Conservative Jason Perry has secured another four years as Executive Mayor of Croydon Council after a closely contested mayoral election. Perry defeated Labour candidate Rowenna Davis by 1,113 votes, with the results announced on Friday, May 8, at Fairfield Halls.
Perry's Priorities for New Term
Speaking after his victory, Perry emphasised that stabilising Croydon's finances and regenerating the town centre would be his key priorities for the term ahead. The 32-year council veteran, who first won the mayoral role in 2022, received 35,871 votes compared to Davis's 34,758.
Close Contest Acknowledged
Davis, a Waddon councillor, acknowledged the tight race, stating, "It was always going to be close." The Labour candidate garnered strong support but fell short of unseating the incumbent.
Other Candidates' Performance
Green Party candidate Peter Underwood significantly increased his vote share from the 2022 election, finishing third with 19,404 votes. He was followed by Reform UK's Ben Flook with 14,467 votes and Liberal Democrat Richard Howard with 7,815. First-time candidate and former DJ Michael Pusey MBE, representing the Taking the Initiative Party, received 2,597 votes, while Surrey Street Market trader Jose Joseph gained 1,568 votes. Ben Goldstone of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition received the fewest votes at 461 and was the only candidate absent from the count.
Emotional Victory Speech
An emotional Perry addressed the crowd at the Ashcroft Theatre after his declaration at 5:15 pm. He apologised for his emotions, saying, "I'm sorry, this means a lot." He praised the other candidates and highlighted the borough's resilience: "This is a borough that has been through so much, but it is a proud borough and a great borough. It is a borough we are all proud to call home. That is what matters at the end of the day. We must deliver that proud home for our residents in Croydon."
Voter Turnout Increases
The election achieved an overall turnout of 40.99 per cent, a significant increase from 34.1 per cent in the 2022 mayoral election. The ward count for Croydon's local elections is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, at Fairfield Halls.
