Cllr David Watson

Proud to have been re-elected as councillor for Borough & Bankside. Thanks to everyone who voted! It’s a privilege to represent this neighbourhood. Also grateful to be appointed Executive Member for Community Safety & Engagement in the new Council Joint Administration.

Our Trading Standards team pride themselves on working hard to keep our communities safe - this includes protecting consumers from illegal or unsafe products being sold by traders in Southwark ❌ We've recently taken action against Nunhead Express after investigations over sales of products ranging from herbal cannabis, fake Labubu dolls and unlicensed ointments 🔎 orlo.uk/Kr0C4

Another gorgeous Saturday for the Mint Street Music Festival 😎 Always great to see all the singers, dancers, community groups and residents in the park. We’re proud to support Hannah and this valuable local event with neighbourhood grant funding.

Another busy week for Southwark Liberal Democrats. Standing up for residents, supporting our communities and working hard to deliver the change Southwark voted for. A lot done. Plenty more to do. 🔶

152 Key worker homes approved in Southwark - and Liberal Democrats helped secure some mitigations for the impact the development would have on local residents.

The Government must block Nigel Farage’s resignation until the Standards Commissioner finishes investigating him. The people of Clacton deserve the full facts. If a by-election does go ahead, all parties should stand aside. We cannot give oxygen to this vanity project.

The Chancellor has the power to stop Farage's cynical ploy. I've written to her this morning urging her to act. Farage should not be allowed to resign until the investigation into his dodgy dealings has concluded. The people of Clacton deserve the facts first.

Happy Pride London! Pride is a Protest as well as a celebration 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Car clubs are back in Southwark! HiyaCar, Enterprise and Co-wheels have all signed deals to supply rental vehicles in the borough with immediate effect 🚗 Find out more about car sharing options in Southwark and how to hire a vehicle 👇 orlo.uk/dcE2y

Good luck England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 The Kirby Estate in Bermondsey and countless thousands across our borough are behind you 📸 The Kirby Estate, famous for its flags, is football mad and was recently awarded the Liberty of the Old Metropolitan Borough of Bermondsey — one of Southwark's top civic honours Communities like the Kirby Estate will be cheering England on every step of the way in the small hours tonight - good luck 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 vs 🇲🇽

It was a very close vote - proud Lib Dem votes made the difference and we were able to pass this motion #transrightsarehumanrights

Great to see car clubs returning to Southwark! Earlier this year, we wrote to Sadiq Khan warning that losing car-sharing services would mean more car ownership and more congestion. It's fantastic that new operators are now stepping in to fill the gap.

As #PrideMonth comes to a close, I’m proud to confirm Southwark Council intends to honour James Pratt and John Smith with a rainbow plaque close to the site where they were arrested, alongside exploring a fitting wider tribute. Their story deserves to be remembered.

As Chair of @Pridesouthwark thank you to everyone who joined us yday. Our biggest Pride yet, with 1,100+ registrations. Pride still matters when nearly 200 LGBTQ+ hate crimes were reported last year & too many people still don’t feel safe being themselves. Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

London Fire Brigade are currently dealing with a fire in Rye Lane, Peckham. Residents are advised to keep doors and windows shut due to smoke hazards. Traffic is also impacted in the area. Full details and live updates are available here: orlo.uk/dC7gA

We're celebrating Armed Forces Day today (Saturday 27 June). Armed Forces Day is a national event where we have a chance to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community. As well as remembering those who have been killed or injured in previous conflicts, the day also celebrates those still serving, their families, veterans and cadets, and everyone in uniform who protect and service our communities like firefighters and police. At Southwark Council we will be flying the Armed Forces Day flag from our offices in Tooley Street all weekend following a short flag-raising ceremony on Friday with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Executive Members and representatives from local armed forces. If you would like to find out more about Armed Forces Day you can visit the website at orlo.uk/Lv94n

This week saw the first meeting of Southwark's new Overview & Scrutiny Committee, chaired by Lib Dem Cllr Richard Macmillan. Scrutiny should be a critical friend: recognising what's working, challenging what isn't, and always putting residents first.

*Cool spaces in Southwark update* As the red heat-health alert has been extended until 11pm on Friday evening, a reminder that there are cool spaces across London where you can go to cool down from the heat. The Cool Spaces map (link below) highlights places with air conditioning, shaded areas, and drinking fountains. Our libraries are cool spaces, but please be aware that Camberwell, Canada Water, Nunhead and Una Marson Libraries are currently closed - we will advise when they reopen. Three of our leisure centres - Camberwell, Canada Water, and The Castle - are also cool spaces. Anyone can spend time in the reception/front of house areas of these centres for free.

Great discussion about the progress made and challenges still to overcome for LGBTQ+ equality. I was proud to talk about @lb_southwark’s commitment to keeping our LGBTQ+ communities safe, our vocal support for trans rights and the Pride Fund. Thanks for the invite to join!

After ten years of the Conservatives’ Brexit experiment, the British public have had enough. Nigel Farage pocketed a £5 million ‘reward’ for the damage he’s caused, while the rest of us are paying for it dearly. It’s time to end the chaos and fix our broken relationship with Europe.

Southwark Council wholeheartedly supports a legal challenge against the reduction of London’s affordable housing requirements. The Mayor of London decided last year to cut the affordable housing requirement on new developments from 35% to 20%. The council has written to support a legal challenge brought by @TowerHamletsNow, @LewishamCouncil and @hackneycouncil against the decision. Cllr Victor Chamberlain, Southwark Council’s Deputy Leader, said: “Southwark’s defining issue is a lack of genuinely affordable housing. “We have over 23,000 households on our housing waiting list and over 4,300 households in temporary accommodation. “Behind each of those numbers is a family who needs a genuinely affordable, secure home. “Cutting London’s affordable housing requirement would lock in a lower standard as the new norm and weaken our hand in negotiating every scheme with developers. “Ultimately it would mean fewer much-needed affordable homes for Londoners, not more. “Southwark Council wholeheartedly supports the legal challenge against the Mayor of London’s decision to cut the affordable housing requirement.”