Cllr Matthew Bryant has been elected leader of Lambeth’s Liberal Democrat group, stepping up from deputy leader after the party doubled its representation from four to eight seats on 7th May.

Bryant replaces Donna Harris, who stood down at the recent elections for health reasons after four years as group leader. He represents Streatham Hill West and Thornton and previously led on finance and the budget.

Cllr Tam Langley (Stockwell East) joins as deputy leader, and Cllr Simon Cordon (Clapham Common and Abbeville) as whip.

Langley (above), who moved to Lambeth in her twenties started the petition to save the Lambeth Country Show after Labour cancelled it just before Christmas. The Lib Dems subsequently pledged in their budget to bring it back.

“Music and food is what brings people together and builds understanding across communities,” she said during the campaign.

“Donna Harris has left big shoes to fill and we all thank her for her leadership over the past four years.

 

The voters have clearly said that they want a change in the way the council is run.

 

With no one party having overall control we have an important role to play.”

 

– Cllr Matthew Bryant, leader of Lambeth Liberal Democrat group

The party confirmed that discussions are ongoing ahead of Annual Council on 27th May.

More Info

• Lambeth Lib Dems

Join the local election discussion

• Lambeth Borough Council Elections – Thursday 7 May 2026

Lambeth Greens have paid tribute to Cllr Joanna Eaves, who has resigned from her Clapham Park seat due to ill health just days after becoming the ward’s first ever Green councillor on 7th May.

Eaves was a well-known community campaigner in the ward, having founded a local gardening group and led campaigns to save the last local shop from closure and to protect street trees.

She said:

“I’ve always believed that politics is about getting out there and listening to residents, doing things, and helping people.

 

I was honoured to have been voted in as Clapham Park’s first Green councillor, but due to my ill health, I now won’t be able to do the job justice.”

 

 – Cllr Joanna Eaves, Lambeth Green Party

The Lambeth Green Party said: ‘We are saddened to lose Joanna and her many years of campaigning and community work. We understand the need to prioritise her health and wellbeing, and our thoughts are with her.’

A by-election for the seat is expected in the coming weeks, alongside the Streatham St Leonard’s by-election following Saiqa Ali’s decision not to take her seat.

An online hustings for the Green nomination in Streatham St Leonard’s was held last night with eleven candidates, including former Labour councillor Andrew Collins who defected to the Greens this week, describing Holland’s Labour as a ‘morally bankrupt sham.’

More Info

• Cllr Eaves’ full statement

Join the local discussion

• Lambeth Borough Council Elections – Thursday 7 May 2026

The hugely popular Dulwich Beer Festival returns to Champion Hill this week, running from Thursday 21st – Saturday 23rd May, with a dog show on Sat afternoon.

Here’s the details:

The event organised by the South East London brand of Camra has over 50 cask ales as well as 25 ciders & perries.

 

Into it’s third year it’s proved a popular May Bank Holiday activity and this year looks set to be another memorable occasion.

 

Entry for Camra members is completely free otherwise it is £3 entry for non-members and £2 for a non-refundable glass.

 

Food will be available with hotdogs and more available from the Clubhouse on Thursday and the team from Come&Go Events opening their food stalls open on Friday and Saturday too.

 

The Dulwich Hamlet Supporters Trust will be running the inaugural Dulwich Hamlet Dog Show ‘DUFTS’ at 13:00 on Saturday afternoon.

 

There are over 13 awards up for grabs including the coverted Waggiest Tail Award and Best Smile alongside the Best in Show award. Entry for this is £4 per dog!

 

On Saturday afternoon the Clubhouse will also be showing the Championship Play-Off Final as Hull City take on Southampton at Wembley.

 

The Beer Festival runs from Thursday afternoon with doors open from midday and running till 10:30pm. The Beer Festival continues on Friday with the final day being on Saturday.

 

The weather forecast looks promising so join us this week for the 3rd Dulwich Beer Festival here at Champion Hill.

More info

Dulwich Beer Festival
Thursday, 21 May 2026 – Saturday, 23 May 2026
Noon to 10.30pm

Admission: £3/free for CAMRA members

Location

Dulwich Hamlet FC
Champion Hill Stadium,
Edgar Kail Way, London SE22 8BD

[Pic: courtesy DHST]

This astonishingly long train carrying new cars was seen travelling east through Brixton last week.

Pulled by just one locomotive, the goods train took over one and a half minutes to rumble past our camera.

In case you wondered why there’s so few colours to be seen in that long trainload, this handy website and graphic (below) shows how dull car colours have become:

Lambeth Green Party members gather online this evening for a hustings with eleven candidates seeking the party’s nomination for the expected Streatham St Leonard’s by-election.

The seat became vacant after Saiqa Ali, who was suspended by the party during the campaign, declined to take her seat. A win would take the Greens to 29 on the 63-seat council, strengthening newly elected leader Martin Abram’s position as he seeks to form an administration.

The candidates are:

• Anidi, Emmanuel – smart meter engineer and COVID volunteer with British Gas
• Ball, Michael – veteran community campaigner who led the fight against the Garden Bridge
• Collins, Andrew – former Labour councillor for Clapham East who defected this week
• Goddard, Ronald -Coleman – politics student and Windrush descendant who grew up in Lambeth social housing
• Goodwin, Dario – Green election organiser, union rep with IWGB and Green New Deal Rising
• Golah-Ebue, Richard – Brixton-based former NHS consultant and Metropolitan Police volunteer
• Johnson, Pete – 30-year ward resident and retired rail industry IT specialist
• Mbiada, Ife – community activist focused on solutions for local and environmental issues
• Mugenyi, Moses – law student at Birkbeck with community organising experience
• Rana, Qaisar – Streatham filmmaker and illustrator who stood in Stockwell East on May 7th
• Young, Stacey – lifelong Lambeth resident and former Green candidate for Gipsy Hill

More Info

• Existing Green Party members can join online via an email link sent this afternoon.
• Join Lambeth Green Party

Join the local discussion

• Lambeth Borough Council Elections – Thursday 7 May 2026

Former Clapham East councillor Andrew Collins has left Labour and joined the Green Party, following what he described as ‘longstanding ally’ Martin Abrams into the party.

