A CREWE councillor refused to back Cheshire East Council leader, and fellow Labour member, Sam Corcoran's bid for re-election.

The Sandbach Heath and East Labour councillor fought off a Tory challenge to be re-elected as leader of the authority yesterday (Wednesday) by 34 votes to 25.

But among three abstentions registered at the annual council meeting was one from Crewe Central councillor Anthony Critchley.

Asked why he had abstained, by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Critchley said: "I think my vote speaks for itself."

The Labour councillor said he did not wish to make any further comment.

Cheshire East Labour leader Sam Corcoran faced a re-election vote at the annual council meeting.

Cheshire East has been run by a joint Labour/Independent administration since the 2019 local elections with Cllr Corcoran as council leader.

Before 2019 Cheshire East had always been a Conservative stronghold and the Tories are still the largest party with 31 councillors.

At this week's meeting, held at Tatton Park, the Tories put forward group leader, Cllr Janet Clowes, to be council leader so a vote had to be taken.

Cllr David Marren, as mayor, abstained because the mayoral role is not political and Handforth councillor Julie Smith, who is non-grouped, also chose not to vote.

Alderley Edge independent councillor Craig Browne was re-elected as the council's deputy leader unopposed.

Wybunbury Conservative councillor Janet Clowes laid down a leadership challenge.

Labour and the Independent Group agreed to run the council jointly after the Tories lost their majority in what was seen as a shock result in the May 2019 elections.

The Conservatives currently have 31 councillors on Cheshire East, Labour has 25 and the Independent Group has 18. The Liberal Democrats have four councillors, the Real Independents two and there are two who are non-grouped.

The full council is up for election in 2023.