FED UP with the petty politics. That's the verdict of Gosport stalwart Conservative councillor Peter Edgar who, after a decade in charge of the local party, is stepping down as leader.

Cllr Edgar, pictured, will continue to serve the Alverstoke ward but has decided not to continue as leader despite being re-elected by the party this week.

Instead he has handed the mantle over to colleague Councillor Mark Hook who will lead the party into the local elections next year.

The decision to step down as leader is due to a number of reasons, not least the fierce rivalry between parties, according to Cllr Edgar.

He said: "If I am honest I am rather tired of the petty politics that exists between the parties. Gosport is well known for having a fiercely contested council but often because of that politics get in the way of getting things done.

"I want to be able to be free to get on with seeing through projects which are important to Gosport like the fruition of the Portsmouth Harbour regeneration project, of which Gosport has been a major part.

"That whole partnership with Portsmouth shows what can be done when there is co-operation between parties and projects become apolitical, something that came about when I was mayor.

"Come autumn, as leader, I would have been totally dedicated to getting Conservative councillors re-elected and unable to speak out freely on projects like the Light Rapid Transit system and the ongoing regeneration of the waterfront. Those projects, along with the ongoing transport issues and the Haslar hospital campaign, is what I want to be dedicated to."

Cllr Edgar said that he wanted to continue serving the council as a representative for the Alverstoke ward and play a full part in the future of Gosport.

He said: "It is an exciting time for Gosport and I certainly want to continue to be a part of that."

Cllr Hook takes over the leadership with immediate effect with Cllr Graham Burgess as his deputy.