City council leader is voted out

Barbara Janke was sacked as leader of the Liberal Democrats and replaced by Eastville councillor Steve Comer after disappointing election reports.

Since taking minority control two years ago the Lib Dems had been hoping to tighten their grip on the council.

But on Thursday night they lost two seats to Labour, including one of her own cabinet. Bristol Lib Dems group met on Saturday and voted Ms Janke out.

Mr Comer was previously deputy leader of the council.

He said "I look forward to building on the work that Barbara Janke has done over the past 10 years as leader [of Bristol Lib Dems].

"Liberal Democrats have started to turn around council services in Bristol and I hope to have the opportunity to serve my home city of Bristol," he said.

Among issues he will have to tackle is the partial privatisation of Bristol's homecare service for the elderly.

His first task will be negotiating with the other parties over who will run the hung council though it looks likely the Liberal Democrats will stay in charge.

Councillor Dr Jon Rogers becomes deputy leader of Bristol Liberal Democrat Council Group

The leader and the cabinet are due to be appointed at the Annual General Meeting for the council on 15 May.

Ms Janke continues as leader of the council until that date.

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