Brixton Buzz

A sitting Labour Councillor in Lambeth has been blocked from re-standing as a candidate in the 2026 local elections after defying the party whip on a Gaza ceasefire vote – despite finishing as Labour’s top performer in a closely contested ward.

Cllr Martin Abrams, elected in 2022 to represent Streatham’s St Leonard’s ward, revealed he was recently informed by the Labour Party that he will not be permitted to stand again.

Lambeth Council has teamed up with the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) to help protect the borough’s youngsters from robbery on the way to and from school.

The “Safe Road, Safe Way Home” campaign harnesses youth outreach patrols, additional mobile CCTV and help from police and local businesses to tackle crime in areas identified as robbery hotspots.

In case you were wondering what’s happened to it this year, we can report that there will be no Streatham Common Kite Day this year.

The Friends of Streatham Common and the Kite Day Team haven’t given a reason for this year’s cancellation but have said that the fun free family event will be back in 2026. ,

In a short statement they said

It is with much regret that we have to inform you that there will be no Streatham Common Kite Day in 2025.

We thank you so much for coming and supporting and performing for us in the past.

This afternoon Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill was first out of the traps to support the Gaza (independent public inquiry) Bill being introduced in parliament by former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Corbyn, MP for Islington North since 1983 announced today that ‘MPs must decide: will you support our call for an inquiry into the UK’s complicity in genocide, or will you block our attempts to uncover the truth?’

In a statement on his Facebook page he called for the establishment of an inquiry:

Taking place every Wednesday afternoon in Streatham Library is a free drop-in centre offering advice to local residents struggling to pay their bills.

The library says:

Every Wednesday a cost-of-living link worker will be onsite, providing support to residents experiencing financial hardship or having issues related to their living costs.

It will include advice on maximising incomes, minimising costs, building financial resilience, and managing debt.

Dates and times

Location

Streatham Library

London, SW16 1PN

More Info

As the dust settled on defeats to the Greens in Lambeth and around the country, Labour’s response was to prepare a new immigration crackdown. But Brixton’s Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP offered some principled alternatives to knee-jerk politics.

In the week that Labour leader Keir Starmer wrote in The Times that he ‘gets it’ about ‘uncontrolled immigration’, his team scrambled to outflank the far right with some tough rhetoric on migrants, preparing a new raft of measures aimed at stemming the flow of voters to Reform.

Transport for London (TfL) has come under fire for cancelling a much-needed meeting earlier this week to discuss disruptive upcoming roadworks on Streatham Hill — with just hours’ notice.

The meeting, organised by Lambeth Liberal Democrat Councillors Donna Harris and Matthew Bryant alongside Hina Bokhari AM, was intended to bring a small group of residents, businesses, and TfL together for a site visit and urgent discussion about the extensive A23 works planned to last until at least 2027.

Lambeth Council has been found to have acted unlawfully in its handling of the West Dulwich Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN), following a landmark High Court judgment that delivers a major blow to the Labour-run authority — and a resounding victory for residents.

In a judgment handed down today, Judge Tim Smith ruled that Lambeth failed to consider key evidence before imposing controversial traffic restrictions through Experimental Traffic Orders (ETOs).

Lambeth Council looks set to sign off the second phase of its Selective Licensing Scheme — expanding regulation to nearly every corner of the borough’s private rented sector.

From July 2025, landlords in 19 additional wards — covering areas from Clapham and Brixton to Streatham and Kennington — will be legally required to obtain licences to rent out properties.

Streatham Library’s 50+ Group meets on the last Friday of each month from 10:30am-12pm for board games, card games, quizzes, puzzles and colouring.

Billed as an opportunity for a friendly chat and to catch up with old friends and make new ones, members are expected to chip chip in £1 a meeting to cover the costs of the tea, coffee and biscuits.

They say, “Sociable new members welcome. ”

Dates and times

Location

Streatham Library

London, SW16 1PN

Contact details

Vincia Bennett, Library Manager