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'Disappointment' over council's all-male cabinet

Gina Millson
BBC Political Reporter, Lancashire
BBC A sign of a large red rose symbolising the county of Lancashire with Lancashire County Council written beneath in white lettering. It's set against a backdrop of a red brick wall, with windows to the left and right. The sky in the picture is blue.BBC
Reform's male-dominated cabinet was unveiled at County Hall in Preston

The appointment of an all-male cabinet to Lancashire County Council by Reform UK has been described as "retrograde step" by opposition councillors.

The new group was unveiled at the council's annual general meeting with all nine positions filled by men.

Gina Dowding of the Green Party said this was "disappointing" and the "first time since we moved to the cabinet system that there's been no women at that top table".

But the move has been defended by Reform UK's newly ratified leader of the council, Stephen Atkinson, who said the cabinet line-up was chosen based on the "best people" available.

Lancashire County Council County Councillor Stephen Atkinson in front of a sandstone wall. He is wearing a navy blue suit, with a red tie and a badge of the red rose of Lancashire on his right lapel. He is smiling. There is a window to the left of him.Lancashire County Council
County Councillor Stephen Atkinson defended the choice of cabinet

Atkinson said: "Three of the councillors have experience so we had to have them.

"We had a blind process in of selection of the cabinet, where an academic looked at all the skills, qualifications, experiences and then looked at who were the best people.

"I don't think it should matter what your sex is, it should matter what your ability is."

But Dowding said: "There's no single definition of merit, we know that women bring really important skills and experience and a different view."

County Councillor Gina Dowding standing in front of a sandstone brick wall. In the far right corner there is a green plant. She is wearing a green dress with a beige blazer and is smiling.
County Councillor Gina Dowding described the lack of women as a "retrograde step"

Reform UK took control of the council from the Conservatives following local elections earlier this month.

It is the first time the party has been in charge at County Hall and the first time many of its councillors have been elected to office.

Atkinson has not ruled out women ing the cabinet in the future.

He said: "I'm sure that some of the ladies of the group will be useful in the future at the cabinet level, but when the skills are the right skills."

This article was updated on 25 May 2025 to say Reform UK took control of the council from the Conservatives. Previously, it incorrectly stated that Reform UK took control of the council from Labour.

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