Columnist – Southwark News

‘After 16 years in control Labour say Southwark doesn’t need fixing – this is what we promise to do if elected’ says Lib Dem leader

Columnist — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:16:00 +0000

After sixteen years of Labour running Southwark, with Labour in charge locally, in London and now nationally, you would expect things to be working better. But ask residents what they think, and you hear a very different story. Council tax going up. Streets that don’t feel as safe. A housing service that too often lets […]

‘I love Southwark but it and London has become too expensive – this must change’, writes leader of Southwark Council

Columnist — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:10:00 +0000

I love Southwark. Our borough is diverse, it’s vibrant, it’s busy. It’s a bustling, amazing place. From Peckham’s food scene to Dulwich’s parks and sports grounds, Bermondsey’s estates to Walworth’s street markets and Bankside’s heritage. Southwark has it all. We are a green borough, with stunning parks and hundreds of thousands of trees. Our schools […]

Peckham MP is hoping for business revolution on her patch

Columnist — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:04:10 +0000

Behind Peckham’s vibrant markets, buzzing high streets and unmistakable creative pulse lies something deeper: a powerful collective movement of local entrepreneurs shaping our neighbourhood. That movement came together in full force in March, at the newly refurbished Palais on Rye Lane. Under the banner “Your Business, Your Voice, Your Power”, local traders, organisations and partners […]

Neil Coyle’s column: ‘My thoughts on housing, foodbanks and this year’s local election’

Columnist — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:45:00 +0000

Housing is the number one issue local people raise with me so it is brilliant to be ‘breaking ground’ this week, the builders’ term for beginning the work for 338 new council homes on the Bermondsey site of the old Peek Freans Biscuit Factory.? Southwark’s Labour council has built more homes in the last five […]

‘Southwark is more affordable and our streets are safer,’ says Greater London assembly member

Columnist — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:32:00 +0000

The new year has brought lots of good news, with new policies aimed at making Southwark more affordable and keeping our streets safe. The recent government announcement that ground rents are going to be capped at £250 per year is great news for many struggling with these payments. With over 1 million households across London […]

Gardening in February despite the cold wind and rain

Columnist — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 10:07:50 +0000

The weather in February often reveals how long wintery conditions are likely to last; if the wind direction is north or easterly during late January – low temperatures may persist until April. If it remains wet and mild – this pattern could continue into spring and prolonged cold conditions are unlikely to set in. Take […]

‘We have launched a new inquiry into why only one in three children enjoy reading,’ writes MP Helen Hayes

Columnist — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:05:57 +0000

Many Southwark News readers will have experienced the joy of reading, whether it is remembering the first books they enjoyed as a child, the books that expanded their horizon as a teenager, the weekly haul of books from the local library that provide a temporary escape from the stresses of daily life or the precious […]

‘We are holding face-to-face surgeries to cover areas such as housing and council tax,’ says Southwark Council leader

Columnist — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:30:00 +0000

We are listening to you so we as a council can do better. We believe in putting you – the people who live and work in Southwark – at the heart of everything we do. And a big part of that is listening to what you tell us and acting on it. That’s why we […]

MP Neil Coyle: ‘Reform are political zombies feasting on the decaying Tory Party’

Columnist — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 15:36:53 +0000

This is my first column of 2026 – so happy new year! It hasn’t been happy for the Conservatives. Their party is in terminal decline. Two sitting MPs have switched to Reform already. The Tories deserve to be punished for the dreadful mess they created and their utter failure to extend opportunity when in government. […]

‘We are putting money back in families’ pockets’, says Peckham MP

Columnist — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:25:32 +0000

For too long, people across Peckham have been struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and an economy that does not work for them. Families who are working hard, caring for loved ones and contributing to their communities, have been under pressure as the cost of everyday essentials have soared. This year our government’s relentless focus will […]