Iain Duncan Smith celebrates election success locally

Both Labour and Conservative Parties saw a considerable loss in their seat hold across the country as previously minority parties, Reform UK and the Green Party, made considerable gains.

Yet here in Chingford and Woodford Green, the results on May 8 told a very different story.

It was clear that across Chingford and Woodford Green, local residents placed their trust in their local Conservative candidates.

I want to congratulate all our Conservative candidates for their hard work, determination and commitment over many months of campaigning.

In addition, the volunteers, activists and members of the wider Conservative Association whose support throughout delivering leaflets and canvassing contributed to the success of the election.

Iain Duncan Smith says the local election results in Redbridge and Waltham Forest bucked the national trend (Image: Richard Townshend)

I look forward to continuing the work of the returning councillors and working closely with our newly elected councillors in Waltham Forest and Redbridge.

For the next four years, they will work for you to deliver what matters most to you.

Our Conservative councillors not only held all of their incumbent seats but also increased their seat both in both councils, Waltham Forest and Redbridge, taking seats from both Labour and Reform UK.

This demonstrates the growing trust the local electorate has in Conservative leadership to ensure their priorities are heard.

The results in Redbridge were particularly significant.

We successfully retained our seats in Monkhams ward and took hold of all Bridge ward seats with three newly elected Conservative councillors.

In Bridge ward, having campaigned mostly on the issue of re-opening Broadmead Road Bridge, the outcome demonstrates the local frustration with the Labour-run council’s inactivity since its closure in July 2023.

It is clear that our Conservative councillors and my ongoing campaign to reopen the bridge has been heard by residents and demonstrates that the significant disruption the closure has to commuters, local businesses and residents.

Going forward, our Conservative councillors now have a stronger position to hold the Labour Council to account over their track record of reopening Broadmead Road Bridge and remain committed to delivering the rebuild that is vital for our community.

Your Conservative councillors and I recognise the wider challenges facing our area.

Most critically, I have heard first-hand from parents concerning the crisis in SEND (Specialist Educational Needs and Disability) in Redbridge, and I will push the council and Government to meet the hopes of the parents and their heart-breaking concerns.

• Iain Duncan Smith is Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green.