Lewisham local elections
Encyclopedia
The London Borough of Lewisham
is a London borough
, in the United Kingdom
, established in 1964. Elections are held every four years using a plurality bloc vote
electoral system for the councillors and the supplementary vote electoral system for the elected mayor
.
, an innovation introduced by the Government two years earlier in the Local Government Act 2000
. Incumbent Dave Sullivan who was combining the roles of Civic Mayor
and Leader of the Council, in preparation for the introduction of the new system lost an acrimonious Labour Party internal primary to Steve Bullock, who went on to win the position. However, local policy difficulties as well as the problems the Labour Party was experiencing nationally meant that the 2006 election turned out to be only the second time that Labour didn't win a majority of councillors.
2010 Council:
Labour 40*; Liberal Democrats
12; Green
1; Conservative 2
2006 Council:
Labour 27*; Liberal Democrats
17; Green
6; Conservative 3; Socialist 2
2002 Council:
Labour 46*; Liberal Democrats
4; Conservative 2; Socialist 1; Green
1; Local Education Action for Parents (LEAP) 1
*including Elected Mayor
17 March 2005 - Forest Hill (Lib Dem
)
17 March 2005 - Lee Green (Lib Dem
)
10 June 2004 - Evelyn (Labour)
10 June 2004 - Lee Green (Labour)
4 December 2003 - Telegraph Hill (Socialist)
23 October 2003 - Lewisham Central (Lib Dem
) [All postal ballot]
7 November 2002 - Downham (Lib Dem
)
10 October 2002 - Lee Green (Lib Dem
)
13 September 2007 - Whitefoot (Lib Dem
)
19 February 2009 - 2x Downham (2x Lib Dem
)
1998 Council:
Labour 61; Lib Dem
4; Conservative 2
1994 Council:
Labour 63; Lib Dem
3; Conservative 1
1990 Council:
Labour 58; Conservative 6; Lib Dem
3
1986 Council:
Labour 50; Conservative 17
1982 Council:
Labour 43; Conservative 24
1978 Council:
Labour 44; Conservative 23
8 November 2001 - Bellingham (Labour)
8 February 2001 - Marlowe (Labour)
23 November 2000 - Pepys (Socialist)
15 July 1999 - Churchdown (Labour)
10 June 1999 - Pepys (Socialist)
8 April 1999 - Downham (Lib Dem
)
25 November 1998 - Grinling Gibbons (Labour)
and 42 councillors in 17 wards from the Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham
. The election of the first council in 1964 constituted the practical creation of the London Borough of Lewisham
. It operated in 'shadow' form and did not take over administration of services until a year later. Whilst the term of a council at that time was three years, the Government extended the life of all the London Borough
s in order to de-synchronize the timetabling of elections with those of the Greater London Council
.
However, the 1968 council elections were a disaster for the Labour Party who were in national government at the time, and this was reflected in this borough - the three year period 1968-1971 remains the only time in the borough's existence that Labour has not formed the administration. Non-Labour governance didn't take - the 1971 election saw the Conservative Party unable to defend its gains, as - now in national government itself - it was crushed in turn.
1974 Council:
Labour 49; Conservative 11
1971 Council:
Labour 55; Conservative 5
1968 Council:
Conservative 41; Labour 19
1964 Council:
Labour 45; Conservative 15
London Borough of Lewisham
The London Borough of Lewisham is a London borough in south-east London, England and forms part of Inner London. The principal settlement of the borough is Lewisham...
is a London borough
London borough
The administrative area of Greater London contains thirty-two London boroughs. Inner London comprises twelve of these boroughs plus the City of London. Outer London comprises the twenty remaining boroughs of Greater London.-Functions:...
, in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, established in 1964. Elections are held every four years using a plurality bloc vote
Plurality-at-large voting
Plurality-at-large voting is a non-proportional voting system for electing several representatives from a single multimember electoral district using a series of check boxes and tallying votes similar to a plurality election...
electoral system for the councillors and the supplementary vote electoral system for the elected mayor
Elected mayors in the United Kingdom
Directly elected mayors are council leaders elected by the general electorate of a council area for local government, instead of being appointed by members of a local authority, which is common in the United Kingdom. The Elected Mayor is elected from a number of candidates who put themselves up for...
