What Hartlepool's Labour MP Jonathan Brash said to new Reform UK council leader Graham Harrison
Hartlepool's MP has stressed he looks forward to “working constructively” with the council's new Reform UK leader and he hopes “party politics will not be allowed to get in the way” of continuing town progress.
Councillor Graham Harrison, who represents the Burn Valley ward, was elected as Hartlepool Borough Council leader at the local authority’s annual meeting last month.
May’s local elections saw Reform UK become the biggest party on the local authority with 15 councillors after winning all 12 available seats – with Cllr Harrison one of those who was successful.
Labour’s Jonathan Brash, Hartlepool’s MP, has sent a letter to the new council leader congratulating him on the appointment and setting out his desire to work “constructively” together.
In the letter, he said: “Whatever our political differences, I genuinely wish you well in the role, because when Hartlepool succeeds, all of us succeed.
“I hope sincerely that party politics will not be allowed to get in the way of continuing the progress Hartlepool has begun to see.
“Where Hartlepool’s interests come first, I will always work constructively with the council leadership, regardless of political control.”
He added he would “welcome the opportunity” to meet with the new leader “to discuss how we can continue delivering” for Hartlepool.
Labour previously had control of the council until six councillors, including former local authority leader and Mr Brash’s wife, Pamela Hargreaves, lost their seats.
The letter also highlighted several areas where Mr Brash hopes to see continuity and progress.
This includes housing reforms, the delivery of the Valour Centre and Nuclear and Electrical Trades Academy in Middleton Grange and environmental clean-up programmes.
Mr Brash’s letter also claims the new leader inherits “a council in a far stronger position than the one Labour took on”.
He continued: “I want to make clear that in the fight for fairer funding for councils, and in securing the reforms needed to protect towns like Hartlepool, your administration will find a willing partner in me.
“I look forward to working constructively with you where we can in the interests of the town we both serve.”
Speaking after being elected leader, Cllr Harrison said his “first priority” was to understand the authority’s financial position and his administration will “focus on ensuring the council serves all parts of Hartlepool fairly”.