Councillors to Vote on Bermondsey Carnival Funding

Councillors will be forced to vote on Bermondsey Carnival funding at the March council assembly, the Liberal Democrats revealed on Friday.

The Southwark Liberal Democrats submitted a motion that asks the council to commit money for the carnival to have a full return this year.

Southwark Labour cut funding for the Bermondsey Carnival for 2022. The carnival is typically a free event held in Southwark Park.

The council is proposing to host the MIK K-pop festival in Southwark Park this summer, which will be a private event.

Commenting, Cllr Hamish McCallum, Southwark Liberal Democrat group leader and North Bermondsey councillor said:

“This is a classic example of Labour not listening to residents when it comes to decision-making. In one swoop, Labour’s policies suggest a potential future of profiting off Southwark Park with events like the K-pop festival, while residents lose out on important community gatherings like Bermondsey Carnival. What is shocking is that they have made this decision after a pandemic that has severely restricted us from seeing each other at diverse, inclusive events like the Bermondsey Carnival.”