KEN Thornber has clung on as leader of Hampshire County Council but suffered a blow after half of Conservative councillors failed to back him.

The 79-year-old council boss polled just two more votes than his rival Roy Perry in a dramatic behind doors power struggle.

Cllr Thornber won 25 votes to Cllr Perry’s 23, it is understood.

And Cllr Thornber, who has been leader for the past 13 years, has been accused of reneging on a “gentleman’s agreement” to stand down – and make way for Cllr Perry.

But the controversial council boss has claimed many Conservative councillors privately asked him to stay on to lead the party to victory at local elections in 2013.

Cllr Perry, who is ward member for Romsey Extra, had been set to go head-to-head with the veteran council chief in 2011 but withdrew after Cllr Thornber assured Tories he would quit as leader in 2012.

But to the shock of some councillors at the party’s annual meeting in the county council chamber last week, this did not happen and, in a dramatic twist, Cllr Perry is no longer deputy leader of the party.

New Forest councillor Mel Kendal, executive member for the environment, is the new deputy after he stood for the post unopposed.

The council leader is in charge of a £715m budget, excluding education.

One Tory councillor, who asked not to be named, said: “There are an awful lot of annoyed Conservative councillors. There’s fury basically that Ken reneged on his word to stand down.

“The Conservative group is split right down the middle. That is not a healthy way to run the party or the council.”

Cllr Thornber will be 80 when he leads the Tories in the next county council elections in 2013.

In his leaked speech to councillors, Cllr Thornber said: “I want to tell you why I have changed my mind about handing on the leadership role that I was minded to do after the group decided against an election last year.

“I have done this because I have listened to many of you who have come to me privately to persuade me to stay at the helm to lead a united group to victory in 2013.

“You convinced me that a change of leadership now will send the wrong signal to the people of Hampshire.

“You believe the press will take this opportunity to justify its attacks on our policies. You also told me that this would be a gift to the opposition who will portray the group as divided on its policies and that they will use this to justify their lies and negative campaigning.”

Cllr Thornber went on to promise backbenchers “more influence on policy and greater power,” if he was re-elected leader, including extra cabinet assistant posts and a think-tank of mostly newly-elected members.

And he pledged to increase councillors’ personal budgets to £18,000. This is an extra £10,000 each to hand to community groups and improve the environment in their division, for example roads.

In total, this will mean spending an extra £780,000 of public money.

This comes at a time when the Conservative-controlled council is in the middle of £100m spending cuts and has axed 1,200 jobs.

A disgruntled Tory, who asked not to be named, said: “In an age of austerity, Ken whistled up more than £700,000 to secure his leadership.”

In a leaked e-mail to all his Conservative council colleagues, former cabinet member Cllr Jonathan Glen called on Cllr Thornber to confirm he will stand down at the next AGM.

Cllr Glen wrote: “There will be a small coterie of devotees who will be at his door appealing for him to linger on yet again.”

Cllr Colin Davidovitz, executive member for performance, efficiency and communications, denied the party was divided but declined to comment further.

He said: “The proceedings that take place privately at the group meetings of any political party are confidential.

“Every year at our AGM we have elections, sometimes they are contested, sometimes they are not. This one was contested.”

Cllr Perry, executive lead member for children’s services whose daughter is Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes, when approached did not want to comment.

Cllr Perry said councillors had been asked by Cllr Thornber not to speak to the press about but confirmed he was no longer deputy leader.

When asked to clarify why he had not put his name forward for the deputy role, he refused and directed questions to the leadership.

Cllr Thornber was unavailable to comment.

The county council has 78 councillors, including 51 Tories. It is understood one ballot paper in the election leadership ballot was spoiled and two Conservative councillors were absent.