Reform UK's Joanne Monk elected as new leader of Worcestershire County Council
Reform's David Taylor was also announced as the deputy leader at today's council meeting
Last updated 22nd May 2025
Reform UK's Joanne Monk has been named as the new leader of Worcestershire County Council.
A council meeting held today saw councillor Joanne Monk, who represents Redditch East and is also leader of the Reform UK group in Worcestershire, elected into the role.
Councillor David Taylor from Reform UK was selected as the deputy leader and cabinet member for One Worcestershire, with the new leader also announced all her cabinet roles.
All positions in the new cabinet were filled by Reform UK councillors.
Elections recap
At the county council elections earlier this month, Reform UK picked up 27 out of the 57 seats available, falling two seats short of being able to claim a majority and leaving the council in no overall control.
The Conservatives lost there overall majority control at the election, being reduced to 12 seats from their 45 previous, with former leader Simon Geraghty losing his seat.
They remained the second biggest party, with the Green and Independent Alliance councillors coming together to have 10 seats in total, the Greens having eight seats, with the Independents having two.
Liberal Democrats have six seats, with Labour having the remaining two.
New chairman
In the meeting, the new chairman was also announced, councillor Louis Stephen from the Greens elected into the role following a vote.
Councillor Paul Bennett from the Liberal Democrats was named as vice-chair.