Former Mayor Stands Down as Councillor
Council leader Stephen Cowan pays tribute to the work of Patricia Quigley
Cllr Quigley with the Hammersmith & Fulham Council leader Stephen Cowan
December 3, 2025
A former Hammersmith and Fulham Mayor and councillor of more than seven years has stood down.
Patricia Quigley was elected in 2018 to represent Hammersmith Broadway and served as the borough’s Mayor from 2023 to 2025.
A post on the council’s website from November revealed she had resigned from her role, with the vacancy to be filled at next May’s local elections.
Council Leader Stephen Cowan has been among those to pay tribute to Ms Quigley, telling the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the local authority is “deeply grateful” for her service.
Ms Quigley was a founding member of Hammersmith and Fulham’s Disabled People’s Commission and formerly the Lead Member for Inclusive Community Engagement and Co-production.
Upon her confirmation as Mayor in May 2023 she said, “Disabled People need to take the lead in planning services to remove barriers and ensure that everyone can be part of a more inclusive society. That’s the reason I am sitting here tonight as the newly elected Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham.” She was replaced in the role earlier this year by Cllr Sharon Holder.
Speaking about her decision to stand down, Ms Quigley said, “It has been an honour to serve the people of Hammersmith Broadway — the ward where I grew up and still live. I want to thank the Leader, Cllr Stephen Cowan, former councillor colleagues, and especially my brilliant teammate, Cllr Callum Nimmo for their support
“Serving as Mayor for two years was a joy. This borough is a very special place, and meeting so many young people was a highlight. It always made me smile when children pretended to be Mayor.
“I leave with more than seven years of memories filled with gratitude, pride, laughter and joy. The next chapter may involve some singing and maybe a little dancing, but certainly a renewed focus on disability advocacy and inclusive leadership. But for now, I’m focusing on all I want for Christmas… and while I doubt Hugh Grant will turn up again, we live in hope.”
Cllr Cowan told the LDRS Ms Quigley made an “unforgettable impact” as a councillor for Hammersmith Broadway.
He said, “She was a founding member of the Disabled People’s Commission and co-authored ‘Nothing About Disabled People Without Disabled People’ – the pioneering report that became the blueprint for the council’s co-production policy.
“She served as Mayor with both good humour and deep commitment to residents, becoming known as the ‘dancing mayor’. Her work has helped strengthen inclusion and equity across the borough and contributed to meaningful change for Disabled people and the wider community. We are deeply grateful for her service as a councillor and wish her every success and happiness for the future.”
Ms Quigley’s former Hammersmith Broadway colleague, Cllr Nimmo, said, “As her fellow ward councillor, I’ve seen the difference Patricia has made for our borough. Her leadership on the Disabled People’s Commission helped shape the council’s approach to co-production, and she has always been a strong, compassionate voice for Hammersmith Broadway. She is one of the reasons I am so proud to be a part of Hammersmith and Fulham Labour.
“Having only been elected in February, I’m especially grateful for the guidance and encouragement Patricia has given me as I found my feet. Her support has meant a great deal, and I look forward to seeing what she does next.”
Cllr Nimmo won his seat at a by-election prompted by the resignation of another former Mayor, Emma Apthorp.
Cllr Lydia Paynter was elected in Lillie on the same day with the vacancy arising after Ben Coleman, MP for Chelsea and Fulham, also stood down.
And in July Conservative councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson retained a seat for the party at a Fulham Town by-election.
He replaced Andrew Dinsmore who resigned due to leaving London after becoming a father.
Next year’s elections, which will involve every London borough, are to be held on 7 May.
Ben Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter