We asked Kensington and Chelsea residents what issues are on their mind ahead of the upcoming elections on May 7
Kensington and Chelsea might be the “wealthiest borough” in London but residents are still worried about issues like knife crime and housing. People living in the royal borough told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they will be thinking about these difficult issues when they head to the polls and choose their local councillors on May 7.
The Conservative Party has controlled Kensington and Chelsea council since its creation in 1965. While it is commonly known as London’s richest borough, there is great wealth disparity across the area.
Residents’ concerns reflect this, covering everything from planning, to knife crime and poverty. The LDRS asked people across the borough – from Earl’s Court, to World’s End – what issues are most on their minds ahead of the upcoming local elections.
See our full guide: London elections 2026 – everything you need to know
Iseult Teran Saint Aubi, 53, is a resident who runs a youth charity called Peace and Love on the World’s End Estate. She said that knife crime and underfunded youth centres are creating serious problems in the borough. Ms Aubi said there are also too many people relying on food banks and struggling to pay their bills in Kensington and Chelsea.
“The richer are getting richer, the poorer are getting poorer. The divide is getting bigger,” she told the LDRS.
Marby Venebas, 65, who lives on the same estate, said she worries about the state of the UK’s healthcare. Both she and her 85-year-old husband, Ricardo Forbinoe, rely on the NHS due to health problems.
“We are looking for a person who fights for older people and the NHS because we have many problems – someone who cares about this,” she said.
Valerie Dalery, 64, is concerned about her “housing situation.” The Ladbroke Grove resident said she is trying to move from her housing association property due to health issues with her legs.
“It’s just the housing situation. We’re trying to get somewhere else,” she said, adding: “I’m waiting longer than I should, and I have to now apply to the council. Instead of my housing association, I have to go to the Council and ask them to help.”
David Bowen, 70, who lives near Earl’s Court, said he will be deciding who to vote for based on individual candidates. He said that the local councillor is “very conscious” and a bit of a “local legend.”
“It isn’t a question of party, it’s a question of who fights for residents,” he told the LDRS.
Barry Cordell, in his 80s, said that the large planning backlog is one of his local “gripes”. The Kensington resident said that – while this is unlikely to influence his vote – he thinks it will affect how some in the area decide to pick their candidates.
“Planning is a big issue with this council,” he said, adding “people aren’t able to get anything done.”
Kensington and Chelsea Council was hit by a serious cyber attack in November 2025. The planning system came back online in March this year but the council is still working through the large backlog of cases.
“It’s taken so long to get back to normal and to process planning applications,” added Brenda Crosby, in her 70s.
The council is deploying and hiring additional staff to help address the backlog of planning applications, it said. It is also holding longer daytime planning committees and bringing some consultation periods down to the statutory 21 days to review applications more quickly.
Local elections in Kensington and Chelsea will take place on May 7, alongside the rest of London and large parts of the country. You can find a breakdown of what each of the major political parties are promising in Kensington and Chelsea and a full list of candidates, broken down by ward.
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