Jen Thornton is a campaigner who has worked with neighbours, charities, businesses and unions on local and national campaigns, winning for working people and communities. She has been a union rep, supporting colleagues with issues at work, a school governor, and is on the board of a national charity which makes digital tools to improve access to democracy.
James Moyse moved to Camberwell Green in 2014. He supports his neighbours with housing issues by being involved in his local residents’ association, and has previously worked as a journalist at the BBC and Sky News. James volunteers at 1st Southwark Scouts, giving local young people opportunities to learn and have adventures.
Councillor Dora Dixon-Fyle has been a hard-working Camberwell Green councillor since 1998 and has advocated for thousands of residents. Dora moved to Southwark from Sierra Leone aged 3, attending local schools and then South Bank University. Dora received her MBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 for her services to local government.
South London born and bred, Councillor Sarah King is leader of Southwark Labour and has represented the people of Champion Hill since 2014. Sarah is passionate about tackling the housing crisis, making our communities safer and leading a council you can trust to get things right, having previously served as Labour’s housing lead for two years.
Bill Williams has over 30 years social work experience, working with London’s homeless for a major central London charity. He is passionate about resolving the housing and the climate crises. Bill is currently the Constituency Office Manager for Neil Coyle MP in Bermondsey & Old Southwark, and previously served as a councillor in Rotherhithe ward (2014-2022).
Councillor Margy Newens has lived in Dulwich Village for over 20 years. She is a school governor and has volunteered locally as an adult literacy tutor and for a group supporting refugees. After roles in international development and trade, she currently works for a social enterprise supporting sustainably minded small businesses.
Councillor Richard Leeming was elected in 2018, serving the needs of the variety of people who live in the ward. Richard’s family have lived in Dulwich since the 1980s. He’s a self-employed innovation consultant working on digital projects for public benefit. Richard is the Labour lead on sports and leisure.
Ruth Bannister has lived in Dulwich Wood for almost 20 years, and has long been an active member of the local community. During the pandemic, Ruth managed a local mutual aid group. If elected, she will be a strong advocate for improving housing services, green issues and Dulwich Wood’s schools.
Sasjkia Otto moved to London aged 18, lived in a hostel, and walked between shops asking for work. Sasjika now works to help develop government policy, change the law and secure investment to fix public services, build homes, and make life better for workers, disabled people and pensioners.
Felicia Johnston is a lifelong Southwark local who grew up in care, fuelling her passion for tackling social inequities. A project manager, she recently spearheaded a major local authority programme to drive up standards for private renters. She has also served as a school governor for six years, championing inclusion for pupils with SEND.
Councillor Mohamed Deen moved to Southwark from Sierra Leone aged 17 and made Walworth his home. Mohamed champions Faraday’s diverse community and has campaigned for improvements to the Aylesbury redevelopment. At work he is a union representative, supporting his colleagues to win a better deal on pay and conditions.
Councillor Sam Dalton has been a councillor for London Bridge & West Bermondsey since 2022, leading campaigns to improve housing and tackle crime. Sam has led on developing a plan for older people’s housing in Southwark as a Deputy Cabinet Member. Away from the council, Sam works for a homelessness charity.
Leigh Richman has lived in Southwark for many years. A passionate public servant, he has worked locally in housing for 35 years, and knows the local area very well. Leigh is committed to working with residents to ensure their views are heard. His priorities are to campaign for more and better managed homes, tackle anti-social behaviour and create safe places for everyone in Newington to live and learn.
Elected in 2022, Councillor Natasha Ennin has been a tireless champion for the residents she represents. As the Labour lead for community safety, Natasha is a leading voice in the mission to end male violence against women and girls. Her goal is simple: making our neighbourhoods places where people feel proud and safe to live.
Councillor John Batteson was elected in 2022 and is currently the labour lead for climate emergency, jobs and business. He has led the delivery of Southwark’s climate strategy, ranked as 3rd best in the country. John has overseen work done to increase fair pay for local people, resulting in a pay raise for over 7,000 people.
Councillor Richard Livingstone has represented his local area for 20 years and now works with Peckham’s Member of Parliament to secure better outcomes for local people. Richard has focused on pushing for more and better quality social housing, opening more community spaces, and making Southwark safer.
Councillor Evelyn Akoto grew up in Southwark and is now the Labour lead on adult health and social care. She brings experience from health, policy and political work beyond local government, and is driven by a simple aim, to make public services work better for the people who rely on them most.
Councillor Victoria Mills was elected in 2010 and has lived in Peckham Rye for nearly 20 years. She is a secondary school teacher, and her children attend local schools. Vikki’s priorities are improving schools, early years and youth services, local sport and protecting and improving our brilliant green spaces and playgrounds.
Councillor Renata Hamvas has lived in Nunhead for 27 years and was elected in 2010. She campaigns for improvements to transport, community facilities, education, and local green spaces. Renata has supported local sports and youth facilities, and work to revamp local playgrounds. She is also a governor at Kings College Hospital.
Councillor Stephanie Cryan’s politics were shaped by growing up on a South London council estate. She was elected as a Labour councillor for Rotherhithe in 2014 and considers it a privilege to serve local residents. Stephanie is the Labour lead on finance, making sure the council remains financially robust.
Councillor Esmé Dobson was a carer for 15 years for her husband who had young onset Alzheimer’s Disease, until he died in March 2026. She was elected Labour Councillor for Rye Lane in 2022 and is re-standing this year because she is passionate about wanting to make improvements in social care and on disability issues. Previously, Esmé worked for 13 years at the European Commission, both as a translator and as a policy officer.
Councillor Jasmine Ali has energetically represented Rye Lane for 12 years and is Southwark Labour’s Deputy Leader and lead for children, young people and refugees. She works hard to deliver for children, families & refugees, including groundbreaking work to tackle school exclusions, free support for children with mental health needs and delivering Southwark’s Borough of Sanctuary status. Jasmine lives in Rye Lane with her family and their dog, Smokey.
Councillor Sunny Lambe is the current Mayor of Southwark, and was elected in 2014. He has served on local TRA boards, and was chairman of the Southwark Black History Month and Black Heritage Organisation. He has founded multiple local initiatives, including the Peckham Supplementary School and Southwark Youth Enterprise Project.
Andy Bates has worked in housing and communities for 40 years, most recently as Chief Executive of Leathermarket JMB, a tenant managed housing organisation. He’s active in community groups including as a trustee of St Olaves charity, secretary of the Thorowgood Community Group and the Labour Housing Group executive committee.
Help us build a Southwark that’s fairer, greener and better off for everyone who calls the borough home.