.
Executive mayor
| 2010 council | Elected Mayor | Steve Bullock Steve Bullock Sir Steve Bullock is the first directly elected mayor of the London Borough of Lewisham .Born in Redcar, North Yorkshire, Bullock began his career as a van driver for Saltburn and Marske-by-the-Sea Urban District Council in 1972... , 2010–present |
Labour |
| 2006 council | Elected Mayor | Steve Bullock Steve Bullock Sir Steve Bullock is the first directly elected mayor of the London Borough of Lewisham .Born in Redcar, North Yorkshire, Bullock began his career as a van driver for Saltburn and Marske-by-the-Sea Urban District Council in 1972... , 2006-2006 |
Labour |
| 2002 council | Elected Mayor | Steve Bullock Steve Bullock Sir Steve Bullock is the first directly elected mayor of the London Borough of Lewisham .Born in Redcar, North Yorkshire, Bullock began his career as a van driver for Saltburn and Marske-by-the-Sea Urban District Council in 1972... , 2002–2006 |
Labour |
Leaders of the Council
| 1998 council | Leader | Dave Sullivan, 1998–2002 | Labour | |||||||||
| 1994 council |
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| 1990 council |
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| 1986 council |
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| 1982 council |
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| 1978 council | Leader | Andy Hawkins, 1978–1982 | Labour | |||||||||
| 1974 council | Leader | Andy Hawkins, 1974–1978 | Labour | |||||||||
| 1971 council | Leader | Andy Hawkins, 1971–1974 | Labour | |||||||||
| 1968 council | Leader | Norman Dinsdale Banks, 1968–1971 | Conservative | |||||||||
| 1964 council | Leader | Fred W.Winslade, 1965–1968 | Labour |
Election results 2002-2010
In 2002 the council was reduced to its smallest size ever: 18 wards of 3 councillors each, plus an Elected MayorElected mayors in the United Kingdom
Directly elected mayors are council leaders elected by the general electorate of a council area for local government, instead of being appointed by members of a local authority, which is common in the United Kingdom. The Elected Mayor is elected from a number of candidates who put themselves up for...
, an innovation introduced by the Government two years earlier in the Local Government Act 2000
Local Government Act 2000
The Local Government Act 2000 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that reformed local government in England and Wales. Its principal purposes are:...
. Incumbent Dave Sullivan who was combining the roles of Civic Mayor
Mayors in the United Kingdom
In England, the office of mayor or lord mayor had long been ceremonial posts, with few or no duties attached to it. A mayor's term of office denotes the municipal year. The most famous example is that of the Lord Mayor of the City of London....
and Leader of the Council, in preparation for the introduction of the new system lost an acrimonious Labour Party internal primary to Steve Bullock, who went on to win the position. However, local policy difficulties as well as the problems the Labour Party was experiencing nationally meant that the 2006 election turned out to be only the second time that Labour didn't win a majority of councillors.
| 2002 | 2006 | 2010 | |
| Bellingham | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Blackheath | Lab 3 | Lib Dem 3 | Lib Dem 2 / Lab 1 |
| Brockley | Lab 2 / Green 1 | Green 3 | Lab 2 / Green 1 |
| Catford South | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Crofton Park | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 2 / Lib Dem 1 |
| Downham | Lib Dem 2 / Lab 1 | Lib Dem 3 | Lib Dem 3 |
| Evelyn | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Forest Hill | Lab 3 | Lib Dem 3 | Lib Dem 2 / Lab 1 |
| Grove Park | Con 2 / Lab 1 | Con 3 | Con 2 / Lab 1 |
| Ladywell | Lab 3 | Green 3 | Lab 3 |
| Lee Green | Lab 3 | Lib Dem 3 | Lib Dem 2 / Lab 1 |
| Lewisham Central | Lab 3 | Lib Dem 2 / Lab 1 | Lab 3 |
| New Cross | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Perry Vale | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Rushey Green | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Sydenham | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Telegraph Hill | Lab 1 / LEAP 1 / Soc 1 | Soc 2 / Lab 1 | Lab 3 |
| Whitefoot | Lib Dem 2 / Lab 1 | Lib Dem 3 | Lib Dem 2 / Lab 1 |
Labour 40*; Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
12; Green
Green Party of England and Wales
The Green Party of England and Wales is a political party in England and Wales which follows the traditions of Green politics and maintains a strong commitment to social progressivism. It is the largest Green party in the United Kingdom, containing within it various regional divisions including...
