Welcome
In 2001, Lewisham introduced a new system of local government. This system is called 'the directly elected mayoral system' where one person called 'the Mayor' makes all the decisions. We call it elected dictatorship. In 2007, you can help us to change this undemocratic system.
About The Campaign
The Bring Back Democracy Campaign is a non-political organisation supported by all the main political parties in Lewisham including the Liberal Democrats, Greens, Conservatives, Socialist Party, LEAP, Respect and UKIP, as well as some members of the Labour party. Campaign groups such as the Save Ladywell Pool campaign and the New School Campaign are also backing us.
Sign Petition Online
Please enter your email address below and press the send button. We will then send you an email with instructions on how to sign the petition online.
How To Help
There are several ways to help the campaign. The most important is to publicise this website and to ask your friends and family to sign the petition online. For other ways to help, visit the How To Help page.
Latest News & Views
- Doncaster: Councillors back referendum on mayoral system
- Doncaster: Should the Mayoral system be scrapped? You get to decide.
- Lewisham: Fresh twist in Mayor battle
- Doncaster: Public to decide on future of town's elected mayor
- Doncaster: Vote on scrapping election for mayor
- Doncaster: Doncaster council has voted to hold a referendum on whether to continue with an elected mayor. (Video)
Our Aims
The aims and objectives of the "Bring Back Democracy In Lewisham" campaign are
- to publicise the disadvantages of the directly elected Mayoral system
- to campaign for a referendum to change the system by organising a petition of Lewisham residents
- to campaign during the referendum for a return to the Leader and Cabinet system where the executive is elected from and by the councillors
Petition Wording
We the undersigned residents of the London Borough of Lewisham, seek a referendum to introduce the Leader and Cabinet system to replace the current directly elected Mayor.
We also call on the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Goverment to amend legislation to ensure that a referendum to replace a directly elected Mayor with an alternative executive arrangement can be triggered by a petition of electors.