Tory vow as Wolverhampton coalition loses majority

Disappointed Conservative councillors in the Black Country today vowed to continue their coalition with the Liberal Democrats despite losing their majority control in a by-election.

Wolverhampton Tory leader Councillor Neville Patten in has refused calls from Labour for his adminstration to stand aside after losing at the polls in Bilston North.

Labour leader Councillor Roger Lawrence, who was in charge of the council until his party lost power two years ago, called on the coalition to "go now" and said the administration of Tory leader Neville Patten was a "lame duck".

He said: "The Lib Dems should dissolve this coalition now and talk to us. We are the largest party and the only one that can provide stability to this council."

He said he was now considering a vote of no confidence but the next meeting of full council is not until September 15.

Councillor Patten vowed to fight on but said: "We've been well and truly thumped.

"This could be people's reaction to the coalition government. But we are working for the good of the city and will continue to do so. The mayor's casting vote will support us."

But he said all his councillors were now under orders to attend every single meeting to avoid a deadlock.

When the vote is tied the mayor, Councillor Malcolm Gwinnett, is obliged to side with the ruling group but absences in the Tories and Lib Dems could allow Labour to overturn decisions.

He said: "The Lib Dem group will have to discuss the result tonight and its implications for us.

"But there is a procedure to follow and I will do that. My life would be easier if things had gone another way but I've got broad shoulders and I'll just have to deal with it."

Mother-of-two Miss Linda Leach, of Middleway Green, said she was looking forward to working for the people of Bilston.

Tory candidate Marlene Berry declined to comment about the by-election results.

The Tories took power from Labour in 2008 but failed to win an outright majority, needing the Liberal Democrats to agree to an alliance which they did in return for chairing influential committees.

In the May elections the Tories lost one of two seats they were defending in Wednesfield North. They went into a full coalition with the Lib Dems offering them a seat for Councillor Claire Darke in the decision making cabinet as schools chief.