Gloucester City Council is currently leaderless, after opposition parties voted to depose serving leader Jeremy Hilton, without nominating a replacement.
Liberal Democrat Jeremy Hilton, who has served as council leader since the 2024 local elections, lost a vote of no confidence in his leadership at a meeting on Thursday 24 September 2026.
The motion to depose him was brought forward by Community Independent Alistair Chambers, who cited 'broken promises', the council’s dire financial situation which saw it needing a £15.5 million Government bailout earlier this year, its failure to sell Gloucestershire Airport, an increase in fees and charges, and 'millions of pounds lost' at King's Walk and Eastgate shopping centres.
Hilton lost the vote 21 for to 18 against, with the council's Lib Dem group backing their leader along with one Independent Conservative, while Labour, the Conservatives and the Community Independents joined forces to oust him, according to local democracy reporter, Carmelo Garcia.
But the opposition parties didn't nominate anyone to replace him, and the council is now leaderless. There are concerns that government commissioners could be sent in to take control of decision making at the authority.
Deputy leader Declan Wilson, who has been leading the authority’s financial recovery plan, refuted claims that the council under Hilton's leadership could be blamed for its financial difficulties, explaining the situation is due to them discovering undetected overspends as a result of the previous administration 'not having done any accounts', an issue he said the Lib Dems repeatedly raised concerns about while in opposition.
But the leaders of the Labour and Conservative groups both backed councillor Chambers' motion, claiming that 'the people of Gloucester have lost faith and confidence' in the leader, and that trust in him amongst councillors had 'broken down'.
The Lib Dems then tried to immediately re-elect Jeremy Hilton as leader following the no confidence vote – a situation one councillor labelled 'absolutely absurd' – but the motion was defeated.
With no one else being nominated to take over as leader, it is understood the council’s managing director will meet with group leaders to discuss a way forward on Friday 25 September 2026.
Following the meeting, a spokesperson for Gloucester Liberal Democrats said: 'The opposition have proved they have the numbers to tear an administration down, but apparently not the courage to take responsibility for what comes next.'
While a statement from the city council said: 'We want to reassure residents and the wider community that it remains business as usual at Gloucester City Council.
'Despite the temporary absence of a Leader and Cabinet, our officers remain fully focused on delivering services across the city, managing our major projects, strengthening the council’s financial position and achieving all our other agreed priorities.
'Senior officers will be working with political group leaders on the way forward. In the meantime, the temporary political situation does not affect the delivery of the services that residents and businesses rely on.'
