Coalville councillor Craig Smith has described last week's Leicestershire County Council results as 'sobering'.

Smith's win for the Conservatives, being re-elected in Coalville North, was the only result in North West Leicestershire not to go the way of Reform UK.

But he has confirmed that the 15 Tory councillors at County Hall will not enter into a coalition with any other party.

He also said that the Conservatives would be the official opposition to Reform UK, which won the most wards in Leicestershire, but not enough to have complete control of the council.

Cllr Smith said: "Following last week's local elections, I am honoured and humbled to have been re-elected as the County Councillor for Coalville North. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to vote. Your support means the world to me.

"We ran a very strong, visible, and community-focused campaign over five months, and I have no doubt that effort was key to keeping Coalville North from falling to Reform. 

"It was a true team effort, and I remain committed to working hard for all residents, regardless of how they voted.

"That said, the wider result was sobering. All of my fellow Conservative County Councillors in North West Leicestershire lost their seats, with Reform UK making sweeping gains. 

"I know how hard each of them worked and how much they gave to their communities. Having faced a narrow defeat myself in last year's General Election, I know just how painful that outcome can be, but also how it can galvanise you to come back stronger.

Craig Smith was re-elected as county coucillor for Coalville North - the only ward not to be won by Reform UK last week. Photo: Supplied

"Across Leicestershire, the Conservative group now consists of 15 experienced councillors. After a unanimous group decision, we will not enter into any coalition with the Lib Dems, Labour, Greens, or Independents. We were elected as Conservatives and we will serve as Conservatives. Our group will now form the official opposition at County Hall.

"That means robustly scrutinising the new Reform UK administration, holding them to account, and making sure decisions taken truly reflect the needs of our communities. The road ahead starts now."