Liam Robinson (politician)

Liam Robinson
Leader of Liverpool City Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
17 May 2023
DeputyDaniel Barrington
Preceded byOffice re-established
Joe Anderson (2012)
Councillor for Kensington and Fairfield
Incumbent
Assumed office
2 May 2008
Preceded byFrank Doran
Majority197 (3.8%)
Personal details
Born1983 (age 40–41)[1]
Macclesfield, Cheshire[1]
Political partyLabour Co-op
Children2[1]

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,[4] 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..[1]

References

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