In a statement on the Lambeth Green Party website, Collins described Claire Holland’s Labour as a ‘morally bankrupt sham’ that has ‘deteriorated under the current leadership.’

Speaking exclusively to Brixton Buzz, Collins said he had been “inspired by the Green Party’s radical leadership” and hoped to help the local party “fight austerity, empower residents, and address housing neglect in the borough.”

He added:

“As someone who has seen the local Labour cabal up close, it’s clear to me that the Green Party are the true torchbearers for progressive politics in our borough with the bold vision to improve people’s lives.”

 

– Former Clapham East councillor Andrew Collins

Asked what the final straw was, Collins said it was “a combination of events, the continued rotten Downing Street administration and Starmer refusing to step down, and hearing that Holland is trying to hang on after she halved the Labour group’s size with her regressive policies and aggressive interpersonal manner.”

Collins confirmed he would sign the Lambeth Votes Palestine pledge, back the reinstatement of the Lambeth Country Show, and support reversing the International House development.

In his statement on the Greens’ website, Collins said: “I didn’t leave Labour. They left me. After four years of witnessing first-hand estates crumbling, residents ignored, dirty streets under outsourced waste collection and general malaise across Lambeth, I couldn’t stand idly by and let this go unchallenged.”

He called the Lambeth Greens ‘the only force advocating for better public services and an end to the crisis in local government’ and said he was ‘confident that under a Green administration, residents and workers will finally be listened to.’

The defection comes days after the Greens won 29 seats on Lambeth Council, ending Labour’s 20-year control of the borough. A by-election is expected after Saiqa Ali, who was suspended by the Greens during the campaign, declined to take her seat in Streatham St Leonard’s.

Abrams himself quit Labour and crossed to the Greens in 2025 following a long suspension over a Gaza ceasefire vote.

More Info

• Andrew Collins full statement

Join the local discussion

• Lambeth Borough Council Elections – Thursday 7 May 2026

There’s a market celebrating independent football books, magazines, fanzines, kits, art and other independent football-related projects happening at the Brixton Tate Library on Saturday, Sat May 2026.

Join Stanchion Books and Brixton Library for the fourth London Football Book Market, celebrating the wealth of independent football publishing that is transforming the way we see and speak about the beautiful game.

An exciting mix of publishers, authors, illustrators and other football brands will be present selling books, magazines, fanzines, photobooks, shirts, prints and other merchandise.

The event is free entry all day, open to all ages.

More info

London Football Book Market
Brixton Library, Brixton Oval SW2
Saturday 30 May, 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM

• Get free tickets here

The Safer Neighbourhood Team of the Met Police will be hosting a Drop-In Surgery in central Brixton this  Wednesday, 20th May 2026.

The one hour surgery will run from 4pm to 5pm, and will take place in the Moorlands Estate at 50A Corry Drive, SW9 8QT – not far from the recent drive-by shooting which left one young man dead.

The team say, “We encourage all members of the community to come along and have their say.”

The  Dr Bike crew are inviting you to bring along your misfiring bicycle to outside the Brixton Ritzy in Windrush Square for some free care and attention.

They’ll be onsite, spannered up and ready to crank some axles and tweak some cables from noon to 3pm.

If your bike needs help, just turn up and the Dr Bike team will be happy to attend to errant gear shifts, wobbly handlebars, broken brakes and more, and the service is absolutely free of charge.

Here’s what their website says about what they do:

At Dr Bike sessions experienced mechanics check everything on your bike from wheels, brakes, gears and tyre pressure to lights, racks, pedals, saddles and more.

 

Any minor adjustments we can make to the bike we do there and then. Anything we can’t fix on site we will let you know exactly what needs doing and a rough guide to what it should cost at a bike shop.

 

All our mechanics are friendly and approachable and have a wealth of cycling knowledge so feel free to pick their brains about cycle training or other cycling activities.

Details

Dr Bike – outside the Ritzy, Brixton
Wednesday, 27th May 2026, noon to 3pm.

More info

• Dr Bike on Cycle Confident
• Free cycling training in Lambeth

South London cycling resources

• Brixton and South London Guide for Cyclists – all the bike shops, repairs, accessories and bike hire locations
• Brixton and South London Guide for Cyclists – cycling clubs, racing tracks and support groups

Join the cycling conversations

• The Cycling Chat Thread (over 4,600 responses)
• Nice local places to cycle to near Brixton…
• Cycling the South Downs?
• The Cycling Film thread
• Cycling in cities / stopping at red lights
• Cycling in Holland…how it should be in the UK
• Excellent cycling routes from London?

New to computers or need to brush up on your IT skills?

The Brixton Library offers free weekly classes every Monday afternoon to help you learn the basics.

The lessons will teach you to set up an email, learn how to print documents, browse the internet and other basic computer skills.

