Conservatives rule out coalition after Reform wins

The Conservatives have ruled out a coalition after losing control of Leicestershire County Council.

The authority fell into no overall control after Reform UK won 25 seats, just shy of the 28 needed to take full control in the local elections.

It is the first time the Tories have not been in charge at County Hall in almost a quarter of a century as they secured 14 seats, the Liberal Democrats 11, Labour took two seats and there was one each for Green and an independent.

Deborah Taylor, who was acting leader of the council prior to the elections, said: "We see that people want change and they have voted for the majority group of Reform UK to be in charge at Leicestershire County Council."

"We have decided we will be a strong opposition to them," added Taylor, who held on to her seat in the Bradgate division.

"We will hold them to account and make sure they abide by their promises."

Among Reform's headline wins was Michael Squires taking Valley from Conservative leader Nick Rushton.

Reform UK's cohort of 25 councillors have now met at County Hall after becoming the largest party.

Newly-elected Reform councillor for Whitwick Joseph Boam said: "It is a huge honour to have been elected on to the county council.

"I'm looking forward to delivering for the people of Whitwick and Leicestershire.

"Let's not forget the sheer importance of what has happened here. From a standing start we are now the largest party in Leicestershire County Council.

"The message from local residents is clear: They want change and Reform UK will deliver that."

Earlier on Saturday, Lib Dem leader Michael Mullaney, who held De Montfort for the party, told the BBC he was open to discussions.

He added: "With different parties winning seats, we'll have to see how things go in terms of going forward.

"If parties agree with the Liberal Democrats' policies of investing more in roads and pavements, investing more in special educational needs and public transport and flood prevention, then we'll talk to any party."

By Tim Parker, BBC Leicester political reporter

After years of opposing each other in the council chamber at County Hall, it was always going to be a very big ask to get Leicestershire Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour to suddenly put aside their differences and work together to form a new administration.

The Conservatives have clearly ruled that out for now.

That leaves Reform UK with the option of either governing in a minority administration or trying to form a coalition with parties towards the opposite end of the political spectrum.

Either way, the path ahead for Reform in Leicestershire won't be easy.

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