[1] Since the last election in 2002, a Conservative councillor, Carol Shaw of Brondesbury Park ward, had defected to the Liberal Democrats,[2] while in April 2006, Labour councillor, Jonathan Davies of Queen's Park ward; also joined the Liberal Democrats.

[3] In the Brent area, the Liberal Democrats had also gained the parliamentary seat of Brent East from Labour at a 2003 by-election and held the seat at the 2005 general election.

[4][5] The defections meant that before the election Labour had 34 seats on the council, compared to 15 for the Conservatives and 11 for the Liberal Democrats.

[6][7] The Liberal Democrat gains were mainly at the expense of Labour,[6] who suffered a net loss of 14 seats.

[8] Following the election a coalition between the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives took control of the council, with Liberal Democrat Paul Lorber becoming the leader of the council and Conservative Bob Blackman deputy leader.