A COUNCILLOR with three failed leadership bids behind him has been elected as his party's deputy leader.Terry Sutton was elected unopposed by colleagues on Saturday as the Colchester Liberal Democrats number two and deputy to party and council leader Colin Sykes.

A COUNCILLOR with three failed leadership bids behind him has been elected as his party's deputy leader.

Terry Sutton was elected unopposed by colleagues on Saturday as the Colchester Liberal Democrats number two and deputy to party and council leader Colin Sykes.

It is expected his position as deputy of Colchester Borough Council's cabinet will be rubber-stamped in the next few days.

He replaces Ken Jones, who has stood down because of other commitments.

It is a return of the partnership which existed for two years until May 2001. Mr Sutton had already unsuccessfully challenged his ally for the leadership role in 2000 and, when Mr Sykes lost his Stanway seat in May 2001, made a second attempt to take the top job.

However, that time his party chose former councillor Bill Frame, with Ken Jones as deputy.

Mr Sutton also tried unsuccessfully to bid for the leadership when it became vacant again last May against Mr Sykes, who had returned to the political fray.

Mr Sutton said: "I'm very pleased that the party has recognised the work I put into this last election as campaign manager. I think it is a just reward and reflects the efforts I've made. We now need to show more strength as we go through the year."

The Berechurch councillor will be one of Colchester Borough Council's new cabinet, which from next week will consist of eight members – four Conservatives and four Liberal Democrats – each with different responsibilities.

The Liberal Democrats will take the portfolios for strategy (including finance), street scene and licensing (including waste and the environment), sustainable communities (dealing with major regeneration projects) and work and leisure. These will be held by Mr Sykes, Mr Sutton, Mr Jones and Theresa Higgins respectively.

The Tories take control of the communications, planning and transportation, housing and community safety and the assets and support services portfolios.

These look most likely to be held by Conservative leader John Jowers, Richard Gower, Robert Davidson and the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for Colchester, Kevin Bentley.