Liam Robinson (politician) explained

Liam Robinson
Office:Leader of Liverpool City Council
Term Start:17 May 2023
Predecessor:Office re-established
Deputy:Daniel Barrington
Office1:Councillor for Kensington and Fairfield
Term Start1:2 May 2008
Majority1:197 (3.8%)
Predecessor1:Frank Doran
Birth Place:Macclesfield, Cheshire
Children:2
Party:Labour Co-op

Liam Robinson (born 1983)[1] is a British Labour and Co-operative Party politician who has served as the leader of Liverpool City Council since the reestablishment of the position in May 2023. Additionally, he holds the portfolio for innovation in the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and is also the chair of Merseytravel.[2]

Career

Robinson was elected as a councillor for Kensington and Fairfield in 2008, succeeding Liberal Democrat councillor Frank Doran.[3] He has since held various roles in the city, chairing Merseytravel[4] and serving on the board of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.[5]

Robinson worked for Network Rail at Liverpool Lime Street railway station for sixteen years prior to becoming leader of Liverpool City Council.[6]

Leader of Liverpool City Council

Robinson was elected as the Leader of Liverpool City Council's Labour group in November 2022, being formally elected as leader of the council in May 2023 following the Labour group gaining a majority of seats in the May 2023 local elections. In 2012 Liverpool's went for a mayoral system of a directly elected mayor.[7] The mayor was abolished in 2023 with Robinson succeeding the last mayor Joanne Anderson.

Upon taking office, Robinson pledged to continue Anderson's work in addressing the 2021 government report into the council, which criticised its "severe breakdowns of governance".[8] Additionally, he stated that he intended to build more homes in Liverpool and advocate for more devolution of power to Liverpool City Region.[9]

As leader of the Liverpool City Council, a constituent council of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Robinson also serves on the Mayor's Cabinet and since 2024 has been the Cabinet Member for Innovation.

Personal life

Robinson is married with two children. He supports Manchester United F.C..

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Thorp . Liam . New Labour leader Liam Robinson on football, ironing and his big plan for Liverpool . 2 December 2022 . Liverpool Echo . 12 September 2023.
  2. Web site: Elected Members and Portfolio Holders | Liverpool City Region Combined Authority . Liverpool City Region . Liverpool City Region Combined Authority . 12 September 2023 .
  3. Web site: Kensington and Fairfield . Liverpool City Council . 13 September 2023.
  4. News: Liam Robinson named as Liverpool City Council's new Labour leader . BBC News . 29 November 2022 . 13 September 2023.
  5. Web site: Councillor Liam Robinson . Liverpool City Council . 13 September 2023.
  6. Web site: Thorp . Liam . 'Surrogate Scouser' now at the helm of the city . Liverpool Echo . 21 May 2023 . 13 September 2023.
  7. News: Hamilton . Claire . New Liverpool City Council leader promises hard work, not fireworks . BBC News . 18 May 2023 . 13 September 2023.
  8. News: Wolfe-Robinson . Maya . Liverpool city council pledges change after damning government report . The Guardian . 12 May 2021 . 13 September 2023.
  9. Web site: Price . Pete . I spoke to Liam Robinson about the important issues he will be focussing on . Liverpool Echo . 17 August 2023 . 13 September 2023.