Lib Dems and Tories agree city pact

Tories in Wolverhampton have agreed an alliance with the Liberal Democrats to throw Labour out of power, the Express & Star can reveal today.

After lengthy negotiations yesterday leaders shook hands on a deal to end Labour rule in the city.

A cabinet of only Tory members was being formed with group boss, Councillor Neville Patten, poised to be leader of the city council at the annual general meeting next Wednesday.

The deal, on the cards since the controlling Labour group lost a12-seat majority at elections last Thursday, will see Liberal Democrats chair planning and scrutiny panels in return for Tories having an exclusive 10-member cabinet.

Councillor Patten said today: “We have had three or four hours of negotiations with the Liberals and have got a deal that we can go forward with.”

Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Michael Heap said: “Labour had become tired and quite arrogant, and I remember one councillor saying the Liberal Democrats will ‘never be a party of any significance’ in this city. Well that was wrong and we are now.”

The move will see Labour lose the control for the first time since 1994, when the Tories and the Liberals last joined up in a coalition.