Harborough Conservatives Announce New Leader
Written by HFM News on 10th May 2023
The Conservatives at Harborough District Council have named Jonathan Bateman as new leader.
The councillor who represents the Misterton ward replaces Phil King, who stepped down after the party lost control of the council at last week’s election.
The authority is currently under no overall control, although negotiations are underway which could see different political parties form a power-sharing coalition to lead it.
Cllr Bateman spoke to HFM:
Cllr Jonathan Bateman
Despite losing seven seat at the election, the Conservatives still have the largest number of seats, but not a majority.
The Liberal Democrats, who hold the second-largest number of seats, have re-elected Phil Knowles as group leader, while Labour now hold three seats on the council and for the first time, the Green party has three councillors.
Cllr Simon Whelband (Kibworths ward) has been elected as the Conservative Deputy Group Leader.
