Wythenshawe councillor, Eddy Newman has begun his year in office as Manchester’s new Lord Mayor with a message to promote unity and mutual respect in the City’s communities.
The Liverpool-born former Member of the European Parliament has lived in Manchester since 1974 and has been councillor for Woodhouse Park since 2002
Eddy worked as a postal officer, and was elected a representative for the Communication Workers Union in Greater Manchester in 1979.
He first served as a Manchester Councillor for Blackley from 1979 to 1985, and then as Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Greater Manchester Central from 1984 to 1999.
As an MEP Eddy led a campaign against the waste of the ‘Food Mountains’, demanding that the food stored there should be distributed to the public. Later he became Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee of Petitions.
Since his return to Manchester City Council in 2002 Eddy has represented Woodhouse Park in Wythenshawe.
He has specialised in housing and health, as well as representing his constituents on a range of matters.
He said his proudest achievement in local government has been working with colleagues to secure a thriving youth, community and sports centre – the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre which opened in 2006.
Eddy became the city council’s Executive Member responsible for housing from 2004 to 2008 and has been Chair of the Boards of Willow Park Housing Trust and of Wythenshawe Community Housing Group. He also chaired the city council’s Health Scrutiny Committee from 2011 to 2015.
Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Eddy Newman, said: “It’s been a privilege to serve the residents of Blackley
and Woodhouse Park during my time as a councillor and it will now be an honour to represent all of Manchester as Lord Mayor.
“I look forward to engaging and connecting with the people of Manchester during my term. I’ve been a lifelong campaigner against racism and am proud to be able to represent Manchester, a welcoming, inclusive city that celebrates all of its diverse communities.”
Councillor Newman was a member of Manchester City Council’s Community Cohesion Board from 2007 to 2012. His theme for his Mayoral year is to promote community cohesion and mutual respect amongst and between Manchester’s diverse communities and individuals.
Eddy is married to Sheila, who is a Councillor for Chorlton. They have three grown-up daughters.
His daughter Naomi will serve as Lady Mayoress for the first six months of his term, and his wife Sheila will serve as Lady Mayoress for the second six months.