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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Politics
Michael Howie

London faces NINE by-elections at cost of £200,000 to taxpayers - why are they happening?

The local elections happened just over two weeks ago, on May 7, transforming the political landscape in London.

The Greens made a historic breakthrough, taking control of three councils as Labour lost half of its boroughs.

Meanwhile, Reform UK won its first London borough, Havering, as the Lib Dems strengthened its grip in a swathe of south-west London councils.

The local elections dust has barely settled over the capital and already Londoners are facing a string of by-elections.

Seven newly-elected councillors have to be replaced due to a variety of reasons. Six of them are from the Green Party.

The election of Green Party members Zoë Garbett and Liam Shrivastava as mayors in Hackney and Lewisham, respectively, means two more by-elections have to take place.

The cost to London councils of running these by-elections is believed to range from £20,000 to £35,000, creating a total bill to taxpayers of around £200,000.

Here are all the by-elections taking place in London, why they are happening and when the votes will take place:

James Tilden (Green Party) was elected to the Hackney Central ward and is a teacher and is therefore ineligible. By-election date: June 25.

Muhammad Naser (Green Party) was elected in Camden's Regent's Park ward. He is also a teacher and is so also ineligible. By-election date: To be announced.

Joanna Eaves (Green Party) was elected in Lambeth's Clapham Park ward. She is understood to have quit due to ill health. By-election date: To be announced.

Simon Anthony (Green Party) was elected in Ealing's Acton North ward. He is also believed to have quit after the election due to ill health. By-election date: June 25.

Jayon Henriques (Green Party) was elected in Haringey's Northumberland Park but was also found to be ineligible to serve as a councillor, although the party is yet to disclose the reason. By-election date: June 25.

Saiqa Ali (Green Party) was elected in Lambeth's Streatham St Leonard's ward. She had been suspended by the Green Party prior to the election over alleged antisemitic social media posts. The Greens said before the election it was too late to remove her from the ballot paper under electoral law. By-election date: To be announced.

Hasret Bozdogan (Labour Party) was elected in Haringey's Woodside ward. He has chosen to step down for "personal reasons that transpired after 7 May". By-election date: June 25.

Zoë Garbett (Green Party) was elected mayor in Hackney. She was also re-elected to her Dalston seat, but is having to vacate it as she is not allowed to hold both roles. By-election date: June 25.

Liam Shrivastava (Green Party) was elected mayor of Lewisham. He was also elected as a councillor in Crofton Park, but has to vacate it for the same reason. By-election date: June 18.

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