Labour members in Islington have this week selected three candidates to stand in by-elections in the borough next month.
Following the decisions of three councillors to stand down, local people in Highbury West, Mildmay and St Peter’s will have the opportunity to elect three new Islington Labour councillors on May 6th, the same day as the London Mayoral elections.
In Highbury West, Bashir Ibrahim, who was born and bred in Islington, will be standing for election. Bashir is a young, Somali man who has lived in Highbury West since the age of 3 and has played an active role in local campaigning from a young age. As well as being a governor at a local school, Bashir has most recently volunteered as a local Covid-19 Health Champion, supporting the Council in developing and relaying important messages to the local community.
Labour members in Mildmay have selected Angelo Weekes as the Islington Labour candidate for the ward’s important by-election. Angelo was also raised in the ward he is standing in, having been brought up on Kerridge Court in Mildmay and attended local schools. A keen local campaigner, Angelo is passionate about improving the lives of people in Mildmay with a cleaner, greener, healthier borough and making Islington a safer place.
Toby North – a charity campaigner, proud trade unionist, school governor and committed local organiser – will be Islington Labour’s candidate in St Peter’s on May 6th. Toby works in campaigns for a children’s charity, putting pressure on local and national governments to improve lives and reduce child poverty. Since moving to the borough, Toby has served as campaigns coordinator for both Islington constituencies and as a ward organiser for two branches, leading on campaigns to protect our NHS build more genuinely affordable homes for local people.
Valerie Bossman-Quarshie (Bunhill) and Jason Jackson (Holloway) have already been selected to contest by-elections in Islington on May 6th.
Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Leader of Islington Labour Group, has said:
“I am absolutely delighted to see Bashir, Angelo and Toby selected to contest by-elections for Islington Labour next month. I have known all three of them for a number of years and they will be excellent community champions.
“Islington is an extremely diverse borough and we serve our communities best when we truly represent them. We already have a very diverse Labour Group on the Council and I would be proud to welcome four more local Black people, including three Black men, into our Labour Group.
“The May elections are extremely important. It is vital for our borough and our city that, on May 6th, we elect a Labour Mayor of London and five new Islington Labour councillors to continue our work to make our borough a fairer place for all.”
The by-elections will be held on Thursday 6th May, the same day as the London Mayoral and London Assembly elections. To vote early and from the comfort of your own home, register here to sign up for a postal vote, so you can vote on 6th May.