New Conservative leader elected in Buckinghamshire after party loses control of council
Steve Broadbent chosen to lead local Conservatives following election result that left the party one seat short of a majority on the council
A new leader has been elected to head the Conservative group in Buckinghamshire following the party’s loss of overall control at the local elections.
Steve Broadbent was unanimously chosen as group leader at a meeting on Sunday, taking over from Martin Tett, who stepped down after the results. The Conservatives won 48 seats on Buckinghamshire Council – one short of the 49 needed for a majority.
Cllr Broadbent said: “I’m honoured and delighted to have the support of my colleagues and I pay tribute to Martin Tett for his sterling service to residents over many years.”
The council is now under no overall control for the first time since it was formed in 2020. In 2021, the Conservatives held 113 of the then 147 seats. The number of seats has since been reduced to 97.
Cllr Broadbent said voters had continued to back the party. “Since its creation in 2020 Buckinghamshire Council has been a great example of an efficient, well-run council, delivering for residents,” he said.
“That’s why local voters have put their faith in the Conservatives again, delivering us almost double the seats of the next largest party.”
The Liberal Democrats secured 27 seats, with Independents winning 11, Labour four, Reform UK three, Greens two and Wycombe Independents two.
Cllr Broadbent, who retained his Ridgeway East seat, previously served as deputy leader and cabinet member for transport. He said the Conservatives had “a strong mandate to take the council forward” and expected to form a new administration when councillors meet later this month.
Cllr Peter Brazier, who issued the party’s post-election statement, said a coalition had not been ruled out.
“It is a possibility, and I wouldn’t take anything off the table,” he said. “But that really is a question for Steve now as the leader, to work out how – as the largest party – we are going to operate.”
On election night, outgoing leader Martin Tett said the Reform UK party had damaged the Conservative vote and warned that a council with no overall control could lead to “very unstable leadership for potentially four years”.