Liberal Democrats React to New Council Leader

Cllr Victor Chamberlain, Leader of the Southwark Liberal Democrat Opposition Group, has reacted to the news that Cllr James McAsh has been nominated by the Labour group to replace Cllr Keiron Williams as Leader of the Council, which will be officially confirmed at next week’s Council Assembly (9th July):
“I congratulate Cllr James McAsh on becoming leader of the Council and wish him every success in delivering for Southwark. Liberal Democrats will continue working as a constructive opposition to put Southwark residents first.
The Labour group may have changed their leader but it’s the same administration who have taken residents for granted for over 15 years.
Cllr McAsh does not represent the change that Southwark desperately needs. He has repeatedly backed Labour government decisions that make Southwark residents poorer. McAsh voted to keep the two child benefit cap, refused to call out brutal welfare cuts, and backed Rachel Reeves’ winter fuel payments cut.
McAsh’s local record shows that Labour still aren’t listening. As the local highways boss he has overseen chaos on Lower Road, run roughshod over residents’ views on traffic schemes, and left Southwark’s streets and estates drowning in flytipping and litter.
Cllr McAsh is also open about his Marxist beliefs on social media, but Southwark residents want practical answers, not ideology. Residents want better housing, to tackle the cost of living crisis, safer neighbourhoods, support for independent businesses that provide jobs and a council that listens.
The only way to get real accountability and real change is to elect more Liberal Democrats next May.”