A Green Party councillor in Hackney has resigned just days after winning his seat, following the discovery that his election violated electoral laws. James Tilden secured 1,681 votes to represent Hackney Central ward in the local elections on Thursday, May 7, but neither he nor his party realised he was ineligible to stand until after the nomination deadline had passed.
Eligibility Issue
Mr Tilden, a primary school teacher at a community school in the borough, is legally an employee of Hackney Council. Under Section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972, teachers employed by a local authority are barred from becoming members of that same authority. A spokesperson for Hackney Green Party told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that neither Mr Tilden nor the party were aware of this eligibility issue when his nomination was submitted.
As soon as the problem came to light, the party informed Hackney Electoral Services and Mr Tilden ceased campaigning. However, electoral law prevents ballots from being amended after the nomination deadline, so his name remained on the ballot paper. He was not present at the count when the returning officer announced his election.
Resignation and By-Election
On Tuesday, May 12, a Hackney Council spokesperson confirmed to the LDRS that Mr Tilden had resigned as a councillor. A by-election for Hackney Central will be held in due course. The LDRS understands the council is considering combining this by-election with another triggered by Green politician Zoë Garbett's election as Mayor of Hackney. Mayor Garbett also won re-election as a ward councillor for Dalston but resigned to take up her new role as executive leader of the borough. She has also stepped down from her London-wide seat on the London Assembly, which has been filled by Benali Hamdache.
Similar Case in Camden
The situation in Hackney mirrors a similar incident in the London Borough of Camden, where a local teacher also resigned immediately after being elected as a Green councillor on Friday. Camden Council informed the LDRS that the issue was reported to the council, which raised it with the Green Party. The council did not confirm whether a by-election would automatically follow, stating: “Due process now needs to follow but should a by-election be required this will be publicised in the usual way.” Camden Greens had not responded to requests for comment at the time of writing.
This article was reported by Josef Steen, Local Democracy Reporter. For more East London news, sign up to the MyEastLondon newsletter.
