Published: 16 February 2012
by RICHARD OSLEY

A LABOUR councillor is quitting the Town Hall to join his wife in the United States – sparking  a council by-election battle to find a replacement.

Tom Neumark said he was tired of transatlantic flights as he tried to divide his time between Camden Town and Washington DC.

The 29-year-old, who represented the Camden Town and Primrose Hill ward, had already given up the chairmanship of Camden Council’s planning department due to his criss-crossing of the Atlantic but said it was still too much of a strain.

The former stand-up comedian, who has drawn respect from all sides of the chamber, called time on a two-year spell on the council yesterday (Wednesday).

“I wanted to be honest with people,” he said from Washington yesterday.

“I’m sad to be leaving but my wife unexpectedly got a job in Washington in late 2010.

Since then I’ve been managing a transatlantic marriage and it has just become too hard personally.

This has been the toughest decision of my life because I’ve loved every minute of representing Camden Town with Primrose Hill.”

The by-election in the ward Mr Neumark is leaving, which is represented by two Labour councillors and one Lib Dem, will take place on the same day as the London mayoral and assembly elections –  May 3.

Liberal Democrats questioned whether Councillor Neumark had been dragging out his time at the Town Hall when he knew his lifestyle was not ideal for the role.

Lib Dem councillor Chris Naylor, who also represents Camden Town and Primrose Hill, said: “I think it’s been irresponsible of him, and unfair on residents, that he’s been banking his councillor’s allowance while living thousands of miles away – and missing so many important meetings locally.”

That claim was disputed by Cllr Neumark and his colleagues who point to his attendance at last month’s full council meeting and his appear­ances at scrutiny panel sessions investigating noise nuisance in Camden.

And after the New Journal’s website broke the news of his departure yesterday afternoon, colleagues paid tribute to Mr Neumark’s work on social media websites. Even Conservative councillor Gio Spinella sent a message, saying: “Hey buddy, sorry to see you go.”

And Labour group leader Councillor Nash Ali said: “I am sad that Tom’s personal circumstances mean he can no longer serve local residents on the council. But I respect the tough decision he has made and wish him well in the future.”