Charlotte, thank you. Julian, good luck

THE CHANGING of the guard has finally occurred.

First mooted in the summer, this evening, Wokingham Conservatives will see leader of the council Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor resign.

After losing a vote of no confidence from her fellow Conservatives, her former deputy, Cllr Julian McGhee-Sumner, has become group leader.

The complex mechanics of the constitution means that he can’t become leader of the council until next month.

In many ways, it is a shame that Cllr Haitham Taylor’s leadership has come to an end so quickly –and in such a manner.

The sirens that whisper in our ears speak of an unhappy ship that was being rocked by a captain that had a very different leadership style to the ones they wanted.

We wish Cllr Haitham Taylor well in whatever she chooses to do next. She has tried hard to steer the council through difficult times and brought about crossparty co-operation.

We also wish Cllr McGhee-Sumner well as he prepares to bring his skills in the business world to the council’s leadership.

With a new chief executive about to be appointed, and local elections coming up next May, Cllr McGhee-Sumner will be facing a mountain to climb almost immediately.

Have a clear vision, communicate it well and don’t shy away from your critics. The electorate – the residents – are watching. Good luck.