Key Points
- The election for Mayor of Lewisham is scheduled for Thursday, 7 May 2026, with polling stations open from 07:00 BST to 22:00 BST.
- Lewisham Council elections for 54 ward councillors will occur simultaneously on the same day.
- Eight candidates are standing for mayor, as confirmed by official statements of persons nominated published on 10 April 2026.
- The candidates are: Jay Coward (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Kayode Damali (Independent), Amanda De Ryk (Labour and Co-operative Party), Josh Matthews (Liberal Democrats), Roger Mighton (Independent), Peter Phillipe Newman (Reform UK), Liam Shrivastava (Green Party), and Sylbourne Sydial (Conservative Party).
- Incumbent Mayor Brenda Dacres (Labour and Co-operative Party) is not seeking re-election after entering the House of Lords in January 2026.
- Voter registration deadline is midnight on 20 April 2026; postal vote applications close at 5pm on 21 April 2026; proxy vote applications close at 5pm on 28 April 2026.
- A mayoral candidate address booklet has been published and sent to voters, containing statements from candidates.
- Labour has held the mayoral office since its creation in 2002.
Lewisham, (South London News) April 16, 2026 –The London Borough of Lewisham is preparing for its mayoral election on Thursday, 7 May 2026, alongside elections for 54 ward councillors, with polling stations open from 07:00 BST to 22:00 BST. Eight candidates have been officially nominated, as listed in the Statement of Persons Nominated published by Lewisham Council on 10 April 2026 following the close of nominations at 4pm on 9 April. All registered voters in the borough are eligible to participate, except British citizens living overseas, with poll cards mailed from 23 March 2026.
When is the Election for Mayor of Lewisham, and Who is Standing?
As detailed on the official Lewisham Council website, elections will be held on Thursday, 7 May 2026, for both the Mayor of Lewisham and the council.
The full list of mayoral candidates, confirmed in the Statement of Persons Nominated (mayoral election) dated 10 April 2026, includes: Jay Coward for Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition; Kayode Damali as Independent; Amanda De Ryk for Labour and Co-operative Party; Josh Matthews for Liberal Democrats; Roger Mighton as Independent; Peter Phillipe Newman for Reform UK; Liam Shrivastava for Green Party; and Sylbourne Sydial for Conservative Party.
Amanda De Ryk, current councillor for Blackheath ward and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources, and Performance for the past eight years, launched her campaign in January 2026, as reported by Lewisham Labour. She stated,
“I am honoured to be Labour’s candidate for Mayor of Lewisham. Leading a team of all the talents is a privilege and will put our Labour team in the strongest position for the election in May and beyond,”
according to the campaign launch coverage on lewishamlabour.com. De Ryk is seeking to succeed Mayor Brenda Dacres, who stepped down after nomination for a peerage.
Jay Coward, prospective candidate for Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC), explained his candidacy in an article by the Socialist Party on 1 April 2026, stating that Lewisham Labour council is closing facilities, though specific closures were not detailed in the snippet. WhoCanIVoteFor.co.uk lists Coward as standing also in New Cross Gate ward.
Kayode Damali, running as an Independent, has been active on social media, with his Facebook page noting
“RUNNING FOR MAYOR OF #LEWISHAM 2026”
and over 3,100 likes. His Instagram account similarly promotes his bid under @kayodedamali.
Josh Matthews, Liberal Democrats candidate, is described on lewishamlibdems.org.uk as a sustainability professional and former councillor in Cambridge, where he served as opposition spokesperson for Climate, Environment, and the City Centre. He has also stood for parliamentary and assembly roles in the area.
Roger Mighton, Independent, previously ran for mayor in 2022 and stood in Hither Green ward, according to WhoCanIVoteFor.co.uk records. Peter Phillipe Newman represents Reform UK and is contesting Grove Park ward concurrently.
Liam Shrivastava of the Green Party, in his statement to voters on WhoCanIVoteFor.co.uk, said,
“Something special is happening in Lewisham. The Green Party came second in the last mayoral election and our support is growing fast. On 7 May, we can elect a Green Mayor and change how Lewisham is run.”
He outlined five priorities and highlighted his achievements since election, including pedestrianisation, protecting businesses, and community investments.
Sylbourne Sydial, Conservative candidate, was introduced on lewishamconservatives.org.uk on 17 November 2025 as bringing three decades of community leadership, including launching “Politics and You,” hosting the Sylbourne Sydial Show, and daily “Walk & Talk Motivational Moments” during the pandemic. He arrived from Jamaica in 1992 and serves on his church board.
What is the Voting Process and Key Deadlines?
Lewisham Council has published a detailed timetable: notice of election from 23 March 2026; nominations closed 9 April; candidates announced 10 April; mayoral address booklet on 13 April. Registration closes midnight 20 April 2026 via gov.uk/registertovote; postal votes by 5pm 21 April; proxies by 5pm 28 April; results from 1pm on 8 May.
The Returning Officer compiles a candidate address booklet sent to voters, available as PDF on the council site. Official notices include agents, offices, and election notices for both mayoral and local contests.
A BBC News article on 16 April 2026 confirms eight candidates are running, noting Labour has held the office since 2002. Wikipedia’s entry on the 2026 election states Labour and Greens as strongest contenders.
How Have Candidates Been Campaigning?
Campaigns vary: De Ryk’s launch drew local MPs Ellie Reeves, Janet Daby, and Vicky Foxcroft, as per lewishamlabour.com on 23 January 2026.
A From The Murky Depths article on 19 January 2026 noted her selection after Will Cooper withdrew for health reasons. Labour’s YouTube video from 9 February 2026 highlights her focus on housing, safer streets, and funded services.
Coward’s TUSC bid critiques Labour council actions, per Socialist Party. Damali uses social media extensively. Matthews emphasises sustainability. Shrivastava positions Greens as challengers post-second place previously. Sydial focuses on fly-tipping, crime, and high streets.
Background of the Development
The Mayor of Lewisham position was established in 2002 under the Greater London Authority Act 1999, with Labour holding it continuously, including Brenda Dacres’ terms since 2018. Dacres entered the House of Lords in January 2026, prompting the contest. Previous 2024 election saw Dacres win with 21,576 votes against Green’s Michael Herron (6,835) and others. The role oversees council executive functions like finance and services, elected by supplementary vote. This election coincides with local wards amid national political shifts post-2024 general election.
Prediction for Lewisham Residents
This development can affect Lewisham residents through the mayor’s influence on budget allocation, housing policies, public services, and community safety initiatives, as the winner directs cabinet portfolios like finance and performance.
Policies on cost of living, safer streets, and local investments, as raised by candidates, may shape service delivery and infrastructure priorities. Council control alongside mayoral race could impact ward-specific issues like fly-tipping and high streets. Voter turnout and candidate statements in the address booklet provide direct input channels before 7 May. Outcomes may influence opposition scrutiny and cross-party collaborations on shared borough challenges.
