A councillor who declared he would not support a fresh CPO of Millwall FC land will run as Labour’s candidate in the Lewisham mayoral election.
Cllr Damien Egan will go head to head with Conservative candidate Ross Archer in the election in May next year.
The successful candidate will replace current Labour mayor Steve Bullock who is stepping down after fifteen years.
Earlier this year, Lewisham Council performed a U-turn on plans to compulsory purchase land used by Millwall for its community trust, youth academy, car park and café, to sell to developer Renewal for its New Bermondsey scheme.
Cllr Egan recently confirmed he would not support a fresh CPO or the sale of the freeholds of the Millwall land.
He added that the council should “start all over with a comprehensive review of all proposals from all interested parties, including MFC and MCT [Millwall Community Trust] for the future of the New Bermondsey site”.
Cllr Egan, who is Lewisham’s cabinet member for housing and training manager at Ethical Trading Partnership, said it was a “huge privilege” to be selected as Labour’s candidate.
“Lewisham, like much of London, has been left behind by the Tories and their pro-Brexit, austerity agenda,” he said.
“That is why it is so important that we have a Labour mayor to protect the most vulnerable and fight to ensure we all have a stake in Lewisham’s future.
“But whatever the Tories may throw at us, Lewisham’s greatest asset is our strong community.
“I care deeply about our diversity and tolerance and will always make sure Lewisham is an open and welcoming home for everyone.”
Cllr Archer said: “I congratulate Damien on his selection as the Labour candidate and look forward to debating the future of our borough with him ahead of next year’s election.
“Now is a chance for change in Lewisham, but in selecting Damien the Labour party has shown no remorse over its botched Millwall CPO by selecting the cabinet member responsible for it.
“Damien may be a nice guy, and I don’t doubt his commitment to the borough, but he cannot offer the change Lewisham deserves and needs.
“Damien is the continuity candidate and not the radical shake up we need at the Town Hall”.