New Sheffield City Council Labour leader speaks of “tough election” and vows to fight for city
The new leader of Sheffield City Council’s Labour group has admitted: “These elections have been tough” and vowed to fight for more change.
Coun Fran Belbin was elected on Monday (May 11) by the council Labour group to replace Tom Hunt. He was one of 10 Labour councillors who lost their seats at last Thursday’s council elections (May 7).
The party lost ground to both Reform UK and Greens but remain the biggest party on the council, just ahead of the LibDems and Greens.
Reform are the fourth largest grouping after winning 12 seats.
Coun Belbin, who represents Firth Park, was previously deputy group leader and deputy leader of the council. Her deputies are Couns Zahira Naz and Ben Miskell.
She said in her first statement since being elected: “These elections have been tough.
Privatisation
“Sheffield Labour stood on a positive platform to deliver change for Sheffield – including ending privatisation of public transport, free travel for under-18s, building more affordable homes, improving the state of our roads and neighbourhoods, and making our communities safer. “But that wasn’t enough. People like what we stood for but the change they voted for in 2024 isn’t being felt fast enough.
“We need to build on the work of the last few years under the leadership of Coun Tom Hunt, that has restored Sheffield’s reputation, brought significant investment into our city – including securing the future of World Snooker at the Crucible – and started to make the council more responsive to people’s needs.
“There is much more to do. Labour councillors will fight for the people of this city and the things that we know make a difference in our lives.
“We know we need to do more to involve people right across the city and deliver real visible change in neighbourhoods. “We are now leading discussions with the Liberal Democrats and Green Party about how we can continue to deliver our shared priorities and reject the division and chaos of Reform UK.
Leadership
“Labour will approach these talks constructively, responsibly, and put the interests of Sheffield first. “The city needs to keep moving forward, with stable leadership that brings people together. People cannot afford the council to drift or our city to be divided.
“All of us now have a responsibility to step up to that challenge.”