Michael Coulston is to stand as the People Before Profit candidate in the forthcoming Ladywell by election. She is a long-term resident of the ward who polled over 500 votes in May.  Helen played a leading role in setting up Lewisham People Before Profit in 2008, bringing together various active campaigns in Lewisham including the Lewisham Gateway campaign, Save Lewisham Bridge School and the Loampit Vale Action Group, all of which have benefitted from her input.

The council seat has become vacant because Tim Shand, one of three New Labour candidates who unexpectedly won in Ladywell at the expense of the Greens, has resigned to work abroad after just 4 months in office.

Labour has selected Carl Handley as their replacement - yes, the same Carl Handley who was defeated by the Greens in May 2006 and who rounded on the voters saying "Most of the people who signed petitions opposing this don't even use the bloody pool.  At the end of the day we all know it is going to be knocked-down. The sooner it comes down the better for me."