Registration is required by calling the library on 0207 926 1058 or emailing brixtonlendinglibrary@lambeth.gov.uk

Date and time

• Monday, 18 May 2026, 2.00pm to 3.00pm
• Monday, 25 May 2026, 2.00pm to 3.00pm
• Monday, 1 June 2026, 2.00pm to 3.00pm
• Monday, 8 June 2026, 2.00pm to 3.00pm
• Monday, 15 June 2026, 2.00pm to 3.00pm

Location

Lambeth Greens, West Norwood 4 Palestine and Peckham Town FC supporters were among the south London contingent joining an estimated quarter of a million people who marched through central London on Saturday to mark the 78th anniversary of the Nakba – the mass displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians by the newly founded state of Israel in 1948.

The march from Exhibition Road in South Kensington to Pall Mall took place on the same day as Tommy Robinson’s far-right ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally, which the Met Police had allocated London’s political centre including Whitehall, Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square.

Over 4,000 officers were deployed in what the Met described as an ‘unprecedented’ public order operation.

Despite what one south London organiser described as a concerted effort by Met Commissioner Mark Rowley to discourage and demonise Nakba marchers, the turnout exceeded expectations.

One member of the Lambeth Green Party contingent described dangerous overcrowding in the pedestrian tunnel near South Kensington, where police turned marchers back mid-flow. “It’s truly a credit to Palestine marchers that it did not end in a tragic stampede,” they told the Buzz.

As always, members of Lambeth’s Jewish Voice for Liberation (formerly Labour) chapter marched with the Jewish bloc, while the regular Orthodox rabbinical representatives were also among the day’s Nakba marchers.

Meanwhile a short distance away, separated by barriers and a strong police presence, a large crowd listened to speakers at the far right march hosted by Robinson, with many visible supporters wearing and waving Israeli flags.

For the Jewish bloc marching for Palestine, the contrast could not have been starker.

“We’re here today to show solidarity with Palestinians in their struggle for freedom.

 

The fantastic turnout for this march shows that people care as deeply as ever about justice for Palestine and we are not going away.

 

– Prof Fay Dowker, Wandsworth Friends of Palestine

With far-right figures on both sides of the Atlantic pushing for a war with Iran, CND’s Sophie Bolt said as the march assembled:

“It’s critical we unite against genocide, against racism, against the increasing threat of nuclear war.

 

If we unite we can defeat those who want to take us into some awful illegal war with Iran.”

 

– Sophie Bolt, spokesperson Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Speakers at the rally included Your Party MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, independent MP Diane Abbott, and Labour MP John McDonnell.

A few more photos

Video from Peckham fans

[Courtesy of West Midland Peckham fan]

Video from Wimbledon fans

View this post on Instagram

More Info

• WestNorwood4Palestine Insta
• Wandsworth Friends of Palestine Insta
• Green Party Lambeth
• Jewish Voice for Liberation
• Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
• Stop the War
• Merton Activists for Palestine Insta

Feature image and Peckham FC video courtesy of West Midland Peckham fans
Green Party Lambeth banner photo courtesy of Lois
‘A few more photos’ courtesy of Qaisar Rana
Wimbledon video courtesy of @mertonafp
All other photos: Phil Ross

Last Friday, Brixton was hit by thunderstorms and heavy rain. Here’s the view from Windrush Square.

Police were called at 01:14hrs on Saturday, 2 May, following reports that multiple shots had been fired from a vehicle into a large, social gathering on Coldharbour Lane.

Officers, including specialist crime officers, were on scene within four minutes and provided emergency first aid alongside the London Ambulance Service.

Keanu, 25, was taken to hospital and sadly died on Monday, 4 May. His next of kin continue to be supported by specialist officers.

Three others – aged 21, 47 and 70 – were also taken to hospital. Their injuries were deemed not to be life‑threatening or life‑changing.

Now, two weeks on from the fatal shooting, Crimestoppers have offered a reward of up to £20,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of his killers.

Officers are particularly keen to see mobile phone video or dashcam footage of the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Allam Bhangoo, who is leading the investigation, said:

“This was an appalling and indiscriminate attack which could easily have resulted in several fatalities.

 

“The people who killed Keanu are dangerous criminals – it is imperative for the safety of our community that they are taken off the streets.

 

“My team are working tirelessly as we fight to bring those responsible to justice.

 

We know that lots of people were in the area and if you have any information or footage that could help our investigation, it is extremely important that you come forward and talk to us.”

Alexa Loukas, Regional Manager for London at the charity Crimestoppers, said:

“This was a senseless and deeply shocking act of violence that has devastated a young man’s family and left a whole community shaken.

 

“We are offering this reward because we believe there are people who have vital information, people who want to do the right thing for their community, but don’t want to speak to the police or have to give a statement.

 

“Crimestoppers is totally independent of the Police, we’re simply here to provide a safe and completely anonymous way to speak up.

 

Your information could be the missing piece that helps bring those responsible to justice and give Keanu’s family the answers they desperately deserve.”

In a tribute, his family said:

“Keanu was a loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, grandson and friend. He was loved by everyone and his smile would light up a room.

 

“Keanu had the world at his feet, and he’s left a huge hole in our family, our hearts are absolutely broken.”

Anyone with information or footage that could assist police is urged to contact 101, quoting CAD 557/2May. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Charities working on the frontline of Lambeth’s housing crisis are calling on the council to guarantee five simple essentials: cooking facilities, laundry access, Wi-Fi, secure storage, and access to clear information in every temporary accommodation placement.

Their call comes as a major Parliamentary report warns that temporary accommodation across England is now in deep crisis, with some placements so poor they risk breaching human-rights protections, including the right to family life and the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment.

Public legal education charity Advicenow and the Indoamerican Refugee and Migrant Organisation (IRMO) are urging the council to adopt the ‘5 Basics’ as a formal standard in temporary accommodation.

