Islington Council election, 2002
Encyclopedia
The 2002 Islington Council election took place on 2 May 2002 to elect members of Islington London Borough Council
in London
, England
. The whole council was up for election with boundary changes since the last election in 1998
reducing the number of seats by 4. The Liberal Democrats stayed in overall control of the council.
parties finish on 26 seats each, with Labour continuing to run the council with the mayor
's casting vote
. However in December 1999 the Liberal Democrats won a majority on the council after gaining a seat from Labour in a by-election
. This meant that going into the election the Liberal Democrats had 27 seats, compared to 25 for Labour.
187 candidates stood in the election for the 48 seats being contested, after boundary changes reduced the number of seats by 4. The election was seen as a fight between the Liberal Democrat and Labour parties, with the Green Party
aiming to win 1 or 2 seats. The Conservative party
did not put candidates for every seat being contested, while the Christian Peoples Alliance
, Independent Working Class Association
, Socialist Alliance
and Socialist Labour Party
all stood candidates, as well as several independents
.
Issues in the election were reported as being crime, council housing repairs, asset sell-offs and the proposed new Arsenal stadium
.
Islington London Borough Council
Islington London Borough Council is the local authority for the London Borough of Islington in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in the United Kingdom capital of London. Islington is divided into 16 wards, each electing three councillors...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The whole council was up for election with boundary changes since the last election in 1998
Islington Council election, 1998
The 1998 Islington Council election took place on 7 May 1998 to elect members of Islington London Borough Council in London, England. The whole council was up for election and the Labour Party lost overall control of the council to no overall control....
reducing the number of seats by 4. The Liberal Democrats stayed in overall control of the council.
Background
The 1998 election saw the Liberal Democrat and LabourLabour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
parties finish on 26 seats each, with Labour continuing to run the council with the mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
's casting vote
Casting vote
A casting vote is a vote given to the presiding officer of a council or legislative body to resolve a deadlock and which can be exercised only when such a deadlock exists...
. However in December 1999 the Liberal Democrats won a majority on the council after gaining a seat from Labour in a by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
. This meant that going into the election the Liberal Democrats had 27 seats, compared to 25 for Labour.
187 candidates stood in the election for the 48 seats being contested, after boundary changes reduced the number of seats by 4. The election was seen as a fight between the Liberal Democrat and Labour parties, with the Green Party
Green Party of England and Wales
The Green Party of England and Wales is a political party in England and Wales which follows the traditions of Green politics and maintains a strong commitment to social progressivism. It is the largest Green party in the United Kingdom, containing within it various regional divisions including...
aiming to win 1 or 2 seats. The Conservative party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
did not put candidates for every seat being contested, while the Christian Peoples Alliance
Christian Peoples Alliance
The Christian Peoples Alliance is a Christian democratic political party in the United Kingdom. Founded in its present form in 1999; it grew out of a cross-party advocacy group known as the Movement for Christian Democracy. The party is active throughout England and has fledgling groups specific...
, Independent Working Class Association
Independent Working Class Association
The Independent Working Class Association is a minor working-class political party in the United Kingdom that aims to promote the political and economic interests of the working class, regardless of the consequences to existing political and economic structures...
, Socialist Alliance
Socialist Alliance (England)
The Socialist Alliance was a left-wing electoral alliance in England between 1992 and 2005.In late 2005, a small group reformed with the name "Socialist Alliance", with a mutual affiliation with the larger Alliance for Green Socialism.-Origins:...
and Socialist Labour Party
Socialist Labour Party (UK)
The Socialist Labour Party is a far left socialist political party in the United Kingdom. The party is led by former trade union leader Arthur Scargill, who established it in 1996 as a breakaway from the Labour Party...
all stood candidates, as well as several independents
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
.
Issues in the election were reported as being crime, council housing repairs, asset sell-offs and the proposed new Arsenal stadium
Emirates Stadium
Ashburton Grove, currently known as the Emirates Stadium, is a UEFA elite football stadium which is home to Arsenal FC, where they moved from Highbury in 2006. It has an current capacity of 60,361, and there have been rumours of an expansion...
.