South Wales Evening Post - 20 January 2007
Opposition parties have been told to pull together to make the most of turmoil in Swansea Council's ruling group.
The Liberal Democrat, Independent and Conservative coalition has fallen apart giving opposition parties a majority.
New Conservative group leader Councillor Rene Kinzett pulled the party out of the coalition, although two of the county's five Conservatives have since rejoined the ruling group as Independents. That still leaves the ruling group in a minority and Plaid group leader Councillor Darren Price is now calling for the opposition parties to capitalise.
He said: "The decision by the Tories to jump ship has left the Lib Dem-led administration particularly vulnerable. It now means that the combined opposition groups have a significant majority within the council chamber, and this will now force the Lib Dems to consult more widely on their proposals before bringing them to council.
"I am hoping this will lead to a far more open and transparent decision making process whereby the opinions of all political persuasions will be incorporated into the decisions that the council takes."
The opposition groups now have a majority of eight but do not appear willing to make a bid for control of the council.
