As voters prepare to head to the polls on Thursday 7 May, Ealing stands out as one of west London’s most politically and culturally significant boroughs — a place where London’s suburban identity, diversity and shifting electoral moods all meet.
Known as the “Queen of the Suburbs,” Ealing blends leafy residential streets with major transport links, landmark institutions and some of the capital’s most vibrant communities. Stretching across Acton, Ealing, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt, Perivale and Southall, the borough borders Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Brent, and Hammersmith & Fulham.
Its appeal lies in that mix of heritage and modern life. Historic sites such as Pitzhanger Manor, once the country retreat of Sir John Soane, sit alongside beloved green spaces including Walpole Park, Northala Fields, and the scenic Grand Union Canal. The borough is also home to Ealing Studios, the world-famous film complex, and Southall’s striking Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, one of the largest Sikh temples outside India.
Ealing’s story stretches back more than a thousand years. Its name is believed to come from the Anglo-Saxon Gillingas — “the people of Gilla.” For centuries, it remained a rural Middlesex parish before the arrival of the Great Western Railway transformed it in the 19th century. The opening of Ealing Broadway station in 1838 helped turn it into one of London’s defining commuter suburbs, a status cemented when it became a municipal borough in 1901 and later joined Greater London in 1965.
Today, the borough’s population is estimated at 367,115, reflecting one of London’s most diverse communities. According to the 2021 census, 43.2% of residents identify as white, 30.3% as Asian, 10.8% as black, 5.2% as mixed race, and 10.6% as another ethnic group.
That diversity is mirrored in a thriving food, arts and cultural scene, particularly in Southall and Acton. Yet like much of London, Ealing also faces the pressures of affordability. The average house price reached £580,000 in January 2026, while average monthly rent stood at £2,052. Council tax for a Band D property is £2,138 for 2026/27.
Transport remains one of Ealing’s major strengths. With 14 Tube stations, five Elizabeth line stations, two London Overground stations and around 700 bus stops, connectivity is likely to remain a key local election issue, alongside housing, public services and the cost of living.
Politically, Ealing has long been seen as a bellwether. Since 1965, control of the council has changed hands eight times between Labour and the Conservatives, once making it a near-perfect test of London’s wider political direction.
That volatility has faded in recent years. Labour has now controlled the borough for 16 consecutive years, increasing its seat count at every election. In 2022, the party won 59 seats, despite a modest 1.7% swing to the Conservatives, while the Tories were reduced to five seats and the Liberal Democrats rose to six. A subsequent by-election saw the Lib Dems gain another Conservative seat, while one Labour councillor now sits as an independent.
The question this year is whether any party can seriously challenge Labour’s dominance.
Election analyst Professor Tony Travers says the answer is likely no. Once a borough that alternated between red and blue, he argues Ealing now reflects Labour’s broader strength across the capital.
Given London’s current political landscape, all signs point to Ealing remaining firmly in Labour hands when the votes are counted.