Paul Swaddle with Martin Hayes at Wednesday night’s full council meeting

LABOUR has lost another central London by-election to the Conservatives in a vote which saw Reform UK come third.

Pimlico pub landlord Martin Hayes’ victory marks the second defeat for Westminster Labour in as many months.

Thursday’s Vincent Square ward by-election saw Westminster Labour’s vote drop almost 11 per cent while the Liberal Democrats, who placed fourth, experienced a swing against it of almost 5 per cent.

Mr Hayes, who ran the Cask Pub Kitchen in Pimlico, is described by his party as a “pro-nightlife, pro-hospitality, pro-pub voice”. He won 978 votes (45.4 per cent) while Labour’s Joanna Camadoo-Rothwell came in second with 700, taking 32.5 per cent of the vote.

Mr Hayes said: “As someone born in the old Westminster Hospital, who has lived in the area his whole life and even opened successful businesses locally, it was a huge honour to secure such a resounding victory on Thursday for Westminster Conservatives.

“It was a massive team effort that concentrated on local issues that struck a chord on the doorstep. I am really looking forward to working with my ward colleagues, David Harvey and Selina Short, to help residents sort out the problems they face every day.”

Reform UK’s Nick Lockett surged to a distant third place with 206 votes (9.6 per cent), followed by the Lib Dems at 156 (7.2 per cent), The Green Party at 101 (4.7 per cent) and the Christian Peoples Alliance with 14 (0.6 per cent). Turnout was 29.07 per cent, according to Westminster City Council.

London Labour declined to comment but a party insider told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) postal votes played a decisive role in the victory.

They said the Conservative Party has a track record of turning out the postal vote in local elections.

They also believed Labour’s vote held well given the national snapshot.

They said government parties tend to fare poorly in midterm elections and they believe there was a split protest vote which denied Reform UK a breakthrough in Westminster City.

They added: “Labour had a great candidate and a bigger turnout in May 2026 might give a different outcome.”

The by-election was called following the death of councillor Gillian Arrindell in November.

She was the only Labour councillor elected to Vincent Square in 2022 when her party took control of City Hall.

She came second with 1,324 votes with the other two seats going to the Conservatives.

In September, Labour lost one of two by-elections to replace councillors who resigned after winning MP seats in July’s General Election.

Jessica Toale’s West End seat was won by Westminster City Conservatives’ Tim Barnes by 627 votes.

Tim Roca’s seat in Harrow Road was retained by Labour’s Regan Hook by 268.

Toale won the parliamentary seat of Bournemouth West during July’s General Election. Roca won the seat of Macclesfield.

In July, the Tories won the safe seat on Westminster City Council, of Abbey Road, by 508 votes.

The by-election took place following the resignation of Conservative councillor Amanda Langford.