Front runners in the upcoming local election have released their 2022 manifestos.
Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats published their policy programmes for Southwark ahead of the upcoming local elections on 5 May.
Southwark Labour, who currently lead the council, launched their “fairer, greener, safer” plan for the borough last week. It contained a number of promises to boost employment, build more council homes, reduce crime and cut emissions, while defending the party’s achievements in office.
The Lib Dems’ ‘Plan for Southwark’ vowed to take action on the climate and housing crises, improve transport, and make Southwark’s streets “cleaner and safer.”
They also criticised Labour for “not listening” to locals, saying they would “improve consultation” and make it “easier to access council services.”
The Lib Dems are currently the second party at the council, having fourteen councillors across 23 wards, compared to Labour’s 48 councillors.
Southwark Greens are the third party in Southwark, and the Conservatives have a presence in Dulwich. Both are yet to release their manifestos for May’s local election.
Comment: Get on our Soap Box and please do go out and vote on May 5th so the council represents you!
Economy
Labour
Labour said they “will be on your side” and support families with rising energy and food bills.
They vowed to:
- Launch a new Southwark Energy Savers service, allowing people on low incomes to access advice on keeping their bills low
- Establish a new Southwark Cost of Living fund to support families who cannot make ends meet
- Create 2,000 green jobs in the borough
- Bring more council services in-house
Lib Dems
The Lib Dems said they would support residents and businesses who are struggling with the cost of living crisis and the “consequences of Brexit.”
They vowed to:
- Create 5,000 new apprenticeships in Southwark
- Introduce a new relief fund for local businesses impacted by the pandemic and Brexit
- Expand the council’s Hardship Fund
- Create a mental health support package of direct funding and signposting to services, including a specialist counsellor in every school.
Housing
Labour
Labour said “everyone should be able to afford somewhere they can call home.”
They promised to:
- Build at least 1,000 council homes by 2026 (500 for keyworkers)
- End rough sleeping for good
- Make council homes warmer and greener
- Extend the licensing scheme to ensure landlords have to meet high standards and better protect for private renters
Lib Dems
The Lib Dems said they would “provide homes for local people,” claiming “diverse communities can’t thrive if they are priced out of the borough.”
They promised to:
- Require developers to provide 50% genuinely affordable homes in all private developments
- Expand and accelerate the council’s buyback scheme for council housing
- Bring empty homes back into use
- Introduce a dedicated complex repairs team to deal with issues with Southwark’s housing
- Boycott developers and housing associations that have not supported leaseholders affected by the building safety crisis
Southwark Soapbox: why does this woman think she’d be better having a bath outside than in her flat?
Communities & Streets
Labour
Labour said they will “work to ensure Southwark is a safe place for everyone, young and old. We will make our streets and estates safer.”
They vowed to:
- Launch a £2 million anti-social behaviour task force
- Upgrade street and estate lighting
- Campaign to reverse damaging police cuts
- End youth violence
Lib Dems
The Lib Dems said they would make “Southwark’s streets cleaner and safer,” claiming the Labour-run council has “left rubbish to pile up and slashed the number of community wardens.”
They vowed to:
- Introduce free bulky waste disposal services and invest in enforcement officers to issue fines against fly-tippers
- Double the number of litter bins, invest in more street cleaners and organise community litter picking days
- Boost recycling rates to at least 60 per cent.
- Employ 100 Community Wardens across anti-social behaviour hotspots in Southwark
Environment
Labour
Labour recognised “how much residents value our award-winning parks and green spaces.” They said they would invest in green spaces, as well as create new ones.
They pledged to:
- Create more parks, nature sites and woodlands
- Kick start a gardening revolution
- Planting more than 100,000 trees
- Half the council’s emissions
Lib Dems
The Lib Dems said they would make “Southwark the greenest borough in London”, claiming “Labour was failing to tackle the Climate Emergency.”
They pledged to:
- Safeguard green spaces from being built on
- Plant 100,000 trees across Southwark
- Invest in solar panels and heat pumps and back community energy projects to help estates switch to green energy
- Fully divest Southwark’s pension fund from fossil fuels
To view Labour’s full manifesto click here, whereas the Lib Dem’s can be accessed here.
Local Elections 2022: Southwark Tories release election manifesto