Labour retain control of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

9.17.05pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 18th Jul 2004

Following a period of uncertainty Labour have retained control of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, but they are dependent on the support of a group of Independent Councillors.

Six Labour councillors resigned from their group one week after being elected and five of these have decided to keep Labour in control.

The Liberal Democrat Group did listen to approaches from other groups on the Council in an effort to form a stable administration. Leader Cllr. Paul Browne explained that they only did this so that the Council could have an effective administration.

Many commentators believe that an informal "deal" has been done between the Labour Group and the Independents. The Independents have supported Labour in power in return for supporting one their group as Deputy Mayor.

The state of the Parties is now (following the Earcroft by-election)

Labour 29

Conservative 17

Liberal Democrats 12

Independents 6