Last night saw the Liberal Democrats performing brilliantly at council assembly. We were winning the arguments on post offices, older people, community councils, council housing, nurseries and senior officer pay. By the end of the evening Labour were so frustrated with our winning performance, they had resorted to trying to shout us down. They’ve tried to shut me up with legal action and now they’re trying shouting and screaming as loudly as the possibly can – it’s a bit like facing a pack of braying playground bullies!

There were some really important moments:

-Hearing from some fantastic and committed groups of pensioners and carers.

– The Leader of the Labour group confirming that, thanks to Lib Dems in government, post offices will now be protected.

– A farcical reaction from Labour to a deputation of residents protesting against the community councils planned merger. The Labour group splitting in their reaction to the deputation and their Leader being so rude that he actually turned his back on members of the public because they were saying something he didn’t want to hear.

– Labour still having no answer to the Lib Dem proposals for community councils of sharing out the budget to the 8 local areas and letting them manage them.

– Lib Dem councillors, David Noakes and Mark Gettleson, making inspirational speeches about gay marriage, love and equality. And a free vote amongst councillors which led to Southwark Council showing real commitment to these issues.

– Liberal Democrats clearly setting out the difference our colleagues in government are making on pensions – finally relinking pensions to earnings, something which Thatcher broke and Labour never restored.

– Local Lib Dems holding the Labour council to account for day centre cuts and the closure of the mobile library service.

– The Labour Leader admitting that no consultation had taken place with parents before the council decision to close Tenda Road and Bishop’s House nurseries. And, thanks to pressure from ward councillors, the Labour Leader agreeing to look again at the decision now some discussions with parents are finally taking place.

– The Labour Leader failing or refusing to answer questions on their great council housing sell-off or secondary school places.

– Labour refusing to vote for the Lib Dem suggestions to make sure that no council officer is paid more than the Prime Minister (£142,500) and that bonuses go to staff on £15k not those on £100k. Bizarrely Labour wouldn’t agree to these simple measures which would tackle inequality in our borough.

It is a great privilege to be elected and to speak on behalf of the people of our borough. I felt incredibly proud of my Lib Dem team last night for fighting and winning the arguments for the residents in their wards.