Cllr Shazna Muzammil, Conservative Group Leader, has paid tribute to outgoing Mayor Cllr Marie Bradburn ahead of this week’s Annual Council:
“As one chapter of civic service closes and another begins, I find myself reflecting not just on the office of Mayor, but on the extraordinary person who held it with such quiet dignity during one of the most deeply personal and profoundly testing years of her life.
To say this past year was "challenging" would be to reach for a word too small, too neat, too ordinary for what it truly was. For Councillor Marie Bradburn—our Mayor—this year was an exercise in carrying public responsibility while bearing private grief. It was a year of standing tall at civic events while her heart carried the weight of unimaginable loss. Her beloved husband, Robin, passed away—a partner in life, in politics, and in purpose. And yet, she continued to serve.
I had the privilege of working alongside Marie when I first joined the Corporate Parenting Panel, where she served as Chair. From the very start, it was clear to me that our looked-after children and care leavers were in the most compassionate, capable hands. Her passion for ensuring every child had the opportunity to thrive was inspiring, and her calm, thoughtful approach to the challenges that arose gave us all confidence in her leadership.
During Marie’s mayoral year, our Children’s Services received a ‘‘Good’ with some services rated ‘Outstanding’ from Ofsted— a tremendous achievement that reflects years of dedication, much of it under Marie’s steady hand, even after she stepped down as Chair. Her legacy in this area will continue to make a difference to some of the most vulnerable in our community.
The office of Mayor is a sacred trust, representing the heart and face of Milton Keynes. Marie honoured that trust with grace, compassion, and unwavering commitment. She has brought communities together across our city, always leading by example — whether by cycling across Milton Keynes to promote active living or standing proudly at countless events, championing every corner of our diverse city.
What makes Marie's year as Mayor all the more remarkable is not just the ceremonial duty she carried out with grace, but the quiet strength she showed behind the scenes. While navigating the demands of public life, she was facing the kind of personal grief that most of us would retreat from the world to bear. And yet, she showed up—for communities, for causes, for the city she loves. She continued to serve our city with grace and love, embodying the very spirit of public service that both she and Robin championed for so many years.
There is a quiet courage in that kind of service. It doesn’t always make headlines, but it leaves a deep imprint on the hearts of those who witness it. Marie's ability to lead with empathy, to listen carefully and speak thoughtfully, and to centre others even while enduring her own loss, is a mark of true public spirit.
Milton Keynes is a city still finding its voice—a place of constant growth, diversity, challenge, and potential. In Marie Bradburn, we had a Mayor who embodied all that is good in public life: compassion, integrity, and unshakeable commitment. Her legacy—particularly in championing our children and young people—will be felt for years to come.”
