The leader of Greenwich’s Conservative councillors is stepping down, three months after seeing off a threat to the party’s seats from Reform UK.

Matt Hartley, who has been in charge for nine years across two different spells, said in an email to party members that “this feels like the natural moment for me to step back and make room for others to lead us forward”.

At the council election in May, the Tories consolidated their hold on much of Eltham, going up from four councillors to six when some expected Nigel Farage’s party to triumph in the area. In the end, Reform took just one seat, from Labour.

The surge in support for the Green Party meant the Conservatives, while larger in number, lost their role as the borough’s main opposition to the 13 Green councillors. 

But the Conservatives are in a stronger position than they were when Hartley found himself one of just three councillors after the 2022 election, becoming leader after his predecessor Nigel Fletcher lost his seat.

“It’s been a real privilege to do this job, for this unexpected second stint as leader of the Conservative group,” said Hartley, who was also leader between 2015 and 2020 and will remain a backbench councillor for Mottingham, Coldharbour & New Eltham. 

“Four years ago I found myself taking on the task of turning around our political fortunes in the borough, in the wake of those difficult election results in 2022. And I think we can all be proud of what we’ve done for people in Greenwich since.”

He said local achievements had included “removing millions of pounds of wasteful spending from the council’s budget after Labour finally conceded our central argument on the need to transform council services”, saving the police base on the Coldharbour estate from closure, and “standing up for people across the whole of the borough on other issues like the LTN, equestrian centre, leaseholder charges, car park sales and more”.

A group of five men and one woman
Hartley with his fellow councillors at the election count in May. Image: Greenwich Conservatives

Hartley had also been leader between 2015 and 2020. His successor will be chosen at the local party’s annual general meeting on August 17.

Charlie Davis, the Conservatives’ deputy leader and Eltham Town & Avery Hill councillor, told The Greenwich Wire: “Across two spells as leader of the Conservative group in Greenwich, Matt has left a real mark on our borough and a legacy to be proud of.

“There is a long list of achievements, but I know his work to support council tax support recipients is something he is particularly proud of because of the difference it made to people’s lives.

“I believe Matt may be the only Conservative leader in Greenwich’s history to have increased the size of the group at every election he fought as leader. Something which is a testament to his leadership, hard work and relentless campaigning.

“He leaves big shoes to fill, but strong foundations for our next chapter at the town hall.”

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