Kirklees Council leadership battle to go ahead as key meeting won't be moved despite England v Argentina World Cup semi-final
Kirklees Council has said a key meeting to decide on a new leader will go ahead as planned despite England’s appearance in the World Cup semi-final.
A Kirklees Council spokesperson confirmed that “the meeting will not be moved due to the football and will go ahead as usual” despite it beginning at 5.30pm – just two-and-a-half hours before kick-off – meaning it may well be missed by councillors due to the ongoing leadership gridlock.
Speaking about the meeting, councillors appeared to agree that the “most important thing” was that the council chooses a leader.
Coun Anthony Smith, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: “I was certainly open to the meeting being brought forward if practical, but the most important thing has always been to ensure that council business can proceed, and in particular the substantive issue of electing a leader.”
Meanwhile, Green Party councillor, Martin Price, assured that electing a leader and therefore a cabinet was “more important than any football game”.
This was seconded by the Leader of the Kirklees Independent Group, Coun Habiban Zaman, who explained the council had a “responsibility” to make a decision.
Coun Zaman said: “Like millions of people across the country, we are looking forward to supporting England in the semi-final and wish the team every success.
“However, our responsibility as elected councillors is first and foremost to the residents of Kirklees.
“The council has been without stable political leadership for too long, and the meeting is an important opportunity to elect a leader and move the authority forward.”