Mark and the Labour party say THANK YOU

Residents of Prince's ward are receiving a leaflet from Labour saying 'THANK YOU' for the by-election result of 4 June. Going against the national trend, Labour swept to victory, increasing its vote to 1726.

Newly elected councillor Mark Harrison said:

'I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted in last Thursday's by-election. I was delighted to be elected as a Labour councillor on a big turn-out of 43%. Thank you to all the voters of Kennington and Vauxhall. I pledge to work hard to be an excellent councillor for our area over the coming year'.

Pictured: Mark Harrison and volunteer Emily Richards speaking to voters on the Cottington Close Estate on polling day

Labour wins hard-fought by-election in Prince's

Leader of the Council, Steve Reed congratulated Mark Harrison today on winning a hard-fought election.

'This is a stunning victory for Labour in Lambeth despite the most difficult national circumstances for decades. The result is a tribute to our hard-working and popular candidate, Mark Harrison, who has earned the backing of local residents, as well as recognition of how Lambeth is improving with Labour.'

Newly elected Councillor Mark Harrison said: 'I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me yesterday, and I congratulate my opponents on a good, clean fight. I will do my best to work hard for every resident in Princes Ward. It’s deeply humbling to have received so much support, and I’m very excited about this opportunity to improve life for local people.'

To see the official result click here

Pictured: Kate Hoey MP congratulates Mark on becoming a councillor

Eamonn MacMahon: I'm backing Mark!

Mark’s plan to tackle local crime is spot on. More youth services, better CCTV, more police on the streets – the Lib Dems opposed it all so I’m voting for Mark because he cares about our safety.

Eamonn MacMahon, Vauxhall Gardens

Mairead Furlong: I'm backing Mark!

Mark has been working closely with use for the past two years in our campaign for new windows and balconies. He’s the only candidate with a track record of helping us with our campaign.

Mairead Furlong, Vauxhall Five Estate

Eileen Bagge: I'm backing Mark!

Mark is a tireless campaigner for local and community issues. He lives locally, so knows by experience what it is like to live in North Lambeth and what issues are important to us. I know that Mark will be a dedicated and loyal councillor.

Eileen Bagge, Whitgift Estate

Top Lib Dem backs Mark Harrison

A senior Lib Dem has dramatically switched sides to back Mark Harrison in the Vauxhall and Kennington by-election.

Popular Saleha Jaffer was a Lib Dem candidate in one of their own seats at the last council elections, but she is backing Mark Harrison as the best candidate to stand up for local people.

Saleha, a well known community campaigner, said: 'local people want to see action on crime but, sadly, the Lib Dems are just too soft. With the recession, we can't afford any more Lib Dem tax hikes - that's why I say Labour is right to freeze council tax for two years.' She smiled, 'I've been really impressed by Mark's campaign to reduce rents. He is local, hard working, and he's a thoroughly likeable young man who gets things done. I hope everyone will come out and vote for Mark Harrison on 4 June!'

Mark wins a rent cut!

Successful campaign secures £114-a-year reduction in rents

Mark met with Housing Minister Margaret Beckett to demand extra help with rent for tenants

Local champion Mark Harrison has won a big victory for local people. His 'Lower Rents Now' campaign has persuaded the Government to hand over millions of pounds to cut council rents in Lambeth.

Tenants were clobbered with a 17% rise in April thanks to Lib Dem financial incompetence. The good news will put £2.20 a week back in people’s pockets.

Mark said: “I want to thank everyone who’s supported my campaign. We’ve won this victory together, but this is only the start. Rents went up £12 a week in April. Now we must keep up the pressure and win a further reduction.”

Ethelred tenant Jean McCarthy said 'Mark led the successful campaign to reduce rents despite not being a councillor. Think how much he could achieve for tenants if he wins the election on 4 June!'

Labour plans investment in estate roads

Huge support for Mark's campaign to cut rents!

A big thank you to everyone who has signed up to my ‘Lower Rents Now’ campaign. There has been huge support from local residents, and I wanted to tell you about the progress that I have made in the last week.

This week I presented my rents petition to Margaret Beckett - the Government minister in charge of housing. I told her how many council tenants have been supporting my campaign, and why it is so important that the Government helps us reduce rents.

I also have the support of local MP Kate Hoey, who is helping me with my campaign and who recently raised the whole issue in a debate in Parliament. I met with her at the Houses of Parliament to discuss how we can get rents cut.

As you know, rents went up mainly because the Lib Dems made a massive mistake while they were in charge at the town hall. On top of the £3 million they lost in fraud, they refused to claim £11 million Government money that was available, and thanks to that we’re all being made to pay more.

If elected I will work with others to change the culture of mismanagement in the Housing department.

I have spent months speaking directly to local people, and I know what needs to be done to improve our area. Now I am standing for election to Lambeth Council on June 4th, so I can continue my campaign to lower your rent. If I get elected I can hit the ground running and make sure residents are given the service they deserve. Your vote will make a difference. I hope that I can count on your support on June 4th.

Nichola Hartwell: I'm backing Mark

Nichola Hartwell lives on Kennings Way and runs a youth organisation. She says:

'I'm supporting Mark Harrison because he works hard to support community groups that work with young people in our area. The Lib Dems failed local young people when they were in charge - we need councillors who understand the need for support and investment for our young people.'

