Wakefield South Ward

Wakefield South Ward Branch of the Labour Party

Above – Event at the Agbrigg and Belle Vue Community Centre to launch Shabaan Saleem’s successful election campaign of 2024.

Wakefield South is one of the 21 wards which make up Wakefield Metropolitan District Council. Each ward is represented by 3 councillors who serve for 4 years. Council elections are held on a rolling basis in 3 out of every 4 years when one of the seats in each ward is up for election.

From 1995 to 2023 the ward was represented exclusively by Conservative and Independent Councillors. However, Labour secured successive victories in the local elections of 2023 and 2024. As a result, the ward is now represented by 2 Labour councillors and 1 Conservative.

In July 2024 the ward transferred from the Hemsworth parliamentary constituency to the newly created constituency of Ossett and Denby Dale.

At the general election on 4 July, Jade Botterill won the new seat for Labour. Jade received 17,232 votes (39.3% of votes cast), compared with the Conservatives 12,690 and Reform 9,224.

The other wards in the new constituency are Horbury and South Ossett, Ossett, Wakefield Rural, Denby Dale and Kirkburton.

Forward by the Chair

Welcome to the Wakefield South Ward Branch of the Labour Party

If you want to help make Britain a fairer society, joining and participating in your local branch of the Labour Party is a great place to start.

Both existing and new members of the Party will always get a warm welcome at Branch Meetings. So do come along if you enjoy talking with other local people who share your values, learn about what’s going on in the Party, and help us in local and national election campaigns.

For many years, from 1995 to 2023, the ward was represented by Conservative and Independent councillors. However, we were delighted to reverse this situation with successive victories to elect Cllr. Katrina Law in 2023 and Cllr. Shabaan Saleem in 2024.

These were narrow victories following hard fought campaigns. In particular, Shabaan campaigned tirelessly for over 4 months to achieve a wafer thin majority of just 56 votes. We therefore need all members of the Party to actively support the Branch if we are to repeat these successes in future elections.

I do hope to see you at our monthly Branch meetings.

Cllr Olivia Rowley, Branch Chair

Branch Meetings 2024/25

All meetings start at 7pm in the Red Shed

Wednesday 20 Nov

December – No Meeting

Wednesday 15 Jan

Wednesday 19 Feb

Wednesday 19 Mar

Wednesday 16 April

Red Shed, 18 Vicarage Street, Wakefield WF1 1QX

Our Representatives

Cllr Katrina Law, Labour Councillor for Wakefield South

I’ve just completed my first 18 months as a councillor, and I’m thrilled to be involved in so many issues affecting the community.

My first year as a councillor has been very busy and fulfilling. As a member of the Regeneration, Employment and Skills Committee, I’m becoming closely involved in the economic development of the area.

I’d like to echo Olivia’s words of encouragement to support the Branch and help us to elect more Labour Councillors to join me on the Council.

I’ve also been holding surgeries and taking up issues raised by constituents, and attending the regular PACT (Police and Communities Together) meetings.

Shabaan Saleem, Labour Councillor for Wakefield South

    I’d like say a heart felt thank you to all those who voted for me in the May 2024 election.

    During my election campaign, I spoke to hundreds of residents on the doorstep, and, I believe, gained a sound understanding of the issues affecting the ward.

    I’m very aware that many people have been struggling with the cost of living crisis, and a host of other issues from community safety to local services.

    As a newly elected Councillor I’ll be doing my level best to address these issues and work to improve the quality of life and services for everybody in the ward. Please follow the Facebook link for updates on my work.