The 5 Basics are intentionally modest – not a full solution to the housing crisis, but a baseline that ensures families can cook, wash, study, store belongings safely, and communicate with the council about their case.

The two organisations are part of the Better Temporary Accommodation Alliance, made up of 20 organisations across London delivering frontline services and support, legal education, research and policy, advocacy and campaigning.

Why Lambeth needs this now

Lambeth has one of the highest numbers of households in temporary accommodation in London. The borough has over 4,700 households in TA, including more than 6,000 children, a scale that places immense pressure on families and services.

Many residents are placed in cramped single rooms without kitchens, forced to share bathrooms with strangers, or reliant on expensive laundrettes because their accommodation lacks basic washing facilities. Others struggle to keep up with children’s schoolwork due to unreliable or non-existent Wi-Fi.

The reality for many of those families, as IRMO staff encounter it every day, is stark. Mothers describe having nowhere to bathe their babies. Families with young children are living in properties riddled with bedbugs, with no kitchen and no washing machine.

People with serious illnesses, including cancer, are placed in homes with damp that worsens their condition. Some residents have been in “temporary” accommodation for two, three, even five years.

Children are sometimes uprooted mid-school year and placed as far away as Croydon, forced to travel several hours a day to stay in their existing school.

When residents or other support services try to get information from Lambeth about assessments or next steps, they report receiving no response at all.

For families already living in unsafe and unsuitable conditions, this silence adds another layer of fear and uncertainty to an already traumatic situation.

As one TA resident noted: “I have written emails and made phone calls to Lambeth, but they only pass me from one department to another, without any real response.”

These local experiences echo the findings of the House of Commons Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee’s 2024–26 report, which concluded that temporary accommodation nationally is “overstretched, unsuitable, and in some cases unsafe.”

The report warns that prolonged stays in poor-quality TA can seriously harm children’s health, disrupt education, and undermine family stability — all issues that Lambeth organisations say they witness daily.

What the 5 Basics would change

Local organisations are asking Lambeth Council to publicly adopt the 5 Basics as a borough‑wide minimum standard in temporary accommodation, audit all placements to identify where standards are not being met, and publish an action plan with clear timelines and accountability.

They also want the council to publish transparent data on how public money for temporary accommodation is being used and by whom, and to work with Better Temporary Accommodation Alliance members to monitor compliance and gather residents’ feedback.

Campaigners stress that adopting the 5 Basics would bring Lambeth in line with good practice already emerging elsewhere in London and would reduce long-term costs by preventing avoidable health problems linked to damp, overcrowding and poor nutrition.

Now that the local elections have taken place and a new council administration is in place, campaigners say this is the moment for Lambeth to show it is serious about improving conditions for families in temporary accommodation.

The 5 Basics campaign offers a simple, practical benchmark against which residents can hold the council to account over the coming months and years.

For Lambeth families, the question remains the same: should anyone in our borough be living without the absolute essentials needed for dignity and safety?

5 Basics – short film

More Info

• The 5 basics website
• Advicenow: Emergency and temporary accommodation guide
• Better Temporary Accommodation Alliance website
• Lambeth’s exising Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy
• Parliamentary report on temporary accommodation

Article by Dada Fella, Karen Torres and Martina Rodriguez, courtesy of Advicenow

Saiqa Ali, the suspended Green candidate elected for Streatham St Leonard’s just last week, has decided not to take up her seat – leaving one of three seats vacant in what has long been the Green Party’s strongest ward in the borough.

The seat was won on 7 May by Saiqa Ali who initially stood as a Green candidate but had been suspended by the party before polling day following controversial social media posts.

Under the Local Elections Rules 2006, a candidate’s name cannot be removed from the ballot once nominations have closed. Ali therefore remained on the ballot, and was elected alongside the ward’s two other Green candidates, former party leader Scott Ainslie and Dr Alice Weavers.

The Lambeth Green Party suspended Ali ‘pending investigation’ on 28 April and made a futher announcement on 9 May that she was ‘not a member of Lambeth Green Group.’

Last night a Lambeth Green Party spokesperson told Brixton Buzz:

“The candidate was suspended by the national party and has decided not to take up her seat on the council.”

 

– Lambeth Green Party spokesperson

A notice published on Lambeth council’s website yesterday, 14 May confirms the seat is vacant.

Issued by Ian Davis, Lambeth’s Returning Officer, under the Local Government Act 1972, it does not state why the seat has become empty.

The notice also sets out that a by-election is held if two local government electors, i.e. people registered to vote in Lambeth’s council elections – write to the Returning Officer to request one.

A polling date must then be set within 35 working days.

The vacancy comes as the council prepares for its first full meeting of the new term on 27 May, when full council will elect a leader. The historic 7 May election ended Labour’s 20-year control of Lambeth, but left no party holding a majority – now, even with the Streatham St Leonard’s seat empty, the Greens have become the largest group.

More Info

• Green Party statement on Saiqa Ali – 28 April 2026
• Lambeth Council notice on vacant seat

Join the local discussion

• Lambeth Borough Council Elections – Thursday 7 May 2026

Detectives are appealing for people to come forward with dashcam or doorbell footage after a stabbing left a man fighting for his life in Brixton.

Following the incident on Acre Lane at around 02:10hrs on Saturday, 2 May, the 33-year-old was rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition by the London Ambulance Service. Thankfully, due to the skill of medical professionals, he is now in a stable condition.

Since the incident, CID officers from the Met have worked at pace to identify those responsible and have recovered a black BMW 330E estate – similar to the one pictured.

