"No chance,"... "A dark horse,"... "Self-appointed leaders in waiting" - Ex-Labour chief gives frank low-down on potential new leaders

Cllr Alexander announced last night that he was resigning as leader of City of York Council and the Labour Group, just hours after telling the media that rumours to that affect were untrue.

Deputy leader Tracey Simpson-Laing has been tipped by some Guildhall sources as a likely candidate as leader, however other names have also emerged, and former Labour leader David Scott, whose resignation last month plunged the party into further trouble, today gave a full and frank assessment of some plausible successors to Cllr Alexander.

In the running? Clockwise from top-left: Tracey Simpson-Laing, Dafydd Williams, David Levene, Julie Gunnell, Dave Merrett, Sonja Crisp, Linsay Cunningham-Cross and Neil Barnes.

Deputy leader Tracey Simpson-Laing has been tipped by some Guildhall sources as a likely candidate. Dafydd Williams and David Levene, both close allies of James Alexander, are also known to have greater political ambitions, but it has been suggested Labour may seek a more conciliatory choice as leader, to help bring new unity to a party that has suffered five defections in two years.

>>> FLASHBACK: How Labour lost control of York in 5 dramatic moments 

Linsay Cunningham-Cross, former Lord Mayor Julie Gunnell and Neil Barnes have all today been suggested as possible candidates, in such circumstances.

Cllr Dave Merrett is the most experienced Labour councillor and has led the party before, but he has been closely associated with the controversy around Lendal Bridge and one Labour insider said he would be unlikely to want the top job again.

Labour's 21 councillors will choose their next leader in a secret ballot, through several rounds if necessary until one candidate has more than half the vote.

View from a former leader

David Scott (pictured), who led Labour from 2007 to 2010, today criticised James Alexander for the manner of his departure, and gave a frank assessment of his potential replacements.

Cllr Scott said: "The way James Alexander has left York has typified the way he has run York in the past three and a half years. It is more about him and what he needs, rather than what was good for York."

Speaking on some potential new Labour leaders, he said:

On Tracey Simpson-Laing: "I think she could make a good leader but would need coaching and mentoring and over the last three and a half years she has lost her way." 

On David Levene and Dafydd Williams: "Certain people have always seen themselves as leaders in waiting: David Levene and Dafydd Williams." Asked his view on whether they would help reunite Labour, following defections, he said: "It would do little to win me back. They were great supporters of James, inculcated with everything he did and in his way of working to eliminate opposition."

On Linsay Cunningham-Cross: "The interesting one would be Linsay Cunningham-Cross. She could be the dark horse in this race. I think the three most likely candidates would be her, David Levene and Dafydd Williams. Linsay Cunningham-Cross's problem is that she is in a seat [Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without] that she might not win next time, which could count against her."

On Sonja Crisp: "She would not have a chance."

On Dave Merrett: "Not a chance, and I do not think he would want it."

On Neil Barnes: "He could be an outsider."

Asked whether he might rejoin Labour, depending on the new leader, Cllr Scott said: "I have never said this was about personalities. It was about the party reclaiming the group and the power within the party. When the party starts being the party I joined and reflects the principles I joined for, that's when I will be happy to rejoin. Whether people would be happy to have me back is another matter."

Cllr James Alexander, centre, with Tracey Simpson-Laing and Dave Merrett (library picture)

Labour reaction

Labour councillors have been told not to talk to The Press today about the leadership contest, although some have broken ranks or spoken briefly to pay tribute to Cllr Alexander.

Cllr Sonja Crisp said she did not want to comment on Cllr Alexander's resignation but said he was a close friend and she would miss him.  She said about the new leadership of the group: “I’m thinking very seriously about who I would like to see in this position. Everyone will have the opportunity to nominate whoever they want.”  

Cllr Neil Barnes said: "I’ve known James for over ten years and I’ll never forget how he mentored and encouraged me in running for council. I completely respect his decision to pursue a great opportunity within the Labour Party and wish him every success in the new role. York has benefited from a strong, determined and forward-thinking leader and I think that’s under-appreciated in many quarters.

“Not many people have the guts to run for council, even lesser still to stand as a leader – thereby subjecting themselves to long working hours, regular abuse and little personal reward. I think that demands respect.”

Cllr Linsay Cunningham-Cross said: "He has been a great leader for the city and I wish him all the best in terms of what he does in the future.”

Cllr Julie Gunnell said: “I want to pass on my best wishes to James and wish him all the best in the future in his new job. I genuinely think we have some excellent talent in the Labour group and we will work very hard together for the next six months. Now I will be working with the rest of the group in selecting the new leader.”

Cllr Barbara Boyce said: “I’m very disappointed James Alexander has gone. He had a true vision for York but I totally understand his reasons for leaving. The abuse he received has been an absolute disgrace and I will miss him and so will his many friends. James truly wanted to improve the city to bring jobs and homes to people who needed them and he was prepared to bring the city into the 21st Century.”

Cllr Neil McIveen said: "I feel it's the right move for James personally but I feel York is the lesser for it."

In an emailed media statement, Labour group chairman Cllr Ruth Potter (pictured above) said: “The selection process to determine who will be the next leader of the Labour Group is an internal matter for Labour councillors and will be concluded before the next meeting of the full council on December 11, when Cllr Alexander’s replacement will be confirmed.

“The Labour Group would like to put on public record its thanks to James for his outstanding leadership over the past few years and looks forward to working under a new leader to show the difference between Labour and the opposition parties between now and the May local elections”.