It is a huge honour to have been elected as the new Leader of the LGA’s Labour Group and Labour’s leader in local government.
Thank you to every Labour group that voted for me, which I’m delighted to say included groups from every region of England and Wales, and every type of council, both in power and in opposition.
It was great to receive such a strong mandate and I look forward to repaying your faith in me.
“I’ve pledged to be a strong, active and inclusive voice for all hardworking Labour councillors”
As a councillor in Telford and Wrekin for 11 years, and Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council for six years, I know how vital the work of councillors is.
I look forward to representing Labour local government both as Senior Vice-Chair at the LGA and as local government’s representative in Keir Starmer’s Shadow Cabinet.
Keir has given me a warm welcome, and I’m pleased to already have been able to contribute on local government priorities.
I’ve pledged to be a strong, active and inclusive voice for all hardworking Labour councillors, and to provide more opportunities for us to come together, learn from one another and promote the very best practice.
I’ll work to give Labour groups the tools we need to succeed in the town hall, and extra support for Labour groups to win more seats, and control more councils, in England and Wales.
I hope to meet as many local government colleagues as possible – of all parties – at the LGA’s annual conference in Harrogate at the end of June. Do come up and say hello!