ROWENNA DAVIS CHOSEN TO PUT PEOPLE FIRST

Croydon Labour has overwhelming voted for change by selecting Rowenna Davis as its mayoral candidate for the election scheduled for May 2026.  In the selection race she beat her opponent, Councillor Manju Shamul-Hameed, winning 82% of the vote on a big turnout of Croydon members. 

Rowenna presents a clean break from the past. She’s worked as a teacher on London Road and is currently serving as a councillor for Waddon, where she’s raising her two young daughters.  

Rowenna’s campaign to put ‘People First’ has earned support from across Croydon and beyond, with endorsers including the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, and Brenda Dacres, Mayor of Lewisham.  

As chair of the council’s Scrutiny & Overview Committee for two years, Rowenna earned a reputation for tough and independent questioning and gained a deep and thorough understanding of the council’s finances. 

Both before and during her time in office, community groups and residents have found a strong ally in Rowenna, who has a long track record of community campaigns including fighting against food poverty, low pay and poor housing.  

Rowenna said: 

“Croydon needs change. I love my home, but we’re being let down by streets that feel dirty and dangerous and a town centre that’s a depressing shadow of the thriving centre it used to be.” 

“For too long, bad politicians and greedy developers have put the people of Croydon last. That changes with me. If I become your mayor, I’ll put people first.” 

“Croydon Labour is under new management. I’m proud to have won the trust of members with such a clear mandate for change, and now I want to earn the trust of the public.” 

We’re going to work together to make people proud of Croydon again.”