The failure of Reading to achieve city status has provoked a mixed reaction from local politicians.
Eight new cities have been named today (Friday, May 20) as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
However, while Colchester, Doncaster and Milton Keynes were some of the new cities named, Reading was not among them.
The news has been met with disappointment, but also strong recognition of Reading’s unique position as the biggest town in the country.
READ MORE: Reading MPs react as town fails to become a city
Councillor Rob White, the Green leader of the opposition and representative for Park ward: "It is disappointing not to get city status but Green councillors will continue to work hard all year round to improve the town.
"We are now the second party in Reading having overtaken the Conservatives at the council elections.
"We will continue to hold the Labour-run council to account over rising poverty, its financial fiasco and making Reading a greener and cleaner town."
Councillor Clarence Mitchell, Conservative group leader and representative for Emmer Green said: “To lose out on City status yet again, when we had presented such a compelling and obvious case, is clearly hugely disappointing.
“This time it really did feel as if it was within our grasp at last and we were proud to support the Council’s bid on a cross-party basis for all the positives that such status would have brought our town.
“While Reading may continue to be a large town with a small feel for now, it will always have City-sized ambitions.
“Our local economic engine, our quality of life and the vibrancy, creativity and diversity of our wonderful communities will all ensure we keep on growing and gain such recognition soon, enabling Reading to step out of London’s shadow in its own right at the very next available opportunity.
“For now, I’d like to congratulate everyone who was involved in putting such a strong Council bid together. We can hold our collective heads high knowing that the case was made so well, even if it wasn’t to be this time.”
READ MORE: Reading Conservative councillor accused of moving to town over ambitions to become MP
Meanwhile cllr Meri O’Connell, Liberal Democrat group leader argued many residents were apathetic about the bid.
Cllr O’Connell, representative for Tilehurst said: “Never on the doorstep have any of my residents mentioned our city or town status as an issue they feel needs addressing.
“The council’s attentions should be firmly focused on more immediate issues like the very real cost of living crisis and how they can support residents whose finances are no longer stretching to cover the essentials.
“However, as I said when this matter was debated in the Council chambers, I am extremely proud of having grown up and lived and worked in the town of Reading.
“I have never understood why we would want to distance ourselves from our past, instead we should be capitalising on our status as a historic town that has played a major role in trade in England since the 8th century.
“There are now 55 cities in England, which I bet few people could name, whereas being the largest town makes us stand out as somewhere to visit and invest in.
“We should focus our attentions on boosting and celebrating the unique qualities of Reading Town, rather than trying to be another identikit city.”
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