Hackney Labour reveals hopeful for Victoria ward by-election

Labour candidate Penny Wrout. Photograph: Hackney Labour

Hackney Labour has unveiled its contender for the upcoming Victoria ward by-election – triggered by the resignation of its councillor Alex Kuye earlier this month on health grounds.

Penny Wrout, who has lived in the ward for 13 years and in Hackney for 25, will attempt to join the two Labour councillors currently seated there when voting takes place on 18 October.

Speaking after her selection, she said: “I’m really excited to represent Labour on my home patch. It’s a great part of the borough, but not without its problems.

“Lots of people worry about air quality, with the main roads linking to the motorway running through our ward.

“There’s a fight to maintain the quality and the special character of local schools as they struggle with budget cuts the government has saddled them with. And of course housing is a huge issue, with so many local people feeling priced out.

“I think Labour, under Mayor Glanville, has got some really impressive ideas to tackle those situations.

“I see the by-election as a great opportunity to tell people about those and to hear residents’ concerns so I can speak up for them at the Council.”

Wrout with her dog Scamp. Photograph: Hackney Labour

Wrout has spent most of her working life in the media. She is married with a daughter, and can often be found walking her dog Scamp on Well Street Common.

She added: “I can see Scamp is going to be getting a lot of extra exercise during the next few weeks as we knock on doors and campaign throughout the ward!”

The Victoria ward by-election was triggered when Labour councillor Alex Kuye resigned earlier this month, with his party agreeing that “he would find it impossible to manage his role effectively as a councillor and cope with illness”.

Key dates for the 18 October by-election are:

Deadline to register to vote – midnight on 2 October 2018

New postal vote application deadline – 5pm on 3 October 2018

New proxy vote application deadline – 5pm on 10 October 2018

For more information, get in touch with Electoral Services at electoralservices@hackney.gov.uk or on 020 8356 3232