Two by-elections have been called in the London Borough of Lambeth within days of each other, further eroding the Green Party's narrow advantage over Labour. The vacancies have arisen in Clapham Park ward and Streatham St Leonard's ward, following the resignation of a Green councillor due to ill health and another candidate's decision not to take up her seat.
Clapham Park Ward Vacancy
Joanna Eaves, who became Clapham Park's first Green councillor after the May 7 local elections, has resigned due to ill health. A notice of casual vacancy for Clapham Park ward was published on Lambeth Council's website on Monday, May 18. Ms Eaves stated: "I've always believed that politics is about getting out there and listening to residents, doing things, and helping people. I was honoured to have been voted in as Clapham Park's first Green councillor, but due to my ill health, I now won't be able to do the job justice. As a result, I've taken the difficult decision to resign." Labour councillors Verity McGivern and Martin Tiedemann continue to represent the ward.
Streatham St Leonard's Ward Vacancy
Saiqa Ali, who won a seat for Streatham St Leonard's ward as a Green Party candidate, has decided not to take up her seat. She had been suspended by the Green Party before the election due to allegedly sharing anti-Semitic posts on social media, but it was too late to remove her name from the ballot. Ms Ali apologised "for any offence or distress caused" and stated: "I unequivocally reject anti-Semitism in all its forms. My comments were rooted in concern for the humanitarian situation in the Middle East." A Lambeth Green Party spokesperson confirmed Ms Ali was not a member of the Lambeth Green Group. Two Green Party candidates were arrested in April on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred online; both remain on bail. Ms Ali would have sat as an independent councillor but chose not to take her seat. A notice of casual vacancy for Streatham St Leonard's ward appeared on the council's website on May 14.
Impact on Council Control
Following the May 7 elections, the Green Party became the largest political group in Lambeth, ending Labour's two-decade control. However, with 32 seats needed for a majority, the Greens now hold 27 seats, Labour has 26, and the Liberal Democrats have eight. The two vacancies reduce the Green majority over Labour to just one councillor. Lambeth is one of several London boroughs with no overall control, meaning the Greens must form a coalition or seek ad-hoc support to pass budgets and policies. The by-elections must be held within 35 working days of the vacancy notices being published.
