Former MP, two-term city Mayor and veteran councillor becomes 42nd Alderman of Preston

David Burrow, centre, receiving the Alderman honour ahead of full council with Adrian Phillips and current Mayor of Preston Phil Crowe Pic: Preston City Council — David Borrow, centre, receiving the Alderman honour ahead of full council with Adrian Phillips and current Mayor of Preston Phil Crowe Pic: Preston City Council

A veteran councillor, council leader, former MP and two-term city Mayor through Covid is being given one of Preston’s highest honours.

David Borrow announced he was stepping back from politics in May last year – with his resignation triggering a by-election in the Lea and Larches ward.

During a special service he has become the 42nd Honorary Alderman of the city.

Dating back to the Guild of 1397 the title gives Preston City Council the ability to confer the honour for those who have given extensive service to the city.

From serving as council leader between 1992 and 1994, and again in 1995, through to being elected as a councillor for what was then Preston Borough Council in 1987 then David has been involved in politics since he was 18 when he joined the Labour party in 1970.

He served as the MP for South Ribble from 1997 to 2010 and then became a city councillor again – where he has served a total of 24 years.

In 2019 he became the 692nd Mayor of Preston and due to the Covid pandemic he served a second term – one of only three Mayors in the past 100 years to serve more than one year in the role.

David Burrow signing as an Alderman of the city of Preston Pic: Preston City Council

Chief executive of the city council, Adrian Phillips, said: “It is most fitting that David Borrow is honoured in this way. We recognise and thank David for his long-standing contribution and dedication to public service to the people of Preston and the wider city region with the title of Honorary Alderman of the City.”

Mr Borrow said: “It seemed the right time to retire from elected office last summer. Becoming an Honorary Alderman fifty years after moving to Preston from Yorkshire is a great honour.

“I’m still involved with a number of charities, but for the first time my husband John and I are able to do things without always having to consult my political diary first.”

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