The Stroud Green by election will take place on 29th January after the Liberal Democrats this week intervened to call for a vote in the Labour-held ward.

The move follows the resignation of Labour councillor Josie Irwin, who has attacked the “arrogance displayed by council officers” and the Labour-run council’s frequent failure to respond to even simple questions. She went on to say that she was “sick and tired after 13 years of having to nag and cajole council officers to get even the most basic of responses.”

The Lib Dems, who will be selecting and announcing their candidate in the next two weeks, say that local residents are fed up with the Labour council. They are increasingly turning to the Liberal Democrats as the only real challengers in the area following the party’s massive council gains last year, when they gained 12 seats. The Conservatives have no seats on Haringey Council.

In a tour of the ward last weekend, the Lib Dems say that despite its promises, the Council has not got to grips with the acute rubbish problems in the area. This week, for example, the Council has left many green waste bags littering the streets, waiting for collection.

Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson Cllr Lynne Featherstone comments:

“Joie Irwin’s complaints about the Council are all too common among residents. Litter and dumping is a problem and we have been working hard in recent months to secure clean ups at the train stations that serve the ward.

“Local people have also been raising their concerns about Iraq, which is playing a strong part in disillusionment with Labour, both locally and nationally. Labour will be under severe pressure in this election.”