Leadership challenge councillor kicked out of the cabinet
Cllr Eddie McDonald has been relegated to the back benches of North Northamptonshire Council
The Reform UK councillor who mounted a leadership challenge in North Northants, has been kicked out of the cabinet.
Cllr Eddie McDonald has this morning been replaced as the cabinet member for adult social services on North Northamptonshire Council by Chris Kellett. His deputy position has been given to colleague Cllr Graham Cheatley.
McDonald, who has been in the position since last May, went on the offensive at the party’s annual group meeting last week, after there was a move against him to remove him from the deputy role. He mounted a leadership challenge to long standing local Cllr politician Martin Griffiths, but was comfortably defeated as the 40 strong group rallied around their leader.
The news was announced in a media statement this morning. There was no mention of why McDonald was being set aside.
Cllr Griffiths said:
“I’d like to thank Eddie for all of his hard work and commitment during the first year of this new administration.
“I would like to welcome Chris on board to the Executive and look forward to working with him. I would also like to welcome Graham into his role as Deputy Leader and I am sure both Chris and Graham will continue to make a real and lasting positive difference to public services in North Northamptonshire.”
The demotion to the back benches will be a political blow for McDonald (Gretton and Weldon ward) who stood for Reform UK in the 2024 general election. He came third behind Labour winner Lee Barron and behind Conservative Tom Pursglove.
McDonald is the first cabinet member to be moved on, as Cllr Griffiths, has so far led a steady ship in the north with his group of relatively inexperienced councillors. But this move could see him stack up a group of enemies, who may move against him in times to come. Cllr McDonald has been approached for comment.
Cllr Chris Kellett, who is the current chair of the planning committee, said:
“I’m really proud to be given that position and I will put my heart and soul into it to try and make a difference.”
Cllr Kellett has a big task on his hands as the adult social services department at NNC was criticised by regulator the Care Quality Commission when it published an inspection report last month.
The CQC said the council needed to focus on improving the service and making care equitable for all.
... and so it starts ...