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A prospective local councillor has criticised the “China-like one-party state” of Islington Council after Labour candidate James Potts won the Junction by-election on 28 November.
Rebecca Jones, the Liberal Democrat candidate at the by-election, criticised the Labour-run council for being out of touch with local concerns because of its electoral dominance.
“They’ve become untouchable because they have such a huge majority,” Ms Jones said, owing to the 55 per cent share of votes won by Labour at the last council election. Jones added: “It puts you in a state of thinking that you’re going to win just because you’re Labour rather than because you are doing a good job.”
The Labour Party has controlled Islington Council since 2010 and in the most recent election in 2022 won all but one seat.
Ms Jones thinks councillors no longer “engage with people as much as they should”. “It’s pretty much a one-party state.” she said. “You can look at Islington Councillors and just think: it’s China.
“In that situation you are never going to get the effective scrutiny you need…[Labour] has a tendency to knock on doors in the six weeks before an election and you never hear from them again for four years.”
In response, Labour candidate James Potts said: “Islington Labour is proud of its record in speaking to residents. We host surgeries most weeks, canvass residents and attend community events on a regular basis… We’ve spoken to a huge number of people in 2024.
“You start thinking you’re going to win just because you’re Labour rather than becuase you are doing a good job”
“If elected as the councillor for Junction Ward, I promise to speak to voters frequently,” Mr Potts added.
The election was held on 28 November with the candidates as follows:
Jackson Caines, Islington Independents
Rebecca Jones, Liberal Democrats
Bill Martin, The Socialist Party of Great Britain
Devon Osborne, Green Party
Brian Potter, Independent
James Potts, Labour
John Wilkin, Conservative Party
Jamie Boys is a student journalist from London. He is the beat reporter for Junction Ward, i.e. Archway, North London. He also has a by-line at the Standard. Jamie grew up in central London, but has lived in the USA and Australia. Jamie is a huge Chelsea fan and has had a season ticket his whole life. He has a particular interest in political journalism.