News / Politics
Tom Renhard: ‘I want to make sure we do good stuff in Bristol’
Bristol’s Labour leader says he is “very much up” for the local elections in May.
Tom Renhard has only been a councillor since May 2021 and was voted group leader by his fellow councillors in a secret ballot in October.
About half of Labour’s councillors are standing down as Bristol moves into a committee system, with Renhard the new face of Labour locally, launching their manifesto and even recently dropping into many people’s email inboxes across the city.
is needed now More than ever
Tom Renhard with outgoing mayor Marvin Rees – photo: Tom Renhard
“I’m very much up for it, want to offer a vision for the city that we hope residents and voters will support and then make sure that we do good stuff in the city,” said Renhard.
Speaking to the Bristol Cable’s Bristol Unpacked Podcast, Renhard said that his housing role in outgoing mayor Marvin Rees’ cabinet has “not been a particularly easy brief”.
“For me, having had the housing brief as well for the last few years, I think there was something for me about making sure we carry on the work we are doing around house building but also really focussing on trying to do more around council housing – which is one of our key pledges – as well as other types of housing.
“We know that the market will build homes but we need to make sure we are building the homes that can help to address the housing crisis we are facing. I think that’s something that I feel really strongly and passionately about and want to drive forward.”
Renhard previously accused the Green Party of a “total abdication of their responsibility as elected councillors” when they did not propose any changes to Marvin Rees’ final budget as mayor.
He told Bristol Unpacked host Neil Maggs: “I think my concerns stem from an inability of them to step up and make big decisions… Not stepping up to offer alternative suggestions if you don’t like what’s being proposed doesn’t feel like leadership to me.”
Renhard added that there is “an inherent contradiction” in the Green Party at times, giving the example of backing council housing in the 2021 local election but since then objecting to various schemes.
“I think there is something in there of appearing left wing or appearing that you’re supporting socialist values but then not actually following through on that when push comes to shove.”
Tom Renhard has been accused of using Bristol as a stepping stone for his national political ambitions – photo: Tom Renhard
Away from City Hall, Renhard continues to freelance for Mind and used to run a mental health charity which he stepped down from in early 2023 soon after becoming a father for the first time.
In November 2022, he made it onto Labour’s shortlist of politicians who wanted to stand in the Gloucester constituency at the next general election.
Maggs accused Renhard of being a “political careerist” but Renhard said that if he had been elected as an MP in Gloucester, he “would not have given up (his) responsibilities” as a cabinet member in Bristol.
“I’m ambitious to be in a position to be able to affect change that’s going to benefit people in this city,” Renhard said.
“The more I have got into my local government role, I’ve really enjoyed it and since becoming leader, I want to focus on Bristol and want to focus on being leader of the council…
“I’m trying to make sure we can make the change that we need in Bristol so we can improve things as we are still divided in some parts of the city.
“The opportunities and prosperity hasn’t been fairly shared and we need to make sure going forwards that opportunity and prosperity is more fairly shared.”
Bristol’s Labour group leader, Tom Renhard, promises to work collaboratively in City Hall after the local elections – photo: Rob Browne
Main photo: Labour Party
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