Voters in Eltham will go to the polls for a council by-election next month after one of the area’s Labour councillors resigned.
Sammy Backon quit his role as councillor for Eltham Town & Avery Hill on Thursday after accepting a job outside London.
Labour wasted no time in calling the by-election for October 17, less than two weeks before the chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first budget. The election is likely to be a tight contest with the Conservatives hoping to take the seat.
While most areas of Greenwich borough are Labour-dominated, the Conservatives have traditionally been stronger in the south.
The seat was a close-run battle in the last council election in May 2022, with Backon and Lauren Dingsdale winning seats for Labour and Pat Greenwell taking the third seat for the Conservatives.
Labour’s success in 2022 came as a surprise to Backon, who missed the announcement of his victory because he was working as a nurse in the NHS.
He said on social media that he was resigning with “a heavy heart”, adding: “I am dedicated to working for the NHS, and an opportunity has arisen that will take me away from the ward.
“I have enjoyed every moment of representing the people of Eltham Town & Avery Hill, and I am so proud of what I have achieved.
“Being in a position to advocate for residents positively has been a privilege. Working with Lauren, my fellow ward councillor, has been brilliant, she is the most hardworking and dedicated person I know.”
The Conservatives surprised many by winning a by-election in Mottingham, Coldharbour & New Eltham ward in June, and will be hoping to increase their numbers on the council to four.
Backon is married to the West Thamesmead councillor Chris Lloyd, who was elected for Labour but quit the party last year after accusing it of not dealing with a complaint about alleged homophobic behaviour by a fellow councillor. He later joined the Liberal Democrats.
Lloyd is understood to be staying on as a councillor to advocate for residents in the Royal Artillery Quays development, who are in a dispute with Barratt Homes over dangerous cladding. In July Labour were accused of blocking a council motion supporting the residents, although a new motion is expected to be brought forward later this year.
Any resident can stand in the Eltham Town & Avery Hill by-election so long as they can gain two signatures from residents in the ward – nominations will close at 4pm on Friday September 20.
Photo ID is still needed for elections, while applications for postal votes should be made by October 2. More information is on the Greenwich Council website.
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