Photo: Robert Lamb · CC BY-SA 2.0No party holds a majority on the London Borough of Southwark
Southwark is run by the London Borough of Southwark. No party holds a majority on the London Borough of Southwark. Southwark is split between 5 parliamentary constituencies.
£1,967
Band D, a year, the middle band every council sets its tax from.
Where it goes →How Southwark’s politics has changed since 2021
No majority on the London Borough of Southwark
Labour, the largest group, holds 29 of its 63 seats as elected, 3 short of the 32 needed (it held 52 before the May 2026 election). The Greens hold 22, the Liberal Democrats 12. Who’s in charge ↓
The 2026 vote
Across Southwark’s wards, Labour took 36.2%, the Greens took 34.9% and the Liberal Democrats took 16.8% of votes in May 2026. In 2022, Labour had 56.4%. How Southwark has voted ↓
Council tax
A Band D bill in Southwark is £1,967 for 2026–27; the London Borough of Southwark keeps 74% of it. The council area’s Band D has risen 63% in ten years, against England’s 56%. Council money ↓
Written from the data on this page: Democracy Club results since May 2021, the UK Parliament Members API and MHCLG council tax.
No party has a majority
Seats by party as elected. A party needs 32 of Southwark’s 63 seats to run the council alone.
- Labour29−23
- Green22+22
- Liberal Democrat12+1
Change against the council before the 7 May 2026 election.
Seats are counted from election results: each ward’s most recent winners until its seats are filled. Councillors who have since changed party or resigned aren’t reflected, and which parties lead the council, and who is leader, comes from the council itself.
Results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), elections since May 2021; seats per ward from its EveryElection.
The councils that run Southwark
One council runs every main service here.
Every main council service: schools, social care, roads, bins, planning, housing and libraries.
Website ↗Transport for London, policing (through the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime), the London Fire Brigade and London-wide planning.
Mayor: Sadiq Khan (Labour), elected May 2024
Website ↗Who to ask
From GOV.UK’s “Understand how your council works”: here one council runs every main service.
All of Southwark is unparished: there is no parish or town council, so the council runs local matters itself and no parish precept is added to the bill.
Councils from ONS lookups (wards and councils May 2026, parishes 2025), names and websites from GOV.UK’s local council finder; parish councils from MHCLG’s 2026–27 list of precepting parishes.
From the council to Westminster
Every elected tier that speaks for Southwark, from the most recent elections.
- 1London Borough of Southwark23 wards · 63 councillorsLabour 29 · Green 22 · Liberal Democrat 12 · all 63
- 2Mayor of LondonGreater London Authority · elected May 2024Sadiq Khan
- 3House of CommonsSplit between 5 constituencies
Party colours are neutral on purpose: they tell parties apart and aren’t the parties’ own. Tap an MP’s name for their contact page on parliament.uk.
63 councillors for 23 wards
Wards with at least 2% of the town’s residents, or half their own inside it. Each shows who won its most recent elections, newest first, until its seats are filled.
- Evelyn AkotoLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Richard LivingstoneLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Alexandra AustinGreen · May 2026
- Rachael Mary Anne PennyGreen · May 2026
- Callum FowlerGreen · May 2026
- Andy HigsonGreen · May 2026
- Fatmata BahLabour · May 2026
- Andy BatesLabour · May 2026
- Sunny LambeLabour · May 2026
- Rebecca Elizabeth CornGreen · May 2026
- Sam FosterGreen · May 2026
- Vanessa Joan ThreadgoldGreen · May 2026
- Colin James BoyleGreen · May 2026
- Stephanie CryanLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Kath WhittamGreen · May 2026
- Catherine Alice DawkinsGreen · May 2026
- Claire Frances SheppardGreen · May 2026
- Richard Joseph TaylorGreen · May 2026
- Dora Dixon-FyleLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Jen ThorntonLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- James MoyseLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Rachel Elizabeth BentleyLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Francesco GuerrieriLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Patrickson Amechi ObanyaLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Sam DaltonLabour · May 2026
- David NoakesLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Selena GrayLabour · May 2026
- Ryan Denis CoxGreen · May 2026
- Sabina EmmanuelLabour · May 2026
- Dean Douglas PetersGreen · May 2026
- Felix George HamerGreen · May 2026
- Suzanne Elizabeth WiseGreen · May 2026
- Pascale MitchellGreen · May 2026
- Jasmine AliLabour · May 2026
- Esme DobsonLabour · May 2026
- Reginald PopoolaGreen · May 2026
The other 11 wards
- Eloise Amanda Waldon-DayGreen · May 2026
- James Robert McAshGreen · May 2026
- George Ronald GrimeGreen · May 2026
- John BattesonLabour · May 2026
- Natasha EnninLabour · May 2026
- Leigh RichmanLabour · May 2026
- Richard MacMillanLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Adam HoodLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Jane SalmonLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Mohamed DeenLabour · May 2026
- Felicia JohnstonLabour · May 2026
- Sasjkia OttoLabour · May 2026
- Margy NewensLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Richard Michael LeemingLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Ruth BannisterLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Sean HanniganLabour and Co-operative · May 2026