From examining CCTV, detectives found this vehicle – which had the number plate FM21 UKW – was driven to Acre Lane at around 02:00hrs before making off at speed towards Clapham Park Road following the attack at 02:15hrs.

CCTV also captured what detectives believe are the three suspects.

Detective Sergeant Daniel Beek, who is leading the investigation, said:

“This brutal attack almost claimed the life of a young man. My team and I are determined to find those responsible and urge anyone with information to contact us.

 

“The incident took place in an incredibly busy area. There were cars on the road – which hopefully means relevant dashcam footage – and we believe residents may have doorbell cameras pointing towards the street.

 

“If you were in or live in Acre Lane, Clapham Park Road, or the surrounding areas of Kings Avenue, please do get in touch via 101, or share footage directly through our public portal. No piece of information is too small.”

Anyone with information can contact the Met on 101, quoting 907/2MAY. Alternatively, those who wish to share information anonymously can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

This Sunday, 17th May, Dulwich Hamlet’s new Youth Team look to finish the season with a league title win, if they can defeat Cray Wanderers at Flamingo Park.

A draw is enough for Cray to clinch the title while the young Hamlet side know only 3 points will do as they look to finish their first season in pink & blue with silverware.

Following an early season run in the FA Youth Cup that saw them exit the competition against Erith Town, the youth side have mounted a title charge and will be league champions if they can defeat this weekend’s opponents.

The Wanderers have only suffered defeat twice this season against Bromley and Peckham Town.

Hamlet’s Youth Team pride themselves on playing free flowing attacking football and this Sunday has the potential to be a match everyone can enjoy – and it’s free entry!

More info

Dulwich Hamlet vs Cray Wanderers
Sunday 17th May 2026, kick off 10am

Flamingo Park Sports Club
Chislehurst,. Kent, .BR7 6HL

Entrance is completely free!

[Pic credit: Rob Avis]

Freight Brixton are inviting locals to the second edition of Soul of the South night tonight, promising an “evening celebrating music, culture, and community” – with the bonus of a free drink!

They told Brixton Buzz:

Join us for a night of great energy, curated sounds, and an incredible crowd.

 

With one complimentary drink voucher on arrival plus discounted drinks available throughout the night.

Onstage will be Sophie Faith, with the event running from 6pm to 11pm.

Local residents wanting to get in on the free drink action need to add their dets here and then pick up the vouchers on entrance.

More info

Freight Brixton
33 Brixton Station Rd, London SW9 8PB

Join the local discussion

• Brixton food & drink news: new restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes and more

As we reported yesterday, Martin Abrams has now been confirmed as the new leader of the Lambeth Green Party, after his party won  29 of Lambeth’s 63 seats, ending Labour’s 20‑year control.

The Greens have now issued a statement about his appointment:

[Greens celebrate their election night, Kennington Oval]

Martin Abrams elected Leader of Lambeth Green Group

 

Martin Abrams, councillor for Streatham Hill East, has been chosen by his fellow councillors and party members as leader of Lambeth Green Group.

 

Ciara Alleyne and Natalie Kane have been elected as the Deputy Leaders of the Group.

 

Their election was ratified by party members ahead of the formal election of Lambeth Council’s Leadership on 27th May.

 

The Green Party is the largest group on Lambeth Council, with 28 seats. Labour has 26 seats, the Liberal Democrats eight, and there is one independent.

“I am deeply honoured to have been elected as Leader of Lambeth Green Group. The people of Lambeth have voted for change, and we have a mandate to deliver it.

 

“This is one of the most dynamic, diverse communities in the world. It is also one of the most unequal. In power, we will fight every day to make this a borough where everyone has a decent home, and a fun and fulfilling life.

 

We will put power in the hands of residents, workers and the community. Things can, and will, get better.

 

“Thank you to every volunteer who campaigned for us in this election, and to every resident who voted for us.

“I would also like to pay tribute to Scott Ainslie, who has worked tirelessly and led Lambeth Greens to our historic victory last week.”

Martin Abrams, Leader of Lambeth Green Group

Natalie Kane, Lambeth Greens co-Deputy Leader, said:

“Since last summer, the membership of the Green Party has grown exponentially.

 

We now have almost 3,000 members, who were the core of an unprecedented campaign. People from every background have come out to fight for change.

 

“With the influx of members has come an influx of talent and expertise, and that is reflected in our elected group of Green councillors. Our manifesto is a vision for hope – and we will now deliver it.”

Ciara Alleyne, Lambeth Greens co-Deputy Leader, added:

“Over the past few months, Lambeth and the country as a whole have undergone a profound political realignment.

 

“Again and again, residents told us the same story – a political elite, locally and nationally, is prioritising the needs of developers, big business and themselves over the needs of people and planet. We will do things differently.”

More info

Lambeth Green Party’s manifesto can be seen here.

Join the local discussion

• Lambeth Borough Council Elections – Thursday 7 May 2026

South London cyclist Henry Ellis is undertaking a 12,000km solo journey across Africa to raise funds and awareness for mental health charities, combining extreme endurance with a powerful personal story of recovery.

Ellis has already cycled more than 7,000km from London to Dakar, Senegal – the westernmost point of mainland Africa – as part of a wider journey that began in the UK.

He first rode 4,500km from London to Agadir, Morocco, and is now continuing south from Agadir to Cape Agulhas, South Africa – a second leg he is dedicating to charity.

Cycling solo and carrying all essential equipment, Ellis is crossing deserts, savannahs, and remote rural regions with limited infrastructure, documenting the journey through daily video content and social media under the handle @Anotherbloodycyclist.

“I wanted to take on something genuinely difficult – to push myself while creating real impact for others,” he said.

