New Conservative councillor elected in Greenwich following by-election

Ruby Gregory

14 June 2024 at 7:02 am·1-min read

The entrance to Woolwich Town Hall, where Greenwich Council hold its meetings, Greenwich, London, UK — -Credit: (Image: Joe Coughlan)

A South London borough has a new Conservative councillor following a by-election last night (June 13). Roger Tester won a by-election with 1,359 votes and will serve Mottingham, Coldharbour and New Eltham ward in Greenwich along with fellow ward councillors, Matt Hartley who is the leader of Greenwich Conservatives, and Labour's Cathy Dowse.

In second place was Nikki Thurlow from the Labour Party with 1,101 votes followed by Mark Simpson of Reform UK who received 232 votes. Matt Stratford from the Green Party came fourth with 101 votes and lastly the Lib Dem's Ulysse Abbate with 90 votes.

Conservative Councillor John Hills represented the Mottingham, Coldharbour and New Eltham ward for Greenwich Council before his death -Credit:David Madden Photography / Greenwich Council

Last night's by-election saw a voter turnout of 27.34per cent. The by-election was triggered following the death of Conservative councillor, John Hills, who was a Greenwich councillor for 24 years having first been elected for the former New Eltham ward in 2000.

Cllr Hills represented the Mottingham, Coldharbour and New Eltham ward before his death on April 24, 2024, following a period of illness at age 86. During his time at the council, Cllr Hills served as the opposition group whip and opposition spokesperson for health and adult social care, as well as being the president of the Greenwich Conservative Federation for 15 years. Greenwich Council has 51 Labour councillors, three Conservative councillors and one Lib Dem councillor.

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