In a recent election, Brenda Dacres became the first Black woman Mayor of Lewisham, a borough of southeast London.
Running as a Labour Party candidate in the southeast London borough, Dacres secured the position of Mayor with 21,576 votes, translating to a 51.5% majority.
The election, prompted by former Mayor Damien Egan’s decision to pursue a parliamentary career in Bristol, saw a relatively modest turnout of 20.73%.
Despite the low engagement, Dacres’ win marks a significant milestone in the borough’s political landscape.
The Green Party’s Michael Herron trailed behind with 6,835 votes, while the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives garnered 4,896 and 3,784 votes, respectively, finishing third and fourth.
Addressing the importance of her election, Dacres expressed her hope that it will encourage young individuals from ethnic minority groups, highlighting their potential to achieve essential roles in their communities.
She emphasized the critical need for advancements in housing, including the development of new homes and improvements to the existing housing stock, as a top priority for her administration.
In an acceptance speech, Dacres shared her parents’ journey to the UK as part of the Windrush generation, noting the unimaginable thought that their daughter would one day become Lewisham’s first black female mayor.
She said, “Our borough is my home of 40 years and where I raised my son. My parents came here as part of the Windrush generation and instilled in me their ethics of community and hard work.”
The elected mayor added, “Over the past 10 years it has been an honor to serve as a councilor, cabinet member, and as your Deputy Mayor. I’m excited to be in a position to drive forward the changes we need to ensure we keep moving Lewisham forward and make sure the voices of residents and businesses are heard.”
Dacres continued, “I’ve spent a lifetime fighting against low expectations. I didn’t accept them for me and I’ll never accept them for Lewisham residents.”
She aims to be a beacon of inspiration and a role model for the borough’s youth, especially those from black and ethnic minorities who comprise 25% of Lewisham’s demographic.
