Two councillors will tomorrow become the district’s most high-profile citizens as the new Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford.

And when Councillors Naveeda Ikram and Val Slater take up their posts it will be the first time since 1983 that both roles have been filled by women.

The Deputy Lord Mayor, Coun Slater, said she and Coun Ikram were determined to mark their year by showing the importance of women in politics.

Coun Slater said: “Unfortunately politics has a bad reputation with some things in Parliament viewed as an old boys’ approach so it’s important Naveeda and I are there as role models so we can show there’s a different approach to politics.

“It’s really important to have women’s voices heard and women’s voices listened to.

“I’m looking forward to engaging with a really wide cross-section of Bradford’s community and being a really good ambassador.”

Councillors Ikram and Slater will receive their chains at an ermine and robes ceremony at City Hall tomorrow.

And, as is tradition, the Lord Mayor, Coun Ikram, will reveal the cause or causes that will benefit from an appeal which will run throughout her mayoral year.

  • Read the full story in Monday's T&A