Light steps down after 15 years leading Conservatives

FORMER KIRKLEES Council leader Robert Light has announced his intention to step down from his role leading the Conservative group.
Robert LightRobert Light
Robert Light

Coun Light said it was time for someone else to take on the role although he intends to remain a councillor for the Birstall and Birkenshaw ward.

He has led the Conservatives on Kirklees Council for 15 years and was council leader for three.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coun has also held senior roles in the Local Government Association and chaired the overview and scrutiny committee on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The Conservatives are currently in opposition on Kirklees Council which is run by a minority Labour administration.

Coun Light said: “It has been a privilege to be the leader of the Kirklees Conservative group for 15 years.

“Along the way I have had the honour of being council leader for three years, and was the first chair of the Leeds City Region.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“During my time as leader of the council, Kirklees was singled out as one of the top performing councils in the country, and selected as council of the year in 2008.

“I feel though that now is the right time to hand the reigns to someone else and that I need to take a step back from the frontline and spend more time with my family and working for the residents of Birstall and Birkenshaw who have been good enough to elect me to represent them on so many occasions.

“I hope to continue to have influence in the wider political arena, but the time is right for a new leadership team to shape the Conservatives future in Kirklees.

“I will remain active and supportive of whoever the group selects to take them forward.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coun Light is widely respected across West Yorkshire by fellow Conservatives and see by many of his Labour political opponents as someone who can work across party divides.

He is one of only nine individuals to have led Kirklees Council since it came into being in 1974 and one of only two Conservatives to have done so.

Coun Light was first elected to represent Birstall and Birkenshaw in 1987 and remained in office until 1995. He was elected again in 2000 and has been voted back in a further four times since.

The Conservatives will meet on Monday to elect their new leader ahead of the authority’s annual meeting.