The challenge is deeply personal.

“In 2023, my life turned upside down. I was diagnosed with post-infective fatigue syndrome and had to stop working. It was one of the hardest periods of my life.

 

The illness left me physically depleted, struggling to get out of bed, but the impact on my mental health was what frightened me most. I know how lucky I was to have support around me – and I want to help others access that same support.”

The charity-focused leg began on 2 March 2026. Since then, Ellis has cycled nearly 3,000km across the Sahara Desert, raising nearly £6,000 and growing his social media following from zero to over c.6,000 people, demonstrating strong early momentum and engagement.

As part of the expedition, Ellis plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, integrating the iconic ascent into the journey to reignite fundraising momentum and expand the campaign’s reach.

Funds raised will support the national mental health charity Mind and Network for Africa, two organisations working to improve access to mental health support both in the UK and across African communities.

Mind provides essential services, advice, and advocacy for people experiencing mental health challenges, while Network for Africa partners with trusted local organisations in sub-Saharan Africa to provide mental health care and livelihoods support to survivors of war, genocide, and extreme poverty.

Ian O’Reilly, Associate Director of Public Fundraising at Mind, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Ellis for choosing to support Mind through undertaking a 12,000km solo journey across Africa. This is no easy feat and we wish him well.

 

“Every donation that Mind receives allows us to campaign to improve services and provide information and support.

 

This includes services such as the Mind Infoline, legal line and our online peer support community for adults, Side by Side, so we can be there for as many people who need us as possible.

 

“So, a heartfelt thank you to Ellis for the difference he will make”.

The journey is expected to continue until at least Christmas 2026, with the goal of engaging a global audience and demonstrating how personal challenges can be transformed into meaningful action.

• Donations can be made at: https://gvwhl.com/ACM48

After three and a half years, the En Root team have said goodbye to The Ritzy Cinema, with the Indian Fusion chefs serving  their last plant based meal on May 10th 2026.

In a statement, they said:

From pre-film meals to post-film conversations, this space became a place where culture and community came together.

 

We’re proud to have helped bring to life the UK’s first plant-powered cinema kitchen.

 

For many of you, this is where you first discovered En Root and where you kept coming back, time and time again.

 

That means more to us than we can say. Our last day of trading at The Ritzy will be 11th May.

 

After that, you can still find us just 10 minutes down the road at En Root Clapham for our Lunch Time Special, or hop on the 37 straight to En Root Peckham.

 

We promise to continue providing the goodness.

 

Huge love to The Ritzy team for the collaboration, and to everyone who showed up, supported and shared the journey along the way.

 

Stay with us. The journey never stops. With love, En Root

What’s replacing them?

A date hasn’t been set yet, but Brixton Buzz was told that The Merge, an authentic Afro-Fusion takeaway and restaurant based in Camberwell, will be taking over the Ritzy restaurant.

Their menu stands in total contrast with their predecessor, being heavily focussed on meat and fish, with few vegan options.

We’ll look forward to checking them out when they open.

Lambeth Green Party members have formally ratified Martin Abrams as the new leader of the Green Group of councillors, following a decisive vote on the party’s Helios platform that closed at 6pm today.

The referendum, required under Green Party rules to confirm the leadership chosen by the newly elected councillor group, returned a clear result: 360 members voted to approve the leadership team, with just 23 opting to re‑open nominations.

The ratified leadership team is:

• Martin Abrams – Leader (Streatham Hill East)
• Ciara Alleyne – Deputy Leader (Herne Hill & Loughborough Junction)
• Natalie Kane – Deputy Leader (Brixton Acre Lane)
• Serafina Spicer – Co‑chair (Brixton Windrush)
• Matt Wilcock – Co‑chair (Knights Hill)

The vote confirms the leadership selected earlier this week by the 28‑strong Green Group of councillors, who became the largest party in Lambeth for the first time after last week’s local elections.

Under the party’s constitution, the councillor group elects its own leadership, but the wider local membership must ratify the result. If turnout fails to reach a 10% quorum, the slate is automatically approved – but today’s vote comfortably exceeded that threshold.

A new political landscape in Lambeth

The ratification comes at a pivotal moment for the borough. The Greens won 29 of Lambeth’s 63 seats on the ballot, ending Labour’s 20‑year control.

However, with Saiqa Ali (Streatham St Leonard’s) currently suspended over controversial social media posts and expected to sit as an independent, the Green total stands at 28.

The new balance of the council is:

Greens – 28

Labour – 26

Liberal Democrats – 8

This produces a hung council, meaning the Greens, as the largest party, will need either a formal coalition or a confidence‑and‑supply arrangement to form an administration.

What happens next

With the leadership now ratified, Abrams and his team are expected to begin negotiations with other parties in the coming days.

Any formal talks are unlikely to begin until after the Liberal Democrats announce their new group leader,  following Donna Harris’ announcement ahead of last week’s elections, that she was stepping down.

Join the local discussion

• Lambeth Borough Council Elections – Thursday 7 May 2026

Helen Hayes – MP for Dulwich and West Norwood – has yet to sign an open letter calling for Special Administration of Thames Water.

83 MPs – including 39 Labour MPs – have signed an open letter to Ofwat and the Environment Secretary, urging them to ‘place Thames Water in Special Administration without delay’ [1].

Update: One hour after Brixton Buzz ran this article Helen Hayes MP has now signed the open letter to Ofwat and the Environment Secretary, urging them to reject Thames Water’s attempts to set its own rules, and to bring the utility into Special Administration

Pervious article:

Thames Water’s creditors are currently negotiating with Ofwat for the future of the utility. As part of their takeover bid, they are asking to dodge fines until 2030, and for their pollution targets to be suspended or ‘significantly modified’ [2].

