Political leaders across Kirklees have reacted after Reform UK secured control of the council, bringing an end to a two-month leadership stalemate.
At a specially convened meeting on July 15, Reform UK Group Leader Sarah Wood was elected leader of Kirklees Council following a secret ballot. Wood secured 36 votes in favour, 30 against and one abstention, narrowly defeating Green Party Group Leader Andrew Cooper, who received 30 votes in favour, 36 against and one abstention.
The result ended weeks of uncertainty after two previous attempts to elect a council leader failed, leaving one of England’s largest metropolitan authorities without a formal administration.
Following her victory, Cllr Wood described herself as “delighted” and pledged to focus on delivering for residents. In a statement posted on social media, she thanked those who had supported her leadership bid and said she was committed to collaboration and putting Kirklees residents first. She added that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage had inspired her to continue through what she described as a difficult two-month process.
While opposition groups welcomed the end of the deadlock, several raised concerns about Reform UK’s plans for an all-Reform cabinet.
Green Party leader Andrew Cooper said it was positive that Kirklees finally had a leader, but warned that Reform could become over-represented in decision-making. “It is a big concern that 70% of the electorate will not be taken into account,” he said, referring to the fact that Reform secured 29 seats but does not command a majority on the 69-seat council.
The Kirklees Independents Group also acknowledged the democratic outcome while warning that governing would be a greater challenge than campaigning.
Group leader Habiban Zaman said the party would judge the new administration on its performance rather than political rhetoric. “We respect the democratic process and genuinely hope the new administration succeeds,” he said.
“Residents will expect leadership, delivery, transparency and results.”
The Conservatives moved to clarify their role in ending the impasse after criticism from some quarters that they had helped install a Reform-led administration.
Conservative Group Leader John Taylor said his party had followed the long-standing convention of allowing the largest group on the council to attempt to govern. However, he stressed that the decision should not be viewed as an endorsement of Reform UK.
“Let me be clear. This was not a Conservative endorsement of Reform UK. We will be a strong opposition and hold them to account on every issue that matters to residents,” he said.
The Liberal Democrats also highlighted the political arithmetic behind the result, arguing that Conservative support had ultimately enabled Reform to take control.
Group leader Anthony Smith said his party would continue to focus on representing local communities and scrutinising the new administration.
Meanwhile, the Valley Independent Group took a more neutral approach, noting that Kirklees now had a leader and outlining the next steps for the authority, including the appointment of cabinet members and portfolio holders.
The election of a council leader means Kirklees can now begin forming an administration after more than eight weeks of political uncertainty.
Cllr Wood is expected to announce her cabinet in the coming days and has already confirmed that it will be made up entirely of Reform councillors.
Attention will now turn to how the new administration governs and whether it can secure support across the chamber to deliver its priorities
