Camden Council has long-been a Labour stronghold, but this could all be about to change as voters prepare to head to the polls on May 7.
Labour has maintained control of the borough for all but four years in the last five decades, securing 47 of the 55 ward seats in the 2022 local elections.
Five major parties are standing in almost all electoral wards: the Conservatives, the Greens, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK, while minor parties including the National Housing Party and the Camden People’s Alliance are also contesting some seats.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has compiled the key manifesto pledges from each of the main parties, outlining what they promise to deliver should they win or retain power.
Camden Lock in north London
AFP via Getty Images
Camden People’s Alliance
Use public investment to set up a council-led building programmeOppose ‘intermediate’ rents and homes for sale on public landRestore planned cyclical repairs programmes to social housingCreate tenant-run community spaces and hallsExpand protections for marginalised groups and migrantsDivest funds from companies linked to human rights abuses and violations of international lawInvest in violence prevention and community safety especially violence against women and girlsReverse school cuts and reduce class sizesDeliver universal free school mealsProvide free nutritious food for elderly residentsInvest in mental health services for young peoplePlace the council’s housing maintenance in special measures to ensure real improvementReverse trend of driving families out of the borough by building 1-2 bedroom apartmentsOppose the extension of late night licensing hoursDemand funding for greater police presence on Camden’s streetsBack the use of CCTV to catch phone snatchersFight to keep schools, health centres and libraries open
Environment and Transport
Introduce a weekly free car parking period in new high streets to support shopkeepers and commercial premisesScrap the fee for garden waste removalEmploy more in-house building surveyors and managers to make housing repairs more efficient and cost-effectivePrioritise building ‘genuinely’ affordable homes that go beyond mandated quality standardsProtect historic markets and traders from cost increasesStrengthen partnerships with LGBTQI+ organisationsDivest from companies profiting from genocide and human rights abusesTarget root causes of crime by taking a cross-departmental and multi-agency approach to crime preventionTake a public health approach to serious violence including knife and gun crimeCut the high numbers of suspensions and permanent exclusions in schoolsAdopt early intervention public health approach to loneliness to support Camden’s youthWork with NHS partners to collate, publish and act on ethnicity‐specific health data, treating disparities as acute public health issuesFoster a wellbeing economy to prioritise health, happiness and security of people and the planet
Environment and transport
Set up a climate change task group within the councilPrioritise renovation and retrofitting buildings over demolitionSupport community initiatives to increase biodiversity and wildlife corridorsPlan better, safer public transport including a joined-up cycling network across Camden.Expanding landlord licensing to enforce private tenants’ rights and improve housing qualityInvest £670 million in housing repairs and major works, including for fire safety works and lift renewalsBuild 1,400 new homes including 700 affordable homesSupport pubs and community buildings through Asset of Community Value designationDeliver “warm spaces” for residents in colder monthsProvide grant programmes to voluntary and community organisationsDouble the size of the council’s community safety teamInvest in Safety Bus service for residentsExpand CCTV monitoringInvest £11 million to open two new children’s homesProvide an extra after-school club in every Camden schoolUse data for free school meal auto-enrolmentInvest up to £15 million extra in social carePay care workers London Living WageIntroduce a new dementia strategy
Environment and transport
Identify locations for new parks and plant more treesIntroduce new bus lanes and increase the number of zebra crossings in the boroughInstall 800 new electric vehicle charging pointsSet up a taskforce to make the most of existing council homes, to review best practice and take action on void turn-arounds and under-occupationChange policies to limit conversion of family homes into small flatsSell the Crowndale Centre and use the funds on temporary accommodation to cut homelessnessPromote the borough as a welcoming place for refugees, immigrants and other visitors and reaffirm Camden’s status as a Borough of SanctuaryWork with partners to deliver local festivals, performances, markets and cultural events, from farmers’ markets to craft and community eventsBoost the size of community safety teams and those supporting substance misusersPressure the Met Police to stop sending neighbourhood police officers on other assignmentsInvest in preventing violence against women and girls through partnerships with schools, sports clubs, arts and community groupsWork to ensure parents of children with special educational needs are kept informed about how government reforms will affect themHelp young people into skilled work in local town centres through SEND internships and apprenticeships and meaningful jobsIncrease support for blind and partially sighted people by expanding the council’s Sensory TeamDeliver accessibility improvements, including step-free access, dropped kerbs, tactile paving, better crossings, seating and clear signage
Environment and transport
Pressure TfL to tackle dirt, noise and neglect on Finchley RoadLaunch a Rewilding Fund to support community-led greening projectsRequire all new developments to include solar panels and battery storage
Reform UK is standing candidates in every electoral ward in Camden, but has not released a manifesto. The LDRS contacted the party’s local branch to ask about its pledges for the borough, but at the time of publication had not received a response.
The party’s key national policies include:
Immediately leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)Scrapping indefinite leave to remain for immigrants and rescind existing awardsCutting energy bills by ending net zero policiesLimiting welfare benefits to British citizensRebuilding the UK armed forces