Six candidates will stand in a by-election in Eltham next month to replace Labour councillor Sammy Backon, who has resigned to take up a job outside London.
Charlie Davis, a former Conservative councillor, will be hoping to get his old role back in the Eltham Town & Avery Hill by-election, which will be held on October 17.
Davis represented the old Eltham North ward – which covered an area north of Eltham High Street – for six years until losing his seat in the May 2022 elections.
While most areas of Greenwich borough are Labour-dominated, the Conservatives have traditionally been stronger in the south in areas like Eltham, and it is likely to be a hard-fought contest.
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.
Chris McGurk will be hoping to hold onto the seat for Labour. “As a local NHS GP, nobody has a better understanding of the everyday challenges our residents face,” Dingsdale said on social media of her party’s candidate.
McGurk said on social media: “I first moved into the borough eight years ago and have experience working for both the local and regional NHS. I’ve previously campaigned against hospital closures and have volunteered as a doctor abroad. Outside of politics I enjoy running, sometimes with my wife, and am a fan of Parkrun.
“From the High Street to Avery Hill Park, from supporting local services to enhancing community safety, I pledge to listen to residents and work tirelessly with Lauren Dingsdale for Eltham Town & Avery Hill.”
But the Conservatives will fancy their chances after winning another by-election – in Mottingham, Coldharbour & New Eltham – in May, just weeks before the general election, in which Davis stood for Eltham & Chislehurst. This poll will come less than two weeks before the Labour government’s first budget.
Davis said: “It is a privilege to have been selected as the Conservative candidate for the Eltham Town and Avery Hill by-election. The first house I lived in was in Lannoy Road in New Eltham, I grew up by Eltham station and now my partner, Alice, and I are raising our family on Archery Road.
“I’m looking forward to speaking to as many residents as possible over the next month on the issues that are important to our community. It’s crucial that we do more to support the high street and our other shopping parades, protect and improve our wonderful green spaces, and make the ward safer.”
Kieran Edwards will stand for the Liberal Democrats, while Ruth Handyside is the Reform UK candidate.
The Greens are fielding Mark Williams while Arnold Tarling, a fire safety expert who has previously stood for Ukip, is running as an independent.
Labour currently have 50 councillors, with three Conservatives and one Liberal Democrat.
That Lib Dem is Chris Lloyd, who is Backon’s husband. He was formerly in Labour before walking out last year accusing the party of not dealing with a complaint about homophobia properly.
Lloyd is understood to be holding on to his West Thamesmead seat for the time being to represent residents in the Royal Artillery Quays development, who are in a dispute with the blocks’ developer over replacing dangerous cladding.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.