City of London elects new councillors to shape Square Mile’s future

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March 25, 2025
4 min read

City of London elects new councillors to shape Square Mile’s future

Voters across the City of London headed to the polls on 21st March to elect 100 Common Councillors who will steer the Square Mile’s future at a pivotal time for the capital’s financial heart. Representing both residents and workers, the newly elected members will join the City of London Corporation’s Court of Common Council, the Square Mile’s main decision-making body and one of the oldest democratic institutions in the world.

Split into 25 wards, each electing two or more councillors depending on population, the City is home to just under 9,000 residents but supports over 678,000 workers, most of them commuters who form a vital part of London’s economic infrastructure. This unique mix of residential and corporate voters makes City elections unlike any other in the UK, with businesses playing a formal role in selecting their representatives.

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The new cohort of Common Councillors will now help shape several high-profile developments that are already transforming the City’s urban and cultural landscape. These include the creation of the new London Museum at Smithfield, which promises to become a major visitor attraction; the Salisbury Square Development, soon to house both a state-of-the-art City of London Police HQ and a new courthouse complex; and the Barbican Renewal Programme, a five-year upgrade plan for the City’s landmark arts venue.

Chris Hayward, the City of London Corporation’s Policy Chairman, welcomed the results, saying:

“It is my hope that our newly elected Members will drive policies supporting economic growth, sustainability, cultural vibrancy, and our residents, maintaining the City’s position as a global powerhouse.”

He added that the City Corporation’s work was “diverse and wide-ranging,” from delivering frontline public services to representing the UK’s financial and professional services industry on the world stage.

While turnout figures have yet to be officially confirmed, early indications suggest continued engagement from both residential and commercial voters. The City’s business vote, often a source of debate, remains a defining feature of its electoral system. Companies are allocated votes based on the number of workers they employ in the Square Mile and can nominate eligible employees to cast those votes on their behalf. Supporters argue that this ensures the views of the City’s workforce are represented in policy decisions, while critics continue to question the model’s democratic robustness.

Looking ahead, the incoming councillors face both opportunities and challenges, from keeping the City competitive in a post-Brexit world to balancing heritage preservation with forward-looking infrastructure. With projects like the Museum of London’s relocation and the evolution of the Barbican on the table, their decisions will help shape the Square Mile’s role in a rapidly changing London.

More information on the City Corporation elections, including how to stand in future, is available at the Speak for the City website. The full list of results from this year’s elections can be accessed on the City of London Corporation website.

For more stories about the City of London’s politics, heritage, and transformation, visit EyeOnLondon City.