A BY-ELECTION is set to be held in Harlow following the resignation of a Labour councillor.

Councillor Aiden O’Dell has informed Harlow Council and has issued the following statement.

He said: “I am writing to formally tender my resignation as a Harlow District Ward Councillor for the Mark Hall Ward.  

I have felt honoured to represent the Mark Hall ward, and have achieved so much alongside my brilliant ward colleagues, Councillors Lanie Shears and Michael Houlihan. The residents have been the priority for the three of us, and I know residents will be in great hands with Michael and Lanie alongside a newly elected Labour Councillor once the election is called. 

I have felt great pride in having stood alongside a superb Labour Group, now led by Cllr James Griggs and before him the then Cllr & now MP, Chris Vince. It’s a positive, unified group of Councillors, all of whom put Harlow residents first before anything else. 

I am resigning as I no longer live in Harlow after having moved outside of the town recently. It would be unfair on residents to continue representing them, whilst I do not live in Harlow. They deserve a new Labour Councillor who lives in Harlow and will be able to be close enough to attend surgeries, regularly attend meetings to ensure their voice is heard, and tackle their casework locally.  

A huge thank you to all those who work at Harlow Council that have helped me tackle case work and resolve issues of residents in Mark Hall. 

“It’s been a great privilege being a Harlow Councillor; I thank all those who put their trust in me at the last local election. I ask that they please place their trust in the new Labour Candidate as and when a by-election is held. The Labour party is the only party locally that can credibly hold the incumbent Conservative administration to account. A vote for anyone else is a vote for the Conservatives”. 

Harlow Labour leader, Cllr James Griggs has also issued a statement.

Cllr Griggs said: I’m saddened by the resignation of Aiden O’Dell as a Harlow District Councillor, he will be a great loss to the town and the Labour team, but I understand the reasons for his decision and fully support him in doing so.

Aiden recently moved out of Harlow and, whilst he could have legally remained a Councillor for the rest of his term, it is a measure of his integrity and sense of decency that he has chosen to resign.

He felt unable to offer his full dedication to the role from his new location and that residents would be better served by having the opportunity to elect a new Labour Councillor at a by-election.

A repeat of the recent absentee Councillor situation in Great Parndon is not something he or I wished to see occur.

Aiden has been an excellent ward Councillor for Mark Hall residents and has served Harlow with distinction in a number of roles, most notably as a determined champion of the patients of Barbara Castle Health Centre.

He has also been a great asset to Harlow Labour Party, serving as Secretary and Election Agent for a number of years. His quiet manner and wise counsel have been a cornerstone of his contributions to the Party and much appreciated by members.

We’re all sorry to see him go but wish him every success for the future, I’m quite sure he’s not done with politics and will soon be active in his new town.

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Labour hold all three seats at present, however it has had Conservative representation (2021) and UKIP (2014). Further details to come.