{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreiczidjukezzr7nrvrer3gpjl2tqglks22vu7vvejbuxkmq3iy47ni",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:uiwddrbttqbejhbigjksg2af/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmnp3gg7iyc2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreic6ycdk3vpfyyfxoa6jyvchrubu4upuoe2buakf3vv3dqlyjk6tae"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 103086
  },
  "description": "Reform’s Dan Harrison has been re-elected as the leader of Leicestershire County Council despite calls for others to step forward and take charge",
  "path": "/reform-leader-re-elected-despite-calls-for-others-to-take-charge/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-25T05:00:39.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.leicester.news",
  "tags": [
    "Leicester Gazette",
    "standards code",
    "Learn more",
    "Click here for membership"
  ],
  "textContent": "This story was written by the ****local democracy reporting service (LDRS),**** a BBC-funded scheme to improve the coverage of issues relating to local democracy. The Leicester Gazette has been a partner in the scheme since March 2024, and so receives some stories as part of it.\n\n****Because LDRS reporters are not employed by the Gazette, their stories do not follow our style guide or**** standards code****.****\n\n\n                            Learn more\n                        \n\nReform’s Dan Harrison has been re-elected as the leader of Leicestershire County Council despite calls for others to step forward and take charge. Cllr Harrison was voted in during a full council meeting on May 13.\n\nAll 25 Reform councillors voted for Cllr Harrison, while 17 members, representing the Conservatives, Labour Party, Greens and Restore Britain voted against it.\n\nThe 11 Liberal Democrat councillors abstained from the vote, claiming it wasn’t their job to choose a Reform leader, despite Conservative accusations of “back door deals”.\n\nThe Reform boss has reshuffled his cabinet, introducing new faces and roles into the minority-led council.\n\nCllr Craig Smith, Conservative deputy opposition leader, told the council that Cllr Harrison “does not command respect” and accused Reform of a “toxic culture” within their group.\n\nHe urged other Reform councillors to challenge his leadership, adding: “There’s some really good people that could step up to be leader.\n\n“I really hope one of you takes the courage to step forward because you would get the support of this side of the room.\n\n“I want you to ask: Does this man bring you together and inspire leadership?”\n\nDespite Cllr Smith’s comments, Reform councillors backed Cllr Harrison, saying they were “fully behind him”.\n\n## Join the conversation\n\nOur app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community.\n\n\n\n\n__Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__\n\nCllr Andrew Hamilton-Gray, the Reform’s new party whip, said: “I’ve got a pretty good feel of the pulse for the entire group and I can categorically refuse any claims that there is any division or instability in our group.\n\n“We are all fully behind Dan Harrison. He is the best man for the job and the best leader of the county council”.\n\nCllr Andrew Innes, Melton East’s Reform county councillor, said it had been a “truly landmark first year” and Cllr Harrison’s leadership allowed them to “change the status quo” and “put residents first”.\n\nLiberal Democrat leader Michael Mullaney told the council that Reform was the largest party and it wasn’t their job to “choose the leader of another party” saying Cllr Smith had “personal issues” with Cllr Harrison.\n\nHe added: “The reality is Mr Harrison was accepted in the Conservative party for many years, and they didn’t have any problem with him then.”\n\nThe Liberal Democrats came under fire from Conservatives during the meeting, who accused them of “back-room deals” and of propping up Reform.\n\nLiberal Democrat Cllr Stuart Bray told the council “there were no deals” and accused the Conservatives of being unable to accept their defeat.\n\nHe added: “Our position here is … we will work constructively with anybody who wants to work with us.\n\n“It has actually been a refreshing change with the leadership of the county council in that the leadership were prepared to listen to other groups, which would have never happened for 20 years [under the Conservative group].\n\n“Any ideas put forward would be then voted down and miraculously come forward as their own ideas”.\n\n**Leicestershire County Council’s new cabinet is as follows:**\n\n* * *\n\n**Before you go…** We've recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we're a small team on a shoestring budget.\n\nNow, we're ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.**\n\nThe app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It's a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community.\n\n* * *",
  "title": "Reform leader re-elected despite calls for others to take charge",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-25T07:00:40.754Z"
}