Yorkshire cities say ‘no’ to mayor

VOTERS in Bradford rejected the idea of an elected mayor to run the city last night as council leader Ian Greenwood lost his seat.

And this afternoon it was announced voters in Sheffield and Wakefield had also to introduce directly elected mayors.

However, in Doncaster, 61.7% of voters that turned out chose to keep the elected mayor system.

The Government had urged business to back the creation of elected mayors as a way of helping cities outside the South-East generate economic growth.

In the local elections, Bradford Council leader Ian Greenwood lost his Little Horton seat, which he had held for Labour for 17 years, to Respect which won five contests across the city. Overall, however, Labour actually won two extra seats on the authority which remained in no overall control.

Winning five seats in North-East Lincolnshire was enough for Labour to take control of North-East Lincolnshire Council.

Overnight Labour also increased its presence on Barnsley Council by nine seats, Rotherham Council by four and Hull City Council by five – all remaining Labour controlled.

Results announced today saw Labour strengthen its hold on Leeds, which it won back last year, adding an extra eight seats.

The Conservatives maintain control of Craven and Harrogate Councils and Labour hold Sheffield City Council where it took nine seats from the Liberal Democrats.

Labour increased its seats on Calderdale Calderdale Council by seven and by five on Kirklees Council – both authories remaining hung councils. 

It also maintained its domination of Doncaster Council, where it added six seats and in Wakefield where it added 12.

Nationally, Labour has so far increased its number of councillors by more than 600 and taken control of 29 extra councils.