- Victoria MillsLabour · May 2026
- Renata HamvasLabour · May 2026
- Tori GriffithsLabour · May 2026
- Janice Gail WhiteGreen · May 2026
- Sarah KingLabour · May 2026
- Bill WilliamsLabour · May 2026
- Victor Max Mark ChamberlainLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Hellen BenavidesLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- David WatsonLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Graham James NealeLiberal Democrat · May 2026
- Lina Maria UsmaLiberal Democrat · May 2026
Show as a table
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Kent Roadall in Southwark · 19,036 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Evelyn AkotoRichard LivingstoneAlexandra Austin | May 2026 |
| St Gilesall in Southwark · 15,942 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Rachael Mary Anne PennyCallum FowlerAndy Higson | May 2026 |
| South Bermondseyall in Southwark · 15,941 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Fatmata BahAndy BatesSunny Lambe | May 2026 |
| North Walworthall in Southwark · 15,845 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Rebecca Elizabeth CornSam FosterVanessa Joan Threadgold | May 2026 |
| Rotherhitheall in Southwark · 15,625 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Colin James BoyleStephanie CryanKath Whittam | May 2026 |
| Nunhead & Queen's Roadall in Southwark · 15,558 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Catherine Alice DawkinsClaire Frances SheppardRichard Joseph Taylor | May 2026 |
| Camberwell Greenall in Southwark · 15,510 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Dora Dixon-FyleJen ThorntonJames Moyse | May 2026 |
| North Bermondseyall in Southwark · 15,280 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Rachel Elizabeth BentleyFrancesco GuerrieriPatrickson Amechi Obanya | May 2026 |
| London Bridge & West Bermondseyall in Southwark · 15,093 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Sam DaltonDavid NoakesSelena Gray | May 2026 |
| Peckhamall in Southwark · 14,785 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Ryan Denis CoxSabina EmmanuelDean Douglas Peters | May 2026 |
| Chaucerall in Southwark · 14,734 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Felix George HamerSuzanne Elizabeth WisePascale Mitchell | May 2026 |
| Rye Laneall in Southwark · 14,473 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Jasmine AliEsme DobsonReginald Popoola | May 2026 |
The other 11 wards
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose Greenall in Southwark · 13,610 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Eloise Amanda Waldon-DayJames Robert McAshGeorge Ronald Grime | May 2026 |
| Newingtonall in Southwark · 13,438 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | John BattesonNatasha EnninLeigh Richman | May 2026 |
| Surrey Docksall in Southwark · 12,523 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Richard MacMillanAdam HoodJane Salmon | May 2026 |
| Faradayall in Southwark · 12,466 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Mohamed DeenFelicia JohnstonSasjkia Otto | May 2026 |
| Dulwich Villageall in Southwark · 10,250 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Margy NewensRichard Michael Leeming | May 2026 |
| Dulwich Woodall in Southwark · 10,193 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Ruth BannisterSean Hannigan | May 2026 |
| Peckham Ryeall in Southwark · 10,159 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Victoria MillsRenata Hamvas | May 2026 |
| Dulwich Hillall in Southwark · 9,594 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Tori GriffithsJanice Gail White | May 2026 |
| Champion Hillall in Southwark · 9,219 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Sarah KingBill Williams | May 2026 |
| Borough & Banksideall in Southwark · 9,012 residents3 seats · May 2026 | 3 | Victor Max Mark ChamberlainHellen BenavidesDavid Watson | May 2026 |
| St George'sall in Southwark · 8,459 residents2 seats · May 2026 | 2 | Graham James NealeLina Maria Usma | May 2026 |
Councillors can resign, change party or sit as independents between elections; a by-election winner replaces someone not named here. London Borough of Southwark’s website lists who sits now.
Results from Democracy Club’s candidates database (CC BY 4.0; elections since May 2021) and ward seats from its EveryElection, matched to ONS wards (May 2026) and county divisions (May 2025).
Labour has led every council vote since 2022
Share of all votes cast for candidates in Southwark’s wards at each scheduled council election since 2021. A gap is a year with no election here.
Seats won at each election
Show as a table
| Party | 2022 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Green | 11.9% | 34.9% |
| Labour | 56.4% | 36.2% |
| Liberal Democrat | 21.1% | 16.8% |
| Conservative | 10% | 6.8% |
In 2026, Labour won 29, the Greens won 22 and the Liberal Democrats won 12 of the 63 seats up in Southwark’s wards.
Results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0). Where a ward elects several councillors at once, each voter has that many votes; all of them count here.
Southwark council election, May 2026
Results in the wards that make up Southwark, as declared. Percentages are of votes cast for candidates in each ward; where a ward elects several councillors, each voter has that many votes.
23 wards voted. Every seat in the town’s wards was up.
No election is scheduled yet for Southwark’s wards in Democracy Club’s list. Councils publish a notice of election about five weeks before polling day.
