Emily helped Labour win the Stonebridge by-election, in the constituency of her friend and fellow Labour MP, Dawn Butler. Labour's Zaffar Van Kalwala won more than 50% of the vote in the by-election, trouncing the Lib Dems who ended up a poor second, more than 500 voted behind. Islington resident and Tory mayoral hopeful Boris Johnson also campaigned in the by-election - unfortunately for him the Tories ended up in 4th. Photos of Boris appear to show him delivering Labour leaflets, which may be one of the explanations why the Tories did so badly.
This was a key by-election, because Stonebridge will be part of a new constituency, Brent Central, which will be contested by Labour MP Dawn Butler and Lib Dem MP Sarah Teather at the next general election. If the Stonebridge result is repeated at the general election, Sarah Teather - a former Islington councillor - will lose her seat in Parliament.
Emily, who shares an office in Parliament with Dawn Butler, said:
"I was really pleased to help Labour win this important by-election. I didn't see Boris myself, but I have seen an extraordinary photograph that looks like he was leafleting for Labour in Brent. Even if he didn't, I know he agrees with me that the Lib Dems as damaging in Brent as they are Islington"
"Sharing an office with Dawn is great as we have a good laugh as well as discussing important political issues together. I have to admit, we don't always agree but most of the time we do - for example we both voted against Trident. Dawn is a great MP and I look forward to her winning Brent Central at the next general election."
Dawn Butler is seen as a rising star in Parliament - she is one of only two black women MPs and is currently the Labour Party vice-chair for youth.
ENDS
Notes
Zaffar Van Kalwala, (The Labour Party), 1432 votes
Sandra Elina Wiltshire, (Liberal Democrats), 864 votes
Sarah Cox, (Respect), 237 votes
Funmi Aladeshe, (The Conservative Party), 177 votes
Brian Orr, (Green Party), 51 votes
