Cllr Nadim Muslim has thanked the Conservative group on Bolton Council for giving him their unanimous support as the next leader of Bolton Conservatives. Unlike other divided groups on the council, the Conservatives were able to unite around a single candidate with significant experience on Bolton Council and at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
The Conservative group convened following the announcement of Cllr Martyn Cox to stand down as leader of the group, having served as Deputy Leader of Bolton Council, Leader of Bolton Council, and Leader of the Opposition across six years.
Having been elected in 2018, Cllr Nadim Muslim has served the residents of Bromley Cross ward for the last seven years. After only one year on the council, he was chosen by the late Cllr David Greenhalgh to serve in the first Conservative Cabinet in forty years – first as Executive Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities and then Environmental Services.
Cllr Nadim Muslim has also stood up for Bolton at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, challenging the Labour Mayor, Andy Burnham, on the Clean Air Zone; arguing against mayoral tax increases; and holding Greater Manchester Police to account. This experience will ensure Bolton Labour do not take their position for granted.
Commenting, Cllr Nadim Muslim said:
It is an absolute honour and privilege to have the unanimous backing of my group to be their next leader of the Conservatives on Bolton Council. I’d like to thank Cllr Martyn Cox for all the work he has done, having become leader in difficult circumstances.
We are already seeing the collapse in support for Labour nationally and their own internal divisions locally, but we are a united group that is ready to do what is right for Bolton.
Going forward, we will solely be focused on delivering for Bolton residents. That means we will table motions at Full Council that are specific to Bolton and not international disputes. Our time in council should be used to affect change on issues we can control domestically.
And, of course, we are ready to work with any other party in the borough that wants to see lower council tax and better services in all our towns, just as we did when we last controlled the council.
