What you need to know as Lewisham heads into mayor's election

The election for mayor of Lewisham will be held on Thursday 7 May between 07:00 BST and 22:00.

Lewisham Council will be elected at the same time.

There are eight candidates for mayor.

1. Jay Coward - Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

2. Kayode Damali - Independent

3. Amanda De Ryk - Labour and Co-operative Party

4. Josh Matthews - Liberal Democrats

5. Roger Mighton - Independent

6. Peter Newman - Reform UK

7. Liam Shrivastava - Green Party

8. Sylbourne Sydial - Conservative Party

Lewisham has had a directly elected mayor since 2002. Labour has won every election so far.

In 2022, Damien Egan was elected in the first round with 58.05% of the vote.

The turnout was 35%.

In 2024 Egan resigned to stand in a parliamentary by-election.

Brenda Dacres, the Labour candidate, won the subsequent by-election.

All 32 of London' s boroughs have a mayor, but in most cases their duties are ceremonial. They wear a chain and municipal robes - the position is largely honorary and they have little power.

An elected mayor by contrast has significant powers in their borough.

The mayor is the political leader of the council and they appoint a cabinet made up of elected councillors who are given specific portfolios such as finance, community safety and children's services.

They control local services such as housing, including local regeneration schemes and affordable housing targets, planning and waste collection.

Mayors are elected on their own manifesto and may be a member of a political party or an independent candidate.

The vote for the mayor and the council are held at the same time.

There is a separate mayor of London, currently Sir Sadiq Khan, responsible for police, fire and rescue, Transport for London and strategic matters that affect all 32 London boroughs.

The election will be held on Thursday 7 May between 07:00 BST and 22:00.

If you are not already on the electoral register, you can register to vote HERE.

The voting system has changed since the 2022 election.

Mayors are elected using the first-past-the-post system.

You vote for ONE candidate and the candidate with the most votes becomes mayor.

You will be sent a polling card that indicates where you should vote.

You will not be able to vote without ID such as a passport, driving licence, a Freedom Pass or 60+ London Oyster Photocard - more information here.

You can vote by post or by proxy - more information here.

More information about voting eligibility can be found here.

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