Lib Dems/Tories keep grip on power

4:20pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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THE balance of political power at St Helens Town Hall will remain with the Lib Dems and Tories following today's meeting of full council.

Tory councillors voted with their Lib Dem allies to ensure Brian Spencer was again elected as leader of St Helens Council's executive.

Following local elections on May 1, Labour are the largest party on the council with 23 seats, however, they do not have an overall majority, and the combined vote of the Lib Dems (19 seats) and Conservative (six) allows those two parties to effectively share power.

Tory leader Wally Ashcroft said that as the minority group his party is aware of the responsibility placed on them and voted to support Liberal Democrat Spencer.

Ashcroft criticised former Labour council leader Marie Rimmer for her refusal to enter into any power sharing' agreement, describing Spencer as a man "prepared to listen to other points of view".

Rimmer said she had been approached about a deal', but refused, arguing that as the majority group in the council, her party should not have to enter into such an agreement.

The councillors were speaking during the annual mayor making ceremony at St Helens Town Hall, which saw Lib Dem councillor John Beirne take on the role for the next 12 months.

The Lib Dems and Tories deny they are running the council in an "alliance", a claim ridiculed by Labour who dub the controlling parties of St Helens Council as the Con Dems.

The next round of local elections will be in two years.