Councillors Harvey Jennings (below) and Matt Holmes (right) have been selected as Leader and Deputy Leader respectively of the Derby City Council Conservative Group. I wish them all the best and know they will do a great job. Here’s what the Derby Evening Telegraph had to say:
Derby’s Conservative group has selected a new leader.
Councillor Harvey Jennings, the group’s former deputy leader, has now replaced Philip Hickson as leader of the group.
And Councillor Matthew Holmes has become the new deputy leader.
It follows the decision by Mr Hickson to step down from the role of leader after nearly 10 years. He remains a city councillor for Allestree ward.
Mr Jennings said: “I am deeply honoured to have been selected to lead the Derby City Conservative Group for the forthcoming year.
“Following in the footsteps of Councillor Philip Hickson, who has ably led the group for some time, will be a challenge but one I am looking forward to.
“I firmly believe we are on the threshold of change in Derby and that substantial gains can be made by the Conservatives across the city in 2010.”
Mr Holmes said he was looking forward to supporting Mr Jennings as his deputy.
“I’m very proud to have been given this opportunity by my colleagues in the Conservative group,” he said. “Together, as a team, we are going to work towards our aim of taking control of Derby City Council.”
Thank you Jack. It was good to see you yesterday and of course a great boast to have David Cameron return to Derby again. It highlights the fact that Derby and Mid-Derbyshire will be a key battle ground not just in the local elections next year – but the general election.