Bradford Labour group yesterday evening elected Susan Hinchcliffe as its new leader, backing her pledge to increase Bradford’s national profile and build strong ties with other major cities.
After outgoing leader David Green completed his four-year term, the Windhill and Wrose councillor was successful in a leadership ballot at a Labour group AGM this evening.
Susan Hinchcliffe said:
“I’m hugely proud to have been chosen by my fellow Labour councillors to lead my home city at this challenging but exciting time.
“I want to pay tribute to the work of my predecessor Cllr Dave Green. He took on the mantle of leadership at an extremely difficult time for our Party and brought about major change and significant improvements for our district – he stands down with Bradford in far, far better shape than when he became leader.
“Now I want to take us to the next level. As a Bradfordian who has had great opportunities from a comprehensive education and upbringing here, I want even better for future generations.
“I want Bradford to fulfil our potential - to be known for our distinct brand of energy, diversity and entrepreneurialism.
“I want us to have strong ties with other major cities and increase our national positive profile.
“We know more disproportionate and damaging cuts are on their way from David Cameron’s Tory government and I’ll stand up against them, but we can’t stand by and wait for a change in Westminster. Bradford needs to punch above its weight now on the regional and national stage, and that’s what I’ll aim to provide in my leadership.”
She will be formally nominated as Council Leader at the Council AGM on 17th May.
Strong local election results last week saw Labour increase its majority on Bradford Council, given that result Sunrise Radio has asked the Labour Group why Cllr David Green has been supplanted by Cllr Hinchcliffe and according to a spokesman it is customary for the party to review the leadership every four years. Last night it was simply that Cllr Hinchliffe's call for a higher profile regionally and nationally, twinning up with other major cities proved a winning argument for the voters in the ballot.
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