Council Faces Uncertain Future (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

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

Council Faces Uncertain Future

May 28, 2010 12:00 AM

At its Annual Meeting last night Leeds City Council elected Cllr Keith Wakefield (Labour) as its Leader by the vote of the Lord Mayor.

Cllr Stewart Golton said "While I am obviously disappointed at the result I would like to offer my congratulations to Keith Wakefield and hope that our city will continue to move forward to greater success in the future. However the narrowness of his win means that the Council faces an uncertain future. I'm also saddened that Labour broke with the long standing tradition of the Lord Mayor remaining neutral, by abstaining from voting while in the chair of the meeting."

"Over the last six years the joint administration, based on the partnership between the Liberal Democrat and Conservative Groups, has been able to deliver major improvements across the city while keeping Council Tax increases to record low levels. We will continue to work hard for the benefit of all the people of Leeds in opposition.

"The new administration faces a number of challenges, but they can start their work on a firm financial footing thanks to the efforts of the outgoing administration. While our approach to opposition will not be to mindlessly oppose everything Labour come up with; we will be a constructive critic with our primary aim to ensure that the whole city gets a fair deal from the new administration."