News / Politics
Amal Ali and Ellie King become Labour’s deputy leaders in Bristol
With less than ten weeks to go until the local elections, Bristol’s ruling Labour group have revealed their two new deputy leaders.
Amal Ali and Ellie King have been elected by their fellow councillors in City Hall, with Tom Renhard already revealed as Labour’s group leader in Bristol.
Ali and King have both been councillors since 2021 with the pair hoping to retain their seats. Ali currently represents Frome Vale but will be standing in Lawrence Hill in May, while King represents and will be seeking re-election in the Labour stronghold of Hillfields.
is needed now More than ever
Ali said: “As a resident of Lawrence Hill, mum of three and council house tenant from a Muslim background, I know how important it is that local councillors defends the interest of working class communities.
“This means building more council homes, improving the standard of homes and demanding better public transport.”
King added: “It’s a huge honour to be elected as Labour group deputy leader alongside Amal.
“I’m looking forward to working more closely with Amal; I know the work she’s put into supporting residents through the Barton House evacuation and know how dedicated she is to making Bristol a better to place to live…
“I’m looking forward to working with Amal and Tom to put forward a bold plan for a fairer, socially-just and safer Bristol.”
Amal Ali was one of the councillors who approved South Bristol Cemetery expanding onto Yew Tree Farm – photo: Rob Browne
The position of deputy leader has been reintroduced by the Labour group in Bristol ahead of the city’s transition to to the committee model of governance.
Under the current mayoral model, a Labour-elected mayor is the de facto leader of the Labour group, with the leader of the Labour group of councillors serving as their deputy within the Labour Party.
Renhard said he is “delighted” to have Ali and King as his new deputies.
“Working together, we will be laser-focused on the priorities of residents across the city, continuing to tackle the challenges brought on by the Tory-manufactured cost-of-living and housing crises,” he said.
“Whilst there is a lot still to do, we’ll be standing on a track record of delivery for the city, with 12,534 homes built between 2016 and 2023, an innovative approach to addressing climate issues through our City Leap Partnership that will help bring bills down for some residents, and the Youth Zone that promises to provide access to state of the art youth facilities in the coming years.”
Bristol’s Labour group leader Tom Renhard pretending to drive a bus – photo: Tom Renhard
Main photo: Labour Party
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