Cllr Richard Smith has, over time, established excellent relationships with reporters within the local media. He was recently quoted in the Yorkshire Post in relation to comments he made at the September Council meeting, challenging the leader to follow the example China has set, denouncing their commitment to Communism and Socialism. He challenged Cllr Pandor to abandon his own commitment to socialism to help Kirklees prosper.
In relation to the ongoing Bin worker industrial dispute, Richard has worked closely with Journalists from the Huddersfield Examiner to keep holding the leader of the council to account for his lack of leadership. He has made comments in several of the articles which highlight the current leadership's inability and unwillingness to intervene to bring a resolution to this Industrial Action.
https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/kirklees-unison-deny-splits-vow-15177611