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Labour will put themselves forward to run Cherwell
17/05/2023
Group leader says coalition talks failed as the Lib Dems and Greens had done a back room deal
The Labour group plan to put themselves forward to run Cherwell District Council at tonight’s Annual Council Meeting. The move follows the break-down of coalition talks between Labour and the Progressive Oxfordshire Alliance – a group containing Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent Councillors.
Labour Group Leader, Councillor Sean Woodcock says that if the Liberal Democrats don’t support Labour they will effectively be “propping up a failing Tory administration”.
In a statement on social media Councillor Woodcock said that talks between them and the parties in the Progressive Oxfordshire Alliance failed as the Liberal Democrats and Greens had done a “back-room deal” beforehand.
He said: “As the largest opposition party in Cherwell we entered negotiations about forming an administration in good faith. However, it quickly became clear that the Liberal Democrats and Greens had done a back room deal before a single vote had even been cast.
“We believe that this sort of back room dealing treats voters with contempt which is why we will play no part in it.
“At the council AGM we will be putting ourselves forward to run the council, should the Lib Dems vote against it, they will have to answer to their voters about why they are propping up a failing Tory administration.”
Following the Local Elections two weeks ago the Conservatives have 20 Councillors, Labour 12, Liberal Democrat 10 and the Greens and Independents 3 each. Control of the Council is achieved by a party, or coalition, having more than 24 Councillors in their group.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam
Mark Jenson On 17/05/2023 at 11:04 pm
What Labour fail to mention here is that the other parties were already in a functioning group together, were already the official opposition and were essentially offering Labour the chance to join. A deal Labour agreed to and then withdrew from at the eleventh hour, undermining their credibility on the council. It didn’t work by the way. Thoroughly voted down as an option. What a mess of ego and backstabbing because the Labour group weren’t willing to powershare. A grim foreboding of what the predicted hung-parliament that is predicted at the General Election will look like.