously led Labour into the 2018 borough campaign, having previously ousted Leonie Cooper, who currently represents Wandsworth and Merton on the London Assembly.
A local Conservative source claims the party there is in “boisterous mood” over the outcome and feeling “confident” of re-capturing the borough in 2026. At present, Labour holds 34 Wandsworth Council seats, the Conservatives have 23 and their is one Independent. Simon Hogg has been contacted for comment.
More on this to come. Photo from Simon Hogg’s X/Twitter profile.