An Unholy Alliance

I quite like the idea of being part of an 'Unholy Alliance' - as the Tory-Labour coalition now running the Borough Council has been dubbed. It's particularly interesting because - at least for the moment - the two parties seem to understand and trust me and the two Independents rather more than each other...

You have to feel sorry for the LibDems though. They've been 'in power' at the Borough Council - as part of coalitions with the Independents, with Labour, with everyone - for over eight years, and now when they have a huge election triumph with their highest ever number of seats, they find it's their turn to be in opposition.

Of course it didn't help that they went around before the election saying they couldn't work as part of an all-party coalition again - and their 'no holds barred' approach to electioneering seemed to overlook the point that they'd need to be working with at least some of the other parties after the election. You'd have thought that a party committed to proportional representation would have worked out a more integrated approach to coalition-building - and that holds true for their recent performances in the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly.

So - I've backed the "Unholy Alliance" because I think that the Tories and Labour need more help with their "Green" policies - and that the LibDems will make an effective opposition.

I sincerely hope we won't revert to inter-party squabbling and that we aren't in for a year(s)-long election campaign for a future Unitary Authority.

Political Shapings

Well - Cllr Milburn 'Dougie' Douglas is our new mayor - and - if the votes go as expected on Monday night (21st), we'll have a Con-Lab coalition running the council (with support from the Independents and myself) with the LibDems in opposition.

It's a shame the all-party alliance has folded - but aggressive political campaigning during the election made it near inevitable. In some ways, returning to a conventional administration-opposition arrangement may lead to more debate in public - which will be a good thing if it casts more light than heat.

However with the possibility of Unitary Authorities looming over us - we'll most likely to have a full year's election campaign - and that won't do anyone any good when what we may need a well-managed transition.

Interactive Leaflet 2 - All-Party Coalition

For the past two years, the Borough Council has operated under an all-party coalition and as a result it has been more effective, wasting less time on trivial inter-party squabbling.

Nic was closely involved in creating the coalition, and has been on the Council’s Executive Board since it was established.
As a lone Green councillor - he has no political claim to the Executive - but the whole Council voted him on in recognition of the contribution he makes.

The Green Party generally works through consensus-building and co-operation.
If re-elected, Nic will continue to encourage cross-party working.