After more than two months of political deadlock, Kirklees Council has finally elected a new leader. Reform UK’s Sarah Wood has secured a victory in a closely fought leadership contest against cllr Andrew Cooper.
The breakthrough came during a third attempt to elect a leader on 15 July, ending weeks of uncertainty that had left one of England’s largest metropolitan councils without a formal administration.
A secret ballot saw Councillor Wood receive 36 votes in favour, 30 against and one abstention. Her rival, Green Party Group Leader Andrew Cooper, received 30 votes in favour, 36 against and one abstention.
The result brings an end to a prolonged uncertainty over leadership that began following May’s local elections. It was back then when Reform UK emerged as the largest party on the council but fell short of an overall majority.
Speaking after her victory, Cllr Wood said she was “delighted” to have secured the leadership position. “I have been having conversations behind the scenes and honouring my commitments,” she said.
“I am going to go home and see my husband, my little boy, and I am going to speak with my team.”
All-Reform cabinet planned
One of cllr Wood’s first major decisions will be appointing a cabinet to run the authority. She confirmed that the executive team will be made up entirely of Reform UK councillors, despite the party not holding a majority of seats on the council.
“It will only be a Reform cabinet,” she said.
“We have people lined up in the cabinet, all with immense experience and well-suited to the roles. I will announce them in due course.”
The cabinet will be responsible for key areas including housing, finance, education, transport and regeneration. Councillor Wood will also appoint a deputy leader and allocate decision-making powers across her administration.
She insisted her leadership would remain open and accountable despite the cabinet being formed exclusively of Reform councillors.
“I am going to honour my commitment to what Kirklees wants and what Kirklees needs,” she said.
A big concern: Representation
The announcement of an all-Reform cabinet has already drawn criticism from opposition groups.
Green Party leader Andrew Cooper welcomed the end of the leadership vacuum but expressed concerns that other political voices could be excluded from decision-making. “It’s positive that the council has a leader; it had dragged on far too long, and we needed that to happen,” he said.
However, he questioned whether Reform would be overrepresented within the council’s leadership structure. “70% of people did not want Reform and now they have 100% of the power of decision making in Kirklees,” he said.
“It is a big concern that 70 per cent of the electorate will not be taken into account. A lot of this stuff will happen behind closed doors.”
What happens next?
With a leader now in place, Kirklees Council can begin moving forward after weeks of disruption.
Cllr Wood’s immediate priorities include appointing cabinet members, assigning portfolios and agreeing a scheme of delegated powers with senior officers.
She will also work with council chief executive Steve Mawson to establish the new administration’s priorities and develop a policy framework aligned with Reform UK’s manifesto commitments.
The council will additionally nominate representatives to sit on external organisations, boards and local charities.
The leadership vote finally brings stability to Kirklees Council after months of uncertainty and allows the authority to resume normal political business following one of the most prolonged leadership deadlocks in its history.
