Stockport Council’s Leader has slammed Labour’s lack of action in promoting women to top jobs in Greater Manchester, calling for an all-women mayoral shortlist.
Liberal Democrat Sue Derbyshire, 60, claimed Labour has never had a female council leader and called on Manchester City Council to introduce an all-women shortlist for the transitional mayor.
An agreement for an elected mayor was made on November 3 with a transitional arrangement of an appointed mayor to be put in place before the first election in 2017.
Mrs Derbyshire, a mother of two, said: “It is obvious that there is a lack of diversity in the leadership of Greater Manchester.
“Labour has never had a woman council leader. Here we are in 2014 and the Labour party, which has been a pioneer for equality, and they have never had a female leader.”
Mrs Derbyshire, who is now in her third term as council leader, is the only female political leader in Greater Manchester.
She added: “When there is a meeting of the leaders it does feel a little strange to be the only woman in the room.
“We can use it [the position of elected mayor] for another chance to get a female voice involved in the debate.
“This is the heartland of the Labour party. They have a responsibility to reflect the population, as 50% have never had top leadership roles.”
Her views have come under fire from members of her own party in Stockport as fellow councillors expressed their concern.
Geoff Abell, councillor for Marple North, said: “I would not like an all-women’s shortlist. What I would like is the best women or female candidates.
“I encourage all women but as a matter of principle I do not like all-women’s shortlists. My liberal principles do not allow me to agree.”
The move for an elected mayor, agreed with leaders of Greater Manchester’s ten councils, will give local politicians greater control over billions of pounds of public money.
The mayor will oversee policies such as transport, social care and housing as well as police budgets.
Chancellor George Osborne described the deal as ‘a massive moment for the north of England’.
The announcement comes two years after people in the city of Manchester voted against having an elected mayor.
Image courtesy of Nicholas Smale, inset courtesy of Stockport Council via YouTube, with thanks
