Ealing Council leader Peter Mason has been elected as the new leader of the Labour Group at the Local Government Association, succeeding Bev Craig following her election as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
LGA Labour confirmed Mason’s election on Tuesday following an internal process, saying it looked forward to working with him and Labour councils across the country alongside the Labour Government.
Mason moves into the role having previously served as a deputy leader of the LGA Labour Group. The LGA’s published list of 2025/26 Labour officers named Craig as group leader and Mason as one of her deputies.
Announcing the result, LGA Labour said on X:
“Following the election of our previous Leader, Bev Craig as Mayor of GM, @_petermason has been duly elected as the new Leader of @LGA_Labour following an internal process.
“We look forward to working with Peter and Labour Councils across the country with the Labour Gov.”
Mason is also leader of Ealing Council in west London and has held a number of roles within local government. He chairs the LGA’s Improvement Committee and has participated in the association’s programme of peer reviews supporting councils around the country.
His election comes at an important moment for Labour local government, with councils facing pressures ranging from housing and social care to local economic growth and the funding of essential public services.
As LGA Labour leader, Mason will play a prominent role in representing Labour-run councils nationally and making the case for local government within the wider Labour movement and to ministers.
He succeeds Craig after her move to the Greater Manchester mayoralty. Mason had already worked alongside Craig in LGA Labour’s leadership team before being chosen to succeed her.
His appointment also comes as the Labour Government places greater emphasis on devolution and giving local leaders more influence over economic development and public services.
Mason’s election gives Labour councils a new national voice at a time when the relationship between central and local government will be central to delivering Labour’s programme across the country.
