Our Deputy Co-ordinator, Karen Flanagan, has stepped down from this role because she is standing as a candidate in the upcoming elections. If she is elected, she will not return to our committee as long as she is a councillor.
Newham Cyclists, as part of a registered charity, is politically neutral in all elections. Elected officials and candidates in forthcoming elections cannot serve on our Committee, since this could create a conflict of interest. They are, of course, welcome to be members of our group and the LCC, to attend meetings and vote as an ordinary member, and to campaign on topics of interest to the group—as long as this is in a personal capacity and not combined with campaigning for votes in the election.
As such, Karen has stepped down from our committee with immediate effect and has recused herself from committee decisions. She will continue to volunteer with Newham Cyclists and campaign on cycling topics, although this will be in a personal capacity and not as a political candidate.