New Liberal Democrat leader for Luton council as 20-year Labour rule ends
Liberal Democrat Barnfield councillor Amjid Ali is the new leader of Luton Borough Council, after political manoeuvring by opposition parties led to a vote of no confidence in the Labour administration.
A summer breakaway of Labour councillors led to seven forming an Independent Alliance Group, fatally weakening the party’s near 20 years of running the town, while an eighth left to become a non-aligned Independent.
With Labour outnumbered, a surprise motion seeking to remove the council leader and Biscot councillor Tahmina Saleem was passed by 24 votes to 21 at an extraordinary council meeting.
That triggered a second extraordinary meeting, last night, (Monday) when the effective vote of no confidence in her leadership was passed with 26 in favour, 21 against and one abstention.
Labour’s 21 remaining councillors backed councillor Saleem in the ballot, but a combination of 13 Lib Dems, seven Independent Alliance Group councillors, three Conservatives, two non-aligned Independents and one Reform UK councillor meant a successful leadership challenge by five votes.
Former Liberal Democrat group leader David Franks, who left the party last month to become a non-aligned Independent, abstained.
Councillor Ali said after the meeting: “I’m both honoured and humbled to be given this opportunity and I fully recognise the significant responsibility that comes with it.
“Our absolute commitment will be to the people of Luton. My immediate priority will be to ensure stability and a renewed sense of purpose to the council, with a clear focus on the issues and priorities that matter most to our town.
“Residents can be assured that the local authority continues to be here to provide the services they rely on every day. I look forward to working with councillors and council staff to make sure those services are delivered to a high standard, problems are dealt with and we stay focused on what matters most to the people of Luton.
“I want residents to see a council that listens, is visible and approachable, and is honest about the challenges it faces. We won’t always have all the answers, but we will always be prepared to listen, explain our decisions, and work hard to make things better for our town and those who live and work here.”
The new executive and portfolio responsibilities will be confirmed in the coming days. The Labour Group will become the authority’s official opposition, it confirmed.
First elected in 2019, councillor Ali has chaired the council’s overview and scrutiny board and its scrutiny crime and disorder committee.
Councillor Saleem said: “Voters across Luton chose a Labour-led council in 2023. The councillors behind tonight’s vote were themselves elected as Labour representatives, before choosing to leave the party.
“They’ve now joined with the Conservatives, Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats to bring that Labour-led council to an end. I’m incredibly proud of what our Labour group delivered for our town.
“As a local councillor, my priority remains the same. That’sstanding up for residents across Biscot and working to deliver the change Luton needs and deserves ahead of the local elections in 2027.
“My Labour group will now hold the new administration to account for the decisions it takes, and the impact it has on people across Luton.”