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New Lord Mayor elected by Westminster City Council

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the Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Westminster Cllr Patricia McAllister

Councillor Patricia McAllister has been elected the new Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Westminster following a vote at Full Council this evening, 17th May.

Cllr McAllister was first elected in a by-election in 2009 to represent Queen’s Park Ward, one of the most densely populated parts of Westminster. Whilst she is an advocate for residents and the local community, most notably helping set up the North Paddington Food Bank, she is also proud of her Scottish roots.

Upon election, the new Lord Mayor said:

It is an honour and real privilege to be elected as Lord Mayor of Westminster.”

“I am looking forward to meeting as many local communities as possible, from right across our amazing city, and to thank them for the amazing work that they do.”

During her time as Lord Mayor, Cllr McAllister will be championing two chosen charities: The Carers’ Network and The Passage. The former supports unpaid carers aged 18 and over across the city, helping over 6,600 local carers gain access to the support they deserve. The Passage, based in Victoria, provides support for rough to come off the streets and rebuild their lives.

On choosing her charities, the Lord Mayor said:

Carers make a vital contribution to the local community but can sometimes feel overlooked. I hope to change that and, with the help of the Carers’ Network, champion those who selflessly support others.”

“The Passage does such amazing work with us, helping people off the streets. An opportunity to support them is something I am very much looking forward to.”

Before taking up the role at Westminster’s First Citizen, Cllr McAllister chaired and served on a wide range of other Committees and task groups including Scrutiny Commission, and Standards Committee. Her chosen consorts for the year will be her daughter Ellis, and Ellis’ partner Kevin.

The Lord Mayor’s chaplain this year will be Father Michael Jarmulowicz. Fr Michael is parish priest of the Roman Catholic Parishes of Our Lady of Lourdes, Maida Hill, and Our Lady of Sorrows, Paddington. Before becoming a priest, he served as a doctor and served as a Medical Officer in the submarine service of the Royal Navy. The majority of career was spent at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead.

The new Lord Mayor also paid tribute to outgoing Lord Mayor Cllr Hamza Taouzzale, Westminster’s youngest and first Muslim to be elected to the post.

 

Published: 17 May 2023