Neill announced as London Conservative leader
The Conservative group in the London Assembly has elected Bob Neill as its leader.
Mr Neill, member for Bexley and Bromley, was previously the Conservative’s planning spokesman.
He takes over from Eric Ollerenshaw who lost his seat in the Assembly under the proportional representation system used to elect list members.
The Conservative’s overall total of members is unchanged at nine.
With Labour losing two seats in the elections, to take them to seven, and the Liberal Democrats on five, this makes the Tories the largest party in the Assembly and gives greater significance to their choice of leadership.
The Assembly has the power to block the Mayor’s budget by a two thirds majority decisions.
Labour are believed to be in talks with the Green Party, who hold two seats, in an attempt to shore up backing for Mr Livingstone’s budget.
Conservative spokesmanships are to be announced later, but Angie Bray was confirmed as deputy leader, and newcomer Bob Blackman as group whip.
Mr Neill said: “I am delighted to have been elected as Leader of the London Assembly Conservatives.
“As clearly the largest party in the Assembly our principle objective is to use every means at our disposal to hold the Mayor rigorously to account and to vigorously oppose those policies of his which we believe will damage Londoners.”
