New MP says he will not give up seat on council, despite critics doubting dedication

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

A new London MP will not be giving up his seat on a local council and will juggle both roles, although he’s said he will not take the allowance for being a councillor on top of his MP salary.

Ben Coleman, the Labour MP for Chelsea and Fulham and former Deputy Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, took the parliamentary seat from the Conservatives for the first time at this summer’s General Election.

Mr Coleman said on the night that he was “determined to do the best I can for everybody in the constituency”. He will be balancing his new role of representing people in Westminster with advocating for his ward constituents on Hammersmith and Fulham council, something critics argue he can’t effectively do.

First elected to the west London council in 2014, Mr Coleman was also the local authority’s Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care. Following July’s general election, Mr Coleman stood down from his Cabinet and Deputy Leader roles.

Mr Coleman remains a councillor for the Lillie ward, which is located within his parliamentary constituency, but a spokesman said he no longer receives payment for his work.

He returned his Deputy Leader allowance, which had been paid by the council in its July payroll, and decided to also reimburse his basic allowance from July 5 onwards. He will still receive the £91,346, plus expenses he gets as an MP.

Mr Coleman is now reportedly waiting for Hammersmith and Fulham to confirm the sum to return, following which the Register of Interests will be amended accordingly.

Cllr Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler, Leader of the Conservative opposition on the council, said she would like to congratulate Mr Coleman on his success in July.

But, added that she has “very grave concerns” regarding him remaining as a councillor.

She said: “The residents of Lillie ward deserve a dedicated councillor for their many pressing questions and issues.

“I have my doubts that Coleman can perform two important political jobs to the standard expected, whether he’s paid or not.”

Cllr Brocklebank-Fowler further suggested Labour are “frightened” to hold a by-election in the ward because they might lose the seat.

In response, a Hammersmith and Fulham Labour spokesman said: “Given the Conservatives’ appalling record in Hammersmith and Fulham, including selling off housing estates, attempting to shut Charing Cross Hospital, lack of engagement in the council scrutiny process and even asking residents to drive across the borough to attend councillor surgeries, we won’t be taking any lessons from them on representing and supporting residents.”