Former council leader, Abi Brown, released a statement yesterday, speaking of 'the best job in the world' after Thursday night's election defeat. 

Labour gained control of Stoke-on-Trent City Council last week after they won 29 out 44 seats - View the full election results here. 

These results mean that Abi Brown's time as council leader comes to an end, although she did retain her role as Councillor for Meir Park ward with 982 votes. 

Cllr Brown refused to speak to the media on Thursday night, but released a statement on social media yesterday (8 May), saying "for the last eight years, I've had the best job in the world". 

Cllr Brown with Cllr Jellyman visiting 10 Downing Street earlier this year (Stoke-on-Trent City Council).

She wrote: "No honour is greater than being entrusted to lead the place you love, and I feel immensely privileged to have been able to play just a small part in shaping our brilliant city. 

"Nothing has made me prouder than to tell people about our small but mighty city, and whilst I will no longer be charged with doing that from the front, I will always be Team Stoke-on-Trent."

Cllr Brown also reflected upon some of her proudest moments as council leader, including "bringing the Weeping Window poppies to Middleport and pitching to be City of Culture, to getting cranes on the skyline at the Goods Yard and leading the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone". 

Her statement ends: "As one door closes, others open and the next adventure for me is just around the corner.

"Vis Unita Fortior". 

Read the full statement here.

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