Ill-health forces Horne to end long political career
Ex-mayor among candidates to throw their hats in the ring
LABOUR councillor has resigned, triggering a by-election.
Councillor David Horne stepped down last week because of ill health, and already candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to fill the vacant Charville ward seat.
Among those in the running are Councillor Mary O’Connor, a former mayor of Hillingdon, who came within 14 votes of Mr Horne’s successful total in May, and Cliff Dixon, chairman of UKIP Hillingdon.
ALabour has yet to select its candidate; the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and the Trades Union and Socialist Alliance are also expected to field candidates.
The deadline for declarations is 4pm on Friday. The by-election will take place on Thursday, November 27.
A long-standing local politician, Mr Horne won one of two Labour seats in Charville in the May 2014 local elections.
Leader of the Labour group, Councillor Mo Khursheed, paid tribute to a man who has represented the former Deanesfield ward and Hillingdon East in the past. However, he has struggled with increasingly poor health in recent years.
Mr Khursheed said: “I completely understand Dave’s decision to resign due to his general health.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dave for his dedication and commitment over the years, and wish him well for the future.”
A spokesman for Hayes and Harlington Conservative Association said it is delighted to have Ms O’Connor as a candidate.
In a statement, Ms O’Connor said: “I’m looking forward to being given the chance to serve my friends and neighbours in the Charville ward.”
The results of May’s local elections in Charville ward were: Councillor Beulah East (Lab) 1,572; Councillor Neil Fyfe (Con) 1,409; Councillor David Horne (Lab) 1,368.
The current political make-up of Hillingdon Council is Conservative 42 seats, Labour 23.
Charville ward straddles the east part of Hillingdon and Hayes End.