THE BROTHER of a councillor who died aged 34 is hoping to fill his shoes.

Umar Ali is running as Labour’s candidate in the William Morris ward by-election, triggered by his brother Nadeem Ali’s death.

The late Cllr Ali, who died on May 13, served as a Labour councillor in the Walthamstow ward since 2010.

He became the borough’s youngest ever mayor in 2013 at just 30 years of age.

His brother is now continuing the Ali tradition of seeking office, following in the footsteps of his father Liaquat Ali MBE, the council’s current cabinet member for community safety.

Up against Labour in the by-election next Thursday (June 29) is Afzal Akram for the Conservatives and Rebecca Tully for the Greens.

Ukip and the Liberal Democrats are not putting forward a candidate.

Walthamstow's newly re-elected MP Stella Creasy was out campaigning with the Labour hopeful on Monday night.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

To her 21,000 followers on Facebook, she said: "The incomparable @stowlabour out tonight campaigning for Umar Ali to be elected in the William Morris by-election on Thursday 29th June - because one election in June is not enough for Walthamstow!"