In a significant blow to the local party, a second former Labour councillor in the London Borough of Southwark has crossed the floor to join the Green Party within the space of a month.
A Second Defection Rocks Southwark Labour
Sam Foster, who previously served as the Chair of Southwark's Housing Scrutiny Commission, announced his move on Friday, December 5. His defection follows that of Rotherhithe councillor and former Southwark Labour Chair, Kath Whittam, who joined the Greens on November 5 after 42 years with Labour.
Cllr Foster's departure marks a deepening rift within the borough's ruling group. He pointed to several national Labour policies as key reasons for his exit, describing the party's approach to asylum seekers as "fascistic". He also criticised the scrapping of jury trials and a perceived watering down of workers' rights commitments.
Housing Failures a Central Issue
As the Faraday ward councillor for the Aylesbury Estate, Foster launched a sharp critique of housing policy at both local and national levels. He accused Southwark Council of years of failure in managing its relationship with development partner Notting Hill Genesis, leaving residents "in limbo" as conditions worsen.
"Meanwhile, instead of tackling the housing crisis, this Labour Government is watering down its affordable housing requirements," Foster stated. He praised the Green Party's "radical manifesto" and its deputy leader, Zack Polanski, for understanding the need for societal transformation, rent controls, and mass council house building.
Political Turmoil and Independent Bloc
The defections come after a period of internal chaos for Southwark Labour earlier this summer. A leadership election saw three leaders in one week. Foster, along with fellow Faraday ward councillor Ketzia Harper, had the Labour whip withdrawn after they voted against the election of the new leader, Cllr Sarah King.
Both Foster and Harper chose to leave the Labour Party in November. They were joined days later by Cllr Darren Merrill. Along with Cllr Laura Johnson, they now form a bloc of three independent councillors on the authority.
Kelly Shields, co-chair of the Southwark Green Party, welcomed Foster, saying: "Sam Foster is a committed councillor who cares deeply about the people of Faraday and Southwark... He sees exactly how decisions made in Westminster hit lives here in Southwark."
Shields added that people are "tired of being let down" and are seeking hope, which she believes they can find with the Greens.
The political makeup of Southwark Council now stands at 47 Labour councillors, 11 Liberal Democrats, 3 independents, and 2 Greens. The Green representation is the first on the council in 15 years.
