Bunhill residents risk being underrepresented on Islington council for another year, after Islington Now has learnt there is currently no by-election scheduled for 6 May.
The sitting councillor, Claudia Webbe, was elected Labour MP for Leicester East, about 80 miles from Islington, in December 2019. Islington Labour agreed to hold a by-election last year to find her replacement. Now a whole year on Islington Now understands that there is still no confirmation it will be taking place.
Labour’s website states that Webbe had decided to “stand down” so that the election could be held on 6 May, the same day as the London Mayoral Elections. Last year, Islington Labour was criticised for delaying the by-election to replace Webbe until the mayoral election scheduled for 7 May 2020. However that poll was delayed for a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A byelection in Holloway ward will take place on 6 May, but Islington Now understands that a formal notice of resignation has still not been received to allow a poll in Webbe’s ward.
The party has announced Valerie Bossman-Quarshie as their candidate for Bunhill at the start of February, even though Webbe needs formally to resign to trigger the by-election.
The Islington Gazette reported in October 2020 that Cllr Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council, said he feels it is “in the public interest to run that by-election alongside the London elections”.
But Islington Now has learnt that the cut off date for Webbe to resign and trigger a by-election on the day of the mayoral election is 29 March, leaving her just 10 days to do so.
A by-election happens when a seat in the House of Commons or a council becomes vacant between general elections.
This has happened in Holloway when Islington Council announced the resignation of former councillor Paul Smith on 12 January 2021, triggering a by-election for his ward.
Islington Labour’s Jason Jackson and Harry Nugent for the Tories are both confirmed as candidates for the Holloway by-election.
Bossman-Quarshie said: “All I know is that the local members selected me. I’ve gone to the Co-op Party as well and been selected there.
“I’ve got my certificate and I am going to give it to those that need to have it. I’ve signed it, so I’m running as a Co-Operative and Labour candidate. Anything else, I am unaware of.”
Benjamin Jackson, who is in charge of Islington North for the Conservatives, said: “It is unfortunate that Labour find themselves in this position. It was expected Cllr Webbe would resign due to her new role in Parliament. I’m sure the harassment charges against her were an unforeseen complication, however it does seem to be a pattern we are made aware of time and time again, by local residents who feel ignored by the Council.
“It is apparent the Labour Council don’t prioritise communication with the residents and they struggle to communicate internally too. We are waiting with bated breath for clarity.”
Webbe is currently facing a harassment trial that has been adjourned until September 2021.
Cllr Claudia Webbe and Islington Labour did not respond to a request for comment.
