Who won the local election in Lewisham?

Tony GrewLondon
Getty Images A large sculpture of a black and white cat has been erected over the entrance to a narrow street in a built up area - there are buildings on either side and a social housing block in the background. Getty Images
The Catford Cat is a well-loved Lewisham landmark

What happened in Lewisham in the 2026 council election, and who won?

The Green Party has won control of Lewisham Council from Labour.

The results were:

Green: 40 seats (+40)

Labour: 14 seats (-40)

When were the 2026 local elections in London?

More than six million Londoners were eligible to vote in the council elections on Thursday 7 May 2026.

All 32 London boroughs were up for election.

There were also elections for the mayor in five boroughs: Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham and Tower Hamlets.

Getty Images Several new high-rise residential tower blocks clustered around a transport hub in suburban London. Getty Images
New high rise blocks around Lewisham station have divided opinion

Where is Lewisham and who lives there?

The London Borough of Lewisham is in south-east London and is bordered by Southwark, Bromley, Greenwich and the River Thames.

What's it like? Lewisham is a mix of urban areas and leafy conservation hubs, with good transport links, busy markets and a growing arts scene. A 15-year transformation plan is under way in Lewisham town centre, introducing new homes, shops, and community facilities.

Neighbourhoods: Blackheath, Deptford, Brockley,Ladywell, Forest Hill, Sydenham, Catford, New Cross, Lewisham and Hither Green.

Places of interest: Horniman Museum and Gardens, Beckenham Place Park, Rivoli Ballroom, Brockley Market, Deptford Market Yard, Hilly Fields, Broadway Theatre, the Catford Cat sculpture and the Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art.

Pub quiz fact: Lewisham has the largest purpose-built police station in Europe - it has one of the Met Police's largest custody suites, stables for horses, and a multi-storey car park.

Demographics: According to the 2021 census, 51.5% of residents identify as white, 26.8% as black, 9% as Asian, 8% as mixed race and 4% as another ethnic group.

Average property price: According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the average house price in Lewisham in December 2025 was £499,000.

Average monthly rent: The ONS reported that the average monthly rent in January 2026 in Lewisham was £1,806.

Council tax: Band D council tax in the borough for 20206/27 is £2,237.

Transport:TfL reports there are eight London Overground stations, two DLR stations and around 620 bus stops in Lewisham. There are also more than a dozen railway stations in the borough.

More information about Lewisham can be found here.

Getty Images An old chapel sits among grave markers and mature trees. The sun is shining and there are clouds in the sky. Getty Images
Hither Green Cemetery is one of many green spaces in Lewisham

What is Lewisham's local history?

Lewisham began as a Saxon village named Levesham along the River Ravensbourne, that was later held by the Abbey of Ghent in the Middle Ages, known for its watermills and leather and steel production.

Historically part of Kent, the area shifted from rural estates to suburban housing and increasing industrialisation after the railways arrived in 1849.

In 1900, the Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham was created, which included Lee and parts of Sydenham, Forest Hill and Catford.

The area was heavily bombed during World War Two and post-war saw the arrival of new citizens from the Commonwealth and large-scale housing developments such as the Pepys Estate.

The current London Borough of Lewisham was created in 1965, with the merger of the metropolitan boroughs of Lewisham and Deptford.

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