The seven official candidates running for Mayor of Lewisham. Pic design: Victoria Brustad

Seven candidates have been confirmed as standing in the upcoming Lewisham mayoral by-election on March 7. 

Lewisham Council has released an election booklet with the official list of candidates and their personal statements. Here are the seven candidates, followed by their personal statements and top priorities:

• Siama Qadar – Conservatives 
• Chris Maines – Liberal Democrats 
• John Nicholas Hamilton – Workers Party of Britain (WPB) 
• Brenda Dacres – Labour and Co-operative Party 
• Michael Herron – The Green Party 
• Nick Long – Independent 
• Maureen Maud Martin – Christian Peoples Alliance

Conservative – Siama Qadar 

Siama Qadar is standing as the Conservative candidate. Pic: Siama Qadar X

International author and founder of sustainable fashion start-up, Siama Qadar is the Conservative candidate. 

In her statement, she said: “I am deeply honoured to seek your trust and support in my candidacy for Mayor of Lewisham. 

“Born in Lewisham Hospital and raised in Deptford by hardworking immigrant parents, my life has been intrinsically woven into the very fabric of our vibrant community.”

She says her educational journey within Lewisham and her subsequent university studies in London has “instilled in me a profound appreciation for the resilience that defines our borough. 

“I pledge a full-term Mayoral commitment, contrasting with the previous Labour leadership. My dedication to Lewisham is unwavering and I am here to serve the entire community with integrity and transparency.”

Qadar’s six pledges are:

• Combatting crime head-on: “Implementing a comprehensive strategy involving working closely with the police, more neighbourhood watch programmes and cultivating strong community bonds.”

• Fairer transport solutions: “Reviewing LTNs and the effectiveness of universal 20mph roads to alleviate traffic congestion. Oppose schemes like ULEZ.”

• Empower our youth: “Working with schools and government to prioritise investment in infrastructure, special needs support, mental health services and programmes aimed at preventing crime.”

• More affordable and social housing: “Dedication to increasing the availability of affordable homes through partnerships with local developers and support for first-time buyers.”

• Facilitating job creation: “Establishing a resilient local network involving businesses, schools and residents to generate job opportunities, including apprenticeships, to promote economic growth in Lewisham.”

• Promoting sustainability: “Taking steps to create a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Lewisham. Enhancing recycling programmes, advocating for energy efficiency and greener local planning.”

Liberal Democrats – Chris Maines

Chris Maines is standing as Liberal Democrats’ candidate. Pic: Liberal Democrats 

Chris Maines, a former Lewisham councillor is the Liberal Democrats candidate. 

Maines’s statement begins with him underlining the cost of Damien Egan’s resignation:

“Labour’s Mayor resigned and caused this by-election costing Lewisham’s taxpayers £635,000.

“Labour has failed our borough on everything from education to recycling. They even allow property developers to run riot. 

“54 out of 54 councillors on Lewisham Council are Labour. There’s no real democracy and no checks or balances. Lewisham deserves better.”

His statement finished with: “Lewisham needs a Mayor who will listen to residents instead of taking them for granted…”

Maines’ six priorities are:

• Building family homes. “I will start a Council House building programme for our borough. I will ensure property developers include more affordable homes and local infrastructure such as GP surgeries.”

• Improving standards in education. “I will support Lewisham’s secondary schools to get better results and improve provision for children with special educational needs. I will support the development of teacher training and ensure better mental health support.”

• Getting the basics right. “Clearing up litter, removing graffiti, tackling fly-tipping and responding to residents’ concerns are the simple tasks we expect Lewisham Council to deliver – it will if I am Mayor.”

• Local action on the climate crisis. “I will put tackling the climate crisis at the centre of council activities. The council must provide leadership and support to residents and set a better example in all its activities.”

• A safer community. “Everyone in Lewisham should feel safe in their homes and walking our streets. I will work with the local police to deliver real community policing, where officers are visible, trusted and known personally to local people.”

