A South London by-election has resulted in the Conservative Group maintaining their hold in the area. Conservative candidate Josh Coldspring-White was voted to represent the Hayes and Coney Hall ward for Bromley Council in a by-election yesterday, December 7, after receiving 1,541 votes.
Susan Margaret Moore of the Labour Party came second in the vote with 962, followed by Tudor Griffiths of the Lib Dems with 526 votes. Sarah Louise Chant of the Green Party came in fourth with 183 votes. The turnout at the by-election was 26.7per cent.
Cllr Coldspring-White told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “I’m humbled to be elected to serve the area I grew up in, went to school in, and made a life in. I love this community and look forward to serving it to the best of my ability.”
The councillor said he would build on the great work of his predecessor, the late Andrew Lee. He added that he was excited to join his fellow ward councillors and the local Conservative Group at the Bromley Civic Centre. Susan Margaret Moore told the LDRS that she was grateful to all the residents who had voted for her and was delighted with the warm reception she had received. She also wished Cllr Coldspring-White the best of luck in the role.
Tudor Griffiths also expressed his congratulations towards the new councillor to the LDRS. He said the Lib Dem Group was disappointed by the low turnout for the by-election, stating the weather and the general state of current politics as potential reasons.
He added: “I’ve lived in Hayes & Coney Hall for over 20 years and this is the first time there’s been a strongly fought campaign for residents’ votes here, as it’s always been seen as a safe Conservative seat. It has been good to see how all three main parties have committed time and energy to talking to voters and telling them about their policies in Bromley.”
Sarah Louise Chant told the LDRS that she was thankful of the residents who voted for her and said she would continue to support green spaces in the Hayes and Coney Hall ward on a voluntary basis. She said she hopes to see the ward councillors supporting the promotion of biodiversity, clean air and maintaining green spaces.
She added: “For me it was not about winning, I knew that was not on the cards. I stood so that residents had the option of voting for a party which puts the environment at the core of all its policies. Nature has to come first. Without a sustainable, healthy ecosystem our world is going to collapse. The threats to economic, social and environmental well-being are part of the same problem.”
Cllr Coldspring-White will join fellow Conservative ward councillors Alexa Michael and Thomas Turrell. The by-election was held after Conservative Councillor Andrew Lee passed away suddenly on October 5, according to a statement from Bromley Council.
Regarding Cllr Lee’s death, Conservative Councillor Colin Smith, Leader of Bromley Council, told the LDRS: “We have all been shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Andrew’s sudden demise and our thoughts are firmly with his widow Gill, their friends and family at this incredibly difficult time. Hayes and Coney Hall ward has very sadly lost an outstanding councillor as a result of Andrew’s cruel and untimely departure, who was also an amazingly talented friend to many and a local politician. He will be desperately, sadly missed by everyone that knew him. Andrew, may you rest in peace dear friend.”
Photo: Josh Coldspring-White has been elected as the new ward councillor of the Hayes and Coney Hall ward. Credit: Thomas Turrell
