Cambridge Labour replace Anna Smith as leader with Mike Davey named successor

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Cambridge Labour has replaced Cllr Anna Smith as leader just over a week after it retained control of the city council.

Deputy leader Cllr Mike Davey has been appointed her successor and will take up the leadership of the city council at the authority’s annual meeting later this month.

The Labour group said in a statement to the Cambridge Independent that Cllr Smith (Lab, Coleridge) will be focussing on her role as deputy mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

Cllr Smith, who has been leader since October 2021, said: “I am delighted of what we’ve achieved together in my time as council leader including the hundreds of new council homes we are building across the city, and the way we have protected our generous community grants programme in the face of Tory cuts. I’m also proud to have led Cambridge Labour to two record victories in the local elections.

“I’m also grateful for the opportunity to deputise leadership of the Combined Authority whilst Nik Johnson was ill. I look forward to continuing as deputy mayor of the CPCA, working with Nik on the exciting projects ahead.

“I will continue to prioritise service over ambition and will work with the next leader of the council in the best interests of the people of Cambridge.”

The recent local election campaign had been dominated by the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s plans for a citywide road charge. This was reflected in the voting patterns, with the Conservative Party securing a huge 19 per cent share of the vote despite not winning a seat.

Labour finished the day with 27 seats, down two on their position from a year ago, with the Lib Dems remaining the opposition party with 10 – up one.

Cllr Davey (Lab, Petersfield) said he was “thrilled” to have been appointed leader and praised Cllr Smith for her “excellent leadership”. He was elected by the Labour group today (Sunday, May 14), having previously been executive councillor for finance, resources and transformation.

Cllr Davey said: “Our vision for the city remains focused on our key pledges of tackling poverty and inequality, addressing the climate crisis, building a new generation of council houses and maintaining key services despite Tory cuts.

“I want to thank Cllr Anna Smith for the tremendous amount she has achieved during her tenure as leader. I am delighted that she will remain as board member and deputy mayor of the Combined Authority and I look forward to working with her as she makes this vital contribution at regional level.”

Mayor Dr Nik Johnson added: “I’m absolutely delighted that Anna will be focussing more of her time on the Combined Authority. I’m incredibly grateful for the work she did as acting mayor when I was off sick, and she is an excellent deputy. I look forward to continuing to work with her.”

The city council’s annual meeting will be held on Thursday, May 25.