Lewisham London Borough Council elections explained

Lewisham London Borough Council is the local authority for the London Borough of Lewisham, in London, United Kingdom. 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.

Summary results of elections

width=50 width=90 Overall controlwidth=80 align="center" Labourwidth=80 align="center" Lib Demwidth=80 align="center" Greenwidth=80 align="center" Conservativewidth=80 align="center" Others
2022Labour540000
2018Labour540000
2014Labour530100
2010Labour4012110
2006No overall control2617632
2002Labour454122
1998Labour614-2-
1994Labour633-1-
1990Labour583-6-
1986Labour50--17-
1982Labour43--24-
1978Labour44--23-
1974Labour51--9-
1971Labour55--5-
1968Conservative19--41-
1964Labour45--15-

Council elections

Previous wards

The wards from 2002 to 2022 were:

Previously the borough was divided into 26 wards and 6 areas, used for elections from 1978 to 1998. Some of these former wards had the same names as the present wards, but their borders were different. When the wards were revised for 2002, some became larger, absorbing parts of other previous wards, the number of wards changed from 26 to 18. The previous wards and areas used from 1978 to 1998 were:

Lewisham Central

Lewisham North East

Lewisham North West

  • Drake
  • Evelyn
  • Grinling Gibbons
  • Marlowe
Lewisham South

Lewisham South East

Lewisham South West

By-election results

1964–1968

There were no by-elections.[4]

1968–1971

There were no by-elections.[5]

1990–1994

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Helen A. H. Dawson.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Thomas L. Fowler.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Theodore J. B. Yard.

The by-election was called following the death of Cllr. Eric Richards.

The by-election was called following the death of Cllr. Timothy Walsh.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Cathy Doyle.

1994–1998

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Marc O. Morgan-Huws.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. John Macdonald.

The by-election was called following the death of Cllr. John C. Rudd.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Heidi A. Nash.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Clive R. Jordan.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Margaret Moran.

1998–2002

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. David Brown.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Roy T. Stevens.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Alan D. Hall.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Kelly A. M. Conway.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Sandra Margaret.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Annette L. Gordon.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. John A. O’Shea.

2002–2006

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. David Sullivan.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Paul J. Fallon.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Parmavir Singha.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. John P. Houghton.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Alicia Chater.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Rachael J. Collins.

The by-election was called following the death of Cllr. Joseph P. Dawson.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Neil Semple.

2006–2010

The by-election was called following the disqualification of Cllr. Sera Kentman.

The by-election was called following the resignations of Cllrs. Simon C. Carter and Mark C. Morris.

2010–2014

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Tim Shand.

The by-election was called following the death of Cllr. Ronald Stockbridge.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Pete Pattisson.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Cllr. Joseph K. Folorunso.

2014–2018

The by-election was called following the resignation of Councillor Ami Ibitson.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Councillor Alicia Kennedy, Baroness Kennedy of Cradley.

The by-election was called following the death of Councillor Crada Onuegbu.

2018–2022

The by-election was called following the resignation of Councillor Alex Feis-Bryce.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Councillor Janet Daby.

This by-election was called following the death of Councillor Sue Hordijenko.This by-election was called following the resignation of Councillor Skip Amrani.This by-election was held following the resignation of Councillor Joe Dromey.This by-election was called following the resignation of Councillor Tom Copley.

2022–2026

The by-election was called following the resignation of Councillor Stephen Hayes.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Councillor Brenda Dacres, who had left the role due to being elected Mayor in a by-election.[6]

Election results since 2022

New boundaries were used for the 2022 election - however, Labour again won every seat.

2022[7]
width=110 Bellinghamwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 2
width=110 Blackheathwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Brockleywidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Catford Southwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Crofton Parkwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Deptfordwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Downhamwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Evelynwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Forest Hillwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Grove Parkwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Hither Greenwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Ladywellwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Lee Greenwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Lewisham Centralwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 2
width=110 New Cross Gatewidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 2
width=110 Perry Valewidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Rushey Greenwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Sydenhamwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
width=110 Telegraph Hillwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3

Election results 2002–2018

In 2002 the council was reduced to its smallest size ever: 18 wards of 3 councillors each, plus an 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. In 2014, with an unpopular coalition government in national office, Labour regained almost all seats on the council, with the only opposition being a single Green. In 2018 Labour won every seat for the first time.

2002[8] 2006[9] 20102014[10] 2018[11]
width=110 Bellinghamwidth=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3width=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3width=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3width=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3width=100 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
BlackheathLab 3Lib Dem 3Lib Dem 2 / Lab 1Lab 3Lab 3
BrockleyLab 2 / Green 1Green 3Lab 2 / Green 1Lab 2 / Green 1Lab 3
Catford SouthLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
Crofton ParkLab 3Lab 3Lab 2 / Lib Dem 1Lab 3Lab 3
DownhamLib Dem 2 / Lab 1Lib Dem 3Lib Dem 3Lab 3Lab 3
EvelynLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
Forest HillLab 3Lib Dem 3Lib Dem 2 / Lab 1Lab 3Lab 3
Grove ParkCon 2 / Lab 1Con 3Con 2 / Lab 1Lab 3Lab 3
LadywellLab 3Green 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
Lee GreenLab 3Lib Dem 3Lib Dem 2 / Lab 1Lab 3Lab 3
Lewisham CentralLab 3Lib Dem 2 / Lab 1Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
New CrossLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
Perry ValeLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
Rushey GreenLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
SydenhamLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
Telegraph HillLab 1 / LEAP 1 / Soc 1Soc 2 / Lab 1Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
WhitefootLib Dem 2 / Lab 1Lib Dem 3Lib Dem 2 / Lab 1Lab 3Lab 3

2018 Council:
Labour 54*

2014 Council:
Labour 53*; Green 1

2010 Council:
Labour 40*; Liberal Democrats 12; Green 1; Conservative 2[9]

2006 Council:
Labour 27*; Liberal Democrats 17; Green 6; Conservative 3; Socialist 2[9]

2002 Council:
Labour 46*; Liberal Democrats 4; Conservative 2; Socialist 1; Green 1; Local Education Action for Parents (LEAP) 1

By-elections in the 2002 council

(winning party shown)

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)

By-elections in the 2006 council

(winning party shown)

13 September 2007 – Whitefoot (Lib Dem)
19 February 2009 – 2x Downham (2x Lib Dem)

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.

