{"id":474899,"date":"2026-03-23T15:48:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T15:48:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/?p=474899"},"modified":"2026-03-23T18:13:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T18:13:47","slug":"it-has-been-a-privelige-to-serve-southwarks-oldest-councillor-80-gives-final-speech-as-she-prepares-to-retire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/elephant-and-castle\/it-has-been-a-privelige-to-serve-southwarks-oldest-councillor-80-gives-final-speech-as-she-prepares-to-retire\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;It has been a privilege to serve&#8217;: Southwark&#8217;s oldest councillor, 80, gives final speech as she prepares to retire"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Southwark&#8217;s oldest councillor has given her final speech at the Town Hall before she steps down for the May local elections.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maria Linforth-Hall, who is 80 years old and has represented St George&#8217;s ward for the Lib Dems since 2014, gave her final council assembly speech last Wednesday (18 March). <\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"69959\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448384\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">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<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>She said:  &#8220;It has been absolute honour to serve the residents of Southwark, especially St George\u2019s Ward and our growing Latin American community, which has always been very close to my heart.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the trust, the support, and the memories. It has been a privilege to serve,&#8221; she added.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"68153\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448385\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMzA0MTM3OTE3IiBjbGFzcz0ic291dGgtY29udGVudCBzb3V0aC1lbnRpdHktcGxhY2VtZW50IiBzdHlsZT0ibWFyZ2luLWxlZnQ6IGF1dG87bWFyZ2luLXJpZ2h0OiBhdXRvO3RleHQtYWxpZ246IGNlbnRlcjsiPjwhLS0gIC8xNTQ3MjUwNzAsMjI2OTQxOTY5Njkvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cy9zb3V0aHdhcmtuZXdzIC0tPg0KPGRpdiBpZD0iZGl2LWdwdC1hZC0yeDEiPg0KPHNjcmlwdD4NCmdvb2dsZXRhZy5jbWQucHVzaChmdW5jdGlvbigpIHsgZ29vZ2xldGFnLmRpc3BsYXkoJ2Rpdi1ncHQtYWQtMngxJyk7IH0pOw0KPC9zY3JpcHQ+DQo8L2Rpdj4gICAgICAgICAgPC9kaXY+<\/script>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"xMvXQ6DOwmK6RVNY1rloa3D0Onb89sj09sSHoUuWHb245tqQJcjZkM7WrgLchCESAqJ8VFAyXz\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"w49brKCMKY\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/elephant-and-castle\/meet-maria-78-the-oldest-councillor-in-southwark\/\">Meet Maria, 78, the oldest councillor in Southwark<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Meet Maria, 78, the oldest councillor in Southwark&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/elephant-and-castle\/meet-maria-78-the-oldest-councillor-in-southwark\/embed\/#?secret=Hvk2WpezpR#?secret=w49brKCMKY\" data-secret=\"w49brKCMKY\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Maria also used the opportunity to pay tribute to colleagues &#8220;across the chamber &#8211; Labour, and now the Greens and Independents &#8211; as well as my fellow Liberal Democrats&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"408\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-23-at-13.53.04-408x560.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-474920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-23-at-13.53.04-408x560.png 408w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-23-at-13.53.04-204x280.png 204w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-23-at-13.53.04-106x146.png 106w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-23-at-13.53.04.png 508w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 408px) 100vw, 408px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maria Linforth Hall at her final council meeting last Wednesday<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>She added she was &#8220;particularly proud&#8221; 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.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"71156\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448386\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtODE4ODg1OTE2IiBjbGFzcz0ic291dGgtaW4tYXJ0aWNsZS1tcHU5IHNvdXRoLWVudGl0eS1wbGFjZW1lbnQiPjwhLS0gIC8xNTQ3MjUwNzAsMjI2OTQxOTY5Njkvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cy9zb3V0aHdhcmtuZXdzIC0tPg0KPGRpdiBpZD0iZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHU5Ij4NCjxzY3JpcHQ+DQpnb29nbGV0YWcuY21kLnB1c2goZnVuY3Rpb24oKSB7IGdvb2dsZXRhZy5kaXNwbGF5KCdkaXYtZ3B0LWFkLW1wdTknKTsgfSk7DQo8L3NjcmlwdD4NCjwvZGl2PiAgICAgPC9kaXY+<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Domestic violence is an issue close to Maria&#8217;s heart: in 2023 she founded a charity supporting women and children of domestic violence, Su Mano Amiga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maria, who is originally from Ecuador, has also been a vocal advocate on behalf of Elephant and Castle&#8217;s Latin American community ensuring that their