Only Labour have a mandate to run Reading

The talking has begun to see who will form the next Cabinet and run Reading Borough Council. Labour tonight unanimously voted for Cllr Jo Lovelock and Cllr Tony Page as Leader and Deputy Leader of our group. Jo and Tony received accolade for leading us to achieve some of the best results that resembled Labour's progress in Northern cities. They are the most experienced and capable team to steer Reading through this difficult period of economic downturn and Government front loaded cuts to valuable public services. We agreed to talk to progressive parties that could be interested in making Reading a better place for people to live.

The Greens now potentially hold the balance of power and I have heard from Park residents that they are good people who are keen to improve the local community even to the extent of clearing "rat infested alleyways". However, what is their stance on ruling Reading and providing a political strategy other than small issues in their ward?

All the talk from the Tories is that the two green councillors have done a deal for the Tories to take the mayoralty and have the casting vote. Whilst viewing this a filibustering from the Tories in an attempt to keep power at all costs, the Greens are meeting with Cllr Cumpsty and he is very persuasive, just ask Kirsten Bayes. But often what happens is that coalition with the Tories often ends in tears, particularly when you have positioned yourself as a radical alternative to Labour.Jo and Tony will be meeting the Green councillors to discuss possibilities of co-operation and a shared understanding which will be of benefit to Reading residents. It is any one's guess how this one works out, in my view it will be difficult for the Greens to justify supporting a coalition ruling group to the voters of Reading who have soundly rejected the coalition parties.

Labour could still discuss possibilities with the Lib Dems, however, they are still wedded to the Tories and committed to carrying out their Thatcherite dirty work, whilst taking all the flak. If the coalition fail to form the next Cabinet in Reading, I for one won't miss Lib Dem cllrs trying to play to the Tory gallery. The Lib Dems have been serverely punished by the electorate, not for entering into a coalition with the Tories but for being more Tory than their counterparts. Simon Hughes was totally correct when he stated that if the public see the Lib Dems as the same as the Tories then they will lose. It is hard to see how the Lib Dems will recover, both locally and nationally as they are weakened by losing the elections and the AV vote and trapped by the Tories, who are not prepared to share the pain of taking difficult decisions in Government.

One thing is certain that Labour will not be talking with the Tories to discuss joint working. The Tories are hellbent on ending the ethos of excellent, value for money public services, which is the cornerstone of our principles. The Tories did not win the biggest share and they falsely believe their election results were the best out of all the political parties. There are two reasons why the Tories are acting complacent on these election results. Firstly the Tory vote was boosted by the AV vote which saw a general increase in voter turnout. Even then they lost three seats and saw former strongholds, such as Caversham and Kentwood come back into play for Labour. Secondly, the party that won, or formed the biggest party in the previous General Election the year before rarely see a significant drop in their vote. It is often the second ,third and fourth years of a Government that see a significant drop in support. The Tories have been lucky to have a willing coalition partner in the Lib Dems, but that will not last.

Reading Labour is prepared to work with anyone who shares our progressive agenda that improves the life chances of Reading residents, promotes a green, sustainable local environment, that reduces the carbon footprint and protects Reading's public services, providing a decent service to all. We are the only political party that has a mandate to run Reading.