There will be a by-election taking place in the Bromley Common and Holwood ward on Thursday, July 24 after Cllr Jonathan Laidlaw died in May.
Cllr Laidlaw was elected to Bromley Council on May 6, 2022 to represent Bromley Common and Holwood and most recently served on the Pensions Committee, Rights of Way Sub-Committee and the Bromley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE).
Following the announcement of his death, Council Leader Cllr Colin Smith said: “As we mourn the loss of Councillor Laidlaw, our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with Jonathan’s family and friends at this sad time.”
There are five candidates standing in next week’s by-election.
Alan Cook – Reform UK
Reform candidate Alan Cook grew up in Bickley and has lived in Bromley for many years. If elected, he has promised he will fight to cut waste and demand council transparency, protect local communities from crime, prevent development on the green belt and be a “strong, unrelenting voice” for residents.
Alan said: “I am a father-of-two and following a successful career in the city, I am now determined to work hard to deliver Reform UK’s objective of effective local government, run in the interests of families, small businesses and the community as a whole.”
He also said he is “starting the conversation” about splitting Bromley from the GLA (Greater London Authority) as he doesn’t believe Sadiq Khan’s policies for “high density, high rise, high traffic Central London” are a fit for Bromley.
Ruth Fabricant – Green Party
Ruth Fabricant Ruth Fabricant, a retired teacher, mother and grandparent who has lived in the borough of Bromley her whole life, is standing for the Greens.
She said: “Sharing residents’ concerns, I have campaigned against cuts to public services and petitioned to save public toilets, keep the fox hunting ban and install 20mph speed limits outside all Bromley schools and places of need.
“I have spoken at full council meetings and am currently gaining signatures requesting crossing guards (lollypop ladies/men) outside all Bromley schools.”
If elected, Ruth’s priorities in Bromley will be fighting for affordable social housing in the right place, tackling antisocial behaviour with community policing and increased funding for youth services, protecting green spaces and being an advocate for children with SEND and the elderly.
Laura McCracken – Liberal Democrats
Laura said: “After a 30-year career in international business, I’m ready to give back to the community I now call home.
“If elected, my priorities will be to protect what makes Bromley special, to have the courage to speak up when I see something isn’t right, and to support the incredible local groups who work tirelessly to help vulnerable people and look after our community spaces.”
Laura was previously a member of the Conservative Party but became disillusioned over its role in Brexit. More recently she has been deeply concerned by the party’s silence in the face of rising populism.
“At heart I’ve always believed in the values of liberal democracy. I joined the Liberal Democrats because their values are my values,” she said.
Elizabeth Morgan – Labour Party
Labour’s Elizabeth Morgan has held senior roles in finance and technology across both the public and private sectors, most recently as Chief Operating Officer for a local technology company.
She enjoys spending time in Bromley’s green spaces and attending community events, such as the weekly Parkrun in Norman Park.
Elizabeth said: “I’m honoured to have been selected as the Labour candidate in Bromley Common and Holwood, a place where I’m raising my young family and have lived for over 10 years.
“I’m excited to get out and talk to our residents and businesses about how to improve the quality of life and work in the ward. If I’m elected I commit to being an effective and visible advocate for the issues that matter most to our community.”
Ian Payne – Conservative Party
Ian Payne is the local Conservative candidate and he previously served on the council from 2010 until 2018, with a particular highlight of his being his mayoral term in 2017.
Ian is an ordained minister and was a church leader for 29 years. He was Bromley’s first retail town chaplain and has also held the post of Bromley Town Centre Manager at Bromley Council.
He said: “I’m delighted to have been selected as the local Conservative candidate for the Bromley Common & Holwood by-election.
“Over the coming weeks, I’m looking forward to speaking with residents about my plan to deliver for them across the ward, and work with Conservative-led Bromley Council to keep Bromley as London’s best borough.”
