
Emily Darlington has announced she will step down from her role as a Milton Keynes City Council Councillor to focus on her new role as an MP for the city.
Darlington won the Milton Keynes Central MP seat for Labour at the recent general election, being elected to Parliament for the first time.
In a statement, the Milton Keynes Labour Party stated that Darlington has decided that her duties in Parliament mean that she has decided to stand down as a city councillor.
A by-election will be held in September in the Bletchley East ward to elect a replacement.
Darlington has been a city councillor since 2018 and was Deputy Leader of the Council until her decision to stand down.
In her time with MK City Council, she has previously held cabinet roles looking after areas such as public realm, housing and social care, initiating projects such as the White Ribbon campaign to end violence against women and girls and an initiative to reduce rough sleeping in the city.
She has also been responsible for the multi-million-pound regeneration programme underway on the Lakes Estate, which is an area that forms part of her ward. Work to complete the first new homes of the scheme is now underway.
In a statement, Emily Darlington MP said, “It has been a great honour to represent the people of Bletchley East and Fenny Stratford ward. I am proud of my record as a local ward councillor, especially working with the community to deliver the regeneration of the Lakes Estate.
“It has also been a privilege to serve as a city councillor, especially during my time as a Cabinet member and Deputy Leader. I am immensely pleased that as part of a strong Labour administration, I have been able to lead on important areas such as seeking to end violence against women and girls, reducing rough-sleeping and making Milton Keynes a dementia friendly city.
“Now I have a new role representing Milton Keynes Central in parliament it is not possible for me to do both important jobs, so I sadly have to stand down from my job on the city council, but I will be continuing to stand up for our great city in Westminster.”
Cllr Peter Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, added, “I would like to thank Emily for all she has done as a city councillor. There is absolutely no doubt that the issues she has sought to address will ensure a lasting legacy for both her ward residents and the wider city.
“However, I’m delighted that she is now one of our three new Labour MPs for Milton Keynes, and I’m sure that in the next part of her journey she will take the same drive and determination she has shown as a councillor to stand up for our city and speak up on those issues she cares passionately about.”