LABOUR and the Conservatives have launched power sharing talks to take over in Pendle.
After losing seven seats, including that held by leader Alan Davies, the Liberal Democrat group lost control of the council.
The election left the Liberal Democrats with 20 seats and Labour and the Conservatives with a total of 26.
advertisement
Speaking immediately after the elections Mohammed Iqbal, leader of the Labour Party, said he would be talking to the Conservative leader.
But a few hours later said the alliance was only one possibility'.
Coun Iqbal stressed that there was 'no chance' of any power sharing agreement between them and the Lib Dems.
This appears to leave the door open for power sharing between Labour and the Conservatives.
Conservative Leader Anthony Beckett said they would be in talks with all the parties for politically balanced sharing', but not a coalition agreement.
Coun Iqbal said his party tended to do well in Pendle when the national party was facing difficulties.
After the election he said: "The results were fantastic for the Labour Party.
"I will be talking to the Conservative Party leader.
"I am prepared to work and get the best for the people of Pendle."
But later he added: "I will be discussing what to do next with my colleagues.
"A power sharing agreement with the Conservatives is one possibility."
Coun Beckett, leader of the Conservatives said he was delighted with the election.
He said: "We will talk to anybody in relation to politically balanced sharing.
"I shall be talking with all three parties going in with an open mind and see what everyone has to say.
"If the Liberal party say we do not want to play we would then have the choice made for us."
Coun Tony Greaves, who successfully defended the Waterside ward, said the Conservative party, which won two extra seats, had spent a lot of money in Pendle.
He said: "The council has been thrown into chaos because with the numbers we have makes it diffuclt to for anyone to claim an outright majority.
"We are expecting an unholy alliance between the Tories and Labour.
"As regards what will happen with our leadership we will go in on Monday and discuss what we will do next."
Overall, there were gains for Labour, Conservatives, BNP and an independent. The Liberal Democrats remain the largest group.
Other Liberals who lost their place were Nelson Committee chairman David Foster, Shelley Franklin from Barnoldswick - who was beaten by independent Glenn Whittaker - and Judith Robinson from Nelson's Southfield Ward.
Now both Alan Davis and Lord greaves are blaming their loss on the tories spending money but not being funny in my ward, horsfield I had just as much leaflets from the libdems as the Conservatives.
So they must be talking about money throughout the year, but, I look at the accounts on the electoral commission website and the Lib Dems spent FAR much more money in the last general election than any party.
Sore losers I would say.
Now both Alan Davis and Lord greaves are blaming their loss on the tories spending money but not being funny in my ward, horsfield I had just as much leaflets from the libdems as the Conservatives.
So they must be talking about money throughout the year, but, I look at the accounts on the electoral commission website and the Lib Dems spent FAR much more money in the last general election than any party.
Jim
I live in Horsfield too and we received the same amount of leafleting from the Lib-Dems as the Conservatives, although to be fair we did receive also a printed letter from the Conservative candidate.. This year we felt very honoured as we had a leaflet drop from the Labour candidate too.
Ultimately the ballot box is the backstop. Politicians can freely ignore public opinion while in office but they can't escape the verdict of the electorate come polling day. It's quite remarkable the power that can be wielded with a pencil and a piece of paper.
Interestingly not on eof the candidates talked about the big issuing looming large in this ward. I guess we'll just have to wait until it hits them face and then they'll all claim to be surprised by the turn of events.
Kevin
Jim
I live in Horsfield too and we received the same amount of leafleting from the Lib-Dems as the Conservatives, although to be fair we did receive also a printed letter from the Conservative candidate.. This year we felt very honoured as we had a leaflet drop from the Labour candidate too.
Ultimately the ballot box is the backstop. Politicians can freely ignore public opinion while in office but they can't escape the verdict of the electorate come polling day. It's quite remarkable the power that can be wielded with a pencil and a piece of paper.
Interestingly not on eof the candidates talked about the big issuing looming large in this ward. I guess we'll just have to wait until it hits them face and then they'll all claim to be surprised by the turn of events.
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
Comment
