Sam Smith, a Nottinghamshire councillor, is aiming to become one of the youngest council leaders in the country with his bid to lead Nottinghamshire County Council. The 27-year-old Conservative representative, who serves as a councillor for both Trent Valley on Gedling Borough Council and Newark East on the County Council, announced his intention to stand for the leadership role following the news that the current leader, Ben Bradley, would be stepping down.
Ben Bradley, who has led the council for several years, revealed that he would step down on December 4 after a particularly challenging year, which included two major election defeats. In May, he lost the race for the first mayor of the East Midlands to Labour’s Claire Ward, and later, in July, he lost his Mansfield MP seat to Labour’s Steve Yemm in a significant national swing. Despite this, Sam Smith, who made history as the youngest councillor on Gedling Borough Council at the age of 22 in 2019, remains optimistic about the future. He also became the youngest Conservative Party branch chairman in the country that same year.
Smith expressed his hope of becoming one of the youngest council leaders, noting the advantages of his understanding of technology, which he believes could help improve efficiency in the council. He acknowledged the challenge of filling the shoes of Ben Bradley, who has been a strong leader, especially in securing funding through his position as an MP. Smith has been involved in key campaigns in Gedling, managing to retain his seat in both 2019 and 2023 despite a national shift towards Labour. He also played a role in securing the re-election of Robert Jenrick as Newark MP.
In December 2023, Smith was appointed to the County Council’s Cabinet as the member for Education and SEND. He recognizes the tough financial challenges ahead, particularly with a predicted budget shortfall of up to £70 million over the next three years. Despite these challenges, Smith is confident about the council’s ability to continue delivering, citing successful investments in highways, a capital programme, and a history of keeping council tax low.
Bradley will continue to serve as leader until December 4, after which the Conservative Group will elect a new leader during the Full Council meeting the following day. In his statement, Bradley admitted that the past year had been personally and politically tough, leading him to reassess his future. He mentioned the uncertainty of politics and the need to consider his long-term plans, including the possibility of running for the position of Lincolnshire mayor. Despite stepping down, Bradley hinted at a potential return to politics in a more stable time.
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