Tories seize control of council by a single vote

12 hours ago

Dan MartinLeicester political reporter

New Conservative leader Simon Whelband said it was right the largest party on the council should lead it

BBC A head-and-shoulders image of a man in a jacket and tie — New Conservative leader Simon Whelband said it was right the largest party on the council should lead it

The Conservatives have taken control of Harborough District Council after ousting its Liberal Democrat leader.

A Tory motion to remove Phil Knowles as leader was passed by a single vote at a meeting on Monday.

Knowles had led a 16-strong coalition of Liberal Democrat, Labour, Green and independent councillors since 2023 on the finely balanced authority.

Conservative group leader Simon Whelband has now taken over as leader.

The Conservatives, who also have 16 councillors, said it was right they should run the authority because they were the single largest party.

They said the coalition could no longer command an effective majority after Conservative victory in a recent council by-election.

Ousted council leader Phil Knowles said there would be pressure on the Conservatives to deliver

A head-and-shoulders image of a man with grey hair and a beard — Ousted council leader Phil Knowles said there would be pressure on the Conservatives to deliver

The meeting began with a minute's silence and tributes to Labour Lutterworth East councillor David Gair, a member of the coalition, who died last week.

Following a debate, the Conservatives won the vote to remove Knowles by 17 votes to 16.

Whelband said: "I'm very pleased that colleagues have chosen to back me and the Conservatives.

"We are the largest group and the largest political party on Harborough District Council and it's right that the leadership should reflect that.

"Our position has been strengthened following recent by-election wins so we decided it was time to make the move to take over.

"I'd like to thank the members of the coalition for their service and I hope they will be a strong opposition."

Whelband said he would be appointing a new cabinet in the coming days.

'Power grab'

Knowles said he was proud of the coalition's achievements but he accepted the result of the vote.

"It's not a surprise," he told the BBC. "Now my deep concern is for the district.

"It's an absolute power grab by the Conservatives.

"What we have delivered as a coalition over the last three years is immense but I worry they [the Conservatives] will take a sledgehammer to the whole thing and it will be residents who suffer.

"We will make sure we hold them to account as opposition councillors.

"The Tories now have to deliver as a minority administration, and if they don't they will be in trouble."

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