New deputy leader for Hammersmith ‘honoured’ and raring to go

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

Hammersmith and Fulham council’s new deputy leader has described her election to the role as an ‘honour’, after the position was vacated following Ben Coleman’s successful result at the general election.

Cllr Alex Sanderson however added there were a number of ‘challenges’ facing the borough as she steps into the job, from the cost of living to crime and affordable housing shortages.

Mr Coleman, who was named deputy leader in 2022, became the first Labour MP for Chelsea and Fulham at the general election, unseating former Tory MP Greg Hands.

Cllr Sanderson has been the cabinet member for children and education since 2022, and a councillor since 2018.

Cllr Sanderson, who grew up in Chelmsford and then Bristol, says her working class background means she has “always understood the importance of making the system fairer and the need for pathways which young people can take to achieve their ambitions”.

She said: “I firmly believe that if we can get things right now, we can shape the future of the borough, not just for the young people of today but for the next generation and beyond.”

Leader of the council Stephen Cowan described Cllr Sanderson as ‘a remarkable public servant’, adding: “She will be excellent for our borough in this position.”

Pictured top: Cllr Alex Sanderson (Picture: Matt Grayson/HF council)