Holloway ward councillor, Cllr Paul Smith, has announced that he will be standing down. 

Cllr Smith was first elected in May 2006, serving as Deputy Leader of the Labour Group since then and serving as lead member for Environment and Transport from 2010, when Labour took control of the Council, to 2013.

Throughout his time on the Council, Cllr Smith has been on the side of working people in the borough and championed policies to make the borough a fairer place for all – from driving forward the pioneering Bunhill heat and power network to provide cheaper, greener energy for local people and helping to secure a £2 million grant to restore the Cally Clock Tower for local people to enjoy.

Cllr Paul Smith said:

“It’s been an enormous privilege to serve the people of Holloway ward for the last 14 years, and make a difference on the issues that matter most to local people. 

“However, the time is right for me to move on to a new challenge and allow someone else to serve as the new councillor for the fantastic community in Holloway ward. I wish my fellow Islington Labour colleagues the best as they continue to stand up for local people against the government and fight to make the borough a fairer place for all.”

Cllr Richard Watts, Leader of Islington Council, said:

“Paul has been an outstanding champion for Holloway ward community.  As Deputy Leader of the Labour Group, he has helped secure two landslide elections for Islington Labour – sending a clear message that local people in Islington reject the Tory Government’s unfair policies. Paul’s energy and commitment to fairness will be greatly missed, but I wish Paul all the best in his future.”

Further details of the by-election timetable will be announced by Islington Council in due course.