Labour comfortably held on to a safe seat in Jubilee ward but saw its share of the vote fall as more voters backed smaller parties.
Newly elected ward councillor Chinelo Anyanwu pledged to “work hard for a community that’s given me so much” after winning Thursday’s by-election.
The poll was held after the resignation of Labour’s Bernadette Lappage last year.
It was one of three Enfield Council seats up for grabs in by-elections that took place following the easing of lockdown restrictions.
Cllr Chinelo Anyanwu said on Twitter: “A big thank you to the residents of Jubilee Ward for your support and voting for me. I grew up in the ward, and I’m ready to work hard for a community that’s given me so much.”
A big thank you to the residents of Jubilee Ward for your support and voting for me. I grew up in the ward and I’m ready to work hard for a community that’s given me so much. pic.twitter.com/IXB6cHv9xz
— Chinelo Anyanwu (@CllrAnyanwuLab) May 8, 2021
Cllr Anyanwu won a 28.2 per cent majority for Labour – but the party’s share of the vote dropped by 13.7 percentage points compared to the 2018 local elections.
The Tories increased their vote share by 3.2 percentage points compared to 2018, while the Lib Dems boosted their share by 2.7 percentage points.
The Green Party saw the biggest increase, winning 8.2 per cent of votes compared to 2.7 per cent at the last elections.
Two parties – the Taking The Initiative Party of Britain and the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition – did not field candidates in the 2018 local elections. Their combined vote share was 4.2 per cent.
Council leader Cllr Nesil Caliskan posted on Twitter: “I am so proud to have Cllr Anyanwu as my new Jubilee ward colleague. Congratulations to her on a superb election win! She was a fantastic candidate, and she will be a fantastic Labour councillor.”
I am so proud to have @CllrAnyanwuLab as my new Jubilee ward colleague. Congratulations to her on a superb election win! She was a fantastic candidate and she will be a fantastic Labour councillor. pic.twitter.com/6K4LqngTut
— Nesil Caliskan (@Nesil_Caliskan) May 8, 2021
Labour lost a seat in Chase ward to the Tories and held a seat in Southbury – but again saw its vote share reduced.
The party polled badly across the UK, losing a total of 326 council seats as the Conservatives and Green Party made gains.
Turnout in Jubilee ward was 41.2 per cent – up from 35.7 per cent in the 2018 elections.
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