Ructions

Despite Labour's very narrowly retaining overall control of Derwentside District Council, it is reported that Portfolios are to be given to the Independents and Lib Dems recently described by local MP Hilary Armstrong as "the enemy" (not that her judgement is worth a bucket of spit, considering the circles from which she considers it appropriate to recruit staff...), in order to prevent their allocation to Labour Councillors linked to the other local MP, Kevan Jones. Jones is tipped for great things under Brown, but the DDC Great and Good openly describe his supporters as "a separate party". Not, however, "a separate party" with which they are prepared to go into coalition. That, they reserve for the Independents and the Lib Dems. Or, as Armstrong calls them, "the enemy". It is all very strange...