Islington Council axes festive lights, sparking criticism amid cost-cutting

Islington Council, a Labour‑run authority in London, has scrapped its annual festive lights in a bid to save about £150,000, drawing accusations of stealing Christmas. The decision ends a 15‑year tradition of bright displays that have lit up streets across the borough each December.

The move has triggered criticism from families and from some councillors who say they learned of the plan too late. Terry Stacy, a former Liberal Democrat council leader who has organised Highbury’s lights for more than a decade, said the rented lights were moved elsewhere and that a last‑minute alternative was offered at an exorbitant price. He added that he had joined three Green councillors in asking how much it would cost to host the light‑switching themselves, but the council did not respond. In January, the council’s then‑finance chief, Cllr Diarmaid Ward, assured locals that the annual display would go ahead as usual this year.

Much of the affected area lies in Islington North, the constituency represented by Jeremy Corbyn since 1983, and includes parts of Islington’s Angel area. Upper Street in Angel, a high‑street with significant profile, is within the same political geography that features Labour leadership discussions and public attention on party candidates. The blackout also touches Nag’s Head and Whitecross Street, with other stretches such as Blackstock Road seeing the same consequence. Some streets and commercial hubs have begun to rely on independent businesses to erect festive displays rather than the council, raising questions about the borough’s commitment to seasonal festivities and community celebration.

The council’s culture portfolio is led by Cllr Santiago Bell‑Bradford, who defended the decision by saying that the authority was prioritising essential services over decorations. He noted that Christmas trees and events would still be put on across the borough, asserting that the lights were not the sole determinant of seasonal cheer. The Daily Mail has approached Islington Council for comment, and MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Emily Thornberry have been contacted for responses.

Separately, motorists in Islington have voiced frustration after the council introduced a 10 mph speed limit on St John Street, just north of Smithfield Market, during six months of roadworks. The restriction will apply only while the works are in place, but locals say it is already causing traffic to back up and vehicles to stall. Local resident Phil Cudlipp, 68, said he already struggles to ride his Harley‑Davidson at 20 mph, and that the 10 mph limit is impractical for longer trips. He argued the new rule will exacerbate congestion as motorists attempt to navigate the bottlenecks created by the works.

The lights’ cancellation comes amid broader concern about cost‑cutting in local government and the visibility of long‑standing community traditions. Supporters of the lights say the displays are more than decoration; they are a cultural fixture that draws visitors, supports local businesses, and signals the borough’s festive season. Critics counter that in a borough with some of the capital’s wealthiest residents, the decision reflects a prioritisation of balance sheets over shared celebration, and they allege there was insufficient notice or engagement with community groups that often fundraise to keep the display going.

As the borough navigates these competing priorities, residents and local representatives will also be watching how other public services perform during the colder months. The question remains whether the sacrifice of the Christmas display will be offset by broader public‑facing investments or whether it will become another flashpoint in debates over austerity and the role of local government in sustaining community rituals.