THE Liberal Democrat group on Waltham Forest Council has elected a new leader.

The Chapel End councillor John Macklin will replace Keith Rayner, who in recent years has served as deputy leader in the joint administration with Labour.

Cllr Macklin was elected to the council in 2002 and is currently cabinet member for service modernisation.

He spent 13 years as a secondary schoolteacher and is now a university lecturer.

Cllr Macklin said that, under his leadership, the Liberal Democrats will be an "inclusive party which is ready to listen to residents and implement ambitious and forward-thinking ideas for the good of our borough".

The Liberal Democrat group is currently the second largest on the council behind Labour, with 19 seats.

He said: "I want to lead the Liberal Democrats in engaging those who believe that politics in Waltham Forest has nothing to do with them.

"I will make it a priority to involve those residents who have skills to offer and imaginative ideas regarding the running of their local council.

"The Liberal Democrats will prove that, when working with the people they represent, local councillors can deliver meaningful change for our borough.

"This is an exciting time for the Liberal Democrats.

"We are in a perfect position to challenge for control of the council and to build on the excellent work our councillors carry out for residents right across the borough.

"I am determined that we will continue to be the party that delivers for the whole of Waltham Forest".

It had been rumoured that a change of leadership in the Lib Dem group would pave the way for the group pulling out of the coalition with Labour and forming an administration with the Conservative group.

But this is now not possible for at least 12 months as the Lib Dem group decided last week to sustain the coalition.