Tories toppled from power

Jan 22 2009 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

POWER changed hands at the top of Kirklees Council last night after a knife-edge vote.

Labour, Lib Dem, Green and independent councillors combined to vote the Conservative Cabinet out by 46 votes to 23 – exactly the two-thirds majority needed to bring down an administration.

The ruling Conservatives were toppled over their controversial schools plan for north Kirklees, which included closing Castle Hall in Mirfield.

A new coalition Cabinet of Labour and Lib Dem councillors was immediately elected at last night’s monthly council meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall.

But outgoing Tory council leader Clr Robert Light labelled the new administration “an alliance of evil.”

Greenhead Labour councillor Mehboob Khan was elected council leader, becoming the first Asian person to hold the post.