Councillor James Kempton announces his intention to stand down as Leader of Islington Council

12.55.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 4th Apr 2009

Cllr James Kempton: "We have achieved so much together"

Councillor James Kempton has announced his intention to stand down as Leader of Islington Council.

Cllr Kempton has been the Leader of the Council since 2006, was Deputy Leader 2000-2006 and has served on the council since 1994.

His decision will take effect on 14 May 2009 when the council holds its annual meeting. He will remain a councillor for St Mary's ward until the elections in May 2010.

James has issued this message to Islington residents:

"As we all know next year is a big year for Islington. The council elections in May 2010 will decide the future direction of the borough after ten years of the Liberal Democrats turning round Islington.

"But next year is also a big year for me personally. I will be reaching the milestone of 50 and it will also be the end of my fourth 4-year term as an Islington councillor. That's why I have today announced that I am standing down as Leader of the Council and as leader of the Liberal Democrats in Islington with effect from the Council's annual general meeting on 14th May.

"This has been one of the best, most rewarding and personally stretching experiences of my life. I will always feel deeply privileged to have had the opportunity to serve the people of this great borough as council leader. This has not been an easy decision to make, but I know it is the right one for me and my partner.

"We have achieved so much together. Liberal Democrats have turned Islington around from being a basket case council under Labour just ten years ago to one of the best in London now.

"Last month the Audit Commission awarded Islington the highest possible rating: four stars and improving strongly. This is a major achievement and an important milestone when you think that only seven years ago the council was given the lowest possible rating.

"This journey can be best illustrated by yesterday's inspirational visit to an Islington secondary school by America's First Lady Michelle Obama - probably the greatest black female role model today - a far cry from the damning Ofsted report on education in our borough just a decade before. It was a wonderful affirmation of all I have personally striven to do to give young people in this borough the best start in life.

"I am proud that Islington is now a more listening council and one which has shown strong leadership on improving and protecting the environment and tackling climate change. And I am particularly pleased to have led the council and its partners in creating a real focus for tackling poverty in Islington.

"We have achieved all this while still focusing on giving our residents value-for-money and have kept our promise to keep council tax increases below the London average. This year alone we identified £14million of savings to keep your council tax as low as possible.

"However, my feeling is that now is the right time to hand over the reins to someone else. I want to give the new leader a full year of managing the council before the 2010 elections, and for residents to have a year to get to know the new leader.

"I'm looking forward to the new experience of working as a backbencher and will continue to serve the people of St Mary's ward for the next twelve months.

Cllr Terry Stacy: "a fantastic new leader".

"I am delighted that the Liberal Democrat councillors have this week unanimously chosen our next leader, Terry Stacy. Terry has been my deputy for the past three years and already has seven years experience of fighting Labour in Islington. Terry will be a fantastic new leader.

"He will bring energy, enthusiasm and respect from all - both nationally and locally. Terry has a long background of serving the community and his commitment to Islington is second to none. His passion for improving Islington's housing mean we now have the first new council housing in a generation being built. Terry's common touch, his ability to bring people together and common sense will make him a formidable leader.

"I wish him every success and I will be doing everything I can to support him to make sure the Liberal Democrats remain in charge in Islington.

"I'd like to offer my sincere thanks to you for all your support and encouragement over the years. We have made and will continue to make a real difference to the people of Islington. It has truly been a privilege to work with you, and for the people of Islington.

"Best wishes,

"James Kempton

"Leader of Islington Council"