Shabina Qayyum Signals a Shift in Peterborough Politics

In a recent EXCLUSIVE interview with CambsNews, Shabina Qayyum newly elected Labour leader of Peterborough City Council delivered a calm but unmistakable message: the era of performative politics is over.

Speaking from Sandmartin House,  Qayyum emphasised her commitment to cross-party collaboration, community-led priorities, and a forensic focus on health, social care, and children’s services. Her tone was measured, her delivery deliberate, and her message clear: “We’re not here to play games. We’re here to deliver.”

Key takeaways from the interview:

Governance with Grit: Qayyum framed her leadership as a response to years of dysfunction, pledging transparency, accountability, and a refusal to be drawn into political theatre.

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Children First: She highlighted the urgent need to improve outcomes for children and families, citing systemic failures and the need for joined-up services.

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Fixing the Machinery: Rather than grandstanding, Qayyum spoke of “getting the basics right” a nod to infrastructure, procurement, and operational resilience.

Cross-Party Collaboration: She extended an olive branch to opposition councillors, inviting scrutiny and shared ownership of civic outcomes.

The full interview can be seen here. And apologies for the audio echo, Shabina’s a busy woman in politics, and we had to take what we could get.

This is a leader who speaks in systems, not slogans.