New Mayor for Blackburn with Darwen installed

Long-serving Conservative Cllr Jacqueline Slater has been installed as the new Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen for 2025/26.

The 78-year-old, who represents Blackburn South and Lower Darwen ward, was officially made the borough’s ‘First Citizen’ at the annual Mayor Making ceremony in Blackburn Town Hall Last night (Thursday, 15 May 2025).

She will be supported in her civic role by the new Mayoress and former councillor Lillian Salton.

Cllr Slater said: “In my Mayoral year, I look forward to promoting Blackburn and Darwen and supporting the young people in the borough.

“My Mayoress and I are excited to meet as many people in the borough as possible and to support our chosen charities: ELHT & Me, Alzheimer’s UK, and the Darwen Rotary Club.

“We are very much looking forward to visiting the many schools in the borough.”

Any businesses, groups, and community organizations wishing to invite the Mayor to events or work with her to raise money for her chosen charities can  fill out an online form to request her attendance.

Also, at the Annual Council meeting Blackburn Central ward’s Labour Cllr Mahfooz Hussain was appointed Deputy Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen for 2025/26 and Mayor designate for 2026/27.

The new Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen will be joined by dignitaries from across the area this Sunday May 18, known as Civic Sunday, for a service of dedication at Blackburn Cathedral and a parade through Blackburn Town Centre.

Cllr Jacqueline Slater was born in Leeds and moved to Blackburn at the age of five when her father became area manager for Dewhurst Butchers.

She later relocated to Darwen at the age of 26 when her husband, Fred Slater, was promoted to a position at the headquarters of the Electricity Board in Manchester.

Then Cllr Fred Slater had served as Deputy Mayor before he passed away suddenly in 2006 before her could take up the role as Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen.

She has been a Conservative councillor for 21 years, initially representing the Old Fernhurst ward and now representing Blackburn South and Lower Darwen.

Over the past 21 years as a ward councillor, she has served on the planning committee as both chair and vice-chair, acted as the opposition spokesperson on adult services, and chaired the health and social care scrutiny committee.