Cllr Bailey resigns as CE Conservative Leader

Cheshire East Council leader Rachel Bailey on Tuesday resigned as Conservative group leader and has been replaced by Cllr Janet Clowes.

Her decision comes just days after the Tories took a hammering in last week's election and lost overall control of the council for the first time.

A statement issued by the Conservative party states: "At tonight's Conservative Group Annual General Meeting, Cllr Rachel Bailey announced that she would be standing down as leader of the Conservative group but will continue as Cheshire East Council Leader until the full annual council meeting on the 22nd May 2019.

"Cllr Rachel Bailey thanked the group members for their on-going support, however she feels that having fulfilled her commitments to the Conservative group, it is an opportune moment to step aside to enable a new leader to take on this important role.

"Cllr Bailey received a standing ovation from all members of the group.

"Following Cllr Bailey's announcement, Cllr Janet Clowes was unanimously elected as the new Conservative group leader."

Cllr Bailey, who took over the helm when former leader Michael Jones resigned in February 2016, saw her own vote slashed in this year's election from 1,706 in 2015 to 746 this year.

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Cheshire East now comprises 34 Conservatives, 25 Labour, 19 Independents and four Liberal Democrats after Thursday's election.

Although the Tories are the biggest party and Cllr Clowes has been elected as their party leader there is no automatic guarantee she will be elected leader of the council.

A new council leader has to be voted on by the full council later this month.

By courtesy of Cheshire Live

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