Questions and concerns continue to mount as Reform UK maintains its silence on who will be filling two key positions in its Leicestershire County Council cabinet. The roles of deputy leader and lead member for Adult Social Care on the authority remain unfilled after Whitwick councillor Joseph Boam revealed over the weekend that he had been removed from both. 

Speculation has been circulating over why the change has been made, with council leader Dan Harrison previously telling the LDRS he would not comment on the matter until after the Reform group had met. That meeting was expected to be held last night (Tuesday, August 19). 

The LDRS approached Cllr Harrison this morning (Wednesday 20th August) for an update on the situation, but has not received a response. The leader of the opposition on the authority, the Conservatives' Deborah Taylor, has said she too remains in the dark over who is now in charge of what in Leicestershire. 

She claimed she had been told by Cllr Harrison that he would update her after yesterday's meeting. She has still "heard nothing". 

Cllr Taylor told the LDRS: "I spoke to the leader on Monday to ask what was going on, following the breaking news over the weekend. He advised me that he would let me know after their group meeting on Tuesday. 

"I have heard nothing. I have rung him, left a message and nothing. 

"Is [Cllr] Harrison still even the leader? This is unprecedented to leave the council in the dark, poor leadership continues with the spinning plates of chaos. 

"Who is actually running the council? Certainly not Reform UK, they are imploding." 

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Similar concerns have been raised by the Leicestershire Liberal Democrats. Local party leader Michael Mullaney said: "Leicestershire County Council has huge responsibilities for residents' everyday lives in the county. 

"We've seen the deputy leader and cabinet member for social care lose his job, and we still wait for news of replacements. To lose the deputy leader so soon after taking power and to leave the council in this period of limbo suggests chaotic leadership by Reform at Leicestershire County Council. 

"Residents of Leicestershire deserve better than this. County councils deliver vital services. Social care, special educational needs, maintenance of roads and pavements. This uncertain, chaotic, directionless leadership is damaging for the people of Leicestershire." 

The LDRS approached Cllr Harrison for a response to Cllrs Taylor and Mullaney's comments but had not received one at the time of publication.