The first female leader of Leeds City Council joins the House of Lords
Baroness Judith Blake became the first female leader in 2015
The first female leader of Leeds City Council has joined the House of Lords as a peer.
Judith Blake's responsibility's as leader of the council will be passed over to councillor James Lewis today (24/2).
She's worked as a councillor in Leeds since 1996, before being elected as the leader in 2015.
"We need a voice and the voice of the North needs to be strengthened in Westminster."
Reflecting on her career, she said:
"My greatest disappointment is the sustained withdrawal of funding from local government by central government, and I think it's been so debilitating and such a mistake.
"We need a voice.
"And the voice of the North needs to be strengthened in Westminster.
"I'm looking at keeping my involvement in all the work we've been doing to get more investment in the North, whether it's through infrastructure, education, skills."
As the first female leader of Leeds City Council, she hopes to inspire women to take up opportunities and use their voice more:
"I don't think I really expected....the response I've had from women all over the city, just how important it's been for them to feel they have a voice, but also that the opportunity is there for everyone.
A motion to elect Councillor James Lewis as the new Leader of Leeds City Council will be voted on today.