Leicestershire CC Elects First Reform UK Leader

Leicestershire County Council has elected its first Reform UK leader.

Dan Harrison has taken up the position after his party won the most seats at the recent local elections.

Cllr Dan Harrison (left) & Cllr Joseph Boam (right)

The council is the first authority in the country to formally select a Reform UK leader, which ends the long-standing control of the Conservatives.

Cllr Harrison, who represents Ashby, spoke at yesterday’s annual council meeting:

New council chairman Cllr Paul Harrison

Cllr Harrison’s appointment was not accepted by all, with just his own party supporting it.

The Conservatives, which now forms the main opposition, and Liberal Democrats abstained from the vote, while Labour’s two councillors and newly elected Green councillor Naomi Bottomley voted against him taking on the leadership position.

Reform councillor Joseph Boam, who represents Whitwick, was voted in as deputy leader, while Cllr Paul Harrison, the party’s representative for Coalville South, was elected as the council’s Chairman and Cllr Andrew Hamilton-Gray, who represents Loughborough North West, has been appointed as Vice Chairman.

A new cabinet was also appointed at the annual meeting.

Members with their portfolios are as follows: Councillor Helen Butler (Reform UK) – Resources; Councillor Charles Pugsley (Reform UK) – Children’s services (SEND); Councillor Joseph Boam (Reform UK) – Adult social care (libraries); Councillor Charles Whitford (Reform UK) – Highways, transport, flooding and waste; Councillor Harrison Fowler (Reform UK) – Strategic planning and economic development (growth); Councillor Michael Squires (Reform UK) – Health; Councillor Adam Tilbury (Reform UK) – Environment; Councillor Virge Richichi (Reform UK) – Communities and staff relations.