Tom Renhard elected leader of Bristol Labour group

Bristol’s cabinet member for housing delivery & homes has become the new Labour group leader at City Hall.

Tom Renhard has only been a councillor since 2021, when he was elected for Horfield ward and swiftly elevated to Marvin Rees’ cabinet.

The UWE graduate is an influence and participation coach at Mind and a guest lecturer at the University of Bristol’s school for policy studies.

Renhard was director of Acorn from 2018 to 2021 but has since had an acrimonious falling out with the organisation, even being branded a “traitor” as his membership was terminated in July 2022.

Earlier in 2023, the father-of-one failed in his bid to become Labour’s parliamentary candidate for the Gloucester constituency.

Announcing his election to the leadership role, which comes with an extra £14,000 per year on top of his councillor allowance, Labour said that Renhard’s achievements as cabinet member have included “kickstarting a significant increase in funding for building new council homes”, “increasing funding to improve the standard of council homes” and “expanding a crackdown on rogue landlords”.

“I am delighted to be leading our brilliant Labour group of councillors into the local elections,” said Renhard, one of the few cabinet members who will be seeking re-election in 2024.

He is taking over the Labour group leadership from Steve Pearce, who is now acting lord mayor to provide cover for Paul Goggin while he recovers from illness.

Renhard added: “Bristol has come a long way since Labour came to power in the city: 12,534 homes built, £730m investment to decarbonise the city and unprecedented support provided for Bristolians during the cost-of-living crisis.

“We will continue to put forward ambitious policies to keep building a better Bristol, tackling the issues that matter most to communities.

“Bristol needs reliable, effective public transport in the form of mass transit; a transition to net zero that creates thousands of well-paid jobs; and to continue Labour’s investment in community facilities.

“It’s clear that only Labour can keep delivering for Bristol. We’ve got a great record in Bristol. Just think what we could achieve with a Labour majority both in City Hall and in Westminster.”

Tom Renhard pretending to drive a bus – photo: Tom Renhard

Rees, whose second mayoral term will end in 2024 and who also recently failed in his bid to become an MP, said: “I’m pleased that Labour councillors have Tom to lead our party into an important round of elections, as Labour looks to continue delivering for Bristol.

“Since I invited to Tom to join our cabinet with responsibilities for housing delivery and homes, record numbers of affordable homes have been built, property standards have been driven up through expanded landlord licensing schemes, and the council progressed its campaign for the power to introduce rent controls.

“His track record shows what he can accomplish for Bristol.

“I look forward to campaigning with Tom to get Labour councillors elected across Bristol.”

Main photo: Tom Renhard

Read next:

• Bristol cabinet member Tom Renhard hoping to become Gloucester MP
• Protesters disrupt cabinet meeting over threats to council tax benefit
• ‘The Green Party’s approach to City and Rovers’ plans raise concerns for the future’

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