The new leader of Trafford Council has been announced after a by-election saw the current leader Andrew Western become the MP for Stretford and Urmston.

Labour Cllr Tom Ross has announced on social media that he will be taking over the leadership of the local authority in the new year.

On Saturday (December 17) Cllr Ross Tweeted: “It’s the privilege of my life to take on the leadership of Trafford Labour and then Trafford Council in the new year. Thank you to my colleagues for your support - I will not let you down”.

In response to the announcement, current council leader Mr Western Tweeted: “Nobody better. So delighted to hand the reins over to such an incredible leader".

Cllr Ross is currently the council's executive member for finance and governance and represents Stretford.

 

Mr Western’s landslide by-election victory on Friday (December 16) was expected to lead to a change of leadership at the town hall.

He will take over from Kate Green, who was confirmed as the Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester last week.

As a candidate, Mr Western was expected to see off the challenge of eight other candidates and add to the 60 per cent share of the vote received by the Labour Party at the last election.

He met these expectations when the results were announced at Old Trafford in the early hours of Friday, as he received 12828 ballots, or a 69.6 per cent share of the vote.

The turnout was 25.8 per cent, the eighth lowest in a by-election in the post-war period.

Mr Western said: “I am overjoyed to be elected as the Member of Parliament for my home town. This by-election must hold the record for the coldest polling day on record, and I am thankful to every single person who braved the cold.

“Despite the cold, I have been heartened by how warm our reception was on the doorstep.

“It is clear from the result, and from the conversations I have had with voters throughout the campaign, that the public want a general election.

“The Conservative Party are failing to lead the country. They have unleashed a wrecking ball through the foundations of our economy and undermined the public’s trust in democracy.

“Only Labour can deliver the change our country needs.”

Elected as a representative for Priory Ward more than 10 years ago, Mr Western became the leader of the Labour Group on Trafford Council in 2014.

Then, it was in opposition to the Conservative Group, compared to which it held six fewer seats.

By 2018, the Labour Group was the largest on the council and a year on it took overall control.

And, after the last election six months ago, it held 28 more seats than the Conservative Group.