Following Yesterday’s local elections results, I am honoured and humbled to have been re-elected as the County Councillor for Coalville North. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to vote. Your support means the world to me.
We ran a very strong, visible, and community-focused campaign over five months, and I have no doubt that effort was key to keeping Coalville North from falling to Reform. It was a true team effort, and I remain committed to working hard for all residents, regardless of how they voted.
That said, the wider result was sobering. All of my fellow Conservative County Councillors in North West Leicestershire lost their seats, with Reform UK making sweeping gains. I know how hard each of them worked and how much they gave to their communities. Having faced a narrow defeat myself in last year’s General Election, I know just how painful that outcome can be, but also how it can galvanise you to come back stronger.
Across Leicestershire, the Conservative group now consists of 15 experienced councillors. After a unanimous group decision, we will not enter any coalition with the Lib Dems, Labour, Greens, or Independents. We were elected as Conservatives and we will serve as Conservatives. Our group will now form the official opposition at County Hall.
That means robustly scrutinising the new Reform UK administration, holding them to account, and making sure decisions taken truly reflect the needs of our communities.
The road ahead starts now.
Cllr Craig Smith
County Councillor, Coalville North
