Southend Council coalition plans stall after row over who would be leader

After the Tories lost majority control, and eight seats, of the council talks were launched for a coalition between Labour, Lib Dems and Independents.

However no agreement has been reached.

Independent Councillor Martin Terry confirmed “extensive talks” had taken place but the block of 12 Independents were insisting on a leader from within their ranks, which Labour’s 14 councillors did not agree with.

He said: “At the moment we are at an impasse. No one can do anything without us but Labour is refusing to work under an independent leader.

“We are happy to work with Labour and in a joint administration but not under a political party and I think we would be castigated for delivering something the town doesn’t necessarily want.

“Hopefully someone will come to their senses – the parties have to drop their idea of controlling us as Independents and that is something we take very seriously.”

Councillor Ian Gilbert, leader of Southend Labour, said: “The clear message from the town at these elections was that voters have rejected the Tories, and that they want to see a change in the direction of the town.

“As the largest non-Conservative group, Labour want to work with our Independent and Liberal Democrat colleagues to form an administration which puts residents first, and which will tackle the many issues that are affecting our town.

“We envision this arrangement as seeing all three groups represented in the cabinet, under a Labour leader, and roles shared out fairly between the three, and the groups working together for the common good of Southend.

“We have listened to the voters, and we have heard that they want change at Southend Council. We want to work with our Independent and Lib Dem colleagues to achieve this, and hope that they will also be open to cooperating.”

When asked to comment on the discussions, Lib Dem Councillor Carole Mulroney simply confirmed that “discussions are ongoing”.