Railwayman Councillor 'Signals' End of the Line (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Railwayman Councillor 'Signals' End of the Line

February 17, 2003 12:00 AM

Cllr David Pratt (Headingley) has announced that he will not be standing for re-election at the end of his term of four years as a Councillor this May. David Pratt was the first Lib Dem to be elected in Headingley Ward in 1999 and he has since been joined by two other party colleagues.

He explained the reasons behind his decision to 'take a break' after a quarter of a century of active politics, firstly as a town councillor for 8 years in Otley, then as a Parliamentary candidate and now as a member of Leeds City Council, as being a mixture of work related and other issues .

Cllr Pratt said "Firstly can I just say that it has been an enormous pleasure and privilege to have served the people of Headingley and Hyde Park over the last four years. I have had the opportunity to help literally hundreds of people with their problems and concerns, and also seen a continuing growth in support across the Ward."

"But being a Councillor is becoming more and more difficult to fit in with my work as a signalman on the Railways. Working shifts makes it difficult to attend daytime meetings and play a full part in the work of the Liberal Democrat Group as the main opposition at the Civic Hall. To hold down a job with the responsibilities that a signalman has, while at the same time facing an increasing workload as a Councillor, is becoming more and more difficult."

"Rather than being unable to continue carrying out my role as a Councillor as effectively as I would like, and as the people of Headingley deserve, I have decided not to restand in this May's local elections. I made this decision several months ago in order for my colleagues to plan for this statement and I am sure that Headingley will continue to be represented by hard working and effective Councillors after the May elections.