News / Politics
Former cabinet member’s resignation to trigger by-election
A Labour councillor has thanked her community “for the fun, laughs, tears and hugs” as she revealed on Christmas Eve that she will be standing down.
Helen Godwin’s resignation means that there will be a by-election called in Southmead to replace her.
Labour will be hoping to retain the seat in order to keep their number of councillors the same as the Green Party in City Hall.
is needed now More than ever
Godwin – who had unsuccessfully stood to be Labour’s West of England metro mayor candidate – was Bristol’s cabinet member for women, families & children until resigning from the role in August in order to join global accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.
She remained as a councillor after resigning from mayor Marvin Rees’ cabinet, but has now said that she is “really struggling to carve out the time to be in Southmead and to be as available for residents as I would like”.
Helen Godwin campaigning to re-elect Marvin Rees as Bristol mayor in May – photo: Helen Godwin / Facebook
Here is Godwin’s message in full, which she shared as a Facebook post:
“Wishing everyone in Southmead a very Merry Christmas to you, your families and loved ones. 2021 has been another hard year with too much pain and loss; here’s hoping 2022 is better for all of us. ????
“I also wanted to share some personal news, I have made the difficult decision to stand down as your councillor from the end of the year.
“My current job means I am really struggling to carve out the time to be in Southmead and to be as available for residents as I would like.
“Serving this community for the past 5 years has been an absolute joy. I have made so many true, good friends and learnt so much about what really matters – community, friendship and trust.
“I hope you will continue to put your trust in Bristol Labour when a by election is called in the New Year.
“Thank you so much for the fun, laughs, tears and hugs.
“Merry Christmas and lots of love”
Main photo: Bristol City Council
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