Lib-Con coalition in Reading

Adam Hewitt • Published 19 May 2010 10:30 0 Comments

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THE TORIES and Lib Dems have made a power grab in Reading, wrenching control of the hung council from Labour.

Inspired by the Westminster coalition and as predicted in last week's Chronicle, the two groups came together promising to sort out the council's finances and sweep away the "old politics" of 24 years of Labour rule.

Tory leader Andrew Cumpsty said: "We are serious about running an effective council focused on the needs of our residents, offering better value for money and a commonsense approach to local government. I'm extremely confident that this can be achieved by working together with our Liberal Democrat partners."

Lib Dem leader Kirsten Bayes said: "The recent local elections resulted in very little change to the political make-up of the council, although almost two-thirds of the

votes cast were for the Liberal Democrats or Conservatives. Taking note of the initiative of the two parties in national government, the two council groups embarked on a process of negotiation that resulted in this agreement to work together for the good of the town."

But Labour leader Cllr Jo Lovelock said: "On May 6 the Tories in Reading lost Minster and failed to win any of their target seats. Labour won six seats and came second in five, we continue to have broad support across the town, and there is no local logic to the Liberal Democrats' decision.

"The Liberal Democrats in Reading, who have always told us they want to protect public services, now want to have their hands on the Tories' axe."

For more reaction and details on how the coalition will work, see tomorrow's Chronicle.

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