Here come the Lattys! Veteran councillor couple will be new Leeds Lord Mayor and Mayoress

A veteran councillor couple are set to be the next Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Leeds.
Councillors Pat and Graham Latty.Councillors Pat and Graham Latty.
Councillors Pat and Graham Latty.

Graham Latty, Conservative councillor for Guiseley and Rawdon, has been nominated to wear the chains of office in the next municipal year.

He will be joined by wife and fellow ward councillor Pat as his consort.

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Coun Latty, who was born and grew up in the Roundhay area, was first elected to the city council in 2000.

He said he was “absolutely delighted” to be nominated but joked that “it wont be quite real for a while I suppose because I do have to get re-elected”.

He will inherit the Mayoral chains from current Lord Mayor Jane Dowson, subject to winning his seat back in May’s all-out local elections.

“Let’s face it what’s not to like about being first citizens of Leeds,” he added of the nomination.

“Pat is delighted as well.”

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Asked what he was most looking forward to about his year in office, he said it was the “sheer pleasure of representing Leeds at the highest possible level”.

“I can’t imagine anything better, and I thank my colleagues for putting their faith in me,” he said.

And what about trying to keep councillor colleagues in check?

“I’ve got friends on all sides, so am hoping those relationships will make it easier to control, but councillors will be councillors and we’ll have to wait and see!” he said.

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Andrew Carter, leader of Coun Latty’s Conservative group at Leeds Civic Hall, said: “Graham, and his wife Pat, who will be Lady Mayoress and is also a councillor, will do a great job, and I am delighted that Graham has accepted the invitation.

“Graham and Pat have been personal friends of mine for many years, as well as senior members of our group on the council, Graham being my chief whip.

“They both have a passion for our city and its future, and will do an exceptional job.”