With polls predicting Labour are on track for a big win in the general election on July 4, Westminster is expected to welcome a huge number of new faces. Among those hoping to be sitting in the House of Commons in a month’s time are councillors with the party from across inner South London.
No less than seven sitting Labour councillors in Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark have been announced as parliamentary candidates. They join a few other candidates who recently stepped down from their positions as councillors in inner South London to focus on their parliamentary ambitions.
Here’s a round-up of current or recently departed local councillors who come July 4 could be crossing the River Thames and taking their seats in Westminster.
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Lambeth:
Cllr Jim Dickson
The former Lambeth Council leader and member for Herne Hill for over 30 years is standing as Labour’s parliamentary candidate in Dartford. Cllr Dickson, who currently serves as cabinet member for healthier communities with Cllr Jacqui Dyer, would be the Kent town’s first Labour MP for almost two decades if he is elected in July.
Cllr Nanda Manley-Browne
Lambeth Council’s joint cabinet member for equalities, governance and change is standing for Labour in the new Oxfordshire constituency of Henley and Thame. The area is traditionally a Conservative stronghold. NHS worker Manley-Browne has been a councillor in Lambeth since 2019.
Cllr Marianna Masters
A councillor in Streatham since 2018, Cllr Masters is Labour’s parliamentary candidate for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire. The new seat includes much of the now abolished South Cambridgeshire constituency where Labour finished a distant third to the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in 2019.
Southwark:
Cllr Evelyn Akoto
Southwark Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing was announced as Labour’s candidate in South West Wiltshire in May. Her selection came 18 months after she lost out on her bid to become Labour’s new MP in the safe seat of Peckham. Cllr Akoto will have her work cut out trying to win in the constituency, which is over 100 miles away from Southwark. When voters last went to the polls in South West Wiltshire, the Conservatives picked up over 60 per cent of the vote.
Lewisham:
Cllr Ese Erheriene
The former journalist is running as Labour’s candidate in Woking, Surrey. The constituency has only ever returned Conservative MPs since its creation in 1950. Cllr Erheriene has represented Lee Green on Lewisham Council since 2022.
Cllr Eva Kestner
Cllr Kestner is another Labour councillor in Lee Green with Westminster ambitions. Like Cllr Erheriene she has represented the area on Lewisham Council since 2022. Kestner is standing to be Labour’s candidate in the Scottish Highlands, representing Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross. Labour finished third there behind the Liberal Democrats and Scottish National Party the last time voters went to the polls in 2019.
Cllr Oana Olaru-Holmes
Also elected to the council in 2022 to represent Downham, Cllr Olaru-Holmes is hoping to win for Labour in Bromley and Biggin Hill. The new seat is formed from three constituencies which all currently have Conservative MPs.
And those who’ve already jumped ship…
Juliet Campbell
The former Blackheath councillor resigned ahead of the election to focus her efforts on winning for Labour in Broxtowe in Nottinghamshire. In 2019, Labour finished second there with 38.5 per cent of the vote, compared to the Conservative’s 48.1 per cent. Campbell would be the area’s first Labour MP since 2005 if elected.
Tom Rutland
Rutland, who was only elected to Lambeth Council in 2022, resigned to focus on his campaign to become Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham in Sussex earlier this year.
Alice Macdonald
Former Southwark Labour councillor Alice Macdonald stood down as a cabinet member when selected as parliamentary candidate for Norwich North in 2023.
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