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Conservatives’ bid to control hung council
IT could be a long night in Wareham as divided Purbeck District Council thrashes out a power agreement.
Following the May elections, the authority now has 11 Conservatives, 11 Liberal Democrats and two Independent members, ending nine years of Tory control.
The Independents - Cllr Peter Wharf and Cllr Nigel Dragon - offered to lead a "rainbow alliance" of all three parties, but the Lib Dems have declined and the Conservatives say they still plan to be the predominant party.
Lib-Dem leader Cllr David Budd said: "Such a cross party coalition was likely to lack strong united leadership and direction.
"It would be inherently unstable and unlikely to last.
"The loss of a clear opposition role to challenge the decisions of the council and its executive risked the council becoming complacent and out of touch with those it represents and was not in the best interest of the council."
He said that the electorate had voted for change and his party would be putting forward nominations for the main positions on the council at Thursday's meeting.
Cllr Wharf said he was disappointed that a three-way coalition was not possible.
"There would have been strong leadership, we had the basis of a programme that had been agreed by both parties.
"If we had an agreed programme we would have had a strong council," he said.
Cllr Gary Suttle, a candidate to become leader of the Conservative group on the council, said his party had been talking to the Independents but had yet to reach and agreement.
"It certainly will not be the rainbow alliance, it will be an alliance of like-minded people.
"We're still hoping to form an administration that is predominantly Conservative controlled," he said.
7:00pm Wednesday 14th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: John, Poole on 9:24pm Wed 14 May 08
The Long Night for the Conservatives in Wareham could be followed by an even longer night in Branksome East tomorrow (Thursday)ending 10 years of Conservative monopoly in the area. Many voters also believe it is time for change in Branksome!
The Long Night for the Conservatives in Wareham could be followed by an even longer night in Branksome East tomorrow (Thursday)ending 10 years of Conservative monopoly in the area. Many voters also believe it is time for change in Branksome!
Posted by: fedupwithjobsworths, Moordown on 10:14pm Wed 14 May 08
Most Councils should be hung :-)
Most Councils should be hung :-)
Posted by: PETE WOODLEY on 5:02pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]John[/bold] wrote:
The Long Night for the Conservatives in Wareham could be followed by an even longer night in Branksome East tomorrow (Thursday)ending 10 years of Conservative monopoly in the area. Many voters also believe it is time for change in Branksome![/quote] John, can you remember Labour used to put up a strong fight in branksome east,it was bourne valley ward then,and one labour candidate was anthony gardner,who went onto better things.
John wrote:
The Long Night for the Conservatives in Wareham could be followed by an even longer night in Branksome East tomorrow (Thursday)ending 10 years of Conservative monopoly in the area. Many voters also believe it is time for change in Branksome!
John, can you remember Labour used to put up a strong fight in branksome east,it was bourne valley ward then,and one labour candidate was anthony gardner,who went onto better things.
Posted by: Richard, Bournemouth on 11:23am Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]John[/bold] wrote:
The Long Night for the Conservatives in Wareham could be followed by an even longer night in Branksome East tomorrow (Thursday)ending 10 years of Conservative monopoly in the area. Many voters also believe it is time for change in Branksome![/quote] You were saying? The voters in Branksome don't seem to have agreed with you.
John wrote:
The Long Night for the Conservatives in Wareham could be followed by an even longer night in Branksome East tomorrow (Thursday)ending 10 years of Conservative monopoly in the area. Many voters also believe it is time for change in Branksome!
You were saying? The voters in Branksome don't seem to have agreed with you.
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