Croydon Council prepares to elect first mayor at election

The vote for a directly-elected mayor comes after a referendum in October 2021 to change the running of the council.

The new mayor will replace the current leader of the council, who is selected by their own party.  

Croydon Council’s chief executive and returning officer Katherine Kerswell  said it is a “momentous local election, in which voters will select their first ever elected Mayor of Croydon”.

She added: “If you haven’t already, please take some time to familiarise yourself with your mayoral and local candidates as well as details of your polling station.”

There are seven candidates standing for the position. Below is a bit of information about each of them.

Richard Howard – Liberal Democrats

Former Army Major Richard Howard has lived in Croydon with his family since 2014. His manifesto pledges to create a task force to address “underlying issues with our council housing”.

He also wants to bring in forensic accounts to investigate the causes of Croydon’s bankruptcy and the handling of the Fairfield Halls renovation. Howard said he would also like to create town and parish councils in the borough.

He said: “I am standing because both Labour and the Conservatives have failed the people of Croydon badly, we deserve better.  I believe I am the candidate that has both the vision and leadership to deliver a brighter future for Croydon.”

Farah London – Taking the Initiative Party

Farah London said she is from South Norwood. She said: “What we need to see in politics is humanity. Political parties no longer represent the people or our communities.

“Unfortunately, they are focused on themselves, we have a fundamental responsibility to bring change and give people hope again, as we all deserve better than the reds and blues. They no longer care or represent us, they do not even know us.”

Winston Mckenzie – Independent

The former professional super-welterweight boxer has hopes of being an independent mayor but is no stranger to standing for political office.

He has previously been a member of the Conservative and Labour parties as well as the Lib Dems and UKIP.

In an election leaflet, he said: “The council have already set the budget for 2022-23. New expense at this stage must be met with new money. Croydon’s new financial support will herald from influential , dignified, ambitious, international entrepreneurs supporting the Commonwealth dream.”

Gavin Palmer – Independent

In a billboard on the Purley Way, Gaving Palmer describes himself as “Mr Cure”. He said: “The people of Croydon are going to notice that under my leadership the businesses, the environment, projects and your ordinary every day to day life will be dealt with, not only smoother, safer and better. I have a neutral, firm and caring leadership style, which benefits all groups of people.”

Andrew Pelling – Independent 

Andrew Pelling was previously a Labour councillor for Waddon – he is also standing in the ward as an independent candidate. Pelling has been a Croydon politician for 40 years, first as a Conservative, including five years as an MP for Croydon Central.

He said: “I am the most experienced candidate. I have been fortunate that all of my political career has been Croydon based and that I have remained active in politics right up until now.

“All my political career has been about Putting Croydon First. I have served Croydon as an MP, as a London Assembly Member and as a councillor. In those roles, I helped deliver the BRIT School and the Coulsdon by-pass. I get things done.”

Jason Perry – Conservative Party

Jason Perry, has been a Croydon councillor for 28 years and has been leader of the Croydon Conservaties since 2020. He said he will reform the council’s housing department after shocking living conditions were exposed at a council block in Regina Road.

Perry has also pledged to reopen Purley Pool, which has been closed since the start of the pandemic, instead of Labour’s plan to redevelop the whole site and re-provide a swimming pool as part of it.

He said: “The main issue on the doorstep is what Labour has done to Croydon, the bankruptcy, the dirty streets, the graffiti. People feel ignored, they feel let down by the current council. People are so upset about what has gone on.”

Val Shawcross – Labour Party

The Labour candidate came out of political retirement to stand for mayor. She started her political career as a Croydon councillor in 1997 and was leader for three years from 1997. She became a London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark for 16 years and was deputy mayor of London for Transport under Sadiq Khan.

Shawcross said she wants to “do away with a growing north versus south divide” in the borough. She added: “One of the themes of my campaign is one Croydon together, these are artificial administrative boundaries”.

She said: “I am going to make a difference if I get in, I’ve been inside enough organisations to know how to make it successful. I think people get the fact that I’m coming in as an outside insider as it were. Coming back to what was my first political job I can make a difference.”

Peter Underwood – The Green Party

Croydon resident of 20 years, Underwood works with charities that help reconnect people with nature and has experience working as a civil servant.

In his manifesto, he said he wants to give the power back to the people of Croydon. He said: “Decisions should be made by the community and for the community. I will use my skills and experience to sort out Croydon Council and get the council working for you.

“I will ensure that every department of the Council is focused on making  Croydon happier. We have all suffered for too long under the old parties with their stale old politics. You know you deserve better than that.”