Mayor's View: We cannot afford any more instability

The Labour Council Leader of the City has resigned for describing women – someone’s daughter, niece, or sister – as “poor white trash”. How awful.

As a result of that, Peterborough City councillors are even more divided. There is an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council scheduled for this Friday to elect a new leader.

We are now looking for yet another new council leader in less than two years – after the leader previous to that had only served for six months.

We cannot afford any more instability. The council has been without one party in majority for some years now. Councillors have been far to focused what divides them, rather than what should unite them.

What should unite them is delivering for the people of Peterborough. Delivering for our City. A City on the up. A City with so much potential.

We desperately need grown up politics in Peterborough. Every councillor needs to put differences aside.

As Mayor, I need someone I can work with. This is a fantastic opportunity for a reset at the Council so we can work together to deliver for the City that we all love.

Thanks to a lack of ambition and strong leadership, too much has fallen by the wayside.

During my election campaign, the Labour Council agreed to work with me to deliver my plan for free parking in our city centre. Despite this, they have been dragging their feet. I have started discussions with the Council, and now the ball is in their court to come back with some options. It’s now the second week of September and still nothing. The Council could be my partner in delivery for this. I shall now look at other options to deliver on my promise.

The Labour Council also shelved Peterborough’s tourism strategy. But I want to set up a Local Visitor Economy Partnership with Peterborough. Last week I met with Visit England to speak about access to resources to promote tourism and offer businesses support. I am determined to ensure we don’t miss out – and new leadership at the council will be a fresh opportunity to work together.

Way back in 2020 The Posh signed a memorandum of understanding with Peterborough City Council to build a new Peterborough Stadium in the City Centre. It’s happened in Brentford and York. And it can happen here. But Labour opposed the plan, the subsequent changes have meant deadlock under both Peterborough First and Labour. A new community stadium would offer an economic boost to our city beyond the football club – it could be a concert venue and hub for new businesses. I want to get this stadium underway. With new leadership at the council, it’s time to get it done.

So come on Peterborough Councillors. It’s over to you. Let’s sort this. Let’s work together. Let’s get Peterborough moving again.