HOPES for a more united front at Blackpool Borough Council have hit a stumbling block as Tories refuse to be part of the council's new cabinet.

Conservatives have declined offers by council leader Roy Fisher to be part of the new executive committee because they fear this would mean they would have to toe the Labour Party line and be unable to speak out against decisions.

Tory leader Peter Callow said he did not want to become a "Labour clone" and added, "If I took a portfolio I would become one of their lieutenants. In a democracy you should have strong opposition.

"This is a giant con on the people of Blackpool. I can't be bound by them. Sorry, no can do."

The wrangles erupted during a town hall meeting to discuss the council's new constitution, which will set out how the council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed.

But deputy leader of the council's Labour group, Coun Eddie Collett, said Coun Callow's decision could hinder the council's aim to be the country's most open authority.

"It won't help because all the time they will be saying we are not involving them," he said. "But we can't help it if they don't want to be in the executive committee.

"We find it regrettable that Coun Callow is not going to accept our offer, which was genuine and sincere. We will have to progress things without him and review the situation, probably in May. Perhaps with a few months under his belt he might reconsider."

He added that the council were setting up the system to make its business less secret. The new constitution will allow more openness. Coun Collett said that there would be less pink papers (private papers) and the public would be able to speak at full council meetings.

Liberal Democrat leader Coun Robert Wynne said his party were definitely going to play a full and constructive part in the cabinet: "We've not been happy with the way things are being done.

"I think Coun Callow is from a different era and I think he needs to move into the modern era, like the whole Tory Party should. Although I like him personally, I think he's wrong on this issue."

But Coun Callow said that his decision in no way hindered the openness of the council. "It's quite the reverse".

He added that if he took a place on the cabinet he would be unable to speak out against issues such as the recent controversy over the roles of the social services chief and the closure of care homes in the resort.

"The Conservatives have a strong following in Blackpool and they don't expect me to be part of a Labour administration. We've got one president down in London. We don't need another in the shape of Roy Fisher in Blackpool town hall," he said.