Clover Moore’s soaring popularity puts Opposition Leader Luke Foley in the shade

LORD Mayor Clover Moore is being hailed as the state’s unofficial opposition leader after an overwhelming election victory. More people seem to recognise her too than Labor Leader Luke Foley.

Clover Moore’s popularity is at an all-time high. Picture: Carly Earl

BASKING in an overwhelming election victory and an increased­ majority on council, Clover Moore is being hailed as the state’s unofficial opposition leader.

It’s a title bestowed on her by some fellow councillors such as Jess Scully

A poll of 50 city workers, residents and visitors, conducted by Central Sydney this week, revealed 31 people were able to identify the Lord Mayor by name when shown her photo but only 11 were able to positively identify the real Opposition Leader Luke Foley.

The Lord Mayor says she’s not interested in the role - “I don’t call myself that” - but has called on Mr Foley to stand up and speak out on critical issues.

Just 11 out of 50 respondents were able to identify NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley. Picture Craig Greenhill

The Lord Mayor said that no opposition leader should sit back and wait for the current government to run itself into the ground, and called for stronger leadership from Mr Foley.

“I don’t think any opposition leader should think it should just fall into their lap because the others have got so unpopular. I think opposition leaders need to have policies and strong positions,” Cr Moore said.

The Lord Mayor has earnt herself a reputation for having a combative relationship with the Liberal state government based on the City of Sydney’s objection to the controversial WestConnex project – concerns she said she wished Mr Foley would declare.

“I think the city community would appreciate the Labor leader coming out strongly about the impacts of WestConnex not only on the city but on the western suburbs,” she said.

Sydney Mayor Clover Moore (second from left) pictured after her huge election win in September with fellow councillors. Picture: Jenny Evans

Dialogue around other Baird government projects including the planned move of the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta would benefit from Mr Foley’s objection, Cr Moore said.

“You just need to read the letters pages to see all the things that are upsetting people,” she said.

“I don’t want to turn this into a criticism of the Labor leader, I just think it’s important that the issues in the city are addressed by both government and opposition and that’s why I’m glad (Sydney independent MP) Alex Greenwich is in there because­ at least he’s a voice for the city.”

The Lord Mayor said that no opposition leader should sit back and wait for the current government to run itself into the ground, calling for stronger leadership from Mr Foley.

“I don’t think any opposition leader should think it should just fall into their lap because the others have got so unpopular. I think opposition leaders need to have policies and strong positions,” Cr Moore said.

She claimed she had an “unofficial” influence on State Government policies.

“Can I tell you what my greatest influence at a state level is? We’ve got excellent policies, and I know state ministers really respect our policies and respect our work and include us, that’s the unofficial position,” Cr Moore said.

A spokesman for Mr Foley denied he suffered a low profile and pointed to the Opposition Leader’s successes.

“Mr Foley mobilised an entire state to force the Baird Government to backflip on its ban on greyhound racing,” the spokesman said.

“Mr Foley’s campaigning has seen the Government adopt 11 of Labor’s policies including legalising and regulating Uber.”

Will Clover seek another term?

THE mayor put any questions of her hanging up her hat before her full term is over to bed – declaring that she may run again at the next election.

She labelled rumours she wouldn’t see out the next four years as “mischief”.

“There’s absolutely no basis to that,” Cr Moore said.

“People trust me. When I say I’m going to do something then I do it, and some people have said they want me to run again – and I could very well do that.”

The Lord Mayor would not confirm her plans though, declaring she “only makes decisions about elections at the time”.

Any talk of her early retirement was just her opponents pot-stirring, she said.

“They think the only way they can win is if they can beat me (personally) and that’s an ­endorsement on our work,” she said.

“You’d think the penny would drop – if you want to get elected why don’t you support the sorts of things that everyone really supports.”

Clover Moore protests against the demolition of the Sirius building