South Gloucestershire’s Conservatives have elected a new leader following last week’s disastrous local elections. Cllr Sam Bromiley, previously cabinet member for children and young people, has been chosen by the party to replace outgoing council and group leader Cllr Toby Savage, who has stepped down from local politics following the birth of his second child and did not stand at the polls on Thursday, May 4.
The Tories lost 10 of their 33 seats, along with their majority in the chamber after eight years as the ruling group. The authority went into No Overall Control, with the Lib Dems and Labour still locked in talks to try to form a coalition. Frenchay & Downend ward Cllr Liz Brennan has been appointed Conservative group deputy leader, while Cllr Erica Williams, who was cabinet member for education, skills and employment, will be deputy leader of South Gloucestershire Council if the Tories end up forming a minority administration.
Last Sunday, Parkwall & Warmley ward Cllr Bromiley accused the Lib Dems and Labour of thrashing out “dodgy deals in backrooms” when he appeared on BBC1’s Politics West. The father-of-one, who grew up in a Hanham council house and now lives in Warmley with his family, said: “I would like to thank my fellow councillors for putting their faith in me and selecting me as their group leader.
