Liberal Democrats list preferred Wiltshire Council cabinet

The party succeeded in securing the most seats in Wiltshire during the local elections on May 1, with 43 councillors elected across the county.

However, they did not achieve a majority, meaning the council was left under no overall control, having previously been led by the Tories.

Behind them were the Conservatives, with 37 seats, losing the power they held at County Hall since 2000.

The rest of the seats were taken by Reform UK (10), the Independents (seven), and Labour, who had just one councillor elected.

Negotiations are now underway to determine who will lead and be part of the cabinet for the next four years.

Ian Thorn, member of Wiltshire Council for Calne Central and Calne Town Council as well as Liberal Democrat leader, shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) saying: "Delighted to announce our cabinet to lead Wiltshire Council". 

READ MORE: Wiltshire Council elections – what happens now?

This is not the confirmed cabinet, as a decision will not be made until the full council meeting on May 20, but it indicates a strong desire by the Liberal Democrats to lead the way for the next four years.

Ian listed the following:

• Cllr Ian Thorn: Leader, communications and transformation

• Cllr Mel Jacob: Deputy leader, Communities, partnerships, engagement, libraries, leisure, culture, corporate services, governance, FM and operational services

• Cllr Gavin Grant: Finance

• Cllr Adrian Foster: Strategic Planning, Development Management and Housing

• Cllr Jon Hubbard: Children services, education and skills

• Cllr Helen Belcher: Enterprise, commercial activities, innovation and economic development and assets

• Cllr Paul Sample: Waste, climate emergency and environment

• Cllr Martin Smith: Highways, street scene and flooding

• Cllr Clare Cape: Public health, co-ordination with the NHS

Delighted to announce our Cabinet to lead @wiltscouncil

Cllr Ian Thorn: Leader,
communications and transformation
Cllr Mel Jacob: Deputy leader, Communities, partnerships, engagement, libraries, leisure, culture, corporate services, governance, FM and operational services

— Ian Thorn 🇺🇦 (@CllrIanThorn) May 6, 2025

Every councillor listed is a Liberal Democrat, with the exception of cllr Hubbard who is an independent.

Cllr Ian Thorn (Image: LDR)

Ian said: "What we know is the Liberal Democrats won the largest number of seats and the largest number of votes in Wiltshire on Thursday. We didn’t achieve a majority.

"The issue of who will lead Wiltshire Council will come down to a vote at the annual council meeting on May 20.

"I am talking to like-minded colleagues across parties and none. This is an opportunity to use the talents of members beyond party lines.

"Nothing is certain until May 20. If I had fingernails, I would be biting them now!"