Straw 'sad and frustrated' as Labour may lose control

Opposition parties are on the brink of taking control of Blackburn with Darwen in a coalition.

If the deal is agreed early next week as anticipated, it would bring an end to 24 years of Labour rule in the borough.

Mr Straw said: "This is democracy, but I am sad that we lost control by a whisker.

"The Labour council has had a fine record so it is doubly frustrating.

"My responsibility is to represent the whole of Blackburn and to respect the democratic will, I know the same view is taken by my Labour colleagues.

"We were in opposition in the early 80s, and my job is to work with whichever council."

Tory leader Colin Rigby, Lib Dem chief David Foster and For Darwen leader Tony Melia are locked in talks as they attempt to thrash out the coalition deal.

They are discussing policies such as reviews of the proposed £34million Darwen Academy and Redearth Road housing clearance, Darwen's planned £9million leisure centre, and a possible return of weekly bin collections for the whole borough.

Coun Rigby is being touted as council leader with Coun Foster as his deputy.

Following last week's election, Labour has 31 seats, the Conservatives 17, the Lib Dems 13, and the newly created For Darwen, created following residents' protests about the Labour council's policies in the town, three. Next Thursday, the full council will meet and the Labour group will put forward a motion to form a minority administration.

But if the three-way coalition has been agreed by then, the Lib Dems, Tories and For Darwen will oppose the motion and vote themselves into power.

If no one can form an administration, power will transfer to chief executive, Graham Burgess, until councillors find a permanent solution.

Labour has ruled the council since 1983, but for a couple of years in the mid-80s did not have overall control and relied on the mayor's casting vote to implement its policies.

It has held overall control since 1988.