It’s the “dawn of a new era” for the Medway Conservatives after they elected a new leader.

Cllr George Perfect will take over from Adrian Gulvin who stepped in after last year’s local elections.

He was selected unanimously by group members along with the group’s new deputy leader, Cllr Gary Hackwell.

The 23-year-old said he was excited to deliver a new strategy which would see the Tory group re-take Medway Council at the next local elections in 2027.

He said: “I want to thank Cllr Gulvin for his hard work and leadership over the past year.

“We’ve worked closely together to begin to develop the group’s strategy for the coming years, and I’m excited to have been elected to deliver just that.

“I would also like to thank all members of my group, who are resolutely united behind my leadership.

“This is truly the dawn of a new era for our group, and my shadow cabinet will reflect that.

“Working with our councillors, national party and constituency associations, I will show the people of Medway why they should return a Conservative council at the next local election in 2027.

“I’m excited for the coming months and years ahead.”

Cllr Perfect was first elected in May last year for the Rainham North ward and was the group’s spokesperson for children, young people, and education before becoming deputy leader after the shock resignation of Cllr Elizabeth Turpin (Ind) from the role and group in February.

He will take over from Cllr Adrian Gulvin, who has been leader since last year’s local elections when the Tory group lost control of Medway Council for the first time since 2003.

Cllr Hackwell has been a councillor since 2019, representing Rainham South and, following boundary changes in 2023, Rainham South East.

Under the previous Tory administration he served as the portfolio holder for business management.

He will now also act as the group’s deputy leader as well as shadow cabinet member for finance, property and workforce.

Cllr Gulvin said he was convinced the new leader would lead the group back into power.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to hand over the leadership of Medway Conservatives to Cllr George Perfect.

“George is one of the most talented councillors that I have come across in my forty years of involvement in local politics.

“I am convinced he has the ability to lead the Conservative group back into control of the council in 2027.

“I’m very much looking forward to supporting George and his new team for the final three years of my time as a councillor from the backbenches.”