1; Conservative 2
2006 Council:
Labour 27*; Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
17; Green
Green Party of England and Wales
The Green Party of England and Wales is a political party in England and Wales which follows the traditions of Green politics and maintains a strong commitment to social progressivism. It is the largest Green party in the United Kingdom, containing within it various regional divisions including...
6; Conservative 3; Socialist 2
2002 Council:
Labour 46*; Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
4; Conservative 2; Socialist 1; Green
Green Party of England and Wales
The Green Party of England and Wales is a political party in England and Wales which follows the traditions of Green politics and maintains a strong commitment to social progressivism. It is the largest Green party in the United Kingdom, containing within it various regional divisions including...
1; Local Education Action for Parents (LEAP) 1
*including Elected Mayor
By-elections in the 2002 council
(winning party shown)17 March 2005 - Forest Hill (Lib Dem
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
)
17 March 2005 - Lee Green (Lib Dem
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
)
10 June 2004 - Evelyn (Labour)
10 June 2004 - Lee Green (Labour)
4 December 2003 - Telegraph Hill (Socialist)
23 October 2003 - Lewisham Central (Lib Dem
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
) [All postal ballot]
7 November 2002 - Downham (Lib Dem
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
)
10 October 2002 - Lee Green (Lib Dem
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
)
By-elections in the 2006 council
(winning party shown)13 September 2007 - Whitefoot (Lib Dem
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
)
19 February 2009 - 2x Downham (2x Lib Dem
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
)
Election results 1978-1998
In 1978 the council was increased to 67 seats as the ward boundaries were reviewed and changed. Also, the Government changed the law to extend Council terms everywhere from three to four years, so the 1974 council was given an extra year of life.| 1978 | 1982 | 1986 | 1990 | 1994 | 1998 | |
| Bellingham | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| Blackheath | Lab 2 | Con 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| Blythe Hill | Con 2 | Con 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| Catford | Con 2 | Con 2 | Con 2 | Con 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| Churchdown | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Crofton Park | Con 3 | Con 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Downham | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lib Dem 3 | Lib Dem 3 | Lib Dem 3 |
| Drake | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Evelyn | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Forest Hill | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| Grinling Gibbons | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Grove Park | 1 Lab / 1 Con | Lab 2 | 1 Lab / 1 Con | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| Hither Green | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Horniman | Con 3 | Con 3 | Con 3 | Lab 2 / Con 1 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Ladywell | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Manor Lee | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| Marlowe | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Pepys | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Perry Hill | Con 3 | Lab 3 | Con 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Rushey Green | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| St Andrews | Con 2 | Con 2 | Con 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| St Margaret | 1 Lab / 1 Con | Con 2 | 1 Lab / 1 Con | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| St Mildred | Con 3 | Con 3 | Con 3 | Con 3 | 2 Lab / 1 Con | 2 Con / 1 Lab |
| Sydenham East | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Sydenham West | Con 3 | Con 3 | 2 Lab / 1 Con | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Whitefoot | Lab 2 | Con 2 | 1 Lab / 1 Con | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | 1 Lab / 1 Lib Dem |
Labour 61; Lib Dem
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
4; Conservative 2
1994 Council:
Labour 63; Lib Dem
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
3; Conservative 1
1990 Council:
Labour 58; Conservative 6; Lib Dem
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
3
1986 Council:
Labour 50; Conservative 17
1982 Council:
Labour 43; Conservative 24
1978 Council:
Labour 44; Conservative 23
By-elections in the 1998 council
(winning party shown)8 November 2001 - Bellingham (Labour)
8 February 2001 - Marlowe (Labour)
23 November 2000 - Pepys (Socialist)
15 July 1999 - Churchdown (Labour)
10 June 1999 - Pepys (Socialist)
8 April 1999 - Downham (Lib Dem
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
)
25 November 1998 - Grinling Gibbons (Labour)
Election results 1964-1974
Between 1964 and 1974 the council was elected on wards created before the borough was created: 18 councillors in 6 wards from the Metropolitan Borough of DeptfordMetropolitan Borough of Deptford
The Metropolitan Borough of Deptford was a Metropolitan borough in the County of London between 1900 and 1965, when it became part of the London Borough of Lewisham along with the Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham....
