A left-leaning political alliance heralded as the end of Tory rule of Brighton and Hove has seemingly collapsed after little more than two months.
Last December, the city council’s Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors forced the ruling Conservative party to make a string of changes to its masterplan for the city.
But this week, the alliance has crumbled amid political backbiting over the budget.
Leader of the Green party Bill Randall hit out first, saying Labour had refused to work with them. He said: “”They are putting party political considerations before the needs of the most vulnerable people in our city who will be most affected by this budget, which contains critical cuts in social care and children’s services.”
But the Labour group hit back, saying the Green’s hadn’t even put forward their own proposals for discussion. A spokesman said: “In the usual way, the Labour Group has prepared its own amendments and has talked through our draft proposals with the other parties.
“At present we are waiting to see the Green Group’s final proposals, but they are welcome to support our suggestions to reverse cuts and protect local youth offending services, Connexions, home to school transport and vital bus services.”
