Hammersmith & Fulham (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Hammersmith & Fulham Tory councillor Andrew Dinsmore resigns as deputy opposition leader after becoming a father and moving out of the capital.
Last year, Mr. Dinsmore ran in Hammersmith and Chiswick for the General Election and congratulated his Conservative colleagues, saying, “They have been a fantastic support to me throughout my time as a councillor.”
In 2022, Mr. Dinsmore, a commercial barrister by profession, was elected to the Fulham Town council.
He has been the opposition deputy leader and a member of the Social Inclusion and Community Safety Policy and Accountability Committee during his tenure in the local government.
Mr Dinsmore said:
“Following my recently becoming a father, my wife and I moved out of London to be closer to family support. As a result, I felt that I was unable to perform my duties as a councillor to the standard that residents deserve.”
Mr Dinsmore added he is
“delighted to hand the baton” to the Tory candidate for his seat, Liam Downer-Sanderson, who he said would be an “excellent councillor for Fulham Town”.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my Conservative colleagues in Hammersmith and Fulham who have been a fantastic support to me throughout my time as a councillor,” he said.
“I have no doubt that they will take over administration of the council next year and I shall do all that I can to support them in doing so.”
When asked about his biggest accomplishments since winning office, Mr. Dinsmore cited his efforts to protect shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick in a dispute with the Sentencing Council and his launch of a petition to outlaw the internet sale of machetes, which garnered 140,000 signatures.
He also talked about how he was chosen as the Conservative candidate for Hammersmith and Chiswick in the general election last year, although he lost badly to Andy Slaughter of Labour.
The website of Hammersmith and Fulham Council indicates that Mr. Dinsmore’s term ends on May 15. A by-election date has not yet been decided, although it is anticipated to be announced in late June or early July.
The other representative for Fulham Town is Cllr Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler, who is also a Conservative.
This year’s by-election for Mr. Dinsmore’s seat will be the borough’s third. In January, Emma Apthorp and Ben Coleman, a former Labour councillor and Chelsea and Fulham MP, resigned from their positions with the local government.
In the next month’s by-elections, Labour candidates were able to hold onto both seats.
What are the potential implications of the Labour exodus for the political landscape in Hammersmith?
Internal divisions may be indicated by the departure of Labour council members, particularly if it is connected to discontent with party leadership or policies. This could lower Labour’s vote share in subsequent elections by undermining local voters’ faith in the party’s cohesion and efficacy.
Resignations give opposing parties, including the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens, or independents, the opportunity to run more aggressively for seats. In an electorally competitive borough like Hammersmith, this might change the council’s power dynamics.
The implementation of policies and the provision of local services may be impacted by Labour councillors’ disruption of the party’s capacity to retain a majority or significant influence on council decisions.
This might change the dynamics of municipal governance by resulting in more minority or coalition administrations.