Voters will head to the polls in the Edmonton ward on Thursday, 28th November

Voters in Jubilee ward will be heading to the polls next Thursday (28th) to elect a new councillor to represent them at Enfield Civic Centre.

The by-election was called in October after the resignation of former council leader Nesil Caliskan, who became a Labour MP for Barking at the July general election.

At recent local elections Jubilee has been a solidly Labour ward. At the 2022 poll, three Labour councillors were elected, with the highest vote share being 65%, well above the highest-placed Conservative on 28.4%. The last time the Tories had any representation in Jubilee ward was back in 2006, when the party was running the council. The Greens and Lib Dems usually compete for third place, with the Greens taking it in 2022.

The Jubilee by-election is being contest by six candidates, with Reform UK standing a candidate in the ward for the first time and a left-wing independent also competing for votes in addition to Labour, the Tories, Greens and Lib Dems.

The Labour candidate is a familiar name, with former deputy council leader Ian Barnes hoping to make a comeback at Enfield Civic Centre. He had stood down from his previous Winchmore Hill seat at the 2022 election, then tried and failed to become a Labour candidate in Coventry for the general election this year.

While Barnes is the firm favourite, the arrival of a Labour government at Westminster could make it more difficult, as voters may wish to deliver an early verdict on the first few months of Keir Starmer’s regime and send a signal to Downing Street.

Independent candidate Khalid Sadur is among those hoping to capitalise, and this week won the endorsement of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Although not representing any party, Sadur is part of a newly-formed left-wing coalition in Enfield called Enfield Community Action Group.

The Tories may also fancy their chances, as the party hopes to make its mark ahead of the 2026 election when it will be aiming to oust the Labour administration at the civic centre. The Conservative candidate is Masud Uddin, a Jubilee ward resident.

It will also be interesting to see how Nigel Farage’s Reform UK outfit perform at the by-election, while the Greens and Lib Dems will both be hoping to make inroads after strong performances nationally at the general election.

Each of the six by-election candidates has been invited to write a 200-word ‘pitch for votes’. They are presented below in the order they were received.

Neville Watson, Reform UK

I am a devoted family man, embracing the roles of husband, father and grandfather with joy and deep pride.

As head of training and learning, behaviour, and intervention specialist, I am dedicated to creating pathways for success and wellbeing for our schoolchildren.

My commitment to societal growth is evident in my volunteer work as a volunteer community mentor, where I partner with families to navigate life’s challenges.

I envision a Jubilee ward that is vibrant and interconnected where collaboration is the cornerstone. Schools, businesses, faith groups, and residents unite to foster educational excellence, wellbeing, and meaningful social contributions.

I advocate for shared spaces where schools can become our youth centres in the evening. I will seek to establish a fully integrated community care partnership programme, comprising schools and colleges, businesses, faith groups, sports and athletic clubs, gyms and leisure centres, engaged ‘young at heart’ over 50s, proactive parents, charitable organisations, police, accessible community walk-in centres.

This initiative is designed to weave a tapestry of support, empowering every segment of our community.

I stand for pragmatic politics, balancing idealism with realism, and recognising the merit in diverse perspectives. I am an advocate for integrity in political service, believing that true representation intertwines the interests of leaders with those of their constituents.

Khalid Sadur, independent

The residents of Enfield deserve elected officials who will put them first, above party or any other affiliation.

The upcoming ballot provides the first opportunity for voters in Enfield to pass judgement on Keir Starmer. With many in the borough impacted by the two-child benefit cap and the means testing of the winter fuel allowance for pensioners; this will be a real test for Labour.

The Labour-run council also has its own problems with ongoing dissatisfaction with housing provision as well as overall cuts to services. Enfield Council’s recent proposal to shutter several libraries is an example of the widespread consternation that is currently being experienced by residents all across the borough.

For the first time in Enfield, voters have a real chance to elect a local resident, independent of the mainstream parties, to represent them.

