Molly Hartill has won the Myatt’s Fields by-election in Lambeth, taking 46.7% of the vote and increasing Labour’s share by 10.3% from May.
Green-led borough result
The Green Party candidate Sonia Winifred came second, with Liberal Democrat Christopher French in third. The by-election was called following the death in August of Councillor Annie Gallop, who had served on the council for more than a decade.
Reaction and context
Posting on X, Ms Hartill wrote: “SO so proud to be elected as the @LambethLabour Cllr for Myatt’s Fields. It’s been a local campaign focussed on local issues and hope. I’m so excited to represent Myatt’s on @lambeth_council and carry on the work of our brilliant late colleague, Annie.”
Fellow Labour councillor Dominic Lynch wrote: “I could not be happier for the people of Myatt’s Fields, what a champion they have in Molly!”
The Lambeth ward by-election has been somewhat overshadowed by the Holborn and St Pancras poll, won by Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali with 47% of the vote. Ms Abdi-Wali declared her victory a win for “hope” over fear and division, and will take former Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s seat after he resigned as an MP in September.
Burnham bounce evidence
The results provide fresh evidence of a so-called “Burnham bounce”, with Labour enjoying an upturn in the polls in London since Andy Burnham replaced Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. There has been a dramatic turnaround for the party in London since the disastrous local elections earlier this year, which were partly responsible for Sir Keir stepping down as PM.
Meanwhile, Reform have now lost vote share in 10 of the 11 London council by-elections since May.
