York’s Labour group has elected another new leader, 12 months before the local elections.
Claire Douglas is now in charge, taking over from Pete Kilbane who has only been in the top job for a year.
Cllr Kilbane becomes deputy leader, meaning these two have swapped jobs.
Cllr Douglas said:
I’m really honoured that Labour councillors have put their faith in me and I thank all of my colleagues for electing me into this position.
I look forward to continuing to work very closely with Cllr Kilbane, as we have done for the past year, so in many ways it won’t be a big change.
Our collective focus is on next year’s council elections and demonstrating to York residents why a change is needed, and how they will benefit from that change.
Should Cllr Douglas be re-elected in May 2023, it raises the possibility of City of York Council seeing its first woman leader since the council was first formed in 1996.
Cllr Kilbane welcomed Cllr Douglas to the leadership, saying:
Since Claire came into the Labour team she’s shown not only that she’s able to lead it, but that she would excel at leading the council too. She is already working with city partners looking to take York forward, something that’s simply not happening under the current Lib Dem-Green administration.
Claire has a solid business background and also founded a nationally-recognised charity dealing with difficult social problems here in York. She sees the issues and potential solutions with a 360 degree round vision.
We will continue to work closely together for the good of the city.
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Cllr Kilbane took over as leader from Danny Myers in May 2021.
Cllr Anne Hook, deputy leader of the leading Liberal Democrat group, said: “Infighting continues to be the staple of the local Labour group, as they select their sixth leader since 2013.
“A year out from the local elections, this will serve as a reminder of the instability that characterises the local Labour group so well.”