Ealing Liberal Democrats have selected Abdi Ahmed as their candidate for next month’s North Acton ward by-election.
Mr Ahmed, who has lived in the borough all his life, works as a parliamentary researcher for Liberal Democrat MP Liz Jarvis, specialising in local government finance, public services and cost-of-living issues.
He previously worked on a £48 million Foreign Office programme aimed at supporting greener and more resilient cities.
The by-election was triggered after newly elected Green Party councillor Simon Anthony resigned less than two weeks after the 7 May local elections, citing health reasons.
Labour has selected former Ealing Council chief whip Gareth Shaw as its candidate for the by-election. Mr Shaw lost his seat earlier this month after standing for Labour in South Acton, having previously represented Walpole ward.
The elections saw Labour retain control of Ealing Council despite losing 10 councillors, including two cabinet members and the party’s chief whip.
Labour won 46 of the council’s 70 seats, down from the 56 it held before the election. The Liberal Democrats increased their presence on the council from eight councillors to 13, while the Conservatives won five seats, the Green Party secured five seats and one independent councillor was elected.
The Liberal Democrats were among the biggest winners in May’s elections, including taking all three seats in Walpole ward from Labour.
In a statement, Mr Ahmed said: “The Ealing Green Party has caused a by-election to take place in this ward after their candidate elected just over a fortnight ago resigned. This will waste up to £40,000 of Ealing council taxpayers’ money.
“I grew up in the borough and have lived here all my life. I now work for a Liberal Democrat MP and have experience of getting answers and solutions for residents.
“The Liberal Democrats will keep campaigning on the issues that matter in North Acton. We want to save the ten much-needed Children’s Centres which the Labour council has threatened with closure.
“We work with the police to address crime and anti-social behaviour including the scourge of knife crime.”
Mr Ahmed also said voters in North Acton wanted “change” following the local elections earlier this month.
He said: “People around here voted for change, but do not want irresponsibility. Now in this by-election, you can elect a Liberal Democrat councillor who will strengthen the Liberal Democrat official opposition on Ealing Council further and is focused on delivering for local residents.”
Candidates from other parties, as well as independents interested in standing, have until 4pm on 29 May 2026 to submit their nomination papers.
The statement of persons nominated — confirming the final list of candidates standing in the election — will then be published by Ealing Council at 5pm on the same day.
