Local Elections 2026: What’s on offer for the libraries? Friends of Lambeth Libraries takes a look at the manifestos
Ahead of the 2026 London local elections taking place, the Friends of Lambeth Libraries have got in touch with Buzz to offer their thoughts on the main parties: Lambeth Labour …
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Ahead of the 2026 London local elections taking place, the Friends of Lambeth Libraries have got in touch with Buzz to offer their thoughts on the main parties:
Lambeth Labour
The dominant Labour party in Lambeth is, of course, the only one that can make claims about its actual performance on libraries. So its manifesto is worth analysing…
It’s pretty short, at 5 pages, with space for highly controversial swings at other parties (see numerous stories in Buzz).
On libraries it says it has “Protected and invested £20 million in our award-winning libraries, lowering bills and installing new toilets, lifts and meeting rooms.” It’s not clear how many years that £20m covers.
The annual budget is just over £4m – a third of what it was 40 years ago. And it was suddenly cut by a million – about a quarter – in last year’s budget. Without even consulting the library service. As this planned cut didn’t work, half that million is still to be cut this coming year.
We note that the (much needed) refurb work included taking library space and turning it into meeting rooms to hire out for income.
As for the future: “PROTECT AND EXPAND LIBRARIES – Invest in our libraries, bringing more council services into them so residents can access advice, support and digital services in one place.”
That’s not good news. It seems the council plans to take away yet more library space, and turn it into accommodation for other services.
Will their staff have librarian skills in finding information and helping people use computers? Will buildings be opened as “staffed” when there are no librarians? The library service is currently badly under-staffed and needs more space, not less.
Meanwhile, a Labour leaflet for Herne Hill & Loughborough Junction has startled locals by claiming “Carnegie Library Hub has been transformed into a community hub.”
In fact it was a thriving community hub when it was run by the library service. Then came – long story short – the council’s hated put-gyms-in-libraries scheme in 2016.
This wasted millions, badly damaged the building’s facilities and made changes that have priced out every one of the community groups that had used it.
Lambeth LibDems
The LibDems manifesto is short and sweet, with some links online for specific policy areas. None for libraries.
This is the only mention: “Lambeth is now practically bankrupt – so services like streetlights, libraries and even the Country Show are being cut.”
Relevant promises: to work properly with residents, end “tick-box” consultations; sort out the financial mess.
Lambeth Green Party
The Greens manifesto, at 28 pages, is a whopper compared to the others. They sure have a plan.
Included are (detailed) promises to democratise the council and sort out the finances. Plus promises to improve public buildings and carry out a review of all public services before they can devise a full further programme.
On libraries specifically: “Aim to restore funding to Lambeth’s library service, to provide all residents with access to computer technology and spaces for homework and reading.”
