A second Carshalton South by-election has been confirmed for Sutton in 2025, following the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Amy Haldane. Her departure comes just days after the election of fellow party member Richard Choi in Sutton Central.
Cllr Haldane, who represented Carshalton South and Clockhouse, made the decision to step down due to increasing family responsibilities, particularly after giving birth in November. She had not been able to attend a single council meeting in 2025, citing apologies for all scheduled sessions.
Elected originally in 2014, Haldane had a meeting attendance rate of just 41% since January 2024, according to official council records.
The Liberal Democrats have swiftly announced a new candidate to contest the upcoming by-election. Lisa Webster, a resident of Carshalton Beeches, has been selected to stand for the party.
Webster is well-known locally, being a member of the Good Shepherd Church and involved with the Clockhouse Community Association. Her family has close ties to the area, with her husband and children attending Barrow Hedges Primary School in Carshalton.
The Carshalton South and Clockhouse ward is geographically distinct, bordered by countryside and the rising terrain leading to Coulsdon.
Unusually for Sutton, its three councillors are not from the same party, with Haldane previously joined by Conservative councillors Moira Butt and Tim Crowley—who once served as the leader of the opposition on the council.
The 2022 local election in this ward saw a closely fought contest, with Haldane narrowly retaining her seat, continuing the mixed-party representation.
The upcoming by-election follows another resignation within the Lib Dem ranks. Richard Choi was recently elected in Sutton Central after former Deputy Leader David Bartolucci was disqualified for not attending council meetings for over six months.
Choi, originally from Hong Kong, has made history as the first Hong Kong-born councillor elected to Sutton Council. Commenting on his priorities, he said, “I want to bring back life to the high street and make the town centre a safer space for everyone.”
Despite his historic win, voter engagement was notably low in Sutton Central, with more than 70% of the 8,520 registered voters not casting their ballot.
Those wishing to stand in the upcoming Carshalton South and Clockhouse by-election must submit their nomination forms to Sutton Council by 4 p.m. on Thursday, 24 April 2025. Further details on the voting process are available via the council’s official website.
