By-election to replace Manchester councillor who quit amid rumours she lives 200 miles away

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A by-election has been called to replace a councillor who resigned last week after rumours she was living 200 miles away. Labour councillor Julia Baker Smith stood down as a Manchester councillor on Wednesday (July 26).

A new councillor will be elected to represent Brooklands ward on September 7. It follows the resignation of the former councillor with 'immediate effect'.

First elected to Manchester council in 2021, her seat was up for re-election next year. But she quit due to the 'serious illness of a close family member'. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features. The NHS manager has been based in Manchester while working remotely in a role on the Isle of Wight, according to the local Labour group.

The party said she travels for in-person meetings for no more than one week every month. However, she has also been caring for a close relative living on the Isle of Wight whose health has recently worsened, the party revealed.