• A culture change at the council. “Lewisham Council ignores residents, runs sham consultations and blocks proper scrutiny and challenge. I will open up the processes, listen to residents and strive to deliver excellent services for all.”

Workers Party of Britain – John Hamilton

John Hamilton is the Workers Party of Britain’s candidate. Pic: People Before Profit X

Veteran left-wing activist John Nicholas Hamilton is standing for the Workers Party of Britain. 

John has lived in Lewisham for decades and is well-known as an activist. His bold approach has won several campaigns and he helped start the Extinction Rebellion group in Lewisham.

In his statement, Hamilton says: “We need a mayor who isn’t afraid to speak truth to power.

“Labour has ruined Lewisham over the past 30 years. Labour is full of obedient careerists who do what Keir Starmer tells them. We don’t need more of the same old clique running Lewisham down.

“We need someone bold enough to stand up to the senior council officers and their friends the developers and multinationals.”

As Mayor, John will call a referendum on “abolishing the all-powerful executive Mayoral system and returning to the old committee structure where all councillors have a say.”

If elected Hamilton will: 

• Refuse the salary of around £80,000 and do the job for the average Lewisham wage. 

• Re-open local services: libraries, community centres, youth clubs and under 5s play clubs which have been closed by Labour. 

• Build new council houses: Set up a direct works team to build the new council houses we need – stop letting developers build tower blocks with flats sold to foreign landlords. 

• Take school meals, parks maintenance and road works back “in-house” instead of letting private companies pay low wages to staff on short-term contracts. 

• Restore the speed limit to 30mph on main roads. Remove humps and other traffic obstacles which are dangerous for cyclists. Ensure traffic can flow freely instead of causing more pollution. 

• Cancel PFI contracts: Cancelling the disastrous, financially crippling PFI contracts for schools, street-lighting and housing maintenance. 

• Ending the use of overpaid outside consultants. 

Labour – Brenda Dacres

Brenda Dacres standing as Labour’s candidate. Pic: Brenda Dacres

Deptford Councillor and former Deputy Mayor, Brenda Dacres stands as Labour’s candidate. 

She has been acting mayor since Egan stepped down in January and is expected to win as the previous Labour candidate triumphed in the last election. 

In her statement, she said: “Over the past 10 years it’s been an honour to serve as a councillor, cabinet member and as your Deputy Mayor. 

“Now, I’m standing to be your Mayor. If you elect me, I’ll be brave enough to say where we need to do better.

“Life under 13 years of Conservative Government has been far too hard for many people across our borough. 

“Our Labour Council has fought back against cuts and closures and the slashing of our budget, whilst also delivering services and supporting residents through the cost of living crisis.”

Her top priorities are: 

• A home every resident can be proud of. “I’ll hold developers to account for building quality, affordable homes, get existing social housing up to scratch and work with renters to drive out rogue landlords.

• Exceptional opportunities for our children. “I’ll keep their schools operating at the highest level as well as tackling the inequalities faced by black and ethnic minority children, and those with additional needs.”

• Urgent action on the climate crisis. “I’ll protect their green spaces and protect the people of Lewisham by working to make theirs the greenest council in London.”

• An open, prosperous Lewisham. “I’ll fight for investment in their borough and make it easier for local people to find jobs closer to home. I’ll also push for the Bakerloo line to extend to Lewisham, Catford and beyond.”

• The most accessible council in London. “I’ll get the council out of the town hall and into every corner of their communities. I’ll start by listening to residents, working to reinstate the face-to-face services so many have asked for.”

The Green Party – Michael Herron 

Michael Herron is standing as The Green Party’s candidate. Pic: Lewisham Council

The Green Party, who came a distant second last time, is represented by Michael Herron. 

In his personal statement he says: “In a world where the rich are plundering the planet we fight for us all. 

“Electing Greens makes a real difference – in the London Assembly we are a vocal and effective group, and the One Party State in Lewisham needs a Green presence.”

Herron was a university lecturer and is now setting up his own online hotel booking business.

He says: “Like many in the Green Party I am a disillusioned Labour supporter. But what Lewisham, London and the country needs now are the radical social and economic ideas of the Greens.”

