Ian Thorn elected as new Leader of Wiltshire Council
Cllr Thorn defeated former Leader Cllr Richard Clewer in a vote at County Hall on Tuesday (20th May)
Last updated 20th May 2025
Ian Thorne has been elected as the Leader of Wiltshire Council following a vote by councillors today (20th May).
Cllr Thorne defeated former Council Leader, Cllr Richard Clewer, in a secret ballot at County Hall in Trowbridge.
Cllr Thorne received 50 votes, with Cllr Clewer scoring 45. Two voters abstained.
At this months local elections, the Liberal Democrats became the county's largest party, ahead of the Conservatives, who had dominated here since 2000.
The new Council leader told Greatest Hits Radio he is "humbled and excited" to be leading the county, calling it "a great opportunity".
He said cross-party working will be key: "It's a Liberal Democrat administration, but we absolutely recognise the importance of every single councillor in the Chamber."
Cllr Thorn said one of his primary objectives will be to tackle Wiltshire's roads.
"It's no surprise that the big issue on the doorstep time and time again was potholes," he said, adding: "If I have to put a high-viz jacket on and get on to the roads and do it myself, I will do that."
The Council Leader told us about some his other ambitions: "We want to devolve power.
"Wiltshire is a huge, huge council, of course, with Salisbury Plain sitting more or less in the middle. We want local people to make local decisions because I think that's the best way of moving this county forward."
Cllr Thorn said there would be little time for celebrating, insisting their work starts now.