- Campaign Group: Assemble Brixton.
- Concerns Raised: Labour councillors declined engagement.
- Issue Focus: Plans to tackle homelessness.
- Location: Lambeth borough, South London.
- Context: Campaign pushes for local action.
- Status: Councillors refused to discuss proposals.
At a meeting in October with 150 attendees, including two MPs and four council members, the group drafted a “charter” to assist those impacted by homelessness, addiction, and mental health.
However, Lambeth Labour, the Labour group of Lambeth Council, refused to meet with activists to talk about the charter, which aims to cut the number of rough sleepers by 75% by November 2026.
Orin Cooley-Greene, the organizer of Assemble Brixton, contended that the reaction would not discourage activists.
He said:
“The point of the meeting was to hear what the councillors had to say, but ultimately this is a people-powered campaign and people are going to continue regardless. I suspect momentum is going to keep building from here.”
Lambeth Labour said in a letter to campaigners:
“Recent coverage of your campaign, and statements from organisers and supporters, make clear this is intended as a political rather than community intervention.”
They referenced the group’s declared endorsement of independent candidates in the local elections scheduled for May 2026.
Additionally, the council members asserted that the campaign’s leaders are from outside of London and do not reside in Brixton or Lambeth.
They did, however, advise residents to speak with them directly at routine advice sessions.
They said:
“We are not complacent. There is more to do, and we will continue to improve, invest and work with residents to achieve better outcomes for people at risk in Brixton.”
Assemble Brixton said in a response letter:
“This is, in practice and in leadership, a Brixton-led movement, shaped by Brixton residents and rooted in the lived realities of your constituents.
The priorities outlined in the charter address one of the most urgent and deeply felt issues in Brixton today.”
Leo Carlyon, who has lived in Brixton for more than 30 years, said:
“I’ve seen homelessness, addiction and mental ill health on the streets go up and down here over the years.
Once again, it’s become particularly acute and becomes more pressing going into the winter, although it’s a year-round problem.
It’s clearly something that the existing structures are struggling to address, so it’s time to look at a different approach.”
A request for comment was made to Lambeth Labour.
Has Lambeth Council responded officially to Assemble Brixton’s concerns?
Lambeth Council has not issued an sanctioned public response to Assemble Brixton’s specific enterprises about their homelessness plans, grounded on available reports as of January 7, 2026.Â
Original content from SW Londoner highlights the crusade group’s review but notes no direct disproof or engagement from councillors like Deputy Leader Danny Adilypour, despite Lambeth’s broader casing statements emphasizing social rent deliveries.
The absence of comment aligns with patterns in Lambeth Labour’s approach to community activism, prioritizing council- led enterprise like the 600 social homes target over external proffers, leaving contenders to escalate via public pressure.
