We Face a Difficult Winter – But This Year we have shown that Compassion and Community Action Can Help Us Win for Our Residents

Despite the crises we face, Sadiq’s bus cut U-turn is just the latest win in a year of tireless action from our Southwark Liberal Democratic group.

Looking back at 2022, it is hard to see past the seemingly perpetual crises that have left the most vulnerable in our society on the brink.

The cost-of-living crisis, Russia’s inhumane and illegal war in Ukraine, a government paralysed by its own incompetent self-interest and, here in Southwark, a Labour-run council lacking in ambition and willingness to implement the radical policies we need.

However, I want to use my final leader’s column of the year to end on a more positive note – even in the face of these pressures, Liberal Democrats are winning for our residents.

At the start of the year, the Southwark Liberal Democrats successfully forced the Council to commit to step up and spend funding from the climate emergency fund to tackle the Climate Emergency, after years of dither and delay.

In the summer, TfL extended the cycle hire scheme further into Southwark. Finally offering more residents access to green active travel Liberal Democrat councillors had been demanding for years.

Last month, after an extensive campaign from Southwark Liberal Democrats, Labour’s Sadiq Khan backed down on his reckless bus cuts. The cuts would have decimated our vital bus network that people in Southwark rely on so heavily and hurt the most vulnerable.

This U-turn is a huge relief for the people of Southwark, who at least won’t have to worry about being cut off from the rest of the city on top of everything else.

The London Mayor’s decision is a vital reminder that, when we come together to represent our community and its demands, we can get the best outcome for Londoners. Through petitions, letters, campaigning on the streets and working with affected groups, we forced the Labour mayor to see sense, and put the brakes on his senseless plans.

At the last council assembly, our group secured a commitment from Southwark that they will explore providing free period products in all council owned buildings.

The motion from our Liberal Democrat group, which also called for sanitary bins in all toilets, will tackle period poverty in our borough and is the perfect example of the kind of compassionate policies the council must adopt for its residents in these difficult times. 

I’m extremely proud to be the Leader of the Southwark Liberal Democrat council group that has spent the year being a shining example of how to help people in the face of the unprecedented financial, social and political obstacles.

In North Bermondsey, Southwark Liberal Democrat councillors have stood up for residents in the battle to stop the excessively disruptive Oceandiva party-yacht, whilst also tackling the ongoing issues of litter and supporting our estates.

In Borough and Bankside, we continue to give residents a voice on planning as our community continues to face constant redevelopment and we secured a commitment to see our Roman Mosaic returned to Southwark

My colleagues in Surrey Docks succeeded in getting Greenland Dock Bridge repainted, breathing new life into an historic Southwark landmark and supported local residents on parking issues

In St George’s ward, Cllr Maria Linforth-Hall won a Jubilee award for her tireless charitable work and Cllr Graham Neale has worked with the Dodson & Amigo estate residents and Bermondsey Community Kitchen to provide food to those in need.

Looking ahead, dropping temperatures and increasing costs represent more challenges for vulnerable people and those who support them. That is why my Liberal Democrat colleagues and I will continue to represent and fight for our residents, ensuring no one slips through the cracks left by an uncaring government and an unambitious Labour council.

Sometimes we have to take stock of our victories to remind us what we can achieve with compassion and community action.