Southwark’s oldest councillor has given her final speech at the Town Hall before she steps down for the May local elections.
Maria Linforth-Hall, who is 80 years old and has represented St George’s ward for the Lib Dems since 2014, gave her final council assembly speech last Wednesday (18 March).
She said: “It has been absolute honour to serve the residents of Southwark, especially St George’s Ward and our growing Latin American community, which has always been very close to my heart.”
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the trust, the support, and the memories. It has been a privilege to serve,” she added.
Maria also used the opportunity to pay tribute to colleagues “across the chamber – Labour, and now the Greens and Independents – as well as my fellow Liberal Democrats”.
She added she was “particularly proud” of her work with her colleagues across the political divide around domestic violence and violence against women and girls, as well as for standing up for residents on housing issues like damp and mould, crime, and support for vulnerable people.
Domestic violence is an issue close to Maria’s heart: in 2023 she founded a charity supporting women and children of domestic violence, Su Mano Amiga.
Maria, who is originally from Ecuador, has also been a vocal advocate on behalf of Elephant and Castle’s Latin American community ensuring that their voices are heard and represented.
Her patch, St George’s Ward – which takes in the northern part of Elephant and Castle and the southern part of Borough – has one of London’s highest Latin American populations.
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Since being elected as a councillor in 2014 Maria has held several portfolios over the years, previously acting as Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Adult Social Care and Domestic Abuse.
She has also served as Vice Chair of the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Commission, and Vice Chair of Planning Sub-Committee B, among others.
Maria reassured her constituents that she isn’t going anywhere and will be continuing her charity work with TLH Kicking Cancer and Su Mano Amiga. You’ll also still be able to find her volunteering at St George’s Cathedral.
