Political

Major Lib Dem local government figure retires

Paul TilsleyBirmingham’s longest serving councillor is stepping down as leader of the city’s Liberal Democrats to ‘pass on the baton to someone younger’.

Veteran councillor Paul Tilsley, aged 70, has led the Birmingham Lib Dems since June 2005 during one of their most successful periods in recent political history.

At the time the Lib Dems were junior partner in the Tory-Lib Dem coalition which ran the city until 2012 and he became deputy leader of the council…

The 70 year old veteran politician says he will continue as Sheldon councillor at least until his term of office ends in 2018.

He said: “It was now time to stand aside and hand the baton to someone younger.”

“It has been an honour and privilege to lead the Group and play a central role in the leadership of the largest Local Authority in Europe. Under the previous system of measurement, as the cabinet member responsible for improvement, we went from an under-performing council with one star to three stars. That’s something that I am very proud of.” [Birmingham Mail]

In my dealings with Paul, who was also elected to Federal Conference Committee in 2014 and is also one of the councillor reps on the Federal Policy Commmittee, he’s been charming, intelligent and always open to learning something new. A fine role model for his local government colleagues.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do next Paul, even if it is having some leisure time…!

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