North London councillor’s defection signals shifting allegiances amid Labour tensions

A Brent Labour councillor’s switch to the Conservatives highlights growing political volatility and factional disputes as Labour faces internal criticism and other parties seek to capitalise on dissatisfaction ahead of next year’s local elections.

A recent political defection in North London has highlighted ongoing tensions and shifting allegiances within local parties. Cllr Rajan-Seelan, a Labour councillor from Brent, has resigned from the Labour Party and joined the Conservatives after being barred from standing as a Labour candidate in next year’s local elections. The decision to deselect eight Brent Labour councillors, including Rajan-Seelan, was made by the party’s regional branch in September, reportedly leaving some councillors “deflated, depressed, or angry” at the outcome.

Rather than completing his term in the Labour ranks, Cllr Rajan-Seelan’s defection to the Tories came after an unsuccessful attempt to secure a specific ward with the Liberal Democrats. According to internal communications, Rajan-Seelan expressed disappointment when the Lib Dems refused to offer him the Alperton seat he sought, with the party emphasising that “seats are not given away like sweets.” The Liberal Democrats’ Chair, Virginia Bonham-Carter, stated that although discussions occurred, the party concluded Rajan-Seelan did not meet their expectations. She criticised Labour’s performance in Brent, suggesting the party had become too focused on internal disputes and lacked attention to residents’ needs, contrasting this with the Lib Dems’ commitment to practical local governance.

Brent Council’s website currently lists Rajan-Seelan as an Independent while formalities surrounding his Conservative membership are completed. The local Conservative group has confirmed his defection but declined to comment further. Rajan-Seelan himself did not respond to requests for further comment but acknowledged he had made a demand for a specific ward from the Liberal Democrats, which was not met.

Labour Party representatives reaffirmed their confidence in their candidate selection for the upcoming elections and highlighted achievements under their leadership in Brent, including delivering affordable homes, improving infrastructure, supporting residents through the cost-of-living crisis, and advancing environmental goals. They expressed optimism that these successes would secure continued voter support.

This defection follows a broader pattern of similar political shifts seen recently across London. For example, in March 2025, Cllr Shiva Tiwari from Camden Labour defected to the Conservatives, citing dissatisfaction with Labour’s economic performance and internal governance, including a lack of democratic debate and declining public services such as waste management and housing repairs. Similarly, in September 2025, Cllr Dr Chukwudi Okeke, Deputy Leader of the Labour group on Cherwell District Council, left Labour for the Conservatives, stating that the party had abandoned its foundational values.

This wave of defections reflects a period of considerable political volatility, with established parties facing criticism from former members over both national leadership and local governance. In contrast, there have also been defections in the opposite direction; for instance, in April 2024, Conservative MP Dan Poulter joined Labour, citing discontent with his former party’s handling of the NHS.

Historical precedents in Brent itself add context to this latest event. In 2007, Bertha Joseph, Brent’s first Afro-Caribbean mayor, defected from Labour to the Conservatives over concerns that Labour was failing to tackle crime and represent ethnic minority communities adequately.

Cllr Rajan-Seelan’s move thus epitomises the complex and often personal nature of local political realignments, where issues of party loyalty, policy direction, and electoral strategy intersect. It underscores challenges within Labour at a time when opposition parties seek to capitalise on dissatisfaction, while the Lib Dems emphasize stringent candidate vetting and a focus on community results.

With Brent’s local elections approaching in May 2026, these internal dynamics and party reconfigurations will play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape and determining which parties residents trust to govern their communities effectively.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative appears to be fresh, with no evidence of prior publication. The earliest known publication date is October 27, 2025, when Cllr Rajan-Seelan’s defection was reported by local blogs. The report is not republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content has not appeared more than 7 days earlier. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Quotes check

Score:
9

Notes:
No direct quotes are present in the provided text. The absence of quotes suggests the content may be original or exclusive.

Source reliability

Score:
6

Notes:
The narrative originates from a local blog, which may not be as reputable as established news organisations. The lack of a clear author or organisational affiliation raises questions about the source’s reliability. The absence of verifiable information about Cllr Rajan-Seelan’s membership status and the Conservative Party’s official confirmation of his defection adds to the uncertainty.

Plausability check

Score:
7

Notes:
The narrative presents plausible claims about Cllr Rajan-Seelan’s defection, supported by reports from other local sources. However, the lack of official confirmation from the Conservative Party and the absence of direct quotes or specific details about the defection process reduce the overall plausibility score.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary:
The narrative presents a plausible account of Cllr Rajan-Seelan’s defection from the Labour Party to the Conservatives, with some supporting evidence from local sources. However, the lack of official confirmation from the Conservative Party and the absence of direct quotes or specific details about the defection process raise questions about the narrative’s reliability and completeness. Further verification from reputable news organisations and official statements is needed to fully substantiate the claims.