Lambeth Councillors - David Malley

Councillor David Malley (left) at a meeting with colleagues from Lambeth Labour Group

How long have you lived in Lambeth and been a councillor here?
I have lived in Streatham for 14 years and been a councillor for Streatham South (which takes in Streatham Vale, Streatham Common and Lower Streatham) since 1999.

Being a back bench councillor is not a full time role. In my day job I am a manager at a national bank.

What was your first involvement in politics?
Joining the Labour party in frustration at the social injustice created during the Tory governments of the 80's and 90's.

Why did you become a councillor?
Having lived in Sreatham for a number of years I was keen to make a greater contribution to the community. There was, and is, much to be done to improve the quality of life in our area and well being of the vulnerable.

However, I also wanted to pursue my interest in politics and so the opportunity to become a councillor brought these two aspirations together.

What issues do you think are most important to residents in your ward?
In no particular order, local issues would be:
- the state of our roads and pavements
- lack of primary health care faclities (GPs)
- crime
- the care of Streatham Commmon and Streatham Vale Park
- lack of secondary school places
- conversion of family homes into flats
- transport (public transport and road safety)
- the future of Streatham Ice Rink

What else is involved in being a councillor
Between the three Streatham South councillors, (John Kazantzis, Mark Bennett and I), we do four advice surgeies each month (click here for details). Through these, as well as phone, letter and e-mail, people raise problems they are having with the cocunil with us. We then try and sort them out, often with some success.

Where they want us too, we are always happy to spend time with residents associations, neighborhood watches, amenity groups, to support them in improving our area. We can often help get council officers interested in their issues as well as authorities.

As a backbencher (and an opposition one at that as Labour is not in power in Lambeth), my particpation in the direct running of the cocunil is limited to a relatively few town hall meetings.

Have you ever been a victim of crime?
Yes, I was burgled twice a few years ago and my wife has been mugged.

What’s the worst thing about being a councillor?
There are some meetings where it does become hard to see what is being achieved for the people of Lambeth. A lot of paper is also generated that does not seem too useful.

A healthy rivalry between parties is a good thing for democracy, but at times it can seem a bit over competitive and you wonder whether that side of it achieves very much.

But the good things far out weigh the bad!

What’s the best thing about being a councillor?
Getting things done! Whether this is helping an individual sort out,
say, a problem with Council Tax or assisting a large group get improvements
to our area.

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