THE leader of the opposition on Brighton and Hove City Council is to step down as Conservative leader next month.

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald has announced he will not stand again for group leader at next month’s AGM as he begins to wind down his half a century of public service.

Party colleagues have praised the outgoing leader while remaining tight-lipped about his successor.

Deputy chairman Councillor Tony Janio has emerged as the initial frontrunner with some colleagues expressing a hope for a smooth transition without a leadership contest.

Whoever succeeds Cllr Theobald would become strong favourite to be the next council leader in 2019 with political control of the administration changing at every election since 2007.

Cllr Theobald ousted Councillor Mary Mears from the leadership in 2011 after the Tories lost control of the council to the Greens.

He has held senior posts including leader, opposition leader, cabinet member or committee chairman with Brighton Borough, East Sussex and Brighton and Hove councils for all but the first two years of his 50 years as councillor.

He said he wished for his last two years before his retirement from public office in 2019 to be spent in the same way as his first.

Cllr Theobald said at the 2015 elections he had advised the local Conservative Party Association that the four-year term would be his last.

Councillor Steve Bell said: “I am sorry to see Geoffrey is going but time does march on and after 50 years’ service, no one could say he doesn’t deserve a rest.

“I did hope Geoffrey would stay for another year but it shows how he always puts the party first.

“[Knowing the new Conservative leader could be the next council leader] will go into the decision who we select next.

“We don’t know if anybody else will throw their hat in, I hope not.”

Councillor Lee Wares, a ward councillor with Geoffrey Theobald since May 2015, said: “It has been a huge privilege to work with someone like Geoffrey as a new councillor, working alongside someone with 50 years’ experience in the city has been very inspiring and rewarding.

“Geoffrey will leave very big footsteps to fill but we work as a team, there are others who make big contributions and I am very confident that we have the right people to be able to follow on from where Geoffrey is leaving.”

Councillor Lynda Hyde said: “We knew there was a possibility Geoffrey would stand down either this year or the next year. The AGM is the natural point to do this.

“It is best if he stands down this year to give the new leader a two-year run with the possibility of taking over the council in 2019.

“It has always been good to work with Geoffrey. He is politically astute, experienced and he is a gentleman.”

Councillor Andrew Wealls said: “I have enjoyed working with Geoffrey, he has been a great friend and mentor since I was elected as a councillor in 2011.

“I would like to thank him for all that great support and dedication he has given to Brighton and Hove and wish him all the very best for his retirement in 2019.”

A new leader will be chosen on May 18.