The Lewisham Conservatives are calling on Damien Egan, the current Labour Mayor of Lewisham, to stand down from his mayoral duties with immediate effect and to call a by-election. This call comes in response to Mr Egan's selection as Labour's Parliamentary candidate for the newly formed Bristol North East constituency, with a General Election set to occur within the next 18 months.
Kieran Terry, Conservative candidate for Greenwich and Lewisham at next year’s London Assembly elections said:
Damien Egan’s dual roles and his physical move to Bristol have raised serious concerns about his capacity to continue in his mayoral role in Lewisham. His selection for a parliamentary seat in Bristol and relocation demonstrate that he is no longer fully committed to serving the residents of Lewisham.
Kieran Terry continued:
Lewisham Labour has a long track record of ignoring the people of Lewisham, for instance around the ULEZ expansion and when ignoring the 56% of residents who objected to the Lee Green Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN). Now is the time for fresh leadership in Lewisham with a Conservative Mayor.
Sam Thurgood, former Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Lewisham East, said:
110 miles! That’s the distance from here in Lewisham to where Damien’s attentions are now focused.
Sam Thurgood continued:
Whilst Damien Egan is focused elsewhere, Lewisham continues to be gridlocked; continues to fail to support local businesses; and continues to have huge sums of borrowing - all whilst Conservative Bromley Council balances the books. Mayor Egan must do the right thing for both Lewisham and Bristol - focus on one community or the other. He must now make up his mind!
The Lewisham Conservatives, therefore, urge Mr Egan to step down as Mayor with immediate effect and call a by-election, enabling Lewisham residents to elect a new leader who can dedicate their full attention and efforts to the borough.
