A FIERY first meeting of the new Colchester Council saw a surprise call for Conservative boss Darius Laws to become council leader.

Mr Laws, whose party gained two seats in the borough elections earlier this month, is the largest single party on the council but is one seat short of a majority.

He had made early plans to lead a minority administration before the coalition agreed a plan to continue in power.

The motion was put forward by Mr Laws’ deputy, Beverly Davies.

She said: “On May 3 there was an election. Sadly less than 40 per cent of residents who could vote, did, but 42 per cent of who did vote, voted for a Conservative candidate.

"They did this because they want change - they didn’t vote for more of the same and they certainly didn’t vote for the same coalition which has been there for ten years.”

While she praised new council leader, Mark Cory, she added: “Just 25 per cent of Colchester residents who voted, voted for a Lib Dem candidate.

“For a democracy to work, the majority has to be heard.”

She also praised her leader as a man with an “unparalleled love for Colchester with ideas to revive the town centre”.

But Lib Dem leader Martin Goss, who was instrumental in forming the alliance, told the meeting: “We believe we have a fantastic plan which will bring Colchester forward over the next year and we will be working with all partners to do that.”

He also said while the Conservative group is the largest single group, more people voted against Tory candidates than for them on May 3.

Mr Goss added: “I really like Darius and I think he is a fantastic guy and the door is open for him to be involved.”

He also praised Mr Cory, who is among the youngest council leaders in the country, as a man who brings “both youth and experience”.