Council coalition saga is in chaos

The saga over control of Wolverhampton City Council today descended into a shambles as Liberal Democrats tried to repair their ties to the Conservatives.

Despite a statement by the minority party at the weekend declaring their coalition with the Tories had ended, four out of five of its councillors have decided they are prepared to continue the pact when the full council meets tomorrow night.

Last night both sides were locked in talks, which followed a two-hour private session of the cabinet.

Tory leader Councillor Neville Patten, who was left stunned by the sudden resignation of Lib Dem schools chief Councillor Claire Darke on Friday, would only say afterwards: "We will go into the council meeting together as a full coalition group."

Lib Dem group leader Councillor Mike Heap said legal advice was still being sought about the party's position on the council.

Councillor Heap claimed he was not responsible for the statement that announced the end of the coalition, despite being in charge of the party on the council.

Councillor Darke's resignation gives the controlling coalition 29 councillors compared to the opposition Labour group's 30.

Before she stood down a deadlock could have been broken with the casting vote of the mayor, Lib Dem councillor Malcolm Gwinnett.

Councillor Gwinnett revealed a party 'facilitator' had been brought in from outside of Wolverhampton to help the Lib Dems.

He said: "Members of the party met with the facilitator on Friday and the statement was drafted.

"I was asked what I thought about withdrawing from the coalition and I disagreed because it was early days.

"There are only four of us now and, as far as I'm concerned, for the coalition to work it needs to have all five of us.

"We can carry on to the next council meeting and hopefully beyond that but it is all in Claire Darke's hands. She has said she will either abstain or will vote with the Labour party.

"We are trying to do our best for the people of Wolverhampton."