Armley Labour Party has selected Richard Banks to be its candidate in the 2026 local elections for Leeds City Council.
The election takes place on 7 May 2026. Mr Banks previously stood as the Armley Labour candidate in the 2024 local elections, missing out by 72 votes.
Richard Banks said: “I have lived in Armley my whole life. It’s my home, where I’ve raised my family, went to school and worked as a plumber for many years.
“As an active trade unionist I’ve stood up for working people, representing groups and individuals to solve disputes and deliver better working conditions. I’m standing to be your Councillor to give back to the community that has given me so much.”
A spokesperson for Armley Labour Party described Mr Banks as “a strong local champion for Armley, New Wortley, Victoria Park and Spring Valleys.”
Current Armley councillor Alice Smart (Lab) announced last July she was standing down to spend more time with her two young children.
The current political make up of Armley ward is two Labour councillors and one Green.
WLD will be approaching candidates from all seven wards in our patch for 300-word profiles ahead of the local elections.
All 33 council wards in Leeds will be contested at next May’s Leeds City Council elections.
Follow WLD’s coverage of the 2026 local elections here.