The election results

The counting for the parliamentary elections took place immediately after the close of voting on Thursday night, but was severely delayed by software problems verifying postal votes.  The results were, as expected, Labour holding on to the three seats with Liberal Democrats second in every case.

The mayoral and council elections were counted on Friday night.

The very high turnout of 63% has been attributed to people wanting to make suire the tories didn't win the general election.  Tories have no chance in Lewisham, but many people don't know what the local situation is and appear to have gone to the polls to vote Labour on every ballot paper they were given.

Mayoral vote 

This led to Steve Bullock more than doubling his vote from 22000 in 2006 to over 47000 this year. Chris Maines, Lib Dem, was second again but even with the majority of transferred second preferences from the eliminated candidates was unable to overtake Steve Bullock.

My vote increased by about 24% over 2006 but considering the extra effort we all put into the campaign this was disappointing. See below for mayoral voting figures.

Council elections

The effect of the huge turnout was disastrous for smaller parties in Lewisham.  The Socialists were wiped out in Telegraph Hill, despite polling their best ever votes. Tories were reduced to 2 councillors from 3, Greens down to 1 from 6 and Lib Dems down to 12 from 18.  They actually gained one from Labour in Crofton Park.  Our candidates got from between 177 votes in Grove Park to 669 in New Cross with generally between 300 and 450 votes in wards where we did nothing whatsoever to publicise the name of the candidate - people justn voted for the People Before Profit brand. Votes were slightly higher in Brockley, Ladywell, Evelyn and New Cross.

Full results at www.lewisham.gov.uk/CouncilAndDemocracy/DemocracyAndElections

Where now?

Lewisham People Before Profit has used the election campaign to become known throughout the borough of Lewisham.  Whereas we were concentrated in the Brockley/Ladywell/Telegraph Hill area as a result of the campaigns we grew out of, we have now met up with people all over the borough who reject the privatisation of our public services by this self-serving Mayor. We will continue to support and mount campaigns by local people wherever our public facilities are threatened.

This website will become dormant now that the election for Mayor is over, but our main website at www.lpbp.org.uk will remain active as a source of news and a forum for discussion of the issues faced by the people of Lewisham in what promise to be "interesting times".

Many thanks to all of you who have supported us through this election period.  We hope to see you at one of our regular Monday meetings (normally the first Monday of the month) at the Broca Cafe.  Next meeting this coming Monday, 17th May, to analyse and learn from the election period and look at the forthcoming issues.  All welcome. 

John Hamilton

John Hamilton talks about the Mayoral system in Lewisham.

Thanks to the organisers of the Mayoral Hustings held at the Salvation Army on Brownhill Road.

Topics discussed included the role of the church in local government, how local assemblies could be improved, the future of Forest Hill pools and how the candidates would handle what the questioner described as "inevitable" cuts. John outlined various policies including a 1930's style "new deal" programme including council house building.

John Hamilton explains his policy on Primary Schools.

John Hamilton talks about the crisis in secondary schools in Lewisham.

John was interviewed in the Mercury this week.