Liberal Democrats take control of Ashfield District Council

The blog has been a little light on content for the past few weeks (to say the least). There has been a reason for this, which I can now discuss a bit more openly. Before May 3rd, I was the sole Lib Dem councillor on Ashfield District Council, which has been Labour controlled since its inception over 30 years ago, it covers most of Geoff Hoon's seat, in case you were wondering.

We had a very good set of results on May 3rd, taking an additional 9 seats and becoming, at the time, the largest group on the council (Labour were reduced to 9 with 3 Tories and a set of independents). A good deal of debate, discussion and negotiation followed. The Conservatives decided to abandon the idea of the Conservative group and joined with a set of independents to form "The Alliance", and Labour seemed to have enough trouble getting on with each other, never mind talking to anyone else.

Anyway, for all the machinations, we finally had the Council's AGM last Thursday and the Lib Dems took control. We now have an all Lib Dem cabinet, Lib Dem leader (Jason Zadrozny) and Deputy Leader (myself). We're very proud to be the first Lib Dem run Council in Nottinghamshire and also home to (we believe) the youngest leadership team in the country with a combined age of 50, and the youngest female elected representative in British political history in Cllr Helen Smith, who is 19.

So, now that's over I can be back to the blogging. Enjoy.

Comments

[Ed]

Congrats and good luck! Did Ming call?

Ed

[Ben Rathe]

You should post the front page of this weeks Chad to Ming.

[Joe Taylor]

For a council that was nowhere on the Lib Dem radar this time last year, that is absolutely astounding. Well done indeed!