A new leader will take the helm at a Greater Manchester council after standing unopposed at a Labour AGM - despite his predecessor's defiance last week. Coun Ged Cooney had served on Tameside Council's executive under Coun Brenda Warrington, who was elected leader back in January 2018.
But the Droylsden West councillor launched a shock bid for leadership of the authority last month - making his intentions public with just weeks to go before the local elections. Coun Warrington hit back with an eyeopening public statement on Monday (May 9) in which she hinted she would battle to stay in the role.
However, the Denton West councillor informed Labour members she would not be contesting Coun Cooney's leadership bid on the eve of Tameside Labour's AGM this morning (May 15). He stood unopposed to be named the new leader of Tameside's Labour group, and will sit his first public meeting as leader of the council on May 24.
Coun Cooney told the Manchester Evening News : "The group wanted change. It's a shame it couldn't have been resolved earlier. Everyone has the right to either stand against people or remain in post. There's nothing wrong with that, it's a democracy.
"Coun Warrington took over when Carillion collapsed and we had a half-built town hall. She had to deal with Covid and some very trying times, and she did a very good job. It's just that the group really wanted change.
"We move forward. We look at what we are doing and can we change that - and I believe changes can be made in that sense. I'm pleased that the group thinks I am capable of doing it. Let's hope we can make the changes that Tameside residents want."
Coun Warrington kept her silence before the local elections, but finally hit back at Coun Cooney's challenge last week. In a blistering statement, she said: "Ged Cooney has been my right hand ever since he persuaded me to stand as leader... I had always thought we could trust each other."
The statement hinted that she would try to retain her position, as Coun Warrington added: "The challenges for Tameside in the future are considerable, what is important is stability so that confidence in the administration is maintained. That is my sole focus."
However, in a statement sent to Labour members ahead of the AGM - seen by the M.E.N. - Coun Warrington insisted the group must 'come together in the interest of our residents' before confirming she would not stand against Coun Cooney. The leadership challenge is understood to have followed concerns among Labour members about Coun Warrington’s leadership style, the regeneration of Ashton town centre and the hugely contentious Godley Green Garden Village plans.
She defended her record in last week's public statement - expressing how she 'successfully led Tameside through numerous major, unprecedented challenges'. Despite the cloud of the leadership challenge hanging over the party, this month's local election results were hailed 'a good night for Labour' by Coun Warrington, with the party holding onto all but two seats.
Those were lost to the Conservatives, including in the Hyde Godley ward, where Godley Green was a major campaigning issue for new councillor Andrea Colbourne. Tory group leader Coun Doreen Dickinson was 'delighted' with the gains, adding: “I’d rather we had 27 seats instead of seven but it’s a marathon not a sprint. This is definitely something to build on."
Coun Warrington has been approached for comment.
