26/04/2022
The Birmingham Mail reports that Councillor Richard Jones will be Sandwell’s first out gay Lord Mayor after being unanimously approved for the role by a strong coalition of both Labour and Conservative groups on the Sandwell Council. His consort will be his partner of sixteen years, Councillor Richard McVittie. McVittie wrote “This is a strong message of solidarity, support and celebration, to the LGBT+ community who have been continuously let down by our current government, most recently pitting the LGB against the T due to its negligent attempt to bring a ban to conversion therapy. Councillor Jones has a passion for the under-represented and is keen to be given. Give them a platform as part of his tenure. He and I will be eager to get out and meet and understand the pride that makes up Sandwell’s community and to celebrate what makes Sandwell great.”
