Thursday’s by-election was called following the death of Julie Davies in April, reports Olivia Opara

Anna Lawton (centre) pictured with leader Peray Ahmet and deputy leader Mike Hakata

The Labour candidate in the Hermitage and Gardens by-election has secured her seat with more than half of the votes cast.

Last night (Thursday 29th), Anna Lawton was elected as the new Labour councillor for Hermitage and Gardens, joining Mike Hakata to represent the ward.

Cllr Lawton’s successful by-election win meant Labour retained the seat previously held by Julie Davies, who died in April.

The by-election was the first election of any kind in Haringey to require voters to bring ID, after new legislation was introduced in May.

Labour won the by-election with 822 (59.6%) of the votes, however the party’s vote share compared to the 2022 local election was down by 3.6 percentage points, largely because of gains being made by the Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Lawton said on Twitter: “Thank you to everyone who came out and voted. I am privileged to be your new councillor.”

Green Party candidate Alfred Jahn came in second with 224 votes (16.2%) – despite a loss of vote share of 7.4 percentage points.

Liberal Democrat candidate Paul Dennison came in third with 217 (15.7%) of votes and an increased vote share of 8.8 points. Paul told HCP that last night’s results were “encouraging” and represented “a 6% swing from Labour”.

He added: “In both Hermitage and Gardens and Tottenham Hale [where a by-election took place in March] we have secured big increases in the vote from a standing start, whilst Labour have fallen back – it is clear that the Lib Dems are the only realistic alternative here in Haringey.”

Conservative and Unionist Party candidate, Chris Brosnan, came in fourth with 100 votes (7.3%) while the Christian Peoples Alliance candidate, Amelia Allao, came fifth with 16 votes (1.2%).

The overall turnout for Hermitage and Gardens was 22.92% – a drop of 7.1 percentage points from last year.

Hermitage and Gardens by-election result:

Anna Lawton (Labour): 822 votes (59.6%)
Alfred Jahn (Green Party): 224 votes (16.2%)
Paul Dennison (Liberal Democrats): 217 votes (15.7%)
Chris Brosnan (Conservative and Unionist Party): 100 votes (7.3%)
Amelia Allao (Christian Peoples Alliance): 16 votes (1.2%)

Turnout: 1,391 (ten spoilt votes)

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