Hackney set for fifth by-election in two years as another Labour councillor quits

Former Hoxton West councillor Yvonne Maxwell

Hackney Council has called a by-election in Hoxton West following the resignation of Labour councillor Yvonne Maxwell.

The reasons behind Maxwell’s decision are not yet clear, but the former cabinet member tweeted on 26 April: “To quote Tony Benn: ‘Free at last.'”

Maxwell was elected in Hoxton West in 2016 when Philip Glanville gave up his seat to become mayor.

She went on to become mayoral adviser for older people and carers – a position she stepped down from last year.

Another by-election will make it five in the past two years in Hackney – and the fourth in 2024 alone.

All of these votes have been triggered by Labour councillors.

In July 2022, a by-election was held in De Beauvoir to replace Tom Dewey, who resigned after being arrested for possession of indecent images. Dewey was later convicted.

In January this year, Cazenove went to the polls to select a new representative after a seat was vacated by the newly elected mayor Caroline Woodley.

And just last week, two by-elections took place: one in De Beauvoir to replace Polly Billington, who is focusing on running for parliament in East Thanet; and another in Hoxton East and Shoreditch to fill the seat of Steve Race, who is hoping to become Exeter’s next MP.

No date has yet been set for the Hoxton West vote, but a notice of casual vacancy was posted on the council’s website this week.

It states that the by-election must be held “within thirty five days of the required notice being given to the Returning Officer”.