City's Labour group elects new leader

The Labour Party group has elected its new city council leader after its previous one lost his seat to the Green Party at this month's local elections.

Labour also lost control of Cambridge City Council after 12 years in charge, but it remains the largest party.

Katie Thornburrow, who has been a city councillor since 2018, represents Petersfield ward and has served as cabinet member for planning and transport.

She said she would work to "ensure that every resident's voice is heard as we work to make Cambridge a great place to live for all".

Rosy Moore, who has been a councillor for nine years, was elected as her deputy leader.

Thornburrow is an architect who runs her own practice in Cambridge, specialising in conservation architecture.

"I'm proud that, under Labour, Cambridge City Council has worked to tackle inequality and reduced our carbon emissions by 50%," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"I will ensure we continue to prioritise the climate and biodiversity crises, protect the environment, and support residents through the cost-of-living crisis we are facing."

She also paid tribute to Cameron Holloway, who had been the group's leader for about a year before losing his seat, and Rachel Wade, who had been his deputy.

Labour remains the largest party on the council - it went from 23 seats to 17 - although no party has a majority.

This means the council must decide whether it can be run with one party in charge as a minority administration, or whether it can be run by coalition of parties.

Councillors will vote on a new leader for the authority at its annual meeting on 21 May.

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