Two new leaders of Medway’s Conservative group have been chosen.

After a disappointing night at the local elections earlier this month, a new leader and deputy leader have been chosen to lead the local authority’s opposition party.

Cllr Adrian Gulvin, who represents Lordswood and Walderslade, has been picked as the Medway Tories leader.

While Cllr Elizabeth Turpin, who represents Strood residents, has been chosen as deputy leader.

She said: “Delighed to have been elected Medway Tories deputy leader tonight.

“Look forward to working with Adrian Gulvin as Leader and holding Medway Labour to account.”

Medway Council’s incoming leader and Labour leader Vince Maple said: “Congratulations Adrian Gulvin on becoming the Conservative leader of the opposition and Elizabeth Turpin on becomin deputy leader.

“I look forward to you holding the incoming administration constructively to account and of course working cross party where possible.”

It comes after a hugely disappointing night for the Conservative group earlier this month when they lost majority control of the council for the first time in decades.

After the long overnight count, Medway councillors took 33 seats, the Conservatives took 22 seats and Independent councillors along the Hoo peninsula doubled their number of councillors from two to four.

Speaking to KentOnline last week about his vision for the Towns, Vince Maple said he will be reinforcing his election pledges of keeping council tax in Medway the lowest in Kent, creating more accessible green spaces, maintaining weekly bin collections and a free bulky refuse service to deter fly-tipping.

He also wants to get to grips with the more thornier issues, such as the massive delay in formulating a Local Plan to determine housing and infrastructure needs over the next 20 years.

Whether the incoming Tory leaders will take heed of outgoing leader Cllr Alan Jarrett’s message about Medway’s need for housing, is yet to be seen.

He spoke to KentOnline before the elections on a number of issues he faced over his decades long political career – including housing, children’s services and Innovation Park Medway.

Cllr Gulvin and Cllr Turpin have been approached for their aims as opposition of the council.