“For a fairer, greener Lewisham”, Herron’s priorities are: 

• Housing – “Rent controls, far more social housing, fair property taxes and reining in the big developers. Greens will enforce the powers councils have over rogue landlords. Lewisham has seen a 23% increase in homelessness since 2019 – decent housing is the right of everyone.” 

• Recycling – “Lewisham is one of the worst in London, at just 27% of waste recycled. The national average is 43%. We will improve this and cut fly-tipping.”

• Transport – “We will introduce measures to give residents alternatives to the car, making streets safer and healthier, and life easier for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.”

• Climate crisis – “We are the only party to truly recognise the threat to our children’s future and build realistic policies to tackle this looming catastrophe.”

• Gaza – “The Green Party is the only mainstream party which called for a Gaza ceasefire from the very start of the war.”

Independent – Nick Long

Nick Long is standing as an independent candidate. Pic: Go Fund Me

Nick Long, a left-wing independent is standing to abolish the position of mayor. 

Long’s statement started with: “I will only accept the average salary of borough residents. The rest will go back to the local community.”

He firmly believes that Lewisham should abolish the mayor, saying: “Labour think they’ve got it in the bag. Lewisham is a one-party state, and having a directly elected Mayor is dangerous, especially where there is no opposition. 

“Already we have seen a number of cases around the country where questionable decisions have been made – Liverpool and Tower Hamlets, for example. 

“I am keen to be a “one-term Mayor”, seeking to abolish the elected Mayor system and return to a powerful democratic committee system where councillors elect a leader each year.”

If elected as Mayor, he will be “calling for the borough to twin with Gaza.” 

“I have joined residents marching in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, on some of the largest marches seen in the borough since the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign.” 

Long’s priorities include:

• Compulsory purchase of long-term empty residential dwellings.

• Greater use of empty dwelling management orders to tackle empty homes. 

• End disrepair in private rented homes where the tenants are at risk from Category 1 hazards

• Keep council services in house – keep public money out of private hands. 

• More school facilities: more breakfast clubs, free school meals, and summer play facilities at school. 

Christian Peoples Alliance – Maureen Maud Martin

Maureen Martin is standing as The Christian Peoples Alliances candidate. Pic: Christian Concern

The Christian Peoples Alliance is represented by Maureen Maud Martin. 

Martin received extensive backlash when she stood as a candidate in the 2022 Lewisham mayoral election. 

Her 2022 leaflet said: “I pledge to cut through political correctness and simply state the truth that natural marriage between a man and a woman is the fundamental building block for a successful society and the safest environment for raising children.”

A complaint was made to her employer, and later she was fired. Therefore, she says: “I’m now free to work full time for you as Mayor of Lewisham.”

Martin’s six-point plan: 

• Provide visionary creative leadership. “Lewisham has experienced the same lack lustre vision of the current majority council for decades it is time for someone and something new. Keep doing the same thing continually and you will get the same results. Lewisham residents deserve better, a mayor who will serve residents and put their needs first.”

• Fighting knife crime. “My emphasis will be on reconciliation and kinship to help young offenders. Restore supervised youth centres and enhance the reach of local youth charities with grants.”

• Cutting business tax rates: “aiming to eventually eliminate business rates, will rejuvenate the high street and attract investment. Support calling on the government to write off Covid loans.”

• Re-tendering waste disposal contracts “to get better value for money employ creative up-cycling, particularly with electrical products, appliances and furniture.”

• Oppose ULEZ. Restore democracy – “withdraw Lewisham from an elite funded anti-democratic organisation called UK100, which is being bank-rolled by green billionaires to finance local authority pledges to exceed the Governments own net zero targets – without consulting voters.”

• Spend money wisely. “Review spending and reprioritise resources to issue that matter such as crime prevention. Defund disingenuous climate initiatives (greenwashing). Re-tender all major contracts for greater efficiency and better value for money.”

The Lewisham Mayor Election is on March 7. Find your local polling station, and it is now a government requirement to bring a photo ID to vote.