“We asked them about opening negotiations with other progressive groups on the council to form a co-operative council – they refused and they’re determined to hang on to control.” – Diana Moore, Green Party leader.
Labour may have lost its majority on Exeter City Council but the party is still in control of the authority.
At the council’s annual meeting on Wednesday the Labour leader Phil Bialyk said he woud be continuing as leader and the announcement went unopposed.
The party was reduced to 18 seats out of a total of 39 seats in the elections on 7 May with the Green Party as the main opposition with 10 seats.
The Green Party leader said she had wanted to share power with Labour but the offer had been rejected.
Bialyk said the Green Party was “desperately wanting to run things here in Exeter”.
But he said the Greens would have had to form an alliance with all of the other parties – Reform, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives and the Independents – to take control.
“We’re still the largest party,” he said.
Diana Moore, Green Party leader, said: “Labour may have the numbers to form a minority administration but I just question whether they have the mandate.
“We asked them about opening negotiations with other progressive groups on the council to form a co-operative council – they refused and they’re determined to hang on to control.”
East Devon Watch 