Voters elect MPs, not a Prime Minister directly Governments are based on a programme agreed with the electorate Leadership can change if the parliamentary party determines it should The democratic mandate endures so long as the government retains the confidence of the House of Commons

Much of the post-election analysis has focused on Keir Starmer’s leadership. But the real story is closer to home. Councils like Lewisham matter, and Labour losses here will have real consequences for local communities.

“today we mourn, tomorrow we fight back.” Labour will need to do exactly that in local government because the stakes could not be higher.

YouTube video by Nick Kelly

Ending no‑fault evictions in England is a major step forward — but it will only endure if it is actively defended. These protections must be locked in, strengthened, and never allowed to be rolled …

Ending no‑fault evictions in England is a major step forward — but it will only endure if it is actively defended. These protections must be locked in, strengthened, and never allowed to be rolled back. Labour has already shown what that leadership looks like: locally through strong landlord licensing and enforcement, and nationally through the abolition of Section 21. This is a party that delivers real change for renters, not empty promises.

The Donation Hub offers far more than a foodbank alone. It provides clothing, furniture, essential household items, and practical support to those who need it most across Lewisham. Crucially, its f…

The Donation Hub offers far more than a foodbank alone. It provides clothing, furniture, essential household items, and practical support to those who need it most across Lewisham. Crucially, its focus is not just on meeting immediate needs, but on helping people regain stability and confidence so they can get back on their feet. Many of the volunteers giving their time today have previously relied on the Hub’s support themselves — a powerful reflection of its impact and the strong sense of community it continues to build.

YouTube video by Nick Kelly

Our opponents in this election are only just putting forward a local manifesto for Lewisham, despite it being just days before the election. Instead, their focus is on issues well beyond the powers…

Our opponents in this election are only just putting forward a local manifesto for Lewisham, despite it being just days before the election. Instead, their focus is on issues well beyond the powers of the council, offering simplistic slogans on complex international conflicts while ignoring the everyday decisions that matter here in Ladywell. Far from “sending a message to government”, all this does is show a fundamental misunderstanding of what local government does — and of what it takes to do the hard work of delivering for residents locally for the next four years.

Recently, alongside Ayesha Lahai‑Taylor and Collet Hunter, I visited Ladywell Fields in Lewisham, a much‑loved Green Flag park and vital green space for local residents. In the clip below, we talk about some of the great things happening here: Lewisham boasts some of the finest green spaces in London, and ongoing investment is enhancing them for everyone. The improvements to the skate park at Ladywell Fields are a clear example of this commitment in action.

YouTube video by Nick Kelly

YouTube video by Nick Kelly

The role of the opposition is to hold government—including local government—to account. That role comes with responsibilities to voters: first, to be truthful, and second, when opposing a proposal, to put forward a credible alternative. Sadly, in Lewisham, the campaign opposing the redevelopment of Lewisham Shopping Centre does neither. As demonstrated in the video and Instagram post linked below, the opposition relies on misinformation rather than facts, and protest rather than practical solutions:

We’re calling on residents across Ladywell Ward and the wider Lewisham community to stand together and oppose any planning application that would result in the Ravensbourne Arms never being able to…

It is not the critic who counts; the credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena.

Exclusive: Poll reveals 72% of UK voters favour ban on zero-hours contracts, including majority of Tory and Reform supporters

Last year was the world's warmest on record, bringing temperatures above a politically symbolic milestone.

STOP LANDLORDS EXPLOITING THE SECTION 21 DEADLINE, OVERTURN AND HALT THE EVICTIONS

Exclusive: Residents at Vive Living Childers Street in Deptford have been served with a Section 21 eviction notice