Key Points
- Conservative candidate Shimon Ryde wins Hendon ward by-election, securing 46.8% of the vote.
- Reform UK candidate Yosef David places second with 30.2%, indicating a strong showing for the party.
- Labour’s Lewis Harrison trails in third with 12% of the vote.
- The by-election was caused by the disqualification of Conservative councillor Joshua Conway due to employment changes following the school’s transition to a voluntary aided state school.
- VAT on independent school fees, introduced by the Labour government, indirectly led to the disqualification.
- Turnout in the by-election was 25.2%, lower than in 2022.
- The result indicates a close political contest in Barnet, with Tories maintaining their marginal position.
- Reform UK made significant inroads into the Orthodox Jewish community, traditionally Conservative.
- The election highlighted local issues like potholes, council grievances, and community concerns.
What Caused the Barnet Hendon Ward By-Election?
The Hendon by-election was triggered by the disqualification of Conservative councillor Joshua Conway, who had served since 2022. According to the official notice from Barnet Council, Conway was disqualified under Section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972 after his school changed its status to a voluntary aided state school. The school, Nancy Reuben Primary on Finchley Lane, originally independent, became state-supported due to financial pressures from VAT imposed on school fees, a policy introduced by the Labour government.
Joshua Conway, previously head of Jewish Studies and promoted to head teacher in 2023, found that becoming an employee of a state-supported school conflicted with council membership regulations. As reported by Jewish News, Conway lamented the government’s VAT policy for forcing his resignation, stating,
“I am deeply saddened. I love serving both my school and my community. It feels wrong to be forced to choose, when both roles only strengthen one another.”
How Did VAT on School Fees Influence the Election?
The House of Commons Library provides the background on VAT implementation on independent school fees starting January 2025. This tax has raised more revenue than predicted but also pushed some pupils towards the state sector, according to analysis by The London Economic and the Financial Times.
Conservative councillor Alex Prager criticised the disqualification as a “bureaucratic technicality,” though as Lewis Baston notes in OnLondon, the rule is a longstanding safeguard against conflicts of interest. Similar precedents exist, such as in Barking & Dagenham in 2010.
What Is the Political Landscape of Hendon Ward?
Hendon is a well-defined London suburban ward with major roads as boundaries, served by Northern Line’s Hendon Central station. The population is notably diverse, with a 33 per cent Jewish community by religion — a significant portion of residents. Hendon, predominantly Conservative historically, has never been won by another party in Barnet Council elections.
The area includes a mix of late Victorian and inter-war housing, and has a high proportion of private renters (47%). The ward also includes other ethnic and religious minorities: nine per cent Muslim, four per cent Hindu, and seven per cent Black residents. The local Jewish community is predominantly Orthodox, conservative in religion and politics.
Who Were the Candidates and What Was Their Campaign Strategy?
Six candidates stood in the by-election:
- Conservative: Shimon Ryde, former councillor for Childs Hill ward and chair of strategic planning, who left the Conservative group in 2021 over a “personal matter.”
- Reform UK: Yosef David, a former Brexit Party candidate with a lively social media presence and known for a populist approach.
- Labour: Lewis Harrison, who ran a low-profile campaign.
- Green Party: Gabrielle Bailey, previous parliamentary candidate.
- Liberal Democrat: Jeremy Walsh, retired solicitor.
- Rejoin EU: Ben Rend, a recurrent candidate in the area.
Reform UK focused on local infrastructure, council dissatisfaction, the condition of Brent Street, and Jewish community issues such as protecting shechita. David promoted “civic patriotism” and a traditionalist vision of Britain, although Reform UK faces accusations related to far-right associations.
What Were the Election Results and Their Significance?
As reported on the Barnet Council website and analysed by Lewis Baston in OnLondon, Ryde secured a comfortable but not overwhelming victory with 1,656 votes (46.8%). Reform UK’s Yosef David garnered 1,069 votes (30.2%), marking their strong presence in a predominantly Conservative area. Labour’s Lewis Harrison received 426 votes (12%), with the Greens, Liberal Democrats, and Rejoin EU trailing.
Turnout fell to 25.2%, typical for by-elections but lower than 2022. While the Tories held the seat, their vote share dipped compared to previous elections, and the swing from Labour to Conservative was modest at six percent. This suggests a competitive political environment in Barnet, consistent with recent by-election trends in Whetstone and Finchley Church End.
How Did Reform UK Perform Compared to Expectations?
Reform UK’s performance in Hendon is noteworthy as their second time surpassing 30 percent in a London by-election since their win in Bromley’s Common & Holwood in July. Yosef David’s campaign evidently appealed to voters within the Orthodox Jewish community, traditionally Conservative-leaning but responsive to Reform UK’s platform.
The presence of incumbent Reform councillor Mark Shooter, despite controversies over his property management, did not appear to significantly damage their electoral appeal.
What Are the Implications for Future Elections in Barnet?
With the by-election being close but the Tories maintaining their lead, it points to a tightly contested borough battle in the upcoming 2026 local elections. The “six month rule” under Section 89 of the Local Government Act 1972 means no more by-elections are due before the May 7, 2026 council elections.
Lewis Baston suggests that the results from Hendon, alongside other by-elections over the past three years, signal challenges for the Conservatives in Barnet’s traditionally key wards. Reform UK’s rising vote share adds an unpredictable element to the local political dynamics.
What Local Issues Influenced the Campaign and Voters?
Local campaign issues included dissatisfaction with council performance on potholes and high street maintenance. The ongoing anxiety within the Jewish community following the terror attack on Manchester’s Heaton Park synagogue also coloured the political atmosphere.
The Hendon Hub development plan, which proposed more student housing and faced opposition before being halted by the Labour-led council, was another local concern affecting voter sentiment.
Lewis Baston provides comprehensive London political analysis through OnLondon.co.uk, where this by-election’s outcome has been detailed with full context and caution. The Barnet Conservatives’ official channels shared the victory announcements, and Reform UK’s campaign was visible across local and social platforms.
