Derbyshire Labour Group elects new leadership team

The group of Labour councillors on Derbyshire County Council has elected a new leadership team as the main opposition group on the council.

Dr Joan Dixon has been chosen as Group Leader and former High Peak MP Ruth George as Deputy Leader.

It is the first time that a group on the county council has had a female leader and deputy leader. 

The elections come after both incumbents lost their seats earlier this month. 

Previous leader Paul Smith lost his Alfreton and Somercotes seat, one of two lost to the Tories in Amber Valley, while deputy leader Mick Wall lost his seat of Loundsley Green and Newbold in Chesterfield in a surprise defeat to the Liberal Democrats’ Ed Fordham by just 74 votes.

Dr Dixon was first elected to Derbyshire County Council to represent Bolsover South in 2005. She has a career working in economic development and regional policy, delivering funding for the remediation and development of former colliery sites. 

More recently, she has argued the case for more investment and infrastructure in smaller cities and towns. She was previously the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport at Derbyshire County Council and oversaw the work on the Derbyshire Economic Strategy.

Originally from the Ribble Valley, Dr Dixon moved to Derbyshire in 1995 and to Bolsover in 2002 upon her marriage to Kevin. 

She has reflected on the election and spoken about the challenge ahead. 

“This was a very disappointing loss for Labour," she said. "I am saddened to see so many colleagues who have been stalwarts of their communities lose their seats. I would like to put on record my thanks for their loyal public service.

“That said, we begin rebuilding now with a strong team of old faces and new. I am delighted that Ruth is alongside me. In the coming weeks and months, we will be holding the Conservative administration to account. 

"Whether it's levelling up, highways maintenance or tackling the climate crisis, we will hold them and the Conservative Government to their word on the promises they have made to the people of Derbyshire." 

Ruth George won in Whaley Bridge for the first time for Labour in a by-election last year, and retained her seat this year with a majority of 666 votes against a challenge from the Conservatives’ Edwina Currie Jones. 

Mrs George was MP for High Peak from 2017 to 2019 and previously the National Parliamentary Officer for shopworkers' union Usdaw for almost 20 years. 

"Although in sad circumstances after the loss of so many colleagues, I’m pleased to have been elected as Deputy Leader and look forward to working with Joan and our strong team of Labour councillors, of whom 50 per cent are women," she said.

"Derbyshire County Council is facing millions of pounds more cuts, and we will be working to make sure that the people of Derbyshire receive the support and services that they need and deserve." 

There are now 14 Labour councillors on Derbyshire County Council, making up the largest of the opposition groups. 

The full Labour Leadership team is:

Leader: Dr Joan Dixon, Bolsover South

Deputy Leader: Ruth George, Whaley Bridge

Chief Whip: Kevin Gillott, Clay Cross South

Group Chair: Mick Yates, Bolsover North

Group Treasurer: Ron Mihaly, Boythorpe and Brampton South

Group Secretary: Becki Woods, Etherow 

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