New MP Gareth Bacon is to step down from Bexley Council and the London Assembly to focus on delivering for Orpington.
A by-election will be held to replace Gareth Bacon as a Bexley Councillor, but he will continue to serve as an Assembly Member until this May’s London election as a by-election is not possible.
In a statement, Gareth Bacon MP said: “After twenty-two years as a Bexley Councillor and twelve years as a London Assembly Member, I will be standing down to focus on serving you as MP for Orpington.
“I am currently in the process of organising a by-election date for the Bexley Council post. As for my position as the London Assembly Member for Bromley and Bexley, I will serve until the election in May.
“If I resigned from the London Assembly now, there would not be a by-election as the 7 May vote is so close, and Orpington, Bromley, and Bexley would not have a voice in the London Assembly.
“Important votes are coming up in the London Assembly which affect Orpington - particularly on the Mayor's budget, which wastes millions instead of putting police on the beat, and the draft London Plan, which risks London's green belt.
“My focus is on Orpington and delivering for you. This week in the House of Commons, I have begun work to protect our green spaces, spoken with Ministers about issues around policing and the green belt, and importantly, voted to get Brexit done.”