Newham councillor puts name forward for Richmond Park by-election

A councillor from the borough has put himself forward to battle Zac Goldsmith in a high-profile west London by-election.

Cllr James Beckles, who represents Plaistow North for the Labour Party, announced this afternoon that he has put his name into the mix for the Richmond Park poll set to be held on December 1.

The election was called when Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith resigned on October 25 following the government’s backing for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

In a statement on the website of Labour group Progress – which aims to “promote a radical and progressive politics” – Cllr Beckles said he wanted to “galvanise” his party.

“In recent years Labour run-councils and their councillors have shown leadership in protecting services and showing communities up and down the country how Labour governs when we implement credible and fiscally-responsible policies, standing up for our residents while the government continue to reduce our budgets,” he said.

“Councils like Newham have shown how, when political will and progressive policies are in place, the people most in need can be better off.”

The chosen candidate will be announced on Saturday.