Lambeth Greens Launch Anti-Austerity Manifesto 2026

Key Points

• The Green Party in Lambeth launched its 28-page manifesto on 15 April 2026, titled “hope, community and progress”, after decades of austerity and neglect by Labour, Tories, and Lib Dems.
• For the first time, the party is preparing to form the council government in the borough, with polling models showing them close to displacing Labour on 7 May.
• Core pledge: Resist austerity by hosting a nationwide summit of anti-cuts councils with Hackney Greens, building a campaign to stop and reverse cuts, funded by taxing the super-rich and big business.
• Housing commitments: Prioritise repairs and renovations to council stock, pause estate demolitions, build council homes directly, tackle temporary accommodation and homelessness, and empower renters.
• Services overhaul: End outsourcing, address cost of living, reform consultations and complaints process (noting Lambeth as the second most complained-about council under Labour).
• Economic plans: Encourage creative and green industries, retrofit homes to create skilled local jobs.
• Democratisation: Reverse Labour’s ban on discussing topics like the genocide in Gaza, introduce community budget setting, campaign for trade union and tenants’ union membership.
• Anti-racism stance: Oppose Labour and Reform’s “racist anti-migrant policies”, immigration raids, stop-and-search tactics, and embed anti-racist practices in the council.
• Party growth: Membership ballooned to just under 3,000 in recent months.
• Quotes from Scott Ainslie (leader, Streatham St Leonards candidate): Manifesto for hope after austerity; time for a new chapter on housing and services.
• Michael Chessum (Brixton Acre Lane candidate): Fight austerity nationwide with unions; unleash community power in knife-edge election.

Lambeth (South London News) April 15, 2026 – The Green Party in Lambeth has launched its manifesto, positioning itself to challenge Labour’s long-standing control ahead of the 7 May local elections.

What Does the Lambeth Green Manifesto Promise on Austerity and Services?

As reported by The Canary, the Greens describe their 28-page document, available at lambeth.greenparty.org.uk, as a plan for “hope, community and progress” following “decades of austerity and neglect by Labour, Tories and Lib Dems”. The party pledges to host a nationwide summit of anti-cuts councils alongside Hackney Greens, aiming to build a campaign to stop and reverse austerity measures. This puts them on a collision course with the Starmer government.

Scott Ainslie, leader of the Lambeth Green Group and candidate for Streatham St Leonards, stated:

“After decades of austerity and neglect from the Tories, Lib Dems and now Labour, this manifesto sets out a plan for hope, community and progress. For the first ever time, the Green Party is preparing to run Lambeth, and we are ready.”

The manifesto contrasts Green policies with Labour’s record, declaring:

“Where Labour has cut, we will invest. Where Labour has scrapped our spaces to meet, connect and organise, we will support and value them. Where Labour governed down to you, we will govern alongside you.”

Greens emphasise standing

“alongside workers and communities against austerity, and for an alternative: publicly owned services that work, funded by taxing the super rich and big business.”

Lambeth Labour council has become the second most complained-about in the country, according to the manifesto. Greens promise major changes, including ending the “outsourcing rip off”, tackling the cost of living crisis, and overhauling consultations and complaints processes.

Michael Chessum, candidate in Brixton Acre Lane, said:

“For years, Lambeth’s local services have been hammered by cuts – and that is continuing under a Labour government. Lambeth Greens will put ourselves at the heart of a nationwide fight to stop and reverse austerity – we’ll organise, and build alliances with unions and grassroots campaigns.”

How Will Greens Tackle Lambeth’s Housing Crisis?

Housing forms a key section of the manifesto. Greens commit to prioritising repairs and renovations to maintain existing council stock. They plan to pause estate demolitions and build new council homes directly, rather than relying solely on private developers.

The party also targets the temporary accommodation and homelessness crisis, alongside measures to empower and protect renters. Scott Ainslie added:

“So much harm has been imposed on residents by the decisions Lambeth Labour has taken, especially with regard to housing and the services we all rely on. It’s time to start a new chapter for Lambeth.”

What Job Creation and Economic Plans Are in the Manifesto?

To boost the local economy, the Greens propose encouraging creative and green industries while retrofitting homes. These steps aim to create skilled jobs for local people. The manifesto links this to broader anti-austerity efforts, funding public services through taxes on the super-rich and big business.

Can Lambeth Greens Democratise Council Decision-Making?

Residents can expect changes to council governance. The Greens pledge to reverse Labour’s ban on discussing certain topics, such as the genocide in Gaza. They also propose introducing community budget setting. Additionally, the party would run a campaign encouraging all workers and renters to join trade unions and tenants’ unions.

Michael Chessum remarked:

“We understand that the power to change the world lies with all of us – and we will unleash the power, creativity and solidarity of our community. This will be a knife-edge election, and we are fighting to win it.”

What Is the Green Party’s Stance on Migration and Racism in Lambeth?

The manifesto outlines a determination to “oppose Labour and Reform’s racist anti-migrant policies”. This includes opposing immigration raids and stop-and-search police tactics, while embedding anti-racist practice into council operations.

Why Is the Green Party Confident of Winning Lambeth Council?

Polling models indicate the Greens are within touching distance of displacing Labour on 7 May. The party’s membership has ballooned in recent months to just under 3,000 in Lambeth. For the first time, it is preparing for government in the borough.

The launch on 15 April marks a significant step, with the full manifesto accessible online. Coverage from The Canary highlights the Greens’ alignment with similar efforts in Hackney, where the Greens pledged to review council asset ownership.

Lambeth Greens position their vision as a direct response to ongoing cuts under the Labour government, framing the election as a chance for local change amid national tensions.

Background of the Development

Lambeth Council has been under Labour control for decades, facing criticism over austerity implementation, housing policies, and service outsourcing. Recent national Labour government policies under Keir Starmer have continued public spending constraints, prompting opposition from left-leaning groups. The Green Party’s growth in membership reflects wider dissatisfaction, with local elections on 7 May 2026 serving as a test of anti-austerity sentiment. Previous Green successes in other councils, like Brighton and Hove, provide a model, while Lambeth’s high complaint rankings stem from issues reported in official government data on council performance.

Prediction: How This Can Affect Lambeth Residents

Lambeth residents could see shifts in council priorities if the Greens gain power. Housing policies might slow demolitions and increase direct builds, potentially stabilising tenancies but straining budgets without central funding. Anti-austerity pledges, including the summit, could lead to legal challenges against government cuts, affecting service levels if alliances form. Job creation via green retrofits may provide local employment, though it is dependent on economic conditions. Democratisation measures like community budgeting could increase resident input, altering decision timelines. Opposition to certain policies might influence council-police relations and discussions on global issues. Overall, a Green-led council would redirect resources from outsourcing to public services, impacting taxes, rents, and daily amenities based on implementation and election outcomes.