New Tory leader in pledge to hold Reform to account

The defeat suffered by the Conservatives in last week's Lancashire County Council elections was more a reflection of the national political mood than the result of discontent with local services, according to the new leader of the Tory group on the authority.

- by Paul Faulkner

Former cabinet member Aidy Riggott was speaking after being unanimously elected to head the eight remaining Conservative members at County Hall.

He will replace former county council leader Phillippa Williamson, who lost her Lancaster Rural North seat in the local election rout, which saw the Tory tally slashed from 48 after the last poll in 2021 - and Reform UK seize control from the party after eight years in charge.

Coun Riggott - who was responsible for economic development and growth under the now ousted administration - said the Conservatives, under his former boss, had gifted Reform an authority that was in a "stable, strong position".