Portsmouth City Council leadership still unclear

THE control of Portsmouth City Council remains unclear in the wake of elections - but a prominent councillor will stay on as his group’s leader.

After the election count on Saturday (May 8) the local authority remains in no overall control and its previous administration – the Liberal Democrats – is no longer the largest party, with 15 seats.

The prior second largest party, the Conservatives, made gains to become the biggest group with 16 seats.

But neither parties have enough seats for a majority.

It had been planned Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, who has helmed the Lib Dems since 2004 and is technically still leader of the council, would be stepping down from his leadership role after the elections. But he has now confirmed he will keep his position, after his deputy Steve Pitt lost his seat in Central Southsea in a surprise result at the weekend.

A statement from the Lib Dems said: ‘In view of the need for continuity during the pandemic and the recovery afterwards, the Lib Dem councillors asked Gerald Vernon Jackson to continue in his role as leader of the city council. Gerald has agreed to do this.

‘Suzy Horton will become Deputy Leader.’

New Tory leader, Cllr Matthew Atkins - who succeeded Donna Jones after Saturday, told The News the results gave his party a ‘mandate’ for leadership. But he added his group was 'open to working with everyone.'

The results of Saturday’s count – at which a third of the council’s 42 seats were contested – left the Labour party with seven seats, the Progressive Portsmouth People (PPP) with two and two independent councillors.

Cllr Claire Udy – the boss of PPP – said: ‘Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson knows of the invaluable knowledge and experience we could bring to an administration.’

The city’s Labour group was approached for comment.

A council leader will be chosen during the annual general meeting on Tuesday, May 18.