On election day, please use this opportunity to vote and ensure your voice is heard.

Ian Barnes, Labour Party

For 14 years Conservative governments inflicted massive cuts on councils across the country but we finally have reason to be optimistic.

I have been listening to Jubilee residents and community groups to find out what issues matter to you. I’ve enjoyed talking about my proven track record as an effective councillor and I want to fight for those issues you care about; tackling rubbish and fly-tipping, making Jubilee safer, installing more school streets, protecting our parks and clearing up the Conservative mess.

The new Labour government takes council funding seriously, and I want to be part of our Labour-run council working hand-in-hand with the government to improve lives across Enfield. Recently Enfield Council secured the release of £11.9million from the government for Edmonton and this is just the start.

The Conservatives are making unfunded, unrealistic promises to the residents of Jubilee ward but there are no short cuts. I know making a difference takes hard work and commitment.

Enfield is my home and I raised my family here. Serving the residents of Jubilee ward would be an honour and I would ensure every resident feels safe and supported. I hope I can earn your vote for Labour on 28^th November.

Masud Uddin, Conservative Party

I am standing in this by-election as a resident of Jubilee ward who cares about our area and wants to see it improved. I live in the ward with my wife and family and my children attend a local school.

Over the last 14 years, under this Labour council, the area has deteriorated significantly. Litter is everywhere with rampant fly tipping seemingly unchecked by the council. Our roads and particularly our pavements are in a shocking state of disrepair. Our green spaces are overgrown and poorly maintained. And most of all, our residents are fed up with anti-social behaviour which makes them feel unsafe to walk around the ward at night.

As your local councillor, I want a return to weekly bin collections; more fly-tip cameras; more police to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour; and more money spent repairing the ward’s roads and pavements rather than wasting £1.6m on the Edmonton and Bowes LTNs.

Labour have failed Jubilee residents and it’s time for a change. As your neighbour, I ask for your vote on 28th November so I can bring the change to the ward it so desperately needs.

Katie Knight, Green Party

I believe our council needs a fresh perspective which only the Green Party can give – from challenging planning decisions which threaten important local sites, to supporting calls for the council to divest from companies which supply arms to Israel.

The council is trying to close vital public libraries, which are hubs for learning, creativity, and connection. Closing libraries will disproportionately affect our children, the elderly, and those without easy access to digital resources. I will fight to ensure our libraries remain open to all.

As a local doctor, I’ve seen the effects of Enfield’s housing crisis first hand. There is a severe housing shortage, much of it is badly maintained and is making people ill. Our residents deserve affordable homes that are secure, sustainable, and built with the future in mind. I will push for more investment in housing, focusing on sustainability and community-led development, and continue fighting against the toxic Edmonton incinerator.

We’re also losing valuable green space that is essential for health, recreation, and quality of life. Green spaces are vital to our wellbeing, and yet, across Enfield, there is pressure to build on them. I’m committed to protecting and expanding our green spaces, making sure they are accessible to all.

Tim Martin, Liberal Democrats

In this election you have a choice: a choice between an incompetent Labour administration who can’t listen, a Conservative opposition who won’t listen, and a Liberal Democrat who will listen and work hard for you.

Labour in Enfield has a history of failure. It nearly bankrupted Enfield through massive borrowing for the Meridian Water fiasco. They planned to build 10,000 homes and since 2010 have managed to complete just 20. Whatever they say, they’ve proved they can’t deliver.

The Conservatives are big on promises, but unless they control the council, they will just block everything out of petty principle. But they can’t win the council, neither in this by-election nor even in the next pan-Enfield Council elections.

So, what will I do? Basically, work for you not my party. To get affordable housing, improve our environment, reduce crime, but most of all work together with you and our Council to deliver real results for us all.

And when we think about it, regardless of party, isn’t that what we want from our councillors? That they are good at their job and get things done? Thank you for reading and if you want change then vote Liberal Democrat in the Jubilee by-election.

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