"Lost opportunity" to vote in youngest-ever Chair on Lichfield District Council

Vice Chair Andrew Rushton had been proposed for the role of Chair, with Labour group leader Cllr Sue Woodward seconding, but the Conservatives put forward their own candidate – Cllr Keith Vernon – who won with a close vote of 23-21.

Cllr Paul Ray, leader of the Lib Dem group, said he was disappointed not to see last year’s vice-chair given the opportunity to step up to the main role.

“Unfortunately that vote was lost with Conservative, independent and Reform councillors not voting for Cllr Rushton. That decision is a real lost opportunity because it would have meant a young chair leading the council.

“Cllr Rushton is in his early twenties and having a young person as chair would have been so good for the image of the council and made our council look more relevant to our community. He had served as a very committed Vice Chair, so it was pure politics that blocked this decision.”

Cllr Andrew Rushton added: 

“I am disappointed by this vote. I found the role of Vice Chair very rewarding and was relishing the opportunity to help connect better with our younger generation as chair. While politics stopped this, I look forward to continuing to represent the young folk of Lichfield district.”