“We have done this because we stand for real change”

In an open letter to Andy Burnham, the Leeds Green Party is set to challenge him to make ‘real change’ after he takes office.

The former Manchester mayor became the new leader of the Labour Party on Friday (July 17) and will assume the role of Prime Minister on Monday (July 20). He is set to replace Sir Keir Starmer after his resignation was announced earlier in the summer.

Signed by all eleven Green members of Leeds City Council, including GPEW deputy leader Mothin Ali and Leeds Green Group leader Penny Stables, the open letter is set to be published in full on Monday (July 20).

In the letter, it will challenge the new Prime Minister to avoid ‘empty slogans’ and to instead make firm commitments on a range of issues affecting Leeds residents, from transport and housing to the economy and human rights. .

Reflecting Burnham’s recent commitment to establishing a ‘No 10 in the North’, the letter states: “We welcome any steps towards devolving power out of London and back into the hands of local communities.

“However, as much as we love our Mancunian neighbours, we hope that your vision for devolved power in the North is not limited to the M60, but includes all Northern communities, including our own here in Leeds.”

The demands include a commitment to more funding for public transport and a commitment to greater transparency in how it is planned, stronger regulation to hold water companies to account, stronger protections for local green belt land and support for greater local investment in renewables.

It states: “As the third-largest party on Leeds City Council, we have challenged two-party dominance in local government and held Reform at bay.

“We have done this because we stand for real change, reflecting the needs and concerns of residents who have been taken for granted for far too long.”