Comment on Widespread backlash to Labour’s ‘lying leaflets’ reveals monumental housing failure in Lambeth by Laura Swaffield
Yes, the library claims are also worth noting. The council tried to make substantial closures in 1999 and 2015. Then came the ludicrous gyms-in-libraries plan, which they managed to implement only in the Carnegie despite massive opposition (culminating in occupying the building, see separate story on Buzz). They wasted millions, badly damaged the building’s facilities and gave it to a “trust” that drains funds and has priced out all the community groups that used to operate there. Their local leaflet now claims they “transformed” it into a “community hub”. Joke! We thought that the council had calmed down since then – but no. In February 2025 they suddenly cut £1m from the annual budget, almost a quarter. Since then there has been chaos, with a badly under-staffed workforce working long hours unpaid to cover up the damage. Yes, they have also invested in badly-needed refurbs. Good. But note that one effect has been to reduce library space by inserting “meeting rooms” to hire out for money. Now the manifesto commits to “bringing more council services into [libraries] so residents can access advice, support and digital services in one place”. More library space lost, more libraries turned into accommodation for other council services?????
Black News 
Yes, the library claims are also worth noting. The council tried to make substantial closures in 1999 and 2015.
Then came the ludicrous gyms-in-libraries plan, which they managed to implement only in the Carnegie despite massive opposition (culminating in occupying the building, see separate story on Buzz). They wasted millions, badly damaged the building’s facilities and gave it to a “trust” that drains funds and has priced out all the community groups that used to operate there. Their local leaflet now claims they “transformed” it into a “community hub”. Joke!
We thought that the council had calmed down since then – but no. In February 2025 they suddenly cut £1m from the annual budget, almost a quarter. Since then there has been chaos, with a badly under-staffed workforce working long hours unpaid to cover up the damage.
Yes, they have also invested in badly-needed refurbs. Good. But note that one effect has been to reduce library space by inserting “meeting rooms” to hire out for money.
Now the manifesto commits to “bringing more council services into [libraries] so residents can access advice, support and digital services in one place”. More library space lost, more libraries turned into accommodation for other council services?????
