Who runs Lambeth Council?
December 2005

Most resident's in Lambeth still think their council is run by Labour

Most residents of Lambeth still think their council is run by Labour, despite three and a half years of a Liberal Democrat - Conservative coalition. A large scale independent poll of Lambeth residents carried out by TNS has said that the majority of people were in the dark about who was in control of leisure, environment, social services, education, parking and community safety in the borough.

The report out this week concluded: “Few participants knew which party was in control of the Council with the majority of those expressing an opinion still thinking that it was Labour. Again, when the true situation was explained, many participants were surprised.”

Despite a number of high profile scandals receiving national media coverage, the message about the Lib Dem-Tory regime is clearly not getting across to voters. The conclusion will probably not come as a surprise to Liberal Democrat Town Hall bosses. The leaflets they send out to residents constantly refer to them “getting the council” to do things.

One example among many was a leaflet claiming “They have made the council review the rules on traffic wardens.” They neglected to mention that they run the council and introduced the new rules in the first place!

Steve Reed: Leader of Lambeth’s Labour Opposition said:

“It’s hardly surprising that so many people don’t know who is in control of Lambeth. The Lib Dems are always pretending they're not running things - with a record like theirs, you wouldn't want people to know about it either.”

“They have presided over a 35% increase in council tax, a dodgy parking contract, a £2.8 million fraud, the wasting of £28 million on offices and the conviction of one of their councilors for benefit fraud. It’s the kind of record I would rather was attributed to them!”

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