Liam Shrivastava Wins Lewisham Mayoral Election 2026 Lewisham 2026

Key Points

• Liam Shrivastava of the Green Party has been elected as the new Mayor of Lewisham with 35,265 votes.
• Labour and Co-operative Party candidate Amanda De Ryk received 30,374 votes, finishing second.
• The election was held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, with results for the mayoral contest announced on May 8, 2026; local council ward results are scheduled for declaration on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
• Turnout for the 2026 election in Lewisham was recorded at 42.14%.
• Other candidates included Pete Newman (Reform UK, 7,288 votes), Josh Matthews (Liberal Democrats, 6,323 votes), Sylbourne Sydial (Conservative Party, 4,655 votes), Kayode Damali (Independent, 2,185 votes), Jay Delaney Coward (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, 721 votes), and Roger Mighton (Independent, 392 votes).
• This is the first mayoral election under the first-past-the-post system, changed from the supplementary vote in 2022.
• Incumbent Labour Mayor Brenda Dacres, who became the first black woman directly elected mayor in a 2024 by-election, entered the House of Lords in January 2026 and did not stand for re-election.
• Local council elections cover 54 ward councillor seats, with results pending as of May 9 morning.

Lewisham (South London News) May 9, 2026 – Green Party candidate Liam Shrivastava has won the 2026 Mayoral election for the London Borough of Lewisham, securing 35,265 votes to defeat Labour’s Amanda De Ryk, who polled 30,374 votes, according to official results published by Lewisham Council on May 8, 2026. The victory marks a significant shift in the borough’s leadership, with council ward results still awaited later on May 9. Turnout stood at 42.14% for the elections held on May 7. 

Who Won the Lewisham Mayoral Election 2026?

Liam Shrivastava of the Green Party emerged as the victor in the mayoral race, as confirmed by Lewisham Council’s official election results page updated on May 8, 2026. His total of 35,265 votes surpassed Labour’s Amanda De Ryk by nearly 5,000 votes under the first-past-the-post system.

As detailed in the council’s tabulated results, the full breakdown lists Shrivastava in first place, followed by De Ryk, Pete Newman of Reform UK with 7,288 votes, and others trailing further. Wikipedia’s entry on the election, last edited post-results, attributes the win to Shrivastava while noting the race’s competitiveness between Greens and Labour.

No statements from candidates were immediately available in the official release, but the council’s page presents the figures in alphabetical order by candidate surname for transparency.

What Were the Vote Shares in the Lewisham Council Election 2026?

The mayoral results show Shrivastava achieving the highest share, though exact percentages are not listed in the council’s initial publication; calculations from totals indicate his lead under FPTP rules. Labour’s De Ryk polled strongly at 30,374, reflecting the party’s historical dominance in the borough.

Reform UK’s Pete Newman secured third place with 7,288 votes, Liberal Democrats’ Josh Matthews fourth at 6,323, Conservatives’ Sylbourne Sydial fifth with 4,655, Independent Kayode Damali sixth at 2,185, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition’s Jay Delaney Coward seventh at 721, and Independent Roger Mighton last at 392. These figures represent all valid votes cast in the mayoral contest.

When and Where Were Lewisham Election Results Declared?

Polling took place across Lewisham on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 7am to 10pm, as per council timelines. Mayoral results were declared on Friday, May 8, 2026, via the official Lewisham Council website. Local council results for 54 wards are set for announcement on Saturday, May 9, 2026, aligning with live update expectations from sources like Newsquest.

Counts for Lewisham, alongside Croydon and Tower Hamlets, were delayed until the weekend, as reported in broader London coverage by MyLondon on Facebook and YouTube live streams.

Why Did Labour Lose the Lewisham Mayoralty in 2026?

Incumbent Labour Mayor Brenda Dacres, elected in a 2024 by-election following Damien Egan’s resignation, entered the House of Lords in January 2026 and stood down, opening the seat, according to Wikipedia’s background section. This came after Dacres became the UK’s first black woman directly elected mayor.

The switch to first-past-the-post from supplementary vote in 2022 was noted by the Electoral Reform Society as potentially lowering the threshold for winners, though no direct causal statements appear in results coverage. Pre-election projections from PollCheck suggested no overall council majority, with Greens potentially leading at 27 seats.

Labour held strong nationally in some areas but faced losses elsewhere in London, per BBC and YouTube updates on May 7-8.

How Does This Fit Into the London Local Elections 2026?

Lewisham’s mayoral result contrasts with mixed London outcomes, where Liberal Democrats held Richmond and Sutton with full sweeps, Conservatives gained Westminster, and Reform UK took Havering, as compiled by SecretLDN. Labour retained Merton and Hammersmith & Fulham but lost ground in Ealing.

Greens secured historic council wins in Waltham Forest and Hackney, plus mayoralities, amid a reported slump in Labour votes, according to BBC live coverage. YouTube live commentary from May 7 noted no big shocks early but highlighted Reform UK’s national gains of over 200 seats.

Evening Standard outlined 1,817 London seats contested, including five mayoral races. OnLondon and PollCheck tracked declarations, confirming Lewisham’s later timing.

What Happens Next for Lewisham Council Wards?

Local council results for all 54 seats remain pending declaration on May 9, 2026, as stated directly on the council’s elections page. This follows the mayoral count completion.

Live updates are anticipated via blogs like Newsquest’s, inviting predictions to joseph.reaidi@newsquest.co.uk. [query] BBC provides a dedicated Lewisham page under its 2026 local coverage.

Background of the Development

The Mayor of Lewisham position was established in 2002, with Labour’s Steve Bullock holding it through multiple terms until succeeded by Damien Egan in 2018 and 2022. A 2024 by-election arose after Egan’s resignation for the Kingswood parliamentary contest, won by Labour’s Brenda Dacres, marking her as the first black woman in such a role. Dacres’ move to the House of Lords in January 2026 prompted this full election alongside ward contests, under new FPTP rules since 2022. Historically Labour-dominant, Lewisham saw eight mayoral candidates in 2026 amid national locals.

Prediction: How This Can Affect Lewisham Residents

Liam Shrivastava’s election as mayor could influence policy priorities for Lewisham’s 300,000-plus residents, particularly in areas like housing, environment, and local services, given the Green Party’s focus. The pending council results may lead to coalition arrangements if no majority emerges, as pre-poll projections indicated for the 54 seats, potentially slowing decisions on budgets and planning. Residents might see shifts in green initiatives or opposition scrutiny on Labour-era projects, depending on ward outcomes declared May 9. National trends of Reform and Green gains suggest heightened competition, affecting service delivery timelines for the borough’s diverse communities in South London.