Wokingham council leader stands down to focus on MP bid

Clive Jones was first elected as a councillor in 2016

A council leader has announced he is stepping down to focus on a bid to become a member of parliament.

Liberal Democrat Clive Jones has been leader of Wokingham Borough Council for a year and a parliamentary candidate since February 2022.

He said he would be standing down at the annual council meeting on Thursday when a new leader would be chosen.

He will remain ward councillor for Hawkedon. The whole council is up for re-election in May 2024.

"It has been the most fantastic year running the council," he told BBC Radio Berkshire's Andrew Peach.

"Running a council the size of Wokingham is a full-time job and being an effective candidate is getting on for being a full-time job.

"It's very difficult to do both of the jobs at the same time. A lot of people don't realise how much work a councillor does."

Mr Jones was first elected as a councillor in 2016