West London Green Councillors Withdraw from Elections Due to Rare Medical Condition
Two Green Party councillors in West London have announced they will not stand in the upcoming local elections after revealing a rare medical condition has severely impacted their ability to attend council meetings. Councillor Trey Campbell-Simon and Councillor Liz Collins, who represent the Hammersmith and Fulham area, disclosed that health issues related to an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) have forced their withdrawal from the May polls.
Rare Brain Condition Causes Debilitating Seizures
In an exclusive interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Campbell-Simon detailed how his AVM—a cluster of abnormal blood vessels on the brain—has led to an increasing number of seizures. "It's very, very rare and it affects me in ways that I can't get out of bed some days," he explained. "I struggle with vision once I've had seizures. I struggle with walking." The condition, which can be fatal, has at times left him unable to communicate properly or perform daily activities.
Cllr Campbell-Simon was first diagnosed with AVM in 2015, and his health fluctuated in the years leading up to his election in May 2022. He underwent a second brain operation in 2023, and since defecting from Labour to the Green Party last July alongside Cllr Collins, his seizure frequency has increased dramatically. "Sometimes I can't even get out of bed, sometimes I have multiple seizures a day," he admitted.
Attendance Records Spark Political Controversy
The councillors' limited attendance at meetings has drawn criticism from political opponents. Both members have attended only one meeting each since their defection, narrowly avoiding automatic removal under council rules that require attendance at least once every six months. Conservative group leader Cllr Jose Afonso commented that their attendance rates show the Green Party is "not a serious force" for local change.
Labour's Deputy Whip, Cllr Callum Nimmo, added that being a councillor "isn't a career step" and requires dedication. However, the Green Party spokesperson cited "ongoing issues" with local councillors as the reason neither will stand in May, without initially mentioning health concerns.
Defenders of Their Record
In response to the criticism, Cllr Campbell-Simon and Cllr Collins issued a lengthy statement clarifying that they have missed only three Full Council meetings due to serious health issues. They also pointed to structural factors, including delays in committee assignments after their defection, which limited their participation in council business.
"It hasn't been an easy ride but I pride myself on my record over the last four years of representing residents at the highest level," Cllr Campbell-Simon asserted. He emphasized that he has continued to handle casework for Walham Green residents despite his health challenges and views the comments from other parties as attempts to "discredit" their work.
Future Uncertain but Door Remains Open
The decision not to stand in May was made on medical advice, but Cllr Campbell-Simon has not ruled out running for office again in the future. For now, both councillors plan to focus on serving their constituents during the remaining seven weeks of their term. "After all of this is over, me and Liz just want to focus on seeing out the last seven weeks and representing residents in the way that we have been," he stated.
This revelation highlights the personal challenges faced by elected officials and raises questions about how local governments accommodate members with serious health conditions while maintaining effective representation for residents.
