Liron Velleman quit as a councillor this morning having left the Labour group yesterday reports David Floyd

The entrance to Hendon Town Hall — Hendon Town Hall

Barnet Conservatives say that residents are “footing the bill for Labour’s shortcomings” after the mysterious departure of a Whetstone councillor prompted another by-election.

Liron Velleman’s party affiliation changed from Labour to Independent yesterday and Labour’s London regional office told Barnet Post this morning that the former councillor had quit the council and was no longer a party member.

Velleman, who was elected in 2022, had recently become chair of the borough’s pension fund committee. The by-election to replace him in Whetstone ward, follows February’s poll in Burnt Oak after former cabinet member for finance Ammar Naqvi quit having made false claims about his employment history.

In their statement, the Conservatives claim the latest resignation raises: “serious questions about the calibre of representation Labour is providing to our community”.

They add: “This year alone, Barnet has seen a by-election in Burnt Oak triggered by Labour’s finance chief found to be a fraud. Now their pensions chief has been kicked out of the party and forced to resign under a cloud of darkness.”

“Each by-election burdens local taxpayers with significant costs. This is money that could have been spent on vital services like road repairs, schools, or community safety, not cleaning up Labour’s mess.”

Commenting on the resignation, Conservative group leader Cllr Peter Zinkin said: “Labour promised better for Barnet, but their track record speaks for itself”

He added: “Two by-elections in just a few months show a pattern of instability and poor judgment.

“Whetstone residents deserve reliable, committed Conservative Councillors—not Labour failures who don’t deliver.”

“Velleman no longer works for Community”

It has now been confirmedthat Velleman has also left his position as head of politics at the Community trade union.

Having been asked whether the former councillor was still employed by the union and (if not) the reasons for his departure, a spokesperson for Community Union told Barnet Post: “Liron Velleman no longer works for Community.”

So far, neither the Labour Party nor Community have provided any information on why Velleman has left his roles.

The former councillor’s account on Twitter/X was initially amended to reflect the fact that he had quit, however all his social media accounts have now been deleted entirely.

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