Southwark Liberal Democrats Launch Local Election Manifesto: How to Fix Southwark
Southwark Liberal Democrats have today launched their manifesto, titled “How to Fix Southwark”.
In their manifesto, they headline a “Six to Fix” – addressing what residents have told them are their priorities.
The Liberal Democrats say they are tackling the continuing cost of living and housing crises, rising crime, council services that feel remote and inaccessible, and an inner-London that is increasingly hostile to children and young people.
They point out that Southwark now has the highest crime rate in South East London, yet Labour have closed police front counters and cut back community safety officers. At the same time, council tax continues to rise while services decline, complaints are at record levels, and the Housing Ombudsman has repeatedly found maladministration in the council’s housing service. Despite over 22,000 households on the social housing waiting list, Labour started fewer than 70 council homes in the last year. Youth services have been cut back and seven schools have been closed, leaving fewer opportunities and less support for young people and families.
With Labour now in power at every level, the Liberal Democrats say there are no more excuses.
Their “Six to Fix” are:
Freezing council tax for the poorest
Doubling community safety officers to make our streets safer
Ensuring half of all new homes built are genuinely affordable
Opening one stop shops for council services in every neighbourhood
Creating eight new parks and green spaces
Opening 5 new youth centres
The manifesto also contains commitments around transport, recycling, and creating a vibrant local economy.
The commitments are expected to form the council’s agenda for delivery should the Liberal Democrats take control of the council after May’s local elections.
The Liberal Democrats had previously spoken of their ambition for the local elections in the wake of catastrophic national polling for Labour, and local failures driving people away from Labour and looking for change. Southwark has been highlighted by some election observers as being on the cards for “no overall control” - with Labour potentially being deprived of a majority and the Liberal Democrats being able to lead an administration.
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:
“For 16 years Labour have been letting us down in Southwark – they're in power everywhere, and delivering nowhere. Residents are now looking to the Liberal Democrats – as the only elected opposition with a record of years of hard work holding this Labour Council to account – for change.
Our bold, liberal plan to fix Southwark is drawn from thousands of conversations with residents over the last few years, and working local organisations and diverse communities, as well as our work in the town hall.
We have the one of the strongest teams we’ve ever had with plenty more energy and ideas – and we can’t wait to put this plan into action to deliver on residents’ priorities of the cost of living, crime, and housing.”