LANCASHIRE County Council's Labour group has chosen an East Lancashire politician as its new leader after losing control of the authority last week.
Cllr Azhar Ali, who retained Nelson East in Thursday’s elections, won the post after beating Leyland Central’s Cllr Matthew Tomlinson in an internal ballot.
The 49-year-old former leader of Pendle Council and county health boss pledged to hold the new Tory administration and its Burnley-born leader Cllr Geoff Driver to account.
He said: “The Conservatives made a lot of promises I do not think they can keep including re-opening libraries and museums and restoring bus services.
“They need more money from the government I will go wherever necessary with Cllr Driver to try and help him get the money we have been denied by the government for the last four years.”
His deputy will be Cllr John Fillis, former cabinet member for transport and highways.
Cllr Driver said: “We will keep our promises, unlike Labour.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here