The Green Party has held onto its seat in North Acton after their own councillor resigned and forced a by-election just days after their victory in the local elections.

Councillor Marijn van de Geer won 804 votes for the Green Party, beating Ealing Labour's former Chief Whip, Gareth Shaw. The Green Party's vote share did decrease by 2.8 per cent compared to their win on May 7.

The contest followed the sudden resignation of Green Party councillor Simon Anthony. It is understood to have cost the taxpayer upwards of £30,000.

Labour's Mr Shaw had been a councillor in the Walpole ward, however he was moved to South Acton for the local elections, after there were concerns that his original ward would be lost. Eventually, both wards were lost, and Mr Shaw was unseated, coming fifth.

This time around he came second, however he received a lower share of the vote than Labour's fourth placed candidate in May, Guneet Singh Malik. Mr Malik, who was snubbed in favour of Gareth Shaw at the by-election, received 29.9 per cent of the vote, compared to Shaw's 24.1 per cent in May.

Cllr van de Geer said she was "thrilled to be new new councillor for North Acton". She added: "I am so grateful to everyone who voted for me, for their kindness on the doorstep (including offerings of cups of tea, cold water and ice lollies) and for everyone's patience while they were bombarded with leaflets and canvassers.

"There are a lot of challenges facing North Acton and I know I am going to have to work very hard. But with such an incredible local community behind me as well as the wonderful Ealing Greens, I know I am up to the task. I can't wait to get started and help out as much as I possibly can."

Since joining the Green Party, Cllr van de Geer has stood in the Ealing council elections several times and was also the London Assembly candidate for Ealing and Hillingdon in 2021. She is an Ealing resident of over 17 years, and says she is an active climate activist, cycles everywhere on her Dutch bike, and fosters cats for a local animal rescue charity.

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Gareth Shaw told the LDRS that the result was "disappointing". He said: "The by-election was fought in the fiercest temperatures over the last week, with the hottest polling day ever yesterday.

"I would like to thank everybody who voted and made their voice heard. I would also like to thank the council election staff for making it possible in these challenging conditions. Congratulations to newly elected Cllr van de Geer.

"It was a hotly contested election won by quite a narrow margin. While the result is disappointing personally I know that North Acton ward remains in very good hands under the Labour-run council and ward councillors Blerina Hashani and Hodan Haili.

"I have lived and worked in the borough for over 20 years and represented residents for 12 years. Last night's result does not change my commitment to the community I love. I will continue to work for a better borough for everybody here."

Full result

Abdi Ahmed – Liberal Democrats: 523

Marijn van de Geer – Green Party: 804

Sally Gorman – Conservatives: 257

Jonathan Notley – Reform UK: 309

Gareth Shaw – Labour: 642

Craig Smith – Ealing Community Independents: 129