City councillor stands down triggering by-election

[dutchman]

A by-election is to be held next month in Earlsdon ward in Coventry



The news comes after Councillor Becky Gittins has resigned from her position as ward councillor, a role she has held since 2019.

Cllr Gittins, is to stand as a Labour parliamentary candidate in Clwyd East at the next general election, an area of North Wales where she was born and brought up.

During her time in Coventry, she has served on Scrutiny Boards, the Licensing and Regulatory Committee, and has been the Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Young People.

Cllr Gittins said: “I love Coventry. I came here to study at the University of Warwick back in 2013 and fell in love with the city’s dynamism and diversity.

“It was an honour to be elected as councillor for Earlsdon Ward in 2019, and I am so proud of the work we have done in Earlsdon and across the city.

“However, It would not be right to represent Earlsdon from afar, so I am resigning to give local residents the opportunity to elect a new councillor able to serve Earlsdon with the time and energy it deserves.

“I know Earlsdon and Coventry will be in safe hands.”

Councillor George Duggins, Labour Leader of Coventry City Council, said Becky would be missed.

He said: “I want to thank her for her time serving on the Council which she has done with enthusiasm and distinction. Becky was a very effective Deputy Cabinet Member for Children’s Services particularly in her work engaging with young people.

“She was an extremely committed ward councillor and I know her hard work was appreciated and valued by those she represented so well.

“I wish Becky well and I’m sure she will be successful in Clwyd East, where the constituents would be lucky to have such a professional, engaging and knowledgeable person to represent them".

A by-election will be held to fill the vacancy, with a date expected to be set around late October.

[dutchman]

Labour hold on to Earlsdon in Coventry council by-election



Labour have held on to a city council seat in a by-election called after the previous councillor resigned.

Lynette Kelly was elected as a councillor for Earlsdon in Coventry on Thursday with 43% of the vote.

Ms Kelly received 1,338 votes, with Conservative Party candidate Zaid Rehman getting 1,017 votes.

Liberal Democrat candidate Stephen Richmond finished third with 489 votes. Other candidates received less than 200 votes.

The by-election was called after former Labour councillor, Becky Gittins, resigned after being re-elected in May.

Ms Gittins, who had represented the area since 2019, is standing to be Labour MP in Clwyd East, north Wales.

[rebbonk]

Might be of more use if they reported on voter turn out.

[dutchman]

"Turn-out was 27 per cent."

https://www.coventry.gov.uk/news/articl ... or-elected

[rebbonk]

Thank you, Dutchman.

Kind of puts things into perspective, doesn't it? Not really a decisive result one way or the other.

Maybe, any election with a turnout of below 50% should be required to be re-run? Maybe, we should do as other countries do and fine those who cannot bother to vote?