Liberal Democrats announce leadership team in wake of Sheffield local elections
“We want to work with our communities to deliver a council that works for Sheffield and gets the basics right”
The Liberal Democrats have made an announcement concerning their Sheffield leadership team, following last week’s local elections which saw big wins for the Greens and Reform.
Elections were held on Thursday, May 7, for 30 out of 84 seats on the council and Labour lost 10 seats, mainly to Reform UK but also to the Greens.
The current state of the parties is Labour/Labour and Cooperative 25, Liberal Democrats 22, Green Party 20, Reform UK 13, Sheffield Community Councillors 2 and Independents 2.
The Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Green Party have all held group meetings today (Tuesday, May 12, 2026) in the wake of the election shake up.
Speaking this afternoon, a spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat confirmed Councillor Martin Smith has been re-elected the Leader of the Liberal Democrat group at Sheffield City Council, alongside Councillor Ian Horner as Deputy Leader.
Coun Smith has been a councillor for Dore & Totley ward since 2014.
Coun Horner has been a councillor for Beighton ward since 2023. For the past year, he has been the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee as well as chairing the Southeast Local Area Committee.”
Responding to news of his re-election, Coun Smith said: “It is an honour to have been re-elected by my colleagues to lead the Liberal Democrat group at Sheffield City Council.
“We want to work with our communities to deliver a Council that works for Sheffield and gets the basics right”.
Coun Horner added: “In being elected as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, I recognise the task ahead. We want to see a Council that listens to communities across the city, many of whom have felt ignored over proposals to build on the green belt.
“People in all parts of Sheffield deserve reliable public transport that works for real journeys, as well as safe and well-maintained roads.”