Ealing by-elections: Labour retain two seats as Lib Dems consolidate opposition

Images: (left to right) Cllr Jonathan Oxley, Cllr Katie Douglas, Cllr Dominic Moffitt

By-elections triggered by three former councillors becoming MPs 

The Labour Party has retained two seats in the recent Ealing by-elections, winning Northolt Mandeville and South Acton, while the Liberal Democrats have consolidated their place as the Opposition on Ealing Council by winning one ward, Hanger Hill.

Dominic Moffitt (Labour Party) won Northolt Mandeville; Katie Douglas (Labour Party) won  South Acton and Jonathan Oxley (Liberal Democrat) won Hanger Hill in the elections, which took place on Thursday (10 October).

The ward by-elections were triggered following the 4 July 2024 General Election, which saw Callum Anderson, previously a councillor for South Acton, become the Labour MP for Buckingham & Bletchley, former Northolt Mandeville Labour councillor Deirdre Costigan become the MP for Ealing Southall, and Conservative Gregory Stafford, who represented the Hanger Hill ward, become MP for Farnham & Bordon.

Overall turnout in the elections was low. In South Acton, there were 1,009 voters – 17.34% of the electorate. In Hanger Hill, 1,655 voters turned out – 28.15% of the electorate. In Northholt Mandeville there were 1,126 voters – 21.41% of the electorate.

Image: Table of results; Ealing Council

Lib Dems “delighted” as Labour praise “strong result” for South Acton candidate

New Liberal Democrat councillor 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.”

Leader of the Opposition on Ealing Council, Liberal Democrat and Southfield ward representative Cllr Gary Malcolm, added:

“The Liberal Democrats are absolutely delighted to welcome Jonathan Oxley as another Liberal Democrat Hanger Hill Councillor to work alongside Councillor Athena Zissimos. Together they will be working to make improvements for the benefit of residents, working hard on issues raised by locals.”

Posting on X, Cllr Moffitt said:

“Delighted to have been elected tonight to represent Northolt Mandeville at @EalingCouncil for @EalingLabour. The result is a vote of confidence in the leadership and direction of Ealing Council.”

Council Leader Cllr Peter Mason said on X:

“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.”

Councillor Mason also added:

“Congratulations to South Acton’s new councillor, Cllr Katie Douglas @Katie4Acton. Strong result for Labour with over 50% of the vote. Green Party falls backward to 3rd place.”