Analysis: Could Rotherham Council leader Chris Read be an outside bet for South Yorkshire mayor

BARRING the biggest political upset in British electoral history, the first metro mayor for South Yorkshire will be a Labour politician.

And the odds are pretty short on that Labour politician being Barnsley Council leader Sir Steve Houghton.

Even before the outline devolution deal that should pave the way for the election of a mayor next year was agreed, Sir Steve was widely viewed as the likely future holder of the post.

When someone is favourite for a job even before it exists, it is a brave person who bets against them.

But if Labour did decide to broaden the field then Rotherham Council leader Chris Read could be an outside bet.

Still in his early thirties, Coun Read was the authority’s third leader in six months when he took over in the aftermath of the second of two highly critical reports that had put the council at the centre of a media storm and led the Government to send in commissioners to take over.

A year later, the Government is preparing to hand back large amounts of the councils functions to the control of elected councillors with Sir Derek Myers, the lead commissioner, praising Coun Read’s “strong and enthusiastic leadership”.

He is credited with working hard to present a positive image of Rotherham without downplaying or underestimating the challenges facing the town and the council.

Next year probably is too soon for Coun Read, but if Sir Steve decided one term was enough he could be a strong contender next time around.