Mark pushes for road repairs

Mark Harrison, Labour's candidate for the Prince's ward by-election, has written to residents of several streets to explain how he is supporting plans to repair potholes and resurface streets.

Bowden Street (pictured) has a narrow pavement and the road surface is in a poor state. Mark is campaigning for the street to be redesigned and resurfaced.

Chester Way and Stannary Street both have appalling potholes, which are making driving a bumpy experience. Mark is arguing that these streets should be prioritised for resurfacing.

Finally, streets on the Ethelred Estate have been neglected for many years. Gibson Road and Marylee Way are in a particularly bad way. Mark wants to see investment from the Council in these estate roads.

The good news is that Labour has more than DOUBLED the council budget for road replacement. Labour can invest this money because it has fixed the financial mess that the Lib Dems left when they were booted out in 2006.

Mark commented 'this increased investment from Labour should help us fix our streets that have been neglected for so long'.

Mark campaigns for security doors on Ethelred

Mark Harrison, Labour's candidate in the Princes ward by-election, explains what he is doing to help get security doors on the Ethelred Estate fixed.

Mark campaigns to ban coaches from Vauxhall Gardens

For the past couple of years Mark Harrison has been attending meetings of the Vauxhall Gardens Estate Residents’ & Tenants’ Association. One issue that has come up time and time again at meetings is the problem of coaches parking on local streets at the weekend.

On Saturdays and Sundays Vauxhall Walk, Glasshouse Walk, and Tyers Street are lined with coaches - belching fumes, creating noise, blocking light, and obstructing access to the playground and park. Mark commented 'It’s high time the Council takes action and bans the coaches from our streets'.

Mark has already spoken to senior councillors and they agree that residents have a good case. We need to keep the pressure on, and VGETRA (the residents’ association) have started a petition. Mark is helping out by taking the petition around the estate, and writing to local residents with a form that allows them to add their names to the petition.

If you would like to add your name to the petition please email markh@lambethlabour.com

Members and supporters join Labour's campaign

' I've spent this first weekend of the Prince's ward by-election campaign visiting our Labour members and supporters in the ward, to let them know about the campaign and ask them to get involved.

'I've been delighted with the response, with people putting up posters, pledging time, making donations, and signing up to deliver leaflets. People recognise the good work that Labour is doing in beginning the transformation of Lambeth Council, and the importance of having good Labour councillors to stand up for our estates and streets.

'I've really enjoyed this weekend as it's been a chance to speak to the many people in our area who are members of the Labour party. It's reminded me what a fantastic movement the Labour party is- made up of people from every kind of background- but who all share the belief that the Labour party is the force through which we achieve change for the better.

'If you share the values of the Labour party, why not join us?

'If you'd like to find out how to help us in this campaign, please visit the 'get involved' page.

'This picture is from Saturday, and is of me with Akosua Poku, a Labour member from the Vauxhall Gardens Estate.'

Mark Harrison selected as Labour candidate for Prince's ward

The Labour party has selected its candidate for the Prince's ward by-election on 4 June. 25 year-old Mark Harrison is a well-known community campaigner, and a resident of the Ethelred Estate.

Mark has lived in Prince's ward for nearly five years. He serves on the Board of the Ethelred Estate Tenant Management Organisation, the Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall Forum and the Friends of Vauxhall Spring Gardens. He is a member of the Kennington Association and attends meetings of the Safer Neighbourhoods Panel. He's also been working closely with residents of the Vauxhall Gardens and Vauxhall Five Estates to campaign for much-needed improvements for their areas.

Mark wants to be a councillor who is active in the community, ready to campaign for improvements and stick up for Kennington, Vauxhall, and North Lambeth. He is concerned about the poor services that many tenants and leaseholders receive, and is campaigning for a reduction in this year's rent rise.

Mark hopes to meet as many residents as possible over the next six weeks. To get in touch with him, email markh@lambethlabour.com or call 07534 136085. Mark will be blogging regularly on www.se11.org.uk .

Your chance to choose a new councillor

Dear Neighbour,

Our fellow councillor, Sam Townend, has decided to resign from the council. That means there will be a by-election on 4th June so you can elect a new councillor to represent you at the town hall.

Sam is stepping down as he is no longer able to devote enough time to represent local people to the best of his ability. Sam and his wife Tamara recently had a new baby, his job as a barrister has become busier, and he has also been selected to stand as an MP in Bristol. With all those new demands on his time, Sam feels it’s right to allow you to choose a new councillor who can commit the time necessary to represent you properly. The by-election will take place on the same day as the European elections so there will be minimal inconvenience and expense to voters and tax payers.

Steve Morgan and Lorna Campbell remain as two of your councillors, but on 4 June you have the chance to vote for a third councillor to work with us. We hope you will vote for the Labour candidate because that’s the only way to guarantee no return to the days of chaos, fraud and 40% council-tax hikes we all suffered when the Lib Dems ran Lambeth Council before 2006.

If you have any questions about the by-election on 4 June, or you need our help with any other council issue that is affecting you then please get in touch with us.

Yours sincerely

Cllr Lorna Campbell

Cllr Steve Morgan