Ofwat’s Board are currently split over whether or not to accept the deal [3].

If it goes ahead, Thames Water – which dumped 80,000 hours of sewage in the first 6 weeks of 2026 alone – will be given greater environmental leniency [4].

If rejected, it is possible that Thames Water will go into Special Administration, a form of temporary public ownership.

Helen Hayes has received 67 emails from constituents, asking her to add her name to the open letter.

On her website – presumably from some years ago – Helen Hayes stated that ‘the privatisation of the water industry has instead created a focus on profits for private shareholders, leaving customers paying high prices for worse services.’ [5].

This comes as a burst pipe in West Norwood has cut supplies to households across the constituency.

These outages also affect the Streatham constituency of former Environment Secretary Steve Reed.

We Own It has been co-ordinating an open letter to Ofwat and the Environment Secretary, calling on them to reject the creditors’ deal. They are asking all MPs to sign, and say no to setting a dangerous new precedent on sewage pollution.

83 MPs have already signed, including MPs from across the Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green Parties [5].

Sophie Conquest – Lead Campaigner at We Own It – said:

• “Thames Water wants to be rewarded for its abysmal failure with a regulatory holiday. And they want us to foot the bill”
• “The average Thames Water bill is now £658. During a cost of living crisis, households have no choice but to pay more and more for a broken service and sewage-filled rivers”
• “This deal is outrageous. We cannot allow failing water companies to set the terms of their own regulation.”
• “Ever single MP should be adding their name to this letter, in order to stand up for the interests of their constituents”
• “By taking Thames Water into Special Administration, we can slash the debts and give billpayers and the environment a fair deal”.

References

[1] Open letter to Ofwat and Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, signed by 83 MPs – https://weownit.org.uk/act-now/mps-letter-to-ofwat-ceo-and-environment-secretary-emma-reynolds
[2] FT article outlining the details of the most recent proposal – https://www.ft.com/content/070d9030-0314-41dd-9630-63c893b199b0?syn-25a6b1a6=1
[3] ‘Thames Rescue Deal Stumbles With Ofwat Split Over Approval’, Bloomberg – https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-14/thames-rescue-deal-stumbles-with-ofwat-board-split-over-approval
[4] ‘Sewage spills in London and South East worse than ever this year’, inews – https://inews.co.uk/news/sewage-spills-london-south-east-worse-ever-4235315?srsltid=AfmBOopNbDgty80QJPbWIV1cYKdY51suC52Deu1e2bfyeDn8kznETecY
[5] Helen Hayes MP’s website – https://www.helenhayes.org.uk/local_issues2
[6] The list of signed MPs is available beneath the open letter – https://weownit.org.uk/act-now/mps-letter-to-ofwat-ceo-and-environment-secretary-emma-reynolds

This Saturday, Dulwich Hamlet are hosting a special DJ set “showcasing The Fab Four like you’ve never heard before.”

The organisers told Brixton Buzz:

DJ Chris Arnold takes you on a magical mystery tour of his collection of covers, remixes and tracks that sampled arguably the greatest band that ever existed – The Beatles.

 

Expect to hear plenty of reggae, ska, latin, hip hop, dub, funk, house and even drum & bass takes on the wonderful music created by John, Paul, George & Ringo.

More info

Beatles Dub Club
Saturday, 16 May 2026 – 7pm to 11pm
Tickets: £15.65

Note: the venue is upstairs, with no step free access. Refreshments available from DHFC bar.

Dulwich Hamlet FC
Champion Hill Stadium,
Edgar Kail Way, London SE22 8BD

Our friends at Dash the Henge have announced this week’s series of live events for their Brixton and Camberwell stores.

Scroll down to find out more.

WED 13th May: 
EMOM – 6pm – Camberwell

THURS 14th May:
Painted Bird & Friends – 7pm – Brixton
Rare Doings #004 – 8pm – Vespers – Tix in Bio

FRI 15th May:
Dave Barbarossa – 7pm – Camberwell
Nick Standen & Friends – 7pm – Brixton

SAT 16th May:
Kilmorie – 3pm – Camberwell
Freya Beer – 5pm – Camberwell
Saul Adamczewski – 5pm – Brixton
Weird Bloom – 7pm – Camberwell

More info: Brixton

Dash The Henge Store Brixton
14E Market Row (off Coldharbour Lane)
Brixton SW9 8LD

Opening hours

Mon-Tues 11-7pm
Wed-Sat 11-9pm
Sun 11-5pm

More info: Camberwell

Dash The Henge Store Camberwell
348 Camberwell New Rd,
London SE5
email: store@dashthehengestore.com
Instagram page

Open Tuesday-Sunday from 11am to 7pm

Do you have a story to tell? LAMPAG (Lambeth Pensioners Action Group) is having a special meeting next Monday, 18th May, to talk about the children left at home when the Windrush generation came to England.

If this was your experience, come and share it. If you’re just curious, come and find out more!

This might be the last untold story of the Windrush generation.

Many parents came here to make their future – but could not afford to bring their children right away.

What happened to these children? What was it like losing their parents, growing up perhaps with grandparents? What was it like later on, coming to a strange, cold England – to join parents they barely remembered, and siblings they had never met?

Guest speaker Shirley Blackwood will tell her own story. Then it’s open to everyone.

ALL WELCOME.

More info

Windrush: the untold story of the children left behind
12 noon, Monday 18 May 2026
Room 1, Ground Floor, Lambeth Town Hall, Windrush Square, corner of Acre Lane.

