Two and a half years after taking over as leader, and a year after spearheading the ousting of Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald as council leader, Cllr Chris Harper is stepping down as leader of Peterborough First. The Stanground, and one time Conservative, councillor assured his constituents “don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere”.
Announcing his resignation as Peterborough First leader, he told them: “You have put your faith in me, and I am committed to serving you to the best of my ability.”
It seems only yesterday – but was in fact a year ago – Cllr Harper set in motion the wheels that in November saw him present a vote of no confidence in Cllr Fitzgerald which was duly passed by 32 votes to 20.
It allowed Peterborough First to take control of the city council with Cllr Mohammed Farooq although, to the surprise of some, Cllr Harper was only on the fringe as a Cabinet advisor for finance, legal and corporate services.
In May Labour won the most seats but with a good showing from Peterborough First speculation emerged that both groups would form a coalition, but it never happened.
Labour leader Cllr Dennis Jones, reluctantly, was obliged to listen to party HQ in London and head a minority administration, which has duly come to pass.
Peterborough First, after making a promising start to their own minority administration, were shown the door and since May Labour has ruled the political roost.
Not to everyone’s approval.
Earlier this month it was Cllr Harper himself who spoke of Peterborough First finding themselves in disagreement with Labour.
“In the first two months of the Labour administration, we find ourselves in disagreement on many policies,” he wrote in an opinion column for the Peterborough Telegraph.
“We believe the Labour administration is not fulfilling its role of providing an effective political challenge where needed; Peterborough First as a group has its own views on the direction of travel on some major policies for our city. “
He cited examples of disagreements including progress on a new city swimming pool, cuts in funding to a dementia centre and anger over Werrington Fields where he thought an opportunity to compromise had been lost.
And of the Hilton hotel, he argued that the “current Labour administration needs to decide either to invest further and complete it or sell it as it stands.
“The council faces huge financial challenges, and we and the public can’t understand why the administration would continue to pump money into a hotel”.
“There are far greater challenges and priorities, and we need to see a very transparent case where the hotel can be sold now.
“Should the administration continue to invest and finish the hotel, we, and the public, must see very clear and concise reasons for so doing.
“Whether we keep the hotel or sell it, one of these options is more financially advantageous and the reasons behind any decision must be shared”.
Cllr Harper was until three years ago a Conservative councillor and no doubt retains many of the attributes of his original ‘calling’ prior to crossing the floor to Peterborough First.
At the time he reflected that “after a great deal of thought over several months, I have decided that I can no longer support the direction and behaviour of the leadership of the Conservative group”.
So why quit the leadership of Peterborough First?
The group, mostly comprising ex-Conservatives, has 14 of the 60 seats on Peterborough City Council and could be poised for greater success.
Cllr Harper said yesterday: “The leader role demands a great deal more time to ensure our group are serving the Peterborough residents as an effective opposition.
“Residents will know just how dedicated I am and how much time and attention I give to my ward, my volunteering interests, and to my role as chair of the planning and environmental committee.
“I’ve also joined the corporate parenting scrutiny committee, so the levels of this vital work has increased substantially particularly this year and this in addition to being full time employed.
“To prevent spreading myself too thinly on those commitments, I have made the difficult decision to step down as leader of the Peterborough First Group”.
His tenure as leader, he feels, has been effective, watching the group grow from an initial 4 councillors to 14.
“I have decided now is the right time to seek a new leader who will be able to devote the time and effort required to guide us through the years ahead,” he said.
“The new leader will have my full support as we continue to fulfil our promise of putting the people of our city before politics.”
Cllr Harper has been a councillor for 13 years.
The new leader will be elected at an imminent group meeting
