Kirkless Council finally elects new leader as Reform UK set out plans
The two-month-long battle for leadership in Kirklees Council has finally ended, with Reform UK coming out on top.
A secret ballot held at a third all-out council meeting yesterday (July 15) was the latest attempt to vote in a council leader to Kirklees, following a chaotic stalemate.
The results were close, with group leader for Reform UK, Sarah Wood, taking a marginal lead, with 36 votes in favour, 30 against, and one abstention.
Her opponent, Councillor Andrew Cooper, leader of the Green Party Group in Kirklees, fell short at 30 votes in favour, 36 against, and also shared one abstention.
Speaking after her success, Coun Wood said she felt “delighted” and a “bit tired”.
On securing her win, Coun Wood said: “I have been having conversations behind the scenes and honouring my commitments…
"I am going to go home and see my husband, my little boy, and I am going to speak with my team.”
When asked about how she planned to lead the council moving forward, Coun Wood said to expect an “only Reform” cabinet, but assured that other groups would be represented by her own group’s commitment to “be open”.
Coun Wood said: “I am going to honour my commitment to what (Kirklees) wants and what (Kirklees) needs.
"It will only be a Reform cabinet… We have people lined up in the cabinet, all with immense experience and well-suited to the roles. I will announce them in due course.”