Lib Dems back Greens to lead Lambeth ahead of watershed committee system vote, 1 June 2026

Lambeth’s Greens and Lib Dems have agreed to work together to end the borough’s cabinet system, with the Lib Dems set to back Cllr Martin Abrams as Leader of the …

May 23, 2026 - 11:49

Lib Dems back Greens to lead Lambeth ahead of watershed committee system vote, 1 June 2026

Lambeth’s Greens and Lib Dems have agreed to work together to end the borough’s cabinet system, with the Lib Dems set to back Cllr Martin Abrams as Leader of the Council ahead of the 1 June committee system vote.

As we reported yesterday, the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council on 1 June will consider a single resolution: to abolish Lambeth’s cabinet system of governance and return the borough to a committee system, ending nearly three decades of executive rule.

The Liberal Democrats, who returned eight councillors at the 7 May election, have set out the terms of their support in a statement from the group leadership (see below). They will back Cllr Abrams as Leader and a Green councillor as Deputy Leader, with Green chairs of policy committees and opposition-led scrutiny, conditional on the move to a committee system.

The statement also sets out a rotating mayoralty, with the role passing between groups over a three-year cycle – a break from the Labour-held mayoralty of recent years.

Cllr Abrams said the move to a committee system had long been a Green Party commitment and was now coming before full council for a vote.

*[Cllr Martin Abrams, addressing West Norwood 4 Palestine 05.06.25]*

He said a committee system had the potential to “open up decision making, give all councillors a meaningful role, and restore proper accountability to residents across Lambeth,” adding that the Greens hoped to “work constructively with the other parties over the coming days to make sure this new structure is designed in a way that genuinely works for Lambeth residents.

Other council business is expected in the days ahead as the parties work toward forming the new administration.

But the 1 June vote itself carries an unusual urgency: the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, which received Royal Assent on 29 April under Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, abolishes the committee system across English local government from the end of June

Lambeth has a narrow window in which to act before that door closes.

Cllr Chris Nicholson, Liberal Democrat spokesperson, told Brixton Buzz:

“It can be done but timing is tight. This is why we have an extraordinary council meeting on June 1st.

We have KC advice so know it is possible.

There is a great opportunity to change the way Lambeth Council makes decisions for the benefit of all residents.”

– Cllr Chris Nicholson