Serious illness forces Labour councillor to stand down – just five months into the role

Stepping down: Alex Kuye on election day in May. Photograph: Hackney Labour

A Hackney councillor has been forced to resign with immediate effect because of ill health – less than six months after being elected.

Labour’s Alex Kuye picked up over 1,700 votes in May to become a councillor at his first attempt.

His decision to step aside has triggered a by-election in Victoria ward – set to take place on 18 October 2018.

A spokesperson for Hackney Labour said: “We are very sorry to see Alex go after such a short time in office. He has shown courage in the face of serious illness.

“However, we agreed with him that he would find it impossible to manage his role effectively as a councillor and cope with illness, and have accepted his wish to resign.”

Hackney’s electoral services team is to host two meetings for anyone interested in standing in the upcoming by-election.

These will take place in Room 108 at Hackney Town Hall – one on 10 September at 3pm, and the other on 17 September at 6pm.

To book a place, send an email to electoralservices@hackney.gov.uk.

Nominations from candidates will be accepted from Thursday 13 September until 4pm on Friday 21 September. The relevant forms are available from Electoral Services, Room 40, Hackney Town Hall.

Key dates for this election are:

Deadline to register to vote – midnight on 2 October 2018

New postal vote application deadline – 5pm on 3 October 2018

New proxy vote application deadline – 5pm on 10 October 2018

For more information, get in touch with Electoral Services at electoralservices@hackney.gov.uk or on 020 8356 3232