Who can I vote for? ↗10,810 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
14,845 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
12,087 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
Every ward’s result (20 more)
11,665 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
12,647 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
13,951 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
12,184 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
11,853 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
11,001 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
10,380 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
11,311 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
14,776 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
15,973 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
11,590 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
11,083 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
8,460 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
9,498 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
6,832 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
7,462 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
6,654 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
6,030 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
6,544 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
4,035 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
Candidates and results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), from councils’ declared results; polling dates from Democracy Club’s EveryElection.
Southwark is split between 5 constituencies
The constituencies’ MP and the 4 July 2024 general election, the whole constituency’s result.
38,797 votes for candidates · majority 15,228
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 38,797 votes from 72,127 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 15,228 of 38,797 votes (39.3%): wider than in 95% of England’s 543 constituencies.
| Constituency | MP | Share of town |
|---|---|---|
| Dulwich and West Norwood | Helen Hayes | 10% |
| Vauxhall and Camberwell Green | Florence Eshalomi | 10% |
MPs and results: UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0); constituencies from ONS (2024 boundaries). Percentages are of valid votes; turnout is votes cast over the electorate.
Southwark’s Band D council tax is £1,967 a year
Where a Band D bill goes, what it has cost over the years, and what the councils plan to spend per resident.
London Borough of Southwark keeps £1,456.75 of a Band D bill (74%); the rest goes to the Greater London Authority.
Band D since 1993
Southwark’s Band D bill has risen 63% in ten years, from £1,206.38 in 2016–17, against England’s average (56%). It was £624.38 in 1993–94.
Your bill by band
A Band D home in the unparished part of Southwark, 2026–27, before discounts. The Valuation Office Agency’s band search gives any home’s band.
London boroughs
Average Band D in each council area, 2026–27, parish precepts included; the 11 nearest of 33. Bars start at £900.
Council budgets per resident, 2026–27
Show as a table, with London
| Southwark | Southwark’s councils | London | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult social care | £396 | £471 | £487 |
| Children’s social care | £349 | £301 | £290 |
| Roads and transport | £45 | £-5 | £41 |
| Housing (not council homes’ rents) | £147 | £160 | £61 |
| Bins, street cleaning, environment | £171 | £119 | £119 |
| Libraries, leisure, culture | £64 | £42 | £44 |
| Planning and development | £42 | £24 | £26 |
| Public health | £122 | £98 | £78 |
| Running the council | £41 | £68 | £59 |
| Other | £65 | £41 | £19 |
| Total, schools apart | £1,441 | £1,345 | £1,234 |
Net budgeted service spending, MHCLG Revenue Account budget 2026–27, per resident (ONS mid-2025 estimates). Schools are left out: academies are paid for directly by government, so council school budgets depend on how many schools have converted. London and England: all their councils together. Police, fire and transport authorities aren’t included.
Band D: MHCLG Band D council tax 2026–27 (each authority’s own figure, excluding parish precepts) and Council Tax statistics for town and parish councils 2026–27; since 1993–94, MHCLG’s area averages including parishes.
Having a say in how Southwark is run
It takes about five minutes online; the deadline is 12 working days before a poll.
gov.uk ↗Type a postcode to write to each of its councillors and its MP.
WriteToThem ↗GOV.UK sends the report to the council that looks after the road.
gov.uk ↗Council and committee meetings are open to the public, with agendas and minutes online.
southwark.gov.uk ↗Anyone can comment while an application is open for consultation.
southwark.gov.uk ↗The rules, nomination papers and guidance for council candidates.
Electoral Commission ↗Questions about how Southwark is run
Does Southwark have a town council?
No. Southwark is unparished, so there is no town or parish council and no parish precept.
Who is the MP for Southwark?
Southwark is split between 5 constituencies: Peckham (Miatta Fahnbulleh, Labour), Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Neil Coyle, Labour), Lewisham West and East Dulwich (Ellie Reeves, Labour), Dulwich and West Norwood (Helen Hayes, Labour) and Vauxhall and Camberwell Green (Florence Eshalomi, Labour). Parliament’s Find your MP service matches a postcode to its MP.
How many councillors does Southwark have?
63 ward councillors represent Southwark’s 23 wards.
When are the next elections in Southwark?
No election is scheduled yet in Democracy Club’s list for Southwark’s wards. The next UK general election must be held by August 2029.
How much is council tax in Southwark?
Band D council tax in Southwark is £1,967 for 2026–27. Your bill depends on your home’s band, from A (6/9 of Band D) to H (18/9).
Who controls the London Borough of Southwark?
No party has a majority. As elected, Labour 29 · Green 22 · Liberal Democrat 12 of 63 seats; a majority needs 32. The council’s website lists who leads it now.
Who won the 2026 council election in Southwark?
In Southwark’s wards on 7 May 2026, Labour 29 · Green 22 · Liberal Democrat 12 of the 63 seats up. Labour had the largest share of votes, 36.2%.
Sources: ONS ward, county division, parish, constituency lookups (Census 2021 output areas; Open Government Licence v3.0) · GOV.UK local council finder · Democracy Club candidates (CC BY 4.0) and EveryElection · UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0) · MHCLG Band D council tax, parish precepts and Revenue Account budgets 2026–27 (OGL v3.0) · ONS mid-2025 population estimates. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.