197819821986199019941998
width=110 Bellinghamwidth=80 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 2width=80 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 2width=80 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 2width=80 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 2width=80 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 2width=80 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 2
BlackheathLab 2Con 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2
Blythe HillCon 2Con 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2
CatfordCon 2Con 2Con 2Con 2Lab 2Lab 2
ChurchdownLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
Crofton ParkCon 3Con 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
DownhamLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lib Dem 3Lib Dem 3Lib Dem 3
DrakeLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
EvelynLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
Forest HillLab 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2
Grinling GibbonsLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
Grove Park1 Lab / 1 ConLab 21 Lab / 1 ConLab 2Lab 2Lab 2
Hither GreenLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
HornimanCon 3Con 3Con 3Lab 2 / Con 1Lab 3Lab 3
LadywellLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
Manor LeeLab 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2
MarloweLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
PepysLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
Perry HillCon 3Lab 3Con 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
Rushey GreenLab 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2
St AndrewsCon 2Con 2Con 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2
St Margaret1 Lab / 1 ConCon 21 Lab / 1 ConLab 2Lab 2Lab 2
St MildredCon 3Con 3Con 3Con 32 Lab / 1 Con2 Con / 1 Lab
Sydenham EastLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
Sydenham WestCon 3Con 32 Lab / 1 ConLab 3Lab 3Lab 3
WhitefootLab 2Con 21 Lab / 1 ConLab 2Lab 21 Lab / 1 Lib Dem

1998 Council:
Labour 61; Lib Dem 4; Conservative 2[12]

1994 Council:
Labour 63; Lib Dem 3; Conservative 1[13]

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

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)
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 Deptford 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 Boroughs 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.

1964196819711974
Area of the former Metropolitan Borough of Deptford
width=190 Brockleywidth=75 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3width=75 style="background:#3333cc; color:white" Con 3width=75 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3width=75 style="background:#cc0000; color:white" Lab 3
DeptfordLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
DrakeLab 3Con 3Lab 3Lab 3
Grinling GibbonsLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
MarloweLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
PepysLab 3Con 3Lab 3Lab 3
Area of the former Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham
BellinghamLab 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2
Blackheath and Lewisham VillageCon 3Con 3Lab 3Lab 3
CulverleyCon 2Con 2Con 2Con 2
Forest HillLab 2 / Con 1Con 3Lab 3Con 3
Honor Oak ParkCon 3Con 3Lab 3Con 3
Grove ParkLab 2Lab 2Lab 2Lab 2
LadywellLab 3Con 3Lab 3Lab 3
Lewisham ParkLab 3Con 3Lab 3Lab 3
Manor LeeLab 2Con 2Lab 2Lab 2
Rushey GreenLab 2Con 2Lab 2Lab 2
St AndrewLab 2Con 2Lab 2Lab 2
St Mildred LeeCon 2Con 2Con 2Con 2
SouthendLab 3Lab 3Lab 3Lab 3
South LeeLab 2Con 2Lab 2Lab 2
Sydenham EastLab 2 / Con 1Con 3Lab 3Lab 3
Sydenham WestCon 3Con 3Lab 3Lab 2 / Con 1
WhitefootLab 2Con 2Lab 2Lab 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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: London Borough Council Elections 4 May 1978. London Datastore. Greater London Council. 25 February 2015.
  2. Web site: London Borough Council Elections 2 May 2002. London Datastore. Greater London Authority. 25 February 2015.
  3. Web site: The London Borough of Lewisham (Electoral Changes) Order 2020 . Legislation.gov.uk . 12 February 2024.
  4. Web site: London Borough Council Elections 9 May 1968. London Datastore. Greater London Council. 24 February 2015.
  5. Web site: London Borough Council Elections 13 May 1971. London Datastore. Greater London Council. 3 March 2015.
  6. Web site: Labour wins by-election in Lewisham as new councillor for Deptford announced. Ruby. Gregory. 20 July 2024. 3 May 2024.
  7. Web site: Local and mayoral election results 2022. Lewisham Council. 12 February 2024.
  8. Web site: Election results 1999–2002. Lewisham Council. 17 August 2017.
  9. Web site: Mayoral and local election results 2006 . 9 November 2009 . Lewisham Council.
  10. Web site: Election results for 22 May 2014 . 24 May 2014 . Lewisham Council . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140523230153/http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/mayorandcouncil/elections/elections-2014/Pages/Election-results-for-22-May-2014.aspx . 23 May 2014 .
  11. Web site: Mayoral and local councillor elections 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180508184743/https://www.lewisham.gov.uk/mayorandcouncil/elections/Pages/Mayoral-and-local-councillor-elections-2018.aspx . 8 May 2018 . lewisham.gov.uk . . 4 May 2018 . 8 May 2018.
  12. News: Local Elections results . . 46 . 9 May 1998 .
  13. News: LOCAL ELECTIONS: Election results . . 7 May 1994 .