Cheshire East Council's Tory group elects leader

Stewart Gardiner has been elected as the leader of the opposition Conservative group on Cheshire East Council.

He succeeds Janet Clowes, who has led the Tories since 2019, following her decision to stand down as leader following a period of ill health. She will continue to serve as a councillor.

Liz Wardlaw has been named as Gardiner's deputy.

Cheshire East Council is led by a coalition of the Labour and Independent groups.

"Both Stewart and Liz are committed to robustly holding this failing administration to account over the year ahead and are looking forward to setting out their positive vision for the future of Cheshire East," the new leadership group said in a statement.

Clowes said she decided to step down after being rushed to hospital in March and taking six weeks off to recover.

"In consultation with my husband and sons," she said, "I have decided that this is an opportune moment to step back from the roller-coaster that is inherent in any form of political leadership and that has marked our lives as a family for the past six years.

"In short, to take stock and reset what has been a frenetic work-life balance."

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