A New Political Era: Reform UK Claims Leadership on a Torn Leicestershire Council

In a stunning political shift, Reform UK has emerged as the largest party on the Leicestershire County Council, selecting Dan Harrison as its group leader. This move follows the recent elections, where the party gained significant ground by dismantling the long-held Tory majority in a dramatic fashion. Harrison, a former Conservative who defected to Reform UK in February, expressed pride in taking the helm of 25 newly-elected councillors.

Despite its newfound status, Reform UK still lacks an overall majority, being three seats short of the 55 total available. The Tories, now the second largest party, hold 15 seats and have lost control of a council they governed for 24 years. Other parties present include the Liberal Democrats with 11 members, Labour with two, and one each from the Green Party and an independent.

Harrison, representing Ashby-de-la-Zouch, underlined the importance of the election results, stating that they reflect a clear mandate from the residents of Leicestershire for substantial change. He acknowledged the remarkable progress the Reform group has achieved in a short time, positioning themselves as pivotal in council discussions moving forward. The upcoming annual general meeting on Wednesday will be crucial, as it marks the first gathering of all councillors to elect new leadership roles and committee appointments.

Interestingly, the defeated Conservative party has no plans to form a coalition with Reform UK, instead vowing to act as a robust opposition to the new majority. As political dynamics shift in Leicestershire, both sides are preparing for a potentially transformative session on the council.