Conservatives ready to hold new Reform UK-led Nottinghamshire County Council to account
The re-elected county Conservative leader has vowed to continue focus on delivering priorities — while holding the new Reform leadership to account.
Nottinghamshire Conservative Group leader Sam Smith was re-elected to his Newark East seat on Nottinghamshire County Council in the recent election, and yesterday (May 6) was elected as the new leader of the opposition.
Also re-elected and taking up roles are deputy leader Bruce Laughton and chief whip Jonathan Wheeler.
Mr Smith said: “Over the bank holiday weekend, I’ve taken time to catch up on some much needed sleep and to reflect on last week’s election.
“It has been a tough election for my Conservative Party and I’m so very sorry to see many of my amazing colleagues across Nottinghamshire not get re-elected to the county council. This is through no fault of their own, as they have been outstanding servants of their communities, but it is a result of national policies — immigration — playing a huge part in the outcome of a local election.
“Their hard work and dedication to their residents will be missed.”
As the largest Conservative opposition group in the country of those councils up for election last week, they have promised to remain focused on delivering on local priorities.
“We Nottinghamshire Conservatives entered the election with a proud track record of delivering on local priorities and getting things done,” Mr Smith added.
“As the leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, I was extremely proud to be going around the county reminding residents that as a Conservative-run council we had never closed a library; increased the highway repair budget to over £70m; protected local bus routes with £9m of investment; retained our youth services; delivered good care; improved SEND; invested an extra £60m plus year on year into better local services; built new schools and expanded others; and delivered all that while never increasing council tax by the maximum, which saved residents £22m.
“It is because of this proud track record of getting things done and delivering on the local priorities of residents that myself and a total of 17 Conservative county councillors were re-elected or elected onto Nottinghamshire County Council last week, making us the biggest Conservative opposition Group in the country of those councils that had elections — and I am the only Conservative leader in the Midlands to retain their seat.
“On what has been a disappointing outcome to the election, these two points offer a little joy and optimism.
“We hand over a good council to the incoming Reform administration and, whilst continuing to deliver on local matters, it is now the role of the opposition group, that I now I lead at County Hall, to showcase to the electorate that national issues, such as immigration, can not be addressed at the county council.”
Reform UK won 40 of the 66 seats on the county council to take overall control. Conservatives won 17, Labour 4, and Ashfield Independents, Broxtowe Alliance, Broxtowe Independent Group hold one each.
Mr Smith added: “On a personal note, I’m delighted to have been re-elected as the Conservative county councillor for Newark East. It’s an honour to represent Beacon Hill, Balderton, and Newark Town and I will continue to do all I can to deliver on our local priorities. Thank you to everyone who voted to re-elect me, it’s much appreciated.
“I’ve been back working at County Hall, continuing my work for the residents of Newark East and beginning the work of leading the opposition. Thank you to everyone who supported my group during the election, we’re extremely grateful.”