This is a self-funded community event organised by a CIC, and their goal is to ensure that members of the community are aware of the support, enrichment programmes, and activities available to them locally.

Come along and find out about:

Youth Organisations
Health &Wellness Workshops
Art& Creative Workshops

Sports & Activities
Education & Tutoring Services
Community
Food Vendors

AGES 5-16 • FAMILIES WELCOME

More details

WEDNESDAY 13TH MAY 2026
2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Oasis St Martins -The Village
155 Tulse Hill, London sw2 3UP

5 minutes from Tulse Hill Overground
10 minutes from Brixton Underground Station
info@unitproject.co.uk

FIRST 70 TICKETS FREE

A new safety-critical 18 tonne weight restriction, except buses and emergency vehicles, will be introduced on the Vauxhall Bridge from 1st July 2026 to ensure the structure remains safe for everyone using it.

A diversion route for vehicles above this weight will be put in place for those travelling both northbound and southbound.

Vauxhall Bridge carries 39,500 vehicles every day, of which only around 200 – around 0.5 per cent of current traffic – are more than 18-tonnes and typically heavy goods vehicles.

The bridge has been closed to abnormal loads (any vehicle exceeding 44 tonnes gross weight or 11.5 tonnes per axle) since 2023.

Keeping people safe is Transport for London’s (TfL’s) top priority, which is why it has a programme of regular inspections for all structures across its road network with associated refurbishment projects where required.

While previous assessments have shown Vauxhall Bridge to be safe, the most recent inspection showed that some elements of the structure have deteriorated.

While the bridge does not currently pose any risk to people using it, these new measures are being introduced to avoid any further damage while TfL works to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

The weight restriction will remain in place while TfL works to resolve the structural concerns and develop a long-term plan for the bridge’s future.

No bus routes will be affected by the restriction and buses will continue to run as normal. Emergency vehicles will also be unaffected by the weight restriction and TfL will be putting in place alternative signed diversion routes for all other vehicles exceeding 18 tonnes gross weight.

Carl Eddleston, TfL’s Director of Streets and Network Operations, said:

“Safety is our top priority, and we know how important Vauxhall Bridge is for people travelling across London. This is why we’re taking this precautionary step to introduce a weight restriction to the bridge.

 

While the bridge remains safe, limiting heavier vehicles helps us protect and keep it open while we develop the long‑term improvements it needs.

 

We are sorry for any disruption caused by the restriction, and we’ll continue to monitor the area closely, ensuring we keep people updated as this work progresses.”

Yesterday, the New York Jets and Palace For Life, the official charity of Crystal Palace Football Club, hosted the finale of the 2026 Jets NFL Girls Flag League.

The event, which was the culmination of the competition between 32 schools with over 300 girls participating from across London, marked the first official collaboration between the New York Jets and Crystal Palace Football Club’s official charity, Palace for Life as Kingston Academy were crowned champions of 2026.

Read the full report below:

The New York Jets and Palace for Life, the official charity of Crystal Palace Football Club, have partnered to host the Championship Day of the 2026 Jets NFL Girls Flag league in London

 

Held at the Crystal Palace FC Academy in South London, the all-day event followed 10 weeks of league fixtures and brought the initiative’s fourth year to a close.

 

Kingston Academy emerged victorious, claiming the title with an 20-18 victory over Grey Court School in the final.

 

As part of the new partnership with Palace for Life, the Jets will expand the league in South London in 2027.

 

Palace for Life will identify schools with which they have current relationships to join the league. Each will receive Jets NFL Girls Flag league uniforms, practice jerseys and flag equipment, in addition to travel stipends for games.

 

The Jets also hope to bring kick-off and championships to the Crystal Palace FC Academy moving forward.

 

Championship Day also saw the official unveiling of the first-ever roster for the Jets Flag Elite London, a new all-girls Flag football travel team which will feature top players from the London league.

 

Led by Jay Taylor of the Fruit Bats flag football team, and launched during the league’s kick-off in March, it will provide elite-level skill development and an exciting new pathway for girls participating in flag football across London.

The Jets NFL Girls Flag league in London has seen a continuous year-on-year growth, with over 300 girls (aged 12-15) from 32 secondary schools taking part in 2026.

 

The initiative is of huge importance to the Jets, with the organisation’s collective investment in Girls Flag football activities in London and Dublin now surpassing $1 million.

 

The initiative aims to increase girls’ access to and participation in sports across London through NFL Flag. With a fun, exciting, and accessible format, it helps participants build lifelong psychological skills in strategy, communication, and resilience as they work together to plan and execute winning plays.

 

Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with over 20 million players across 100 countries, where women and girls are driving the fastest growth.

 

The sport will officially be included in the LA 2028 Olympic Games programme, led by the efforts of the International Federation of American Football and supported by the NFL. BAFA (British American Football Association) is looking forward to working with the NFL to grow Flag Football in the U.K.

More info

UK fans can stay updated on the latest news about the New York Jets and hear about their upcoming activities by visiting www.nyjetsinternational.com. Follow them on social platforms, @NYJetsinUKandIE on X and @newyorkjetsinuk on Instagram for more information.

[Photos © Jake Austin]

Brixton Buzz was in attendance for the official launch of Freight Brixton last Thursday – a large space above Pope’s Road which bills itself as ‘ London’s Largest Rooftop Venue .’

The sold out event featured a live set from Grammy-winning duo Blue Lab Beats. Here’s some photos from the night:

More info

Freight Brixton
33 Brixton Station Rd, London SW9 8PB

Join the local discussion

• Brixton food & drink news: new restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes and more