Liberal Democrat candidate wins West Hampstead by-election

Lib Dem candidate Janet Clementine Grauberg has now been elected councillor for the West Hampstead Ward following the by-election on Thursday (August 28).

She won 1,176 votes, more than double than Labour candidate Francesca Reynolds received with 458.

Conservative Ian Cohen had the third highest votes, with 222.

Reform’s Thomas Sterling was three votes higher (155) than Matthew James Hull of the Green Party (152).

Camden Council reports that the election turnout was 26.44%.

Liberal Democrat Janet Grauberg (Image: Camden Liberal Democrats) The by-election followed the resignation of Tory councillor Shiva Tiwari, who resigned after footage emerged appearing to show him verbally abusing and pushing shop staff after they refused to give him a parcel without photo ID.

CCTV footage appeared to show the councillor threatening to shut down Hampstead Costcutter on July 12.

In the video, the councillor can be heard shouting: “Don’t annoy me, I’m a councillor for this area, I will shut down your bloody shop, ok? Call your boss, this is a joke. I have walked here all the way from my house, get me my f***ing package.

“You’ve had attitude with me before, I’ve showed you a picture of my passport. I don’t like you. I’ve got an email with my address. I don’t give a s*** if I raise my voice.”

Mr Tiwari had defected from Labour to the Tories just four months before quitting the council.

He was first elected for West Hampstead in 2018.

CCTV footage appearing to show Cllr Tiwari attempting to push past the employee West Hampstead’s newest councillor has lived in NW6 for 35 years and earlier this year was awarded an OBE for “services to the community in North London and to Education”.

Cllr Grauberg  has said: “I’m hugely grateful to everyone who voted for me on Thursday. It’s clear that the residents of West Hampstead liked the offer of a hard-working, experienced councillor who was embedded in the community and talking about the issues that mattered to them.

“I’m really looking forward to listening, responding and representing them over the coming months”

Tom Simon, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Camden Council, said: “I am delighted that Janet has joined our group.

“She has worked so hard for the people of West Hampstead for a long time and has definitely earned her victory.

“This result shows that the Liberal Democrats are the real challengers to Labour across Camden.”