Lib Dems back the Freedom Pass
The Lambeth Lib Dems want to keep the Freedom Pass and regard it as a vital lifeline to millions of Londoners over the age of 66
What was claimed
Lambeth Labour says the Lamebth Lib Dems want to cut the Freedom Pass
The actual facts
The Labour-run ‘London Councils’, chaired by Lambeth Labour leader, recently floated removing rail and tubel travel from the pass, restricting it to buses only. After a backlash, these plans were dropped. Rather than owning up, Labour have now attempted to shift the blame to the Lib Dems. To be clear, this is untrue and not possible given it was the Labour-run London Councils who published the idea. In fact, of the 34 members of London Council's Transport and Environment committee, Labour hold 21 seats.
Don't let Labour distract you from their failings
On Housing: Housing Ombudsman published the Learning from Severe Maladministration report naming Labour Lambeth Council among those failing on essential repairs and customer service. Last year Lambeth incurred £29m in costs fighting tenants in court or only repairing council homes after they were forced to. £21m alone was spent on lawyers - in other words an extra £900 that every council tenant has to pay to cover Lambeth’s legal fees. It’s unsurprising that with this waste Lambeth is having to increase council rents by the maximum allowed of 4.8%.
On streetlighting: Labour councillors budgeted to dim our streetlights. They put out a tender for a contractor and then defended their plans in the press. Labour are now claiming that it isn’t true - despite the proof being obvious in Lambeth council documents. (see:Lambeth Budget report 2025-6, page 64)
On finance: Council tax has risen year on year in Lambeth. Other charges like parking permits in the borough are among the most expensive in London. They want to distract you from the fact that £67 million was spent on bailing our their bust and failing council-owned building company, Homes for Lambeth. They want to distract you from the fact that they wasted £2 million a year on an empty plush riverside office. They want to distract you from the fact that services like streetlights, libraries and even the Country Show are being cut.
After 20 years in office, Lambeth Labour have nowhere to hide. They now have to face the music on their record in office. It's no wonder why they want to distract you from their poor record. Don't let Labour gaslight you.
You deserve better. It's why we need a fresh start for Lambeth
London Councils is a cross-party organisation that represents the 32 boroughs and the City of London. It works as a partner with central Government, the Mayor of London, the voluntary and business sectors, and public sector partners such as the NHS to achieve a better future for London and Londoners. It also provides services such as the Freedom Pass, Taxicard, Health Emergency Badge.