A version of this article by Cllr Katie Thornburrow, Leader of Cambridge City Council (pictured below centre), was first published in Cambridge Independent on 24 June 2026.

It is just over 10 years since Jo Cox MP was murdered in the street outside her constituency surgery in a terrorist attack in the period just before the Brexit referendum. It was a shocking outbreak of political violence and deeply affected many people. Jo has been an example to me throughout my time in politics, as ward councillor, cabinet member, and now leader of Cambridge City Council.

In her maiden speech in Parliament just a year before she was killed, Jo told her fellow MPs “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us”. I have carried that belief with me in everything I have tried to do.

I know that the council can only be effective if we take the time to listen and then properly respond to what we hear. And, like Jo, I have strong Labour values but also believe that we are best when we solve the big issues together.

That means we need to put the time and effort into seeking out people’s views and to consider all the evidence. And if new evidence emerges, we need to show the political courage and administrative flexibility required to review our options and adapt our approach. We will govern openly, listen closely, and deliver effectively for the people of Cambridge.

Bringing people together is important now that the makeup of the council has changed, with 17 Labour councillors, 12 Greens, 11 Liberal Democrats, one Conservative and one Your Party. It means that this is a minority administration as the other parties can come together to vote against any proposals we make, or even vote to replace me as leader.

It is also important because there are some controversial issues that we need to work on together, not just as a council but as a city, involving residents in everything we do.

For example, we are planning a significant redevelopment scheme for Arbury Court to build 100+ new council homes and 100+ new market homes as well as updated community facilities and modern commercial spaces. In order to get it right we’re bringing together a representative 'community panel' of residents, including young people who are too easily missed out when plans are made.

It’s the same with the plans for the Market Square. The initial proposal was deferred by Planning Committee. This has given us some time to consider the scheme and additional information so we make sure that we go ahead with a scheme that everyone can support.

For the last six years I’ve worked with the Liberal Democrat controlled South Cambridgeshire District Council to build our shared planning service into the best in the country, and winner of a national award last year.

I’ve spent time with all sides of the debate about the future of Mill Road and how to manage the Mill Road bridge, and supported the Mill Road Traders Association as they came together to look for ways to improve the situation for all the small businesses on and around this vibrant road.

And I have worked to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard as we develop our new Local Plan for Greater Cambridge, the document that will shape the future development of Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire over the next 20 years. Together we have managed to put wellbeing and social inclusion at the centre of the plan, putting in vital safeguards for the environment and support for sustainable development instead of growth at all costs.

The biggest changes facing us at the moment are the result of decisions made by the government in Westminster. 

First, in July we expect the government to announce its decision about local government reorganisation that will see the services currently delivered to Cambridge's residents by Cambridge City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council start to be delivered by a new unitary authority. Cambridge City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council along with the other five Cambridgeshire councils will end in May 2028, to be replaced by fewer new unitary councils. We hope that this new body will cover Greater Cambridge – that is, the area currently covered by Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District councils.

Second, we are about to see the appropriate orders laid in Parliament to create the Greater Cambridge Development Corporation, a new body that will absorb the existing Cambridge Growth Company and be given funding and responsibility for some aspects of development in the area. This could include being the body that grants planning permission for developments the government thinks are strategic.

We are a Labour council, and we support our Labour government but that does not mean we will not challenge and question in order to get the best for the residents of Cambridge. And I am sure my fellow councillors of every party feel the same. I am already talking to the Growth Company and to Ministers to make sure they appreciate that we already have an excellent planning service, and that the residents of Cambridge do not want to see decisions taken away from them.

And as we move forward, I promise you all that I will work to build deep cross-party collaboration into the fabric of Cambridge City Council. I think we can find many progressive, transformative policies to agree on, and that our residents will support them.