The leaders of 23 Labour councils have publicly endorsed Caroline Flint’s campaign for deputy leader today. In a statement, the local government leaders praise the Shadow Energy Secretary for her “radical ideas” and “track record of working in partnership with local government”. The signatories include leaders of some of the biggest councils in London, the North West, North East and Yorkshire.
Flint finished second in the MPs’ nominations, and is a close third behind Stella Creasy in CLP nominations – as well as in last week’s YouGov poll.
You can read the full statement and see the signatories below:
“The next Deputy Leader has a vital role to play as a bridge between Labour in local government and our national leadership. There is no one better qualified or more able to do that job than Caroline Flint.
“As a minister she had a strong track record of working in partnership with local government to tackle drugs and anti-social behaviour, introduce the smoke-free legislation and deliver affordable housing. In Opposition she has continued that work, with radical ideas to create a more decentralised and democratic energy market.
“The 2015 election was a terrible blow for our party. As with previous defeats, the work of Labour’s councillors will be fundamental to our recovery, especially in areas without a Labour MP. In Caroline Flint we have a candidate who will learn from what works from good Labour councils, who so often have been the source of the big ideas that have inspired Labour governments.
“We urge Labour Party councillors, members and supporters to unite behind Caroline Flint to elect her as Labour’s next Deputy Leader.”
Muhammed Butt (Brent)
Tony Newman (Croydon)
Doug Taylor (Enfield)
Claire Kober (Haringey)
Stephen Alambritis (Merton)
Peter John (Southwark)
Robin Wales (Newham)
Steve Bullock (Lewisham)
Chris Robbins (Waltham Forest)
Denise Hyland (Greenwich)
Nick Forbes (Newcastle)
Norma Redfearn (North Tyneside)
Iain Malcolm (South Tyneside)
Paul Watson (Sunderland)
Michael Connolly (Bury)
Richard Leese (Manchester)
Julie Dore (Sheffield)
Ros Jones (Doncaster)
Peter Box (Wakefield)
Steve Brady (Hull)
Kieran Quinn (Tameside)
Sarah Hayward (Camden)
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