The Plastic Mayor? Damien Egan's track record under scrutiny

As the Plastic Mayor of Lewisham seeks higher office as the Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bristol North East, Damien Egan's political claims and actions during his tenure in the borough of Lewisham come under scrutiny. Despite his campaign touting dedication to "the people" and a better way of doing politics, Egan's track record in London paints a less rosy picture—one of overlooking serious allegations and failing to address residents' concerns.  TheBigRetort…

In Lewisham, constituents have begun questioning the consistency between the mayor's public persona and his off-camera inactions. Once the flashbulbs pop and Egan bares his Hollywood smile, there are also some doubts that this candidate will truly fulfil his promises to the people of Bristol. Just like the Wizard of Oz, putting on a grand performance, but hiding behind a curtain of inaction when faced with real challenges, Egan has been the sham in Lewisham.

The promise about protecting green heritage routes appears questionable when one examines the decisions taken under Egan's mayoralty. In Lewisham's Brockley Conservation Area for instance, shameless profiteering by "live-work" developers took precedence over the needs of the established community. Like a group of pretenders on their way to the land of Oz, these developers presented themselves as "creatives" while pursuing a property windfall site in the heritage mews that quickly became residential in all but name. 

"Meanwhile, Egan seemed to play the role of the fourth wise monkey, covering his balls whilst choosing to see no evil and hear no evil when it came to the concerns of constituents."

A brief foray in history... 

Ashby Mews, nestled between heritage housing, used to be a simple backland lane connecting two roads in leafy Brockley. However, under the guise of artists and creatives, a family of "live-work" property developers set their sights on it as a  property windfall site. Their guru, the wizard, presenting himself as a not-so simple sculptor - "internationally renowned" as he liked to spin it - began preventing access to the once-open mews and eroding public rights-of-way through what was a long-held heritage walk. 

The lack of planning enforcement to remove gates erected by the sculptor, coupled with Egan's seemingly distant approach, left residents questioning his commitment to their concerns. This included Lewisham's planning department and some of its officers.  Just like Dorothy questioning the true powers of the mighty Wizard of Oz, Toto quivered, and so did Damian. 

In his Bristol North East campaign, Egan portrays himself as a people-focused politician dedicated to making lasting change. However, residents in Lewisham impacted by his decisions remained unconvinced. Like the rainbow in the sky in that land that a little girl dreamed of, beautiful and promising, but always just out of reach, it wasn't Oz but Ashby Mews.

"Allegations of corruption within Lewisham's planning department have circulated for years, but no full and proper investigation has taken place."

Despite being warned about certain events during his time as mayor and councillor, Egan remained silent and took no decisive action to address these concerns. This lack of transparency and inaction has left some residents seeing him as a "plastic politician," raising doubts about his suitability to also represent the people of Bristol in Parliament.

As an elected mayor in Lewisham, Egan's responsibility was to lead and safeguard residents' interests. Unfortunately, when faced with serious allegations of corruption in the planning department, he failed to take decisive action. This disparity between Egan's inactions in Lewisham and the image he now publicly projects in his Bristol North East campaign raises critical questions about his integrity and commitment to public service.

"Just like Dorothy, they should seek the truth behind the curtain."

While commendable endeavours like turning schools around and leading on climate action are touted, they cannot overshadow the need for accountability and fairness. And yet, residents directly impacted by planning enforcement issues, not just at Ashby Mews, have yet to witness the promised positive changes materialise in Lewisham.

However, Lewisham constituents believe they deserve political representatives who prioritise transparency, accountability, and genuine care for the community. Rather than concealing ego and political ambition behind a plastic façade. The revelations of corruption within Lewisham and Egan's lack of action still demand answers. Bristol North East residents should carefully consider whether his claims align with his actions. 

Will Bristol voices be genuinely heard? Will their communities be represented with integrity and dedication? Will Bristol's current mayor Marvin Rees see off the sham pretender?

The choice is in the hands of the Labour Party in Bristol. Just like Dorothy, they should seek the truth behind that curtain.