THE leader of Colchester Council’s opposition says he wants to remain in his role despite a disappointing election outcome.

Colchester’s Conservative group will vote on their leader at their annual meeting next Monday, and current incumbent Dennis Willetts hopes he can continue.

The Tory party won 22 seats, the most of any single party, in the all-out borough council elections earlier this month but it was not enough for an outright majority.

It means the rainbow coalition featuring Liberal Democrat, Labour and Highwoods Independent councillors will continue to run the administration.

The make-up of the council will be confirmed at next Wednesday’s full council meeting.

Conservative members take a ballot on their leader every year and Mr Willetts, who represents the Lexden and Braiswick ward, says he hopes his colleagues retain their faith in him.

He said: “The Conservative group is a democracy and every year at the annual meeting the second point on the agenda is the election of the group leader.

“Despite the disappointing outcome at the election I will put my name forward and wait and see whether I retain the support of my colleagues and they are happy to vote for me.

“It is entirely up to them whether they will or not.”

Mr Willetts has been the group leader for 18 months, since Colchester MP Will Quince stepped aside.