Gloucester council leader loses no confidence vote
Councillors voted 21-18 to remove Jeremy Hilton as leader of Gloucester City Council
Councillors have voted to remove Jeremy Hilton as leader of Gloucester City Council after a motion of no confidence was passed.
The vote was carried by 21 votes to 18.
A spokesperson for Gloucester Liberal Democrats has criticised the decision, saying the opposition has not put forward an alternative plan for running the council.
A spokesperson for Gloucester Liberal Democrats said:
"The opposition have proved they have the numbers to tear an administration down, but apparently not the courage to take responsibility for what comes next.
"They have removed the leader of the council in the middle of an extremely difficult financial recovery, yet have offered no alternative administration, no alternative leader and no alternative plan.
"It is the easiest thing in politics to throw stones from the side lines.
"Leadership means being prepared to step forward, take responsibility and make the difficult decisions yourself.
"If Councillor Alastair Chambers and those who supported him believe they know better how Gloucester should be run, they should have the courage of their convictions and form an administration.
"If they are not prepared to do that, people are entitled to ask what tonight's political chaos was actually intended to achieve.
"Gloucester needs grown-up leadership and stability, not people pulling the house down and then walking away from the rubble."