A POLITICIAN from Otley will take up a place in the House of Lords next year.

Councillor Judith Blake CBE, the Leader of Leeds City Council, has been chosen to be a Labour Party Peer in the upper chamber.

Cllr Blake was named among the new peers that were announced by the Government on Tuesday, December 22.

The former Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, will also take up a position in the Lords in 2021.

Responding to the announcement, she said: “I am honoured to be selected to join the House of Lords at this hugely important time.

“It has been a great privilege to serve as Leader of my home city of Leeds for the last five and a half years.

“Joining the House of Lords will allow me to continue to represent the interests of our city in Westminster.

“It has never been more important to have regional voices with experience of local government represented at a national level.”

Councillor Blake has served as Leader of the city council since 2015 and before that was Deputy Leader since 2010.

She has also been a ward councillor in Leeds for 24 years.

News of her peerage has sparked messages of congratulations from both political allies and rivals.

Otley’s MP Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West), posting on Twitter, said: “Congratulations to Judith Blake for her elevation to the Lords.

“Her experience of local government will be invaluable.

“Hopefully this will be a short term appointment as a directly elected second chamber is needed. But Judith would undoubtedly win a place in a UK Senate too.”

Councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) said: “Suffice to say whatever our political differences - and they are not as great as some might think - it is a great honour that the Labour Party has chosen one of Otley’s own to represent the city of Leeds in the House of Lords.

“I am sure I speak for many in our community when I congratulate her on this honour, thank her for her service to the city and wish her every success and good fortune in the future.”

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & YEadon) added: "I would like to congratulate Judith on this honour. 

"Though a political opponent I know she has worked hard over the years, starting as an Otley Town Councillor where I first met her,  then as a city councillor and finally Leader of Leeds City Council.

"I appreciate she has been a passionate advocate for Leeds and I hope her new role will will enable her to continue this role and allow her to push for a better deal for all of Yorkshire."

Councillor Blake will start discussions in the New Year to ensure there is a smooth transition when she steps down as Leader of Leeds City Council once it is clear when her new role will begin.

Dr Sentamu meanwhile, who retired in June after 15 years as Archbishop, will sit as a cross-bench member of the upper chamber.

During his time as Archbishop Dr Sentamu visited Wharfedale on several occasions - and on one busy day in May, 2010 met people in Fewston, Ilkley and Otley.