City Council leader in shock resignation

Jon Collins at MIPIM

Jon Collins, the leader of Nottingham City Council, has announced he is stepping down in May, ahead of the forthcoming local elections.

The shock news comes after Collins spent most of last week at international property show MIPIM in Cannes, outlining plans for the city, including an interview last Tuesday with TheBusinessDesk.com during which he unveiled an ambitious vision for the future of Nottingham.

However, in an interview with Nottingham youth culture magazine Left Lion, Collins said he wanted to quit at a time that was right for him.

He said: “I always think it’s a shame when politicians hang on to power until the bitter end. We’re in a political environment where some of our national politicians carry on regardless; it doesn’t seem to matter how badly they do, how big a defeat they get in Commons or how unpopular they are. I want to go out at a time that suits me, which is now.

“I want to stress that I’m not leaving because I’m unhappy with the Labour Party, its leadership or programme. Far from it. In fact, I was more than happy to campaign on Labour’s manifesto at the last election.

“Basically I’ve had to make a decision now about whether I want to carry on for another four years. But by then I’ll be 62 and that seems a lot older than 58. I’ve decided that there are other things I’d like to do.”

Collins has been the Labour councillor for St Ann’s since 1987 and leader of Nottingham City Council for 16 years.

Last week at MIPIM, in a wide-ranging interview, Collins seemed to be in pre-election mode. TheBusinessDesk.com understands he told close colleagues during the week that he had made his decision.

During the interview, Collins told us a pre-let deal had been signed for Nottingham City Council’s planned Crocus Place development, outlined his vision for ‘Broadmarsh West – which included a five-star hotel – and railed against the ‘Home Counties mafia’, who, he believes, are out to wreck the HS2 rail project.

He was in a combative, confident mood – and seemingly ready for the battles to come.

Wherever Collins ends up, he will leave a big gap at Nottingham City Council. Many – most of them his political adverseries – have been critical of him for holding onto power for so long, and there is soon to be a vacancy at the head of Marketing NG. Time will tell whether Collins retreats from the stage, or continues to wield influence locally.

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