Reform UK leader faces pressure to quit after close vote

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 29 Oct, 12:15 · Archive

The Reform UK leader of Leicestershire County Council survived a secret leadership vote on 28 October by just one vote.

Councillor Dan Harrison, Reform UK's leader of Leicestershire County Council, survived a secret leadership vote on 28 October by the narrowest of margins, with a majority of just one vote in his favour. The vote laid bare deep divisions within his own party, with one source citing a 'lack of direction' under his leadership.

Recent by-election results have increased pressure on Harrison. The party has struggled to win seats in multiple by-elections in Leicestershire in recent months, including a county council election in Shepshed, which Labour won following the resignation of a Reform councillor. Harrison acknowledged that recent by-election tactics 'hadn't been working' and said the party would be taking a 'different approach'.

Despite the close vote, Harrison told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he received a 'positive response' during Tuesday's meeting and felt 'confident' about the administration's future. He acknowledged there were some councillors who were 'disenchanted', describing their position as 'simple politics'. He said the council was 'one of the most efficient councils in the country' and that head office was 'pleased' with their work.

How it is being reported

• Leicestershire County Council's Reform leader faces mounting pressure to step down as internal leadership vote lays bare deep divisions within partyThe Reform boss of Leicestershire County Council is facing mounting pressure and calls from opponents to step down after a secret vote on his leadership laid bare deep divisions within his own party.Harborough Mail · 29 Oct, 11:53
• Leicestershire County Council leader faces pressure to step down after a vote on his leadershipThe leader of Leicestershire County Council is facing mounting pressure and calls from opponents to step down after a recent vote on his leadership.Harborough Mail · 28 Oct, 16:59
• Reform UK Leicestershire leader under pressure to quit as vote exposes deep party divideOne source said they felt there was a 'lack of direction' within the party at the county councilLeicestershire Live · 28 Oct, 13:41

In this story: Councillor Dan Harrison · Reform UK · Leicestershire County Council · Leicestershire · Shepshed · Labour

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