The influential pair met to show a united front on Friday, as Cr Bradbery confirmed he would not run for State Parliament at next month’s election. 

Instead, he planned to throw his support behind South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris, who this week announced he had resigned from the Labor Party to run as an independent candidate at the March 28 poll.

‘‘The clincher was the alignment of Arthur’s and my own values, that we are both passionate about the city and also that he was prepared to take on the perspectives of an independent,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

‘‘We need a person who is prepared to work with whatever government gets across the line and in my perspective, he has that ability to work for our total city, not just sectional interests.’’

Mr Rorris – who has temporarily stepped down from his union role – welcomed the councillor’s strong backing. 

He praised Cr Bradbery’s record in turning the city of Wollongong around after the council was sacked following allegations of development corruption in 2008.

‘‘I am very honoured and delighted to have such a strong endorsement from the Lord Mayor, someone who took over the reins of this city with the return to democracy after the dark days of corruption in city hall and throughout the city,’’ Mr Rorris said.

‘‘It would be an honour and a privilege to build on that momentum, to achieve for Wollongong something that the people have been yearning for for a very long time – and that is a fair go and a fair share and to retain our dignity in Macquarie Street and the halls of power.’’

The two men have articulated a desire to see the Australian Labor Party – and therefore sitting member Noreen Hay – lose its grip on the Wollongong electorate.

Cr Bradbery said he hoped Mr Rorris would better his own election result from 2011, when he took out nearly 30per cent of the primary vote and whittled Ms Hay’s margin down to 682 votes after preferences.

‘‘I’m hoping Arthur can build on what I have achieved, and take that even further forward to come out with an absolute majority, so we won’t even have to go to preferences,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

Ms Hay would not be drawn on her thoughts about facing a challenge from the two high-profile men, only saying it was anyone’s democratic right to run against her.

‘‘I have always taken the view that it is the electorate that decides who represents them,’’ she said.

Meantime, a candidate from the Australian Cyclists Party – Phil Latz – has also announced he will contest the seat of Wollongong.