Hillingdon is set to have a new council leader for the first time in four years. On Thursday, May 14, Hillingdon Council will hold its annual general meeting where councillors will elect who will lead the council. It is widely expected that former MP and current Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth, Councillor Steve Tuckwell, will become the new Leader of the Council.
Conservative Group Elects New Leadership
Following their gains in the local elections, the Hillingdon Conservatives met this weekend to elect a new group leader, after Councillor Ian Edwards announced his resignation. A majority of Tory councillors voted for Councillor Tuckwell to lead the party, with Councillor Richard Mills as his deputy. The position of Council Leader will be formally voted on by councillors on Thursday, and with a Tory majority in the council chambers, Councillor Tuckwell and Councillor Mills are set to become the Council Leader and Deputy Leader respectively.
Statement from Councillor Tuckwell
In a statement, Councillor Tuckwell said: "I'm incredibly honoured to have been elected Leader of the Hillingdon Conservative Group, alongside Councillor Richard Mills as Deputy Leader. Richard and I will formally take on the roles of Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council at Thursday's Annual Council Meeting, and I look forward to setting out my vision for the future of Hillingdon and continuing to deliver for residents across our borough."
He added: "I also want to thank Councillor Ian Edwards for his leadership, support and an incredible 50 years of service to Hillingdon. Few people have dedicated as much of their lives to the borough as Ian has, and the council is in a far stronger position because of the work he has put in over many years. Thank you to colleagues for placing their trust in me. Time to get back to work, keep putting residents first and getting things done for Hillingdon."
Ian Edwards to Remain as Ward Councillor
Councillor Edwards will continue to serve as a ward councillor, after being re-elected to his Eastcote seat last week. Councillor Tuckwell has been a councillor for South Ruislip since 2018. He maintained the role during his 12-month stint as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip before losing re-election in 2024 to current Labour MP, Danny Beales.
Changes in Labour Leadership
There has also been a change to the leadership of Hillingdon Labour. Councillor Stuart Mathers has been re-elected as Leader of the Labour group, however, Councillor Mand is the new Deputy Leader, replacing Councillor Sital Punja. Hillingdon Labour lost seats to all sides at the local elections, seeing losses to Reform UK, the Greens, and the Conservatives. The party has lost seven seats compared to the 2022 election, though Councillor Punja did retain her seat in the Belmore ward.
