Bradford Council’s new Reform UK leader has used his first official report to launch a broad attack on the previous Labour administration, opposition parties and the state of Bradford city centre.
Councillor Stephen Place, who became leader following May’s local elections, told a full council meeting that Reform UK’s breakthrough victory represented a “seismic change” in the district’s political landscape. In his first Leader’s Report, Cllr Place said the election of 28 Reform councillors had “sent a shudder through the main parties” and claimed voters had rejected what he described as the “uniparties”.
He said: “The people of Bradford turned their backs on the uniparties and decided that change was needed. Coming from 0 to 28 councillors was an endorsement that sent a shudder through the main parties.”
The Reform leader argued that years of political leadership had left Bradford struggling with a range of challenges. Describing the city, he said homelessness and rough sleeping had increased, streets were dirty and parts of the city centre had declined.
“The retail offer in the city centre outside of The Broadway has been decimated, replaced by vape shops, minimarkets and gambling venues,” he said.
“The stink of weed is prevalent and people regularly drinking alcohol early mornings and throughout the day is constant and in plain sight.”
Despite the criticism, Cllr Place said he entered politics because he cared deeply about Bradford and wanted to improve the district for future generations. “At 65 I did not need to put my head above the parapet,” he said.
“I did so for my grandchildren, the city I love and all the people of Bradford regardless of background, religion or political persuasion who deserve much more.”
The report also included criticism of recent council decisions and national political figures.
Cllr Place defended Bradford Council’s decision not to award Keighley Cougars £2 million of Towns Fund money for a proposed new stand at Cougar Park, accusing Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore of displaying “faux outrage” over the issue.
He also claimed veterans would receive priority consideration for new housing and questioned the value of the One City Park office development, stating the £32 million project was now worth £7 million.
Opposition councillors challenged several aspects of the report.
Conservative group leader Rebecca Poulsen welcomed Cllr Place’s pledge to work with other political groups but questioned the tone of the report. “The tone of your report is not really conducive to that,” she said.
Labour leader Imran Khan was more critical, describing the report as a “diatribe”.
“This is a poor Leader’s report, it really is,” he said. “I was horrified when I read it. I thought, ‘what is this?'”
Cllr Khan accused Reform of offering few solutions while criticising projects already underway and argued many Reform councillors were former Conservatives whose party had previously overseen cuts to local government funding.
Green cllr Kevin Warnes also challenged Cllr Place’s description of a “seismic” political shift. He noted that Reform holds 28 of Bradford Council’s 90 seats and argued that a majority of voters had supported other parties.
In response, Cllr Place said he was referring to Reform’s rise from having no councillors to becoming the council’s largest political group in a single election.
He concluded by calling on councillors from all parties to work together.
“I’m pledging that we all put our political differences aside and realise where we are and how we got here,” he said.
