Gay councillor loses Hackney seat

By Marc Shoffman • May 5, 2006 - 0:00

Andrew Boff lost in the Queensbridge Ward in Hackney, where Labour held on to remain the ruling party

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A gay Conservative councillor hotly tipped for the Hackney mayoral post has lost his council seat and looks likely to be runner up for mayor, in a disappointing defeat for the Tories in the area.

Andrew Boff lost in the Queensbridge Ward in Hackney, where Labour held on to remain the ruling party.

The leader of Hackney Conservatives, Eric Ollerenshaw, told PinkNews.co.uk it was a "disappointing result."

"Perhaps we underestimated the scale and size of the Labour machine. We want to see how hard the elected councillors hold to their promises," he said.

Mr Ollerenshaw, a gay councillor who held onto his seat in the Springfield Ward said it was disappointing to lose Mr Boff.

"I am disappointed to have lost him, it is bad for the electorate."

The results for the Hackney Mayor are currently being counted with current mayor, Labour's Jules Pipe and Mr Boff into the second count.

But Mr Pipe has 44.9% of second preference votes so looks likely to hold onto the role.

The results in full for the Hackney mayoral election are as follows: Jules Pipe (Labour) 24,233 (including transfers), Andrew Boff (Conservative) 8,785 (including transfers), Matthew Penhaligon (Liberal Democrats) 4,683, Mima Bone (Green) 4,683, Hettie Peters (Hoot for Hettie - Independent) 2,907, Dean Ryan (Respect) 2,800, Monty Goldman (Communist) 896.

Overall on a local level the Conservative Party gained 270 seats, if the poll had been held across the country, the Tories would have got 40%, in front of the Liberal Democrats' 27% and Labour's 26%.

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