Residents in Boris Johnson’s former constituency could be answering their door to Camden politicial activists over the next few weeks after the shock resignation triggered a by-election.
Labour councillor Danny Beales, grew up in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency and experienced homelessness there.
The Camden Square ward representative was selected as his party’s candidate to fight the seat this winter and is now set to fight a by-election after Boris Johnson quit over a report into his alleged role in Partygate.
At the time of Cllr Beales’ selection, Camden's Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Tom Simon took the chance at January's full council meeting to suggest that most of the chamber might wish him luck in trying to oust the former Prime Minister from the parliamentary seat.
His comments were greeted with applause from some councillors in the Labour-controlled town hall.
He added: “I would just observe that as the election gets closer it will become an increasing draw on Cllr Beales’ time and I hope he doesn’t neglect his substantial responsibilities here in Camden.”
Conservative group leader Cllr Gio Spinella responded that “I wish the best of success for all Conservative parliamentary candidates.”
Cllr Beales has spoken in the council chamber about his experiences of homelessness as a child.
His family was made homeless twice from private rental homes and they lived in temporary accommodation for a time.
The 34-year-old has been out and about campaigning in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency for some time and was joined by front benchers along with activists at a rally there last weekend.
It followed a lengthy planning meeting he attended on Thursday (June 8) and cabinet the night before.
Speaking at a rally on Saturday (June 11), Cllr Beales said: “I think we are in with a shot.”
He has to overturn Mr Johnson’s 7,210-plus majority at the 2019 general election, where the Labour candidate took second place with 37 per cent of the vote.
Cllr Beales first joined Camden Council in 2014 and has since risen through the ranks to become cabinet member for new homes and jobs.
In last year’s council elections he was returned as a Camden Square councillor with 1,309 votes.
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