Council leader Cathy Scott prepares to face leadership challenges after by-election blow

Council leader Cathy Scott is expected to face a leadership challenge at Kirklees Labor Group’s annual meeting on Monday night.

Cllr Scott’s crisis-hit administration is under threat after disappointing election results saw Labor lose four seats and its overall majority.

This year, five Labor councilors resigned, triggered by the national party’s position on Gaza. There were also questions about Clr Scott’s leadership style.

One of Labour’s senior figures, Clr Mus Khan, became the latest councilor to resign over the weekend, with Clr Scott’s cabinet already depleted by the election defeats of Mussarat Pervaiz (Dewsbury West) and Jackie Ramsay (Dewsbury South).

There will also be a vacancy for deputy leader as Clr Paul Davies has already announced his intention to stand down to focus on his bid to become MP for Colne Valley.

A fourth member of Mr Scott’s nine-strong cabinet has also left. Golcar Councilor Elizabeth Reynolds resigned at the election so her Learning and Aspiration portfolio is now vacant.

Huddersfield Hub understands Clr Scott could face a leadership challenge from Golcar councilor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, and experienced former Cabinet member Carole Pattison (Greenhead).

Clr Moses Crook (Holme Valley South) – currently Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways – is tipped to be a possible deputy leader.

Cllr Graham Turner

Clr Carole Pattison (left) with former councilor Naheed Mather

Clr Mus Khan with Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer

In January, Clr Ammar Anwar (Dewsbury West) quit Labor in tears over leader Sir Keir Starmer’s failure to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. He was followed in February by Crosland Moor & Netherton councilors Jo Lawson and Imran Safdar, as well as Ebrahim Dockrat (Batley East).

The four councilors formed a new group, the Kirklees Community Independents Group, which supported independent candidates in local elections. Five independents gave him a knockout blow over Labor in previously “safe” seats.

Mr Dockrat stood down at the election but two of the new independents have now joined the Kirklees Community Independents Group – Tanisha Bramwell (Dewsbury West) and Ali Arshad (Heckmondwike).

With Clr Khan leaving the party, Labor is now down to 30 seats but could continue to run the council as a minority administration.

The current composition of the council is: Labor 30; conservative 15; Liberal Democrat 10; Kirklees Community Independents Group 5; Independents 5; Green 4.

Another Labor councilor is currently on “administrative suspension” imposed by the Labor Party.

Dewsbury East councilor Paul Moore was charged with causing a public nuisance and carrying on a business with intent to defraud creditors or for other fraudulent purposes. The charges relate to a Covid testing business based in Dewsbury.

The Labor Party said the suspension had the “automatic effect of suspending the Labor whip on the council”, although a council spokesman said he remained a member of the council’s Labor group.

Senior Labor councilor Mus Khan quits party over ‘deep concerns’ about Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership

After the election results, Clr Scott – who has led the council since August last year – said he hoped to continue as leader. She said it was “back to the drawing board” and that “we need to listen more to the community.”

These remarks were picked up by Conservative leader Clr David Hall (Liversedge & Gomersal), who said: “Let’s hope that when Clr Scott says ‘back to the drawing board’ she really means that the Labor Party will actually listen to the voters who gave it to him. administration such a drubbing.

“The public do not support their damaging schemes such as the introduction of parking charges in small towns and villages, their library proposals or the wholesale closure of public buildings. Work must change course.

“I’m afraid these are simply words to try and give the impression that things will change. The Labor administration has a history of ignoring the public and not listening to meaning. Let’s hope they change, but I won’t hold my breath!”

There could be more resignations from the Kirklees Labor group, with a source saying: “A few more could be teetering on the edge.”

Councilor in tears as he leaves Labor Party during emotional debate on Gaza horrors