Why I’m stepping down – and why Lambeth must change: opinion piece by Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Donna Harris

Councillor Donna Harris, Lambeth’s Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition, announces she will stand down in May – and says the borough’s ‘one-party state’ is finally starting to crack

In a personal statement shared with Brixton Buzz, the Streatham Hill West & Thornton councillor reflects on four years holding Labour to account at the Town Hall, the residents’ cases that shaped her politics, and why – despite stepping back for health reasons – she believes a more balanced Lambeth is within reach.

Donna Harris writes:

Little did I know in 2018, when I joined the Liberal Democrats, how much my life was about to change. I had always voted Lib Dem, always held strong liberal views, but I never imagined I would become a councillor, let alone Leader of the Opposition in Lambeth.

Back then, I was simply someone who cared. Like many others, Brexit was my turning point. I joined to campaign, to knock on doors, to encourage people to vote to remain. Lambeth didn’t need much convincing, it became one of the strongest Remain boroughs in the country.

That made me proud.

But what I found on those doorsteps stayed with me as much as the referendum result. Residents didn’t just want to talk about Europe. They asked for help. Real help. Housing issues, neglect, unsafe conditions, problems they had been battling for years. Some were minor, many were not. And time after time, I had to say: I’m sorry, there’s only so much I can do.

That didn’t sit right with me. It became clear very quickly that too many people in Lambeth were being failed, especially the most vulnerable. People who didn’t have the time, the  confidence or the ability to fight their way through a system that should have been working for them.

That’s why I stood for election.

And then everything changed overnight.

We didn’t just win seats we became the official opposition. Suddenly, I wasn’t a backbencher learning the ropes. I was Leader of the Opposition, preparing speeches within weeks and standing in front of a packed council chamber. It was intense, and it was daunting but there was no time to hesitate.

I got on with the job. I went into the role believing we could work constructively across party lines. And while there were moments of unity, like standing together to protect women’s rights following the overturning of Roe v Wade, the reality of one-party dominance in Lambeth quickly became clear.

Day to day, my job was not collaboration. It was accountability.

Holding the administration to account. Challenging decisions. Pushing for transparency. Fighting for residents who felt ignored.

People often ask if I enjoyed it. The truth is, “enjoyment” isn’t the word. It was hard. It was demanding. But it is deeply, genuinely rewarding. Because this role changes lives. I’ve helped families finally feel safe in their homes after years of neglect.

I’ve supported a mother and her children out of dangerous living conditions. I’ve fought for residents who had been suffering in silence for far too long, and seen real, tangible change happen.

I’m also proud of the bigger fights, tackling violence against women and girls, supporting asylum seekers, and pushing for better maternal and neonatal health. These are issues that matter, and they deserve to be taken seriously.

Which is why stepping down is not a decision I take lightly.

The truth is, if it weren’t for my health, I wouldn’t be going anywhere, especially now. Because Lambeth is changing. For decades, this borough has been run as a one-party state. That kind of dominance doesn’t serve residents, it stifles scrutiny, weakens accountability,  and leaves too many voices unheard. But that grip is slipping.

The Liberal Democrats are growing. More residents are speaking up. And I firmly believe we are on the brink of a more balanced, more democratic Lambeth, one where power is challenged and residents come first.

That gives me real hope.

Serving as a councillor and leading our group has been the greatest of honours. I am proud of what we have achieved, proud of the people we have helped, and proud to have been part of that fight. I may be stepping down, but I am not stepping away from what I believe in.
Lambeth deserves better. And I believe it’s coming!

Councillor Donna Harris

More Info

• Lambeth Council elections: 7 May 2026
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Photography courtesy of Lambeth Liberal Democrats