Opposition leader quits council (From Ealing Times)

Opposition leader quits council

2:02pm Wednesday 12th March 2008 in News By Alex Hayes

A LEADING Labour councillor has today announced she will step down from the council.

Councillor Sonika Nirwal announced last week she would be quitting her post as leader of the opposition, as she is due to have her second child in April.

But she told the Ealing Times today that she will leave her seat on the council, to concentrate on her family.

She said: "After extensive discussions with my family and senior members of the Labour Party in Ealing North, I have decided to stand down as an elected councillor.

"This has been a very difficult decision but the growing demands of my young family mean this is clearly the right one.

"I want to enjoy this time with my children and husband, without unfairly compromising their demands with those of the important job of being a councillor."

Cllr Nirwal, who was in charge of education in the borough before Labour lost power in 2004, said last week she expected to return to politics one day.

She said: "It has been a great privilege to serve the people of Greenford Broadway for six years as a ward councillor and I would like to thank them for the support they have given me.

"During my six years I have been lucky enough to have been a cabinet member as well as leader of the opposition.

"These are both experiences, which I enjoyed, and have taught me a lot.

"I will continue to support the Labour Party and the community from outside the council chamber."

Her departure will trigger a by-election for her Greenford Broadway seat on May 1.