Labour councillors resign triggering May by-elections

Former Hackney Downs councillor Rick Muir

By-elections have been called for 5 May after two Labour Party councillors resigned this week.

Rick Muir, formerly of Hackney Downs ward, and Louisa Thomson, who represented Stoke Newington Central, announced on Monday they have quit their roles as councillors.

After serving as a councillor for six years, Mr Muir said rising house prices had now forced him out of London.

“A lot of people in Hackney might be able to rent here for a bit or get a shared ownership flat.” said Mr Muir. “But when it comes to trying to buy a house and have kids, you have to ask yourself whether you want a mortgage that big.

“So my wife and I have decided that we want a change of lifestyle and will move out of London. I’m very sad to go. It’s a real wrench to leave it behind. But you have to think about what you’re doing with your life.”

The councillors announced their resignations at this time to enable the by-elections to coincide with the London Mayor and London Assembly elections in May, Mr Muir explained.

“A free-standing by-election creates more work, cost and inconvenience,” he said.

Louisa Thomson told the Hackney Citizen she had resigned “purely for personal reasons”.

She said: “I have been a councillor in Stoke Newington for just over seven years and it has been an absolute privilege to represent my local area. It was a difficult decision to make to stand down – and is purely for personal reasons.”

Describing herself on Twitter as a ‘recovering ex-Labour councillor’, Ms Thomson tweeted:

After suggestions for things that normal people do on weekday evenings. 2008 was the last time I had a meeting free life #excouncillor

— Louisa Thomson (@louisa_thomson) 14 March 2016

In a statement Hackney Labour party said:  “Louisa Thomson and Rick Muir have resigned from Hackney Council.

“They have done this separately, purely because of their individual personal circumstances.

“Both Louisa and Rick have made a huge contribution to the council and the Labour Group during their time in office, and both of them and the Labour Group regret that they have had to resign.

“We have offered them our best wishes for the future.”

The pair’s successors as Labour Party ward councillor candidates have not yet been selected.

This article was updated at 17:05 on Thursday 17 March 2016 to include a statement from Hackney Labour party. – Ed.