Now an MP, but staying on as Lambeth councillor – and not everyone is happy

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Service

A Kent MP has defended his decision to stay on as a Labour councillor in South London over a month since he was elected to parliament. Jim Dickson overturned a 19,000 majority to win Dartford off the Tories at the general election in July.

But the 60-year-old has come under fire from some constituents back in Lambeth, South London for not resigning from his job as local councillor for Herne Hill and Loughborough Junction.

Mr Dickson, who led Lambeth council between 1994 and 2000, has now spoken out about his decision to stay on, arguing that residents need a period of stability before another election

He said: “People in Herne Hill and Loughborough Junction, as well as our hard working council elections officers, have just had two major elections in the last three months and they deserve a rest. There will be a by-election, but until then I will continue to serve the residents of Herne Hill and Loughborough Junction as their ward councillor.

“I have been undertaking casework in the ward, while working alongside my two council colleagues to ensure the voice of Herne Hill and Loughborough Junction residents remains strong, as our council takes steps and decisions towards tackling the issues that matter to them.”

But speaking anonymously, one Herne Hill resident said: “He should have stood down by now. Being an MP is more than a full-time job. There’s no way he can be committed to people here when he’s spending half his time in Kent. The right thing to do would be to step aside and let residents select someone who is fully devoted to the local area.”

Another said: “I don’t understand why there needs to be a delay. The by-election won’t happen overnight. He needs to make a choice between Herne Hill and Dartford.”

Mr Dickson, who was Lambeth council’s joint cabinet member for health before the election, also confirmed that he hadn’t taken any councillor allowances since becoming MP for Dartford on July 5 and said that he wouldn’t be taking any in the future.

Herne Hill and Loughborough Junction is currently represented by three Labour councillors: Jim Dickson, Deepak Sardiwal and Pauline George.

Pictured top: Jim Dickson (Picture: UK Parliament)