A POWER struggle is on the cards at Kirklees.
Local election results last week left the council in limbo as its political leaders prepare for a new-look authority.
Gains by the Tories and losses for Liberal Democrats and Labour mean changes will be made to the political set-up.
Although the council remains without an overall controlling party the Lib-Dems still have the most seats.
Previously, the hung council had a Cabinet made up of Lib- Dems and one Green Party councillor. This looks set to change.
But Labour leader Clr Mehboob Khan says it is vital his party stays in opposition and does not have a Cabinet member. He added: "Having one ruling party, but sharing power, is non-democratic. There has to be an opposition.
"Labour would be happy to let the Tories and Lib-Dems run the Cabinet. We can oppose when things go wrong."
Lib-Dem and council leader Clr Kath Pinnock believes an adult solution can be found. She says a hung council will mean more power-sharing.
She added: "Having members from all parties in the Cabinet seems the sensible thing to do."
Tory leader Clr Robert Light, whose group gained six seats, says his party should take charge of the Cabinet.
He added: "We would be looking for some kind of power- share, but there are discussions to be held. We are the second biggest party in Kirklees, only just behind the Lib-Dems."
Clr Andrew Cooper, Green Party leader and the only non- Lib-Dem Cabinet member, was unsure how a mixed Cabinet might work. "It is necessary to involve councillors from all parties, but whether it will work or not is another matter," he said.
A final decision is expected by June 30.
