Exclusive: Council leader will toss hat into ring if Leeds wants mayor

One of the most vociferous opponents of mayors, Leeds City Council leader Keith Wakefield told the Yorkshire Post he still had significant concerns about the proposed change, but said it was a democratic choice for the people of Leeds and should they decided on a mayor, he would like to continue to lead the city.

He joins Wakefield Council leader Peter Box and Coun Ian Greenwood, leader of Bradford, who have also said they would seek the Labour nomination should there be a Yes vote. All have said they still support the present councillor model as the strongest and most democratic form of governance and leadership.

In Sheffield, council leader Julie Dore is also understood to be opposed to the policy, although sources have suggested she too would seek the nomination.

Coun Wakefield, who is campaigning for a No vote alongside Tory leader Andrew Carter and Stewart Golton, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said he believed a Yes vote in the referendum was by no means a done deal.

“Clearly this is now a matter for the people of Leeds, but so far i have not seen much appetite to vote for an elected mayor,” he said. “But it is for the people to decide and, like everyone else, I may think there are better forms of Governance, I will live with the people’s choice.

“If the voters do decide to have a mayor, I would like to continue in my role leading the city against the extremely difficult economic times, to bring jobs and prosperity to the people of Leeds. That would mean I would seek the Labour nomination. However I am still waiting to see what a mayor will do differently to what the current leader of a council is currently able to achieve.”