Conservative Councillor Candidates Clive Rates and Tristan Honeyborne (Dulwich Village) and Guy Matthews and Lewis Jones (Dulwich Wood) today expressed deep concern at the disarray within Southwark Labour, after its leadership election was thrown into turmoil.
On Monday night, Cllr James McCash — a self‑described advocate for the “overthrow of capitalism” — was announced as the new Leader of Southwark Council. But it has since emerged in press reports that the election breached Labour party rules, with the regional party ordering a re‑run.
“If Labour can’t even organise its own internal election properly, how can residents trust them to run our borough?” said Clive Rates. “This debacle exposes a party more interested in internal plotting than serving the people of Dulwich and Southwark.”
Tristan Honeyborne added: “Southwark Labour is mired in crisis. Residents are paying the price of their chaos and ideological experiments. Dulwich deserves better — and we offer exactly that.”
Pending the re-run, residents still face the prospect of Cllr McCash as Council Leader — a councillor with a track record of ignoring community feedback and attempting to impose unwanted parking restrictions and failed LTN schemes. Aligned with the far left of the Labour Party, his leadership would put local jobs and businesses at risk; under his watch, the council’s debt has been growing at an alarming rate while vital services are neglected.
What your local Conservatives stand for is clear: Evidence‑based environmental action, replacing blanket bans with independently backed schemes. Support for local businesses, safeguarding high streets by balancing pedestrian, cycling, and driving access so shops and cafés can thrive. Real choice on parking, with fairness for residents and Blue Badge holders, flexible CPZ hours, and exemptions for small businesses. Genuine consultation, ending top‑down diktats and ensuring every major policy demonstrates real local benefit.
We invite all residents — including those who have felt ignored or disillusioned — to join us in building a forward‑looking, pragmatic campaign for Dulwich Village and Dulwich Wood. Only the local Conservatives can deliver the trust, transparency, and sensible solutions our community needs.
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