Ealing Council leader Councillor Peter Mason has been elected leader of the Local Government Association (LGA) Labour Group, succeeding Bev Craig after she became Mayor of Greater Manchester. The LGA Labour Group describes the holder of the position as “Labour’s leader in Local Government”. The appointment also makes Councillor Mason senior vice-chair of the cross-party LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales. The role, for which his predecessor Ms Craig was listed as receiving an annual LGA allowance of £46,543 for 2025/26, involves representing Labour local government in discussions with the Government and Labour Party, including at Labour’s Annual Conference and National Policy Forum. Following his election win (10 August 2026), Councillor Mason posted on X: “Labour in local government deliver day in, day out. Champions of local community, delivering growth in every place, putting power back into people’s hands. Thank you to colleagues for electing me the Leader of the LGA Labour Group. So much to do.” The appointment adds to Councillor Mason’s existing responsibilities with both Ealing Council and the LGA. He currently receives an annual LGA allowance of £20,370 as chair of its Improvement Committee, a position he has held since 11 March 2026. Before taking on the chairmanship, LGA records show he was a deputy chair, a position carrying an annual allowance of £10,184. As a councillor and leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Mason receives a total annual allowance of £76,570.52 from the council. This comprises the £13,756 basic allowance paid to all councillors and a £62,814.52 special responsibility allowance for serving as council leader.

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