On 23 October, I won a by-election in Lewisham Central ward in the London Borough of Lewisham. It seemed like a pretty safe Labour seat (see result last time), although Labour has lost all the by-elections in the Borough since May 2002.
The full result was:
| Andrew Milton | Liberal Democrat |
1054
|
| Christopher Watt | Labour |
869
|
| James Cleverly | Conservative |
354
|
| Susan Luxton | Green |
154
|
| Ralph Atkinson | UK Independence Party |
44
|
| Sonia Chambers | Christian Peoples Alliance |
41
|
The Conservative and the Green candidates were gracious in defeat. Indeed, seemed to take a vicarious pleasure in my win.
Lewisham Central is a very interesting and challenging ward to represent. In some ways, it is quite like Brent East, which the Liberal Democrats gained from Labour in a spectacular by-election coup earlier in 2003. The ward is very ethnically and socially mixed, comprising the traffice-sodden town centre of Lewisham, plus the adjoining area with council estates (some of whch have serious problems with vandalism etc.) and commuter suburbia around the railway stations at Hither Green, Lewisham and Ladywell.
Getting in touch
Happy to help constituents with any problems, issues, etc. I hold regular monthly surgeries between 11am and 12.30 pm at:
You can phone me on 020 8698 5119 or 020 8695 8925. And e-mail me on cllr_andrew.milton@lewisham.gov.uk
Or text or phone me on my mobile: 07966 430 722.
Key Facts
In April 2004, I was given profiles for all the wards in Lewisham, giving fascinating information for statistical anoraks. I've summarised some key facts for Lewisham Central, and will add to them from time to time. When I've nothing better to do.
Current Issues:
Ladywell Leisure Centre Closure: Why The Haste, Why The Waste?
The Council planned turn the old Ladywell police station into a school. But the police authority placed the site on the open property market which meant the Council had to compete with other buyers. And it couldn't. So what did it do instead? It decided to use the site of the newly re-vamped Ladywell Leisure Centre. The revamp cost £1.8 million. The decision was rushed through the Mayor and Cabinet, ignoring the views of the locals which I presented.
Local people say the need for additional school places is not in Ladywell, but in the north of the Borough. And the site is unsuitable because of the additional road traffic it would bring to an already congested area. They are also fuious at the loss of a much needed local leisure facility.
I am supporting Massimiliano Calo's campaign to save the centre
Development of Lewisham Town Centre
I am broadly in favour of plans for the development of Lewisham Town centre, provided there is proper consultation with local residents, and it isn't just the interests of the big corporate payers which are met. The development needs to enhance the positive features of Lewisham town centre, including the fact that it needs to serve the very socially and cultural diverse communities which live here. And it mustn't surender to the motor car!
I took part in a walking audit of Lewisham Town Centre on Wednesday 24 March. We came up with lots of problems (iincluding pedestrian safety), many ideas, and some solutions. This was part of the consultation process on the Town Centre Development Strategy.
Some good news, at least as far as I'm concerned. Slough Estates will shortly be submitting a planning application for the construction of a new Debenhams department store next to Lewisham shopping centre.
For more about Central Lewisham, see:
See also my general politics page
And also my easyjournal for regular(ish) details of what I'm up to.
Back to the first page.