voices are heard and represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"cZfz1vpNEy6YEx1M3rJPFjriuHyd06FkLOgGXCDnxTCsX0QYTB9qtI77m3m4WQNpPwvliusOe9AfqhSRIWkbZ588jB\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"NlbkbnbRdb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/dulwich\/east-dulwich-councillor-and-his-wife-celebrate-60-years-of-marriage\/\">East Dulwich councillor and his wife celebrate 60 years of marriage<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;East Dulwich councillor and his wife celebrate 60 years of marriage&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/dulwich\/east-dulwich-councillor-and-his-wife-celebrate-60-years-of-marriage\/embed\/#?secret=iYMzLJku6y#?secret=NlbkbnbRdb\" data-secret=\"NlbkbnbRdb\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Her patch, St George\u2019s Ward \u2013 which takes in the northern part of Elephant and Castle and the southern part of Borough \u2013 has one of London\u2019s highest Latin American populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"71157\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448387\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMTIyNDIzMTI1IiBjbGFzcz0ic291dGgtaW4tYXJ0aWNsZS1tcHUtMTAgc291dGgtZW50aXR5LXBsYWNlbWVudCI+PCEtLSAgLzE1NDcyNTA3MCwyMjY5NDE5Njk2OS9zb3V0aHdhcmtuZXdzL3NvdXRod2Fya25ld3MgLS0+DQo8ZGl2IGlkPSJkaXYtZ3B0LWFkLW1wdTEwIj4NCjxzY3JpcHQ+DQpnb29nbGV0YWcuY21kLnB1c2goZnVuY3Rpb24oKSB7IGdvb2dsZXRhZy5kaXNwbGF5KCdkaXYtZ3B0LWFkLW1wdTEwJyk7IH0pOw0KPC9zY3JpcHQ+DQo8L2Rpdj4gICAgIDwvZGl2Pg==<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maria reassured her constituents that she isn&#8217;t going anywhere and will be continuing her charity work with TLH Kicking Cancer and Su Mano Amiga. You&#8217;ll also still be able to find her volunteering at St George\u2019s Cathedral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"qm3AIiDJwCXfGgOxtU\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"WuKK56zOtC\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/news\/news-plus\/bermondsey-baby-bank-founder-is-running-as-a-councillor-this-may-and-she-pledges-to-restore-the-blue-shopping-area-to-its-former-glory\/\">Bermondsey Baby Bank founder is running as a councillor this May \u2013 and she pledges to restore The Blue shopping area to its former glory<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Bermondsey Baby Bank founder is running as a councillor this May \u2013 and she pledges to restore The Blue shopping area to its former glory&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/news\/news-plus\/bermondsey-baby-bank-founder-is-running-as-a-councillor-this-may-and-she-pledges-to-restore-the-blue-shopping-area-to-its-former-glory\/embed\/#?secret=7PLv8eDWb8#?secret=WuKK56zOtC\" data-secret=\"WuKK56zOtC\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Southwark&#8217;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&#8217;s ward for the Lib Dems since 2014, gave her final council assembly speech last Wednesday (18 March). She said: &#8220;It has been [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19207,"featured_media":474919,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"format":"standard","override":[{"template":"1","parallax":"1","fullscreen":"1","layout":"right-sidebar","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"top","share_float_style":"share-monocrhome","show_share_counter":"1","show_view_counter":"1","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","show_post_category":"1","show_post_reading_time":"0","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","show_zoom_button":"0","zoom_button_out_step":"2","zoom_button_in_step":"3","show_post_tag":"1","show_prev_next_post":"1","show_popup_post":"1","show_comment_section":"1","number_popup_post":"1","show_author_box":"1","show_inline_post_related":"1"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"crop-500","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","disable_ad":"0","subtitle":"She said she was \"particularly proud\" of her work with her colleagues across the political divide around domestic violence and violence against women and girls"},"jnews_primary_category":{"id":"77"},"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[7375,77,13539,13602,13543],"tags":[228,211,45,18186],"class_list":["post-474899","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-elephant-and-castle","category-featured","category-news","category-politics","tag-elephant-castle","tag-maria-linforth-hall","tag-southwark-council","tag-update-me"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/474899","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19207"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=474899"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/474899\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":475007,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/474899\/revisions\/475007"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/474919"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=474899"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=474899"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=474899"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}