Surprise By-Election Called in Northfield
Local Conservative councillor Mark Reen resigns
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Conservative Councillor Mark Reen has resigned after moving from Ealing and a by-election has been called for Northfield ward, Ealing on Thursday, 7 May.
Cllr Reen (pictured right) says, ''
I can no longer physically represent my residents in the way that I have been able to this year - having secured a major employment opportunity in Bristol the challenge of representing Northfields becomes an integrity issue for me.
''Until now I have been able to base myself locally, Now this option is no longer viable resignation is for me the the only sensible option. Northfields deserves three working Councillors - I hope the residents of Northfields will back local resident Fabio Conti at the by-election in May.''
Councillor Gary Malcolm, Lib Dem Council Group Leader said,"When a councillor spends large sections of their time away from Ealing or has missed a lot of meetings it is right that they resign their position and allow the electorate to decide who should be their Councillor.
''We hope the electorate choose a Liberal Democrat as their councillor, given our dedication to understanding local matters. Liberal Democrats believe in protecting the vulnerable, unlike the Labour party who still might close the Solace centre, which my party have guaranteed to keep open."
Conservative hopeful Fabio Conti who has live in Northfield all his life said, "It would be an honour to represent Northfield on Ealing Council, along with Councillor's David Millican and Theresa Mullins who do such a great job standing up for Northfield residents. Mark Reen has been an excellent Councillor over the last 9 years and if I were elected I would hope that I could represent the Northfield residents as well as he has done."
The by-election will be held on the same day as the parliamentary election also taking place. Voters living within the ward will be given two polling cards – one for the parliamentary election and one to elect a third councillor to represent them on Ealing Council.
People wishing to stand for election will need to declare their candidacy by 4pm on Thursday, 9 April.
A Notice of Election has been posted outside Ealing Town Hall and on the council’s website
Residents have until Monday, 20 April to register their details in time to vote. Until recently, every household was asked to register to vote on one form with one adult taking responsibility for returning information for all the eligible people at one address. Now, as part of the national move towards an individual electoral registration (IER) system, everyone eligible to vote will have to register individually, across the country. IER is being used in a bid to cut down on electoral fraud and to increase confidence in the system.
To make the process easier, it is now possible to register online
Online registration is quick, secure and convenient and people simply have to provide their name, address, date of birth and national insurance number. Postal registration is also available.
Most residents who are currently registered to vote will be registered automatically under the new system but some will need to re-register and others will need to check their details. People who are not on the electoral roll will receive information on how to register to vote.
To find out more about the changes
The council’s electoral services team is available between 8.30am–5pm (Monday–Friday) on 020 8825 7777 or by email
Or alternatively visit here for more information.
30th March 2015
