Barnet has first Labour mayor in 20 years

Cllr Alison Moore said she was “deeply honoured” to be elected as the 57th mayor of Barnet during the council’s annual general meeting (AGM) on Tuesday.

She is the first East Finchley ward councillor to be mayor and the third woman in a row to hold the office following her Conservative predecessors Caroline Stock and Alison Cornelius.

Cllr Nagus Narenthira, who represents Colindale South, was elected deputy mayor. With Cllr Helen Gordon serving as mayoress and Colindale North councillor Zakia Zubairi as deputy mayoress, it marks the first time all of these civic roles have been held by women.

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Speaking during the AGM, Cllr Moore said: “I am deeply honoured to have been elected as the 57th mayor of Barnet and proud to be Barnet’s first Labour mayor for 20 years.”

She thanked Cllr Stock and Cllr Cornelius for carrying out the role of mayor with “compassion, energy, adaptability and resilience” during a “challenging period” marked by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cllr Moore added: “I hope to ensure that the mayoralty is accessible to, and inclusive of, all communities in Barnet and look forward to visiting communities, organisations and residents from across our wonderfully diverse borough, and in particular our young people.

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“It is my sincere hope that will include some of our newer communities and unsung organisations, and for those who a mayoral visit may give much-deserved recognition.”

Born in Cheshire, Cllr Moore grew up in Birmingham and near Southampton. After going to university in Leeds, she gained a PhD and worked as a research scientist in the USA and London. She has been a member of Barnet Council since 1998 and previously served as leader of the opposition.

Cllr Moore aims to raise funds for three charities during her term in office: Homeless Action in Barnet, Barnet Food Hub and Space2Grow Fund.