Shock as Conservatives snatch Labour-held seat in Stamford Hill

Newly elected: Cllr Ahron Klein (right). Photograph: Hackney Conservatives

Labour has lost a seat to the Conservative Party in a surprise result in Stamford Hill West.

Ahron Klein defeated Labour incumbent Rosemary Sales by 1,468 to 1,013, a margin of 455 votes.

Both Klein and fellow Stamford Hill councillor Benzion Papier, who was re-elected with 1,469 votes, are members of Hackney’s orthodox Jewish community.

Klein, speaking to the Hackney Citizen, said: “I want to thank all the team – everyone who worked so hard.

“I want to improve my area, the health and safety of the community.”

‘Disappointed’: former Hackney Speaker Rosemary Sales lost her seat

Rosemary Sales, speaking to the Citizen, said: “It was a disappointing result.

“I’ve been working very hard for the community, to try to improve things like the environment, road safety.”

Sales said she represented “all communities”, adding: “My opponents haven’t really tried to engage outside their own community as far as I can see.

“I’m a bit concerned in Stamford Hill that they [residents] do not have good representation.”