Southwark Liberal Democrats have a new leader a little more than a year after electing their last one

By Toby Porter

Southwark Liberal Democrats have a new leader little more than a year after electing their last one.

Cllr Hamish McCallum has been elected to take over as leader of the Liberal Democrat Council Group at Southwark Council.

This follows Cllr Nick Johnson’s decision to step down from the leadership position due to growing work and professional commitments.

He had been elected last June.

Cllr McCallum, a trained lawyer who formerly worked with victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, has been chief whip for the Liberal Democrat group for three years.

Hamish is a ward colleague of former leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Anood Al-Samerai, who stood down from that role last year after leading the group for over 10 years. .

Cllr McCallum said: “I am delighted to take up the role of leader of the Southwark Liberal Democrat Council Group.

“This is a critical time for our borough and our residents — as we recover from the Coronavirus pandemic, tackle Climate Change and respond to the impact of Brexit.

“Labour is letting Southwark down. Since 2010, Labour have sold or demolished 3,000 council homes, while the housing waiting list has grown to 15,000.

“And they have cut down over 5,500 trees while continuing to invest in gas fired boilers for estates.

“I look forward to putting forward a bold, ambitious and liberal vision in response to those challenges.

“I believe that our community must be at the heart of everything the council does and I will work with my excellent Liberal Democrat colleagues to continue holding Labour to account in the town hall and across Southwark.“

Commenting on his time as Leader, Cllr Nick Johnson said: “It’s been a genuine privilege to serve as leader of the Liberal Democrat Council Group and Leader of the Opposition on Southwark Council.

“Due to expanded work and professional commitments I’ve taken the reluctant decision to step down, I am however confident that the future leader will continue to hold the Labour administration to account and they will have my full support.”

Cllr Nick Johnson will continue as a councillor in Surrey Docks ward.

Cllr Johnson, founder of Spirit of Bermondsey – a lower alcohol drinks company – has joined Traverse, a social impact research consultancy.

He had previously led two global research consultancies and is a director of RestorativeJustice4All, a Community Interest Company that focuses on crime and community cohesion.

He said: “I’m really excited to be taking on the chief executive role at Traverse. The company has an impressive heritage and does outstanding work for clients across diverse sectors, ensuring that the widest range of voices are heard on important and complex decisions.

“As a serial entrepreneur, I look forward to the challenge of helping Traverse achieve its growth ambitions while delivering social impact.”

Dr Chih Hoong Sin, Traverse’s chairman, said: “We are delighted to have Nick join Traverse. We are a unique company, so it was important for us to appoint a new Chief Executive who shares our passion for social impact and inclusive decision making, in addition to bringing the commercial acumen and innovative mindset to help Traverse evolve for the future.”

Mr Johnson succeeds Terry Parker who retired from Traverse on 8 March 2021.