Judith Blake, Baroness Blake of Leeds

Judith Vivienne Blake, Baroness Blake of Leeds (née Parsons; born 23 July 1953 ) is a British Labour politician serving as a life peer in the House of Lords since 2021. She serves as a Baroness-in-Waiting (Government Whip) in the House of Lords.

Blake served as the leader of Leeds City Council from 2015 to 2021, being the first woman to hold the position.

Personal life Blake was born on 23 July 1953 into a Methodist family in Leeds. Both her parents were doctors. She attended Leeds Girls High School until 1971 and then studied history at the University of Kent.

After university, she began her career in education and social policy, living in London and then Birmingham in the 1980s. During her time living in Birmingham, she taught the English language to refugees.

Blake has four children. Her youngest child, Olivia Blake, was elected as the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam in 2019.

Political career Blake was elected as an Otley town councillor,

Leader of Leeds City Council After then-leader Keith Wakefield stepped down, Blake was elected as the first woman leader of Leeds City Council in May 2015. During her time as leader she was a key proponent of a public art project to celebrate the women of Leeds, which culminated in the unveiling of Ribbons by Pippa Hale in 2024.

In December 2015, she expressed the frustration of city residents in feeling that David Cameron, then the prime minister of the United Kingdom, was giving greater attention to more affluent counties in southern England during a period of severe flooding.

House of Lords In December 2020, it was announced Blake would be conferred a Life Peerage after a nomination by Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer. In February 2021, she was created Baroness Blake of Leeds, of Gledhow in the City of Leeds.

Blake joined the opposition front bench in May 2021, as a Shadow Spokesperson for Housing, Communities and Local Government and an Opposition Whip.

Recognition She was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours.

Blake's name is one of those featured on the sculpture Ribbons, unveiled in 2024. She had been a key proponent of a public art project to celebrate the women of Leeds, which culminated in the unveiling of Ribbons.

Electoral history