London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon to stand down at next election

By Joe Talora, Local Democracy Reporter

London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon has announced her intention to stand down at the next election having served for 14 years.

The London-wide Liberal Democrat member announced via Twitter that she would not stand for re-election at the 2024 London Assembly elections.

First elected to the London Assembly in 2008, Ms Pidgeon has been re-elected consecutively in 2012, 2016 and 2021. In 2013 she was awarded an MBE for public and political service, having also served as a councillor in Southwark between 1998 and 2010.

Following the London Liberal Democrats conference in Greenwich over the weekend, Ms Pidgeon announced that she will stand down from her current role in 2024.

She said: “It’s been an honour to have served for 14 years as a Lib Dem London Assembly Member. I will stand down from the Assembly at the 2024 GLA elections. I am proud to serve as a strong Liberal voice in our great city and thank everyone for their support over many happy years.”

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Monday, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan paid tribute to Ms Pidgeon who he said was “a credit” to the city.

Mr Khan said: “As a Londoner, I’m very sad because she’s raised the game of the Assembly over the last 14 years, she’s raised my game holding me to account. I’m sure she will carry on being incredibly active over the next two years and, from the bottom of my heart, I wish her all the best going forward. I call her a friend, a critical friend, but she’s somebody who’s a credit to her party and to our city.”

Pictured top: Caroline Pidgeon in 2018 (Picture: Lewis Ilsley)