Stockport Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr Mark Hunter, has announced he will step back from his position as group leader and Leader of the Council at the group’s AGM in May – though he will continue as a councillor for his home ward of Cheadle Hulme South.
Mark became leader of Stockport Council in 2022 when the Liberal Democrats again became the largest party at the Town Hall – just one seat short of an overall majority. He was previously leader 2002-2005, before being elected as Member of Parliament for Cheadle, a constituency he represented for 10 years. He remains the only person to have led Stockport Council on two separate occasions.
First elected as a Tameside councillor in 1980 at just 22, Mark served for nine years before moving to Stockport with his family in 1990. He won a seat on Stockport Council in 1996 representing Marple North Ward and became leader in 2002. Following the sad death of Patsy Calton in 2005, he was selected as parliamentary candidate for Cheadle and entered Westminster after a by-election in July.
Mark said
“It has been a privilege to lead Stockport council at such an exciting time with our district centres thriving, the town centre’s transformation continuing at pace, and Stockport recognised as the best place to live in the North West by The Sunday Times in 2024.
“After careful consideration, I have decided that this is the right time for me to pass on responsibility for leading the Liberal Democrat group and the Council to the next generation. Stockport is in a great position to continue moving forward. With our vision, drive and ambition we are well set for future success. I would like to thank all my colleagues, and the members and officers who work tirelessly to ensure our borough has such a well-run local authority. Working together, we have achieved a great deal but much more remains to be done.
“With a career in public service stretching back 45 years, it is time for me to consider what I want to do next. With two grandchildren already, I will not be short of things to do, and I remain open to new opportunities in public life where my experience may be of benefit. It’s the start of a new chapter for me personally and I am very much looking forward to the future.”
