Liberal Democrats form opposition on Leicestershire County Council

11.30.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 18th Jul 2009

The Liberal Democrats are now the official opposition to the Tory controlled Leicestershire County Council following the June 4th elections. Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Simon Galton, was re-elected as County Councillor for Launde in Rutland and Melton by a large majority defeating the Chairman of Rutland and Melton Conservatives. Labour has been wiped out in Rutland and Melton after former Labour leader, Matthew O'Callaghan, lost his Melton North division to the Tories. Simon has recently announced the Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet. Led by Simon with Bill Boulter as his deputy, the Shadow Cabinet includes Liberal Democrats from Market Harborough and Oadby and Wigston in the Harborough Constituency. The full list is available on Simon's web site.

The Liberal Democrats are now the main opposition to the Tories in Rutland and Melton and will be working hard to defeat local Tory MP, Alan Duncan, in the run up to the next General Election. Mr Duncan, following his ill-judged and embarrassing appearance on "Have I got news for you" when he told the audience that the MPs' expenses system was great, recently had to explain himself to his constituents at a public meeting in Oakham after repaying over £4,000 pounds for his gardening expenses. Grahame Hudson, Liberal Democrat PPC for Rutland and Melton in a recent letter to the Rutland Mercury pointed out Mr Duncan's failure to apologise unreservedly for his behaviour.

Related Link:

Simon Galton's web site.