The Green Party has overtaken Labour to become the most favoured party in London, according to a YouGov poll commissioned for the party's annual conference in Bournemouth. The survey asked voters to rank the five main parties in order of favourability, rather than voting intention.
Across England, Reform UK topped the list with 27% of first preferences, followed by the Greens on 17%, Labour on 16%, the Liberal Democrats on 15%, and the Conservatives on 14%. However, in London, the Greens came first with 27%, ahead of Labour on 20%, Reform on 16%, the Conservatives on 15%, and the Lib Dems on 14%.
Among voters aged 18 to 24, support for the Greens was even stronger, with 36% ranking them as their most favoured party, compared to 24% for Labour. The poll also found that nearly a quarter of those who voted for Keir Starmer in the last general election now view the Greens most favourably.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski said the results showed the party was “on track” to replace Labour, noting recent defections and local election gains. “It’s happening at defection level,” he said. “Just last month in Barking and Dagenham, we welcomed three new councillors. At local council elections, there was a stunning victory in Brighton, where the Labour vote completely collapsed and the Green vote rocketed.”
Polanski also warned that Labour’s “managed decline” could hand power to Reform UK, but expressed confidence that the Greens would contest seats across London, including areas not traditionally targeted. Labour MPs are reportedly concerned about potential losses to both the Greens and Reform in next May’s local elections.
