Bruce Grove councillor Joseph Ejiofor is almost certain to be the next leader of Haringey Council after being elected leader of the borough’s Labour Party.

Cllr Ejiofor, who served as deputy leader during Claire Kober’s administration, secured the most votes at Haringey Labour branch’s annual general meeting (AGM) last night (Tuesday, May 8).

The result means he is likely to be sworn in as new council leader at the Full Council AGM on Thursday, May 24.

He tweeted: “Very grateful and humble to have gained the confidence of Haringey Labour Councillors and been elected as the Leader of Haringey Labour Group this evening.”

He later added: “The Labour Group is united in its determination to serve all the residents of Haringey fairly; to manage the severe impact of Tory government cuts and create the social housing, safer communities and opportunities for residents that we desperately need.

“We are confident in the direction we want local government to move in the borough. We plan to build our own housing on our own land, invest in youth services, look to stimulate the local economy and begin the process of insourcing.

“We are excited at the prospect of creating a new model for local government that will include genuine consultation and engagement with our residents.”

Cllr Ejiofor was declared Labour leader after winning more votes than fellow leadership contenders cllrs Zena Brabazon, Kirsten Hearn and Peray Ahmet.

Meanwhile, Noel Park ward councillor Emine Ibrahim was elected deputy Labour leader.

Both councillors are members of pressure group Momentum, meaning the new administration is likely to shift to the left following the centrist leadership of Claire Kober.

Cllr Kober announced she would step down in January this year following criticism of her flagship policy the Haringey Development Vehicle (HDV) – a public-private partnership set up to provide housing for the borough.

The Labour group’s local election manifesto confirmed plans to ditch the HDV and set up a wholly council-owned company to build social housing.

But some commentators expressed criticism of the result amid claims cllr Brabazon had won more votes from the local Labour membership in a ballot on Monday evening.

Haringey Left Unity tweeted: “New Haringey Labour Group ignores consultative vote of local Labour Party members for @ZenaBrabazon and votes in Joe Ejiofor Leader instead. Not promising for ‘doing politics differently’. What behind the scenes deals were done?”

Labour comfortably won control of the council following local elections on May 3, but its majority was cut from 41 to 28 after a Liberal Democrat resurgence saw them take seven seats in the west of the borough.