Going to the wire

ELECTION FALLOUT 2010

Labour and Lib-Dems hold out for council power

Local politicians are prepared to go to the wire before forming a new administration to run Oldham Council.

Labour, which gained five seats in Thursday’s elections, is prepared to try and lead the authority at the annual council meeting on May 26.

Labour’s group leader, Councillor Jim McMahon, who could rely on the casting vote of a Labour Mayor, Councillor David Jones, after he is installed at the annual council meeting in two weeks, said: “We are prepared to go to the annual meeting on May 26 and form an administration.

“I am happy to have talks with the Liberal Democrats, but the people of Oldham were quite decisive and voted 36 per cent for Labour.

“For the Liberal Democrats to try to hang on to power makes them look quite desperate. It will take a lot to convince me that how their being in control is in the interests of the people of Oldham.”

The current make up of the new council leaves Labour and Liberal Democrats even on 27 each, the Conservatives on five and one independent.

With no group in overall control, Councillor Howard Sykes, the leader of the Liberal Democrats who has been council leader for the past two years, has called for all sides to have more talks this week and form a “Cabinet of all the Talents.”

The Tories, who could hold the balance of power despite losing one seat last week, will have talks with Councillor McMahontomorrow.

Tory Councillor Jack Hulme, who was re-elected group leader at the weekend, said: “We have already fixed our position with regard to the negotiations, and have already had one meeting with the Liberal Democrats.

“We are very much open to offers and are not saying much at the present time.

“We are listening to what the other groups have to say.”

The Independent councillor, Ian Barker, a former Tory, said he has made a decision on how he is voting, but declined to say who he would support.

He added: “It will be for what is in the best interests of Failsworth and Oldham.”

Councillor Sykes has led the Liberal Democrat administration for the past two years with the largest group on the council, 30, but no overall control. He was re-elected as his group’s leader at the weekend.

He said: “We have until annual council on May 26 to come to a decision.

“We have more meetings this week.”