Following the European Elections on Thursday, former Conservative Leader of Derbyshire County Council Andrew Lewer was elected as one of two Conservative MEPs to Brussels on Sunday night. In a result that saw Labour beaten into second place in North East Derbyshire and almost beaten in Bolsover, their heartlands, by UKIP, Conservatives once again returned two MEPS in the East Midlands.

Andrew Lewer, said

"I'm delighted to be elected to Europe for the East Midlands region. I'm a Derbyshire man through and through and I've worked hard for local people as a County Councillor since 2005 and will continue to do so until next years elections; although I will no longer accept any financial allowance. 

A great highlight of my political career was being Leader of Derbyshire County Council from 2009 to 2013. Now I have a chance to work for the whole of the East Midlands with my colleague Emma McClarkin."

Andrew Lewer, aged 42, led the County Council for 4 years following 28 years of control by Labour. During those four years, which saw the authority face considerable challenges following the financial crisis, he led the authority through significant changes. This was recognised recently when he was awarded an MBE at Buckingham Palace. 

Andrew continued,

"I would like to thank my colleagues at County Hall and in the wider Party for their support and hard work. It was not an insignificant achievement to return two Conservative MEPs for the East Midlands at this time. I want to hit the ground running as East Midlands MEP and look forward to working for Derbyshire and East Midlands people in Europe."