New leader and deputy leader to be appointed for Stockport Council

By Alasdair Perry 6th May 2025

Cllr Mark Roberts and Cllr Jilly Julian will become leader and deputy leader respectively of Stockport Council (Image - Nub News)
Cllr Mark Roberts and Cllr Jilly Julian will become leader and deputy leader respectively of Stockport Council (Image - Nub News)

Stockport Council will appoint a new leader and deputy leader on 20 May.

The new leader of the council will be Cllr Mark Roberts, and the new deputy leader will be Cllr Jilly Julian.

Stockport's Liberal Democrat group (the largest party in the council) elected them both after Cllr Mark Hunter announced that he would be stepping down from his role as leader.

Cllr Mark Roberts will be stepping up from his former role as deputy leader of the council.

Cllr Jilly Julian is currently the council's cabinet member for finance and resources.

Cllr Mark Roberts and Cllr Jilly Julian will assume their new roles as leader and deputy leader on 20 May (Image - Stockport Council)

Speaking after his election as leader, Cllr Roberts said: "It an honour and a privilege to serve my community and I am humbled to be able to build on that.

"I have been chosen to lead an inspirational bunch of local champions as leader of the Liberal Democrats across Stockport and will make our case to continue the administration of the council moving forward, building on the legacy of Cllr Hunter.

"Stockport is a great place to live, work and play but we have to do more to ensure that positive impact is felt across Stockport in all our communities.

"I am clear that comes from getting more Liberal Democrats who stand up for their residents elected and showing that when you vote Lib Dem you get local action.

"I couldn't be happier that in my deputy leader I will be supported by my inspirational friend and colleague, Cllr Jilly Julian, who has guided the borough through the catastrophic lack of government funding.

"She has demonstrated herself to be a rational, safe pair of hands in a political landscape with considerable challenge."

(Image - Nub News)

Cllr Julian added: "I became politically active a decade ago, because I felt that humanity and common sense had vanished from government.

"Now, ten years later, we need compassion and reason more than ever at every level of politics. So I'm incredibly proud to have been chosen for this role by the group.

"I know that Cllr Roberts will be a fantastic Group Leader, and am really happy to be supporting him and working together towards a thriving, fair, and ambitious future for Stockport!

"From housing to healthcare and beyond, we face huge challenges. But 'do summat' has become our family motto, and as deputy leader, I'm excited and proud to be able to make a difference."

Cllr Mark Hunter, retiring Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: "I am delighted that two such capable colleagues have taken over the mantle of leadership from me. I know the Group is in good hands with them and that they will always put our borough first.

"I look forward to giving them both my full support from the backbenches once I am replaced as leader of the council on 20th May."

~

Free from clickbait, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or X.

     

Please Support Us Stockport. Your Town. Your News. Your Support Matters.

Local news is essential for our community — but it needs your support.
By becoming a monthly supporter, you’ll help us continue delivering reliable local stories and events.
Your support makes a real difference to Stockport.
Monthly supporters will enjoy:
Ad-free experience

Share:


Sign-up for our FREE newsletter...

We want to provide stockport with more and more clickbait-free news.

     

...or become a Supporter.
Stockport. Your Town. Your News.

Local news is essential for our community — but it needs your support.
Your donation makes a real difference.
For monthly donators:
Ad-free experience