and 42 councillors in 17 wards from the Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham
Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham
The Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham was a Metropolitan borough in the County of London between 1900 and 1965, when it became part of the London Borough of Lewisham along with the Metropolitan Borough of Deptford.-History:...
. The election of the first council in 1964 constituted the practical creation of the London Borough of Lewisham
London Borough of Lewisham
The London Borough of Lewisham is a London borough in south-east London, England and forms part of Inner London. The principal settlement of the borough is Lewisham...
. It operated in 'shadow' form and did not take over administration of services until a year later. Whilst the term of a council at that time was three years, the Government extended the life of all the London Borough
London borough
The administrative area of Greater London contains thirty-two London boroughs. Inner London comprises twelve of these boroughs plus the City of London. Outer London comprises the twenty remaining boroughs of Greater London.-Functions:...
s in order to de-synchronize the timetabling of elections with those of the Greater London Council
Greater London Council
The Greater London Council was the top-tier local government administrative body for Greater London from 1965 to 1986. It replaced the earlier London County Council which had covered a much smaller area...
.
However, the 1968 council elections were a disaster for the Labour Party who were in national government at the time, and this was reflected in this borough - the three year period 1968-1971 remains the only time in the borough's existence that Labour has not formed the administration. Non-Labour governance didn't take - the 1971 election saw the Conservative Party unable to defend its gains, as - now in national government itself - it was crushed in turn.
| 1964 | 1968 | 1971 | 1974 | |
| Area of the former Metropolitan Borough of Deptford Metropolitan Borough of Deptford The Metropolitan Borough of Deptford was a Metropolitan borough in the County of London between 1900 and 1965, when it became part of the London Borough of Lewisham along with the Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham.... |
||||
| Brockley | Lab 3 | Con 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Deptford | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Drake | Lab 3 | Con 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Grinling Gibbons | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Marlowe | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Pepys | Lab 3 | Con 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Area of the former Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham The Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham was a Metropolitan borough in the County of London between 1900 and 1965, when it became part of the London Borough of Lewisham along with the Metropolitan Borough of Deptford.-History:... |
||||
| Bellingham | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| Blackheath and Lewisham Village | Con 3 | Con 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Culverley | Con 2 | Con 2 | Con 2 | Con 2 |
| Forest Hill | Lab 2 / Con 1 | Con 3 | Lab 3 | Con 3 |
| Honor Oak Park | Con 3 | Con 3 | Lab 3 | Con 3 |
| Grove Park | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| Ladywell | Lab 3 | Con 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Lewisham Park | Lab 3 | Con 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Manor Lee | Lab 2 | Con 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| Rushey Green | Lab 2 | Con 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| St Andrew | Lab 2 | Con 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| St Mildred Lee | Con 2 | Con 2 | Con 2 | Con 2 |
| Southend | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| South Lee | Lab 2 | Con 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
| Sydenham East | Lab 2 / Con 1 | Con 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 3 |
| Sydenham West | Con 3 | Con 3 | Lab 3 | Lab 2 / Con 1 |
| Whitefoot | Lab 2 | Con 2 | Lab 2 | Lab 2 |
1974 Council:
Labour 49; Conservative 11
1971 Council:
Labour 55; Conservative 5
1968 Council:
Conservative 41; Labour 19
1964 Council:
Labour 45; Conservative 15