As millions of Brits are set to choose their local councillor on Thursday, many factors, including the cost of living, the rise of the far right, and the Gaza war, are likely to influence voters' decisions.
While the governing Labour Party is projected to face losses across the UK, the Green Party has been seen as a new, left-leaning , pro-Palestine alternative.
One candidate hoping to end Labour's 20-year rule in Lambeth is Zvikomborero "Zviko" Chihoro , a 28-year-old running for the Green Party in Brixton Rush Common in South London.
"I got into politics because I wanted to do something and to help my local area," Zviko tells The New Arab .
"The job of a councillor, to me, is the local representative that's meant to stand out for local people, help sort out the problems that they have."
Having always been a "community man," Zviko wishes to make a difference in the borough, which has become "significantly worse" under Labour's rule, while also serving as an inspiration.
"The things that I want to fix are the biggest problems around here, so housing, local services," Zviko explains.
"I thought, you know what, it's time that someone who lives around here and wants to do something, stands up for council. I don't think that I can fix every single problem in Brixton Rush Common, but I think that by standing and doing something is the greatest start."
Why the Green Party? Zviko says that, for him, it's the only party that speaks to his beliefs, praising its current leader, Zack Polanski , and its "unapologetic approach" to putting people first.
"I'm being deadly honest, Zack Polanski, becoming the leader, was the real game changer," Zviko says.
"He acknowledged the fact that for us to have environmental justice, we need to look after people first; you don't have one without the other."
One major issue that has impacted voters' position has been the wars in the Middle East, especially Israel's genocide in Gaza.
Palestine has been at the forefront of much of the political discussion following the events of 7 October, with many disappointed in the Labour Party, especially its leader's pro-Israel stance , moving more towards independent or Green candidates over their support against the war.
"I think everyone should know that massacring people is not right," Zviko says.
Zviko is one of the over 16,000 candidates who have signed the Palestine Solidarity Campaign's " Pledge for Palestine " petition, asking councillors across Britain to support the Palestinian cause and prevent the council from supporting or normalising Israel's violations.
"It's important for us out here in the West, in better lives, that are living comfortable lives, to call out the things that we see wrong in the world and for me, it has been a clear genocide," the candidate says.
For Zviko, the cause also hits close to home.
Being from Zimbabwe , Zviko explains that his parents lived in the state during Gukurahundi, where over 20,000 members of the Ndebele community were killed in a series of mass killings and genocide in the 1980s.
People, mainly civilians, were killed regardless of their political affiliations and were either executed, forcefully disappeared or sent to re-education camps.
"My mum is Ndebele herself, so it was her people that were massacred," he adds. "For me, just having that as, not a childhood memory, but something that your parents would tell you when you're young, really stuck in my mind, that you need to fight against oppression, and you need to fight against the things that are wrong that you see in life," Zviko shares. "The Palestinians are like my brothers and sisters, because we had to fight the oppressor."
As election day nears, Zviko reflects on his campaign, from canvassing and meeting people to drumming up support.
"I can't lie, it is tiring, electioneering, it's a tiring game, but we do it all for the right reasons, so I guess it's going well," Zviko tells The New Arab. "I love canvassing, I love meeting people on the door, speaking to people and getting to know people has been amazing."
If he wins, the candidate hopes to inspire young people to get into politics and make a difference in his community.
"I want to be a representative of the community," Zviko hopes.
"I hope it's not just me who wins. I hope Green candidates across Lambeth win too, so we can begin fixing some of the problems this campaign has laid bare," he adds. "Just being able to talk to people, being able to help people with their situations, is what I'm most excited for." Anam Alam is a staff writer at The New Arab. She frequently writes about human rights and social issues, including women's rights and sex education Follow her on X: @itsanamalam