Lib Dems Consolidate Role as Main Opposition in Ealing


Big win in Hanger Hill while Labour hold on in Northolt and South Acton

Jonathan Oxley (centre) after becoming an Ealing borough councillor
Jonathan Oxley (centre) after becoming an Ealing borough councillor

October 11, 2024

In what the leader of the local Liberal Democrats described as a ‘stonking’ gain, the Liberal Democrats have won the by-election in Hanger Hill.

Jonathan Oxley won with over half the vote in what had been previously expected to be a close contest.

Elsewhere Labour held on comfortably to Northolt Mandeville and South Acton in the other two by-elections taking place on Thursday 10 October.

The Hanger Hill result has a broader significance because it further consolidates the Liberal Democrats position as the main opposition party in the borough with seven councillors. The Conservatives now have four, one of whom holds another seat in Hanger Hill and the other three are in the neighbouring ward of Ealing Broadway. The Lib Dems have made no secret that will be looking to target those seats in the next local elections with the aim of wiping out the party that, as recently as 2010, had controlled the council.

Jonathan Oxley said, “I am delighted to have been elected in the Hanger Hill by-election. I have been listening to the residents in Ealing over the past three years and it is clear that we need the Council and the police to work together to make Hanger Hill cleaner and safer.”

Cllr Gary Malcolm, the leader of the Lib Dem opposition posted on social media after the result, “A stonking gain from the Conservatives! ongratulations to @EalingLD newest Councillor Jonathan Oxley, who will be an excellent addition to Hanger Hill ward with Cllr @AthenaZissimos. Looking forward to work together as the Official Opposition on Ealing Council. #WinningHere.”

The turnout of 28.2% was significantly higher than in the other two by-elections.

Hanger Hill Ward By-election October 2024

Candidate

Party

Votes

% % change

OXLEY
Jonathan Mark


Liberal Democrat

1655

52.3 +19.4

HANRAHAN
Sean

Local Conservatives

814

25.7 -5.3

MALIK
Guneet Singh

Labour Party

315

10.0 -13.2

CROSSLAND
Kate

The Green Party

245

7.7 -5.1

PUKAJ
Fabio

Reform UK

98

3.1 -

THABIT
Wagdi

Workers Party of Britain

35

1.1 -
Electorate: 11,253. Overall Turnout: 28.15%
Liberal Democrat gain

In Northolt Mandevile, Dominic Moffitt saw off the challenge from the Conservative candidate, Andrew Bailey who finished in second place. Some Labour party members had been concerned before the poll that low turnout could mean that these by-elections would be close but, in the event, despite just 21% of the electorate participating, the Labour candidate got 44.7% of the vote for a decisive win. This was down by over ten percentage points from the vote share won by the previous ward councillor Deirdre Costigan. Reform UK managed to push the Greens into fourth place.

Dominic Moffitt (centre) after his win in Northolt Mandeville
Dominic Moffitt (centre) after his win in Northolt Mandeville

Peter Mason posted on social media afterwards, “Congratulations to Northolt Mandeville’s new councillor, Cllr Dom Moffitt @NortholtDom. Proud to welcome a longtime Ealing stalwart onto the team. Thanks once more to every Labour member and activist who supported @EalingLabour’s wins today.”

Northolt Mandeville Ward By-election October 2024

Candidate

Party

Votes

% %
change

MOFFITT
Dominic Henry Theo

Labour Party

1126

44.7
-10.3

BAILEY
Andrew

Local Conservatives

730

29.0
+2.5

LEWANDOWSKI
Conrad

Reform UK

271

10.8
-

KUBICA
Natalia

The Green Party

199

7.9
-3.9

DA CONCEICAO
Pedro

Liberal Democrat

114

4.5
-2.2

OMIMA
Eltayeb

Workers Party of Britain

80

3.2
-
Electorate: 11,824. Overall Turnout: 21.41%
Labour hold

The margin of victory for Labour in South Acton was bigger despite a turnout of just 17.3% Katie Douglas took 48.5% of the vote, slightly more than Labour got in 2022. Kristian Mower was a distant second for the Conservatives, narrowly edging out the Greens into third place.


Katie Douglas, centre, after being elected to South Acton ward

Council leader Peter Mason posted on social media after the declaration at Greenford Hall, “Congratulations to Katie, with huge thanks and appreciation to everyone who voted, and campaigned to help her over the line.”

South Acton Ward By-election October 2024

Candidate

Party

Votes

% %
change

DOUGLAS
Katie Lynn

Labour Party

1009

48.5
+0.1

MOWER
Kristian

Local Conservatives

303

14.6
-0.4

HUGHES
Timothy William Bailey

Liberal Democrat

208

10.0
-1.5

WALKLEY
Andrew John

The Green Party

287

13.8
-5.5

MANASSERO
Marco

Reform UK

159

7.6
-

CARTER
Julie

Independent

65

3.1
-

DAVIES HERBST
Lucas

Workers Party of Britain

32

1.4
-

HOFMAN
David Lawrence

Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

18

0.9
-
Electorate: 12,047. Overall Turnout: 17.34%
Labour hold

 

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