Submitted by daniel on Wed, 27/05/2026 - 13:05 Picture Image Description Liberal Democrat candidate Alex Davies has launched his campaign for the forthcoming St Leonard’s by-election with calls for Lambeth Council to move polling stations out of schools, arguing that election-day closures are causing unnecessary disruption to pupils, parents and teachers. Davies said the party had launched a ‘Save Our School Day’ campaign calling on Lambeth Council to find alternative polling venues, with residents and local businesses already displaying posters backing the initiative. The campaign comes after both Henry Cavendish Primary School and St Leonard’s Primary School informed parents they would close for the July 2 by-election after being selected as polling stations, with both schools raising concerns about disruption to pupils’ education and family childcare arrangements. The by-election follows the decision by suspended Green candidate Saiqa Ali not to take up the seat after being elected in May’s historic Lambeth elections, which ended Labour’s 20-year majority control of the council. Under election law, Ali remained on the ballot despite being suspended by the Green Party before polling day. Rapid post-election resignations and by-elections have become increasingly common across multiple political parties in recent years, often linked to candidate vetting issues, suspensions, illness or personal circumstances. A petition demanding polling stations be moved out of schools has also been launched ahead of the July 2 vote. In letters sent to parents, both schools said they had formally objected to the closures and urged Lambeth Council to find alternative venues for the by-election. St Leonard’s headteacher Simon Jackson wrote that it felt ‘incredibly unfair that our children must bear the consequences of an adult’s actions by losing a day of their education.’ More Info Lambeth Lib Dems Lambeth Green Party Green Party statement on Saiqa Ali – 28 April 2026 Join the local discussion Lambeth Borough Council Elections – Thursday 7 May 2026 Web Link Lib Dems launch campaign to move polling stations out of schools ahead of St Le… Brixton Buzz