Reform leader re-elected and cabinet shake-up at County Hall

Reform UK’s Dan Harrison has been re-elected as the leader of Leicestershire County Council despite calls for others to step forward and take charge.

Councillor Harrison was voted in during a full council meeting on Wednesday (May 13).

Council leader Dan Harrison (CREDIT: LDRS)

placeholder image — Council leader Dan Harrison (CREDIT: LDRS)

All 25 Reform councillors voted for Councillor Harrison, while 17 members, representing the Conservatives, Labour Party, Greens and Restore Britain voted against it.

The 11 Liberal Democrat councillors abstained from the vote, claiming it wasn’t their job to choose a Reform leader, despite Conservative accusations of ‘back door deals’.

The Reform boss has also reshuffled his cabinet, introducing new faces and roles into the minority-led council.

Councillor Craig Smith, Conservative deputy opposition leader, told the council that Councillor Harrison ‘does not command respect’ and accused Reform of a ‘toxic culture’ within their group.

He urged other Reform councillors to challenge his leadership, adding: “There’s some really good people that could step up to be leader.

“I really hope one of you takes the courage to step forward because you would get the support of this side of the room.

“I want you to ask: Does this man bring you together and inspire leadership?”

Despite Councillor Smith’s comments, Reform councillors backed Councillor Harrison, saying they were ‘fully behind him’.

Councillor Andrew Hamilton-Gray, the Reform’s new party whip, said: “I’ve got a pretty good feel of the pulse for the entire group and I can categorically refuse any claims that there is any division or instability in our group.

“We are all fully behind Dan Harrison. He is the best man for the job and the best leader of the county council.”

Councillor Andrew Innes, Melton East’s Reform county councillor, said it had been a ‘truly landmark first year’ and Councillor Harrison’s leadership allowed them to ‘change the status quo’ and ‘put residents first’.

Liberal Democrat leader Michael Mullaney told the council that Reform was the largest party and it wasn’t their job to ‘choose the leader of another party’ saying Councillor Smith had ‘personal issues’ with Councillor Harrison.

He added: “The reality is Mr Harrison was accepted in the Conservative party for many years, and they didn’t have any problem with him then.”

The Liberal Democrats came under fire from Conservatives during the meeting, who accused them of ‘back-room deals’ and of propping up Reform.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Stuart Bray told the council ‘there were no deals’ and accused the Conservatives of being unable to accept their defeat.

He added: “Our position here is … we will work constructively with anybody who wants to work with us.

“It has actually been a refreshing change with the leadership of the county council in that the leadership were prepared to listen to other groups, which would have never happened for 20 years (under the Conservative group).”

Leicestershire County Council’s new cabinet is as follows: