‘People of Camden Town and Primrose Hill now care more about politics,’ says ex-councillor

Former Camden Town with Primrose Hill councillor Chris Naylor, 58, believes residents became more engaged with local politics in his eight years in office.

Mr Naylor called it a day ahead of the election last month – insisting it was “time for somebody new to have a go” – and avoided joining a long list of Liberal Democrats booted out.

He was disappointed with his party’s performance but took heart from the community activism he saw in the ward on issues such as HS2, Primrose Hill Library and the Hawley Wharf development.

“It somehow feels as though local residents around the ward seem to be getting more confident, better informed and more effective at influencing the council direction,” he said.

“That feels like a big change that has happened in the last eight years so I feel confident the ward is in fine fettle going forward.”

Would he have survived the vote?

“I did get fantastic fan mail – lots and lots of letters,” he said. “So I might possibly have survived but I think it’s very doubtful.

“The national tide was sweeping in a direction and sadly a lot of very good Lib Dem councillors were washed away by it.”