Mayor says elections were 'catastrophic' for Labour
BBCThe mayor of West Yorkshire says, despite bad results for Labour, she is looking forward to working alongside the many new councillors who have been elected.
Labour's Tracy Brabin has been answering questions on Message the Mayor on BBC Radio Leeds.
The local elections on 7 May saw Reform UK take control of Wakefield and Calderdale councils and they are now the largest party in Bradford and Kirklees.
Read our takeaways from the show below or listen to the full interview here.
We've seen a seismic shift in Wakefield
"The elections were catastrophic for the Labour Party in West Yorkshire.
"We have seen a historic change for Wakefield in particular. That council has been Labour for decades, so it is a seismic shift.
"It is the same in Calderdale - and three councils are no overall control, so they are taking time to sort out their partnerships.
Brabin also wants to thank local councillors who lost their jobs on Thursday.
"Many of them dedicated their life to make things better over a decade of austerity.
"When there was no money, they kept libraries open and children's services going against the odds."
Looking forward to working with new councillors
"Place over people is how we do things - we call it the West Yorkshire way.
"We collaborate and co-operate. Reform were the party with the greatest wins and they stood on a manifesto of community and family."
The mayor used to work with five Labour council leaders, but now most are likely to be Reform.
Brabin says the way forward is about "relationship building and understanding what they want".
"If they have a plan for something they want, just come to me and we will see if we can make it work."
We're not moving fast enough to make the changes people want
On the subject of Sir Keir Starmer's future in Number 10, the mayor says government is "not just about one person".
"Whoever becomes Prime Minister is going to face the same challenges and same headwinds and a complex global position.
"Government structures aren't moving fast enough to support the change people want to see.
"I'm not going to sit here and call for his head because it isn't in my gift. It is for the Parliamentary Labour Party.
"But changing one person is not going to change the problem - which is about government."
There's an obsession with the Westminster soap opera
"It is probably because most journalists live in London, but there is an obsession with the centre."
Brabin says she is "increasingly frustrated" many local achievements are being "drowned out" by the focus on Westminster.
She points to a deal with a local textile company to make the seat coverings for the new Weaver-branded buses, investment in a new Bradford station and money for a new "town" development in Leeds.
Tram network will bring new jobs
"I hope that the new councillors see the mass investment [we're making] in our communities - building homes and creating jobs and apprenticeships for our young people.
"Mass transit is a tangible project. We are building the supply chain so our young people will be ready for those great well-paid roles and jobs.
"Jobs where they can stay in our region and have good lives, have a holiday and buy a car because they have been on that apprenticeship programme to build the tram."
