Conservatives gain power in Oldham, lose power in Leeds. BNP give Labour control of Thurrock

A Lib Dem/Conservative coalition has been agreed in Oldham Council. However the Conservative/Lib Dem coalition in Leeds has lost power to a Labour/Green coalition. Labour have gained control of Thurrock Council - with the backing of the BNP. Also crucial was the support of a councillor who has just defected from the Conservatives to "Concerned Conservatives". So we are in a situation where the Conservatives gained a seat in the Council elections but have ended up losing power. Conservative Group leader Cllr Garry Hague says "democracy has been cheated."

Given all these fraternal Conservative/Lib Dem relations is it bad form to note that a Lib Dem councillor in North Devon is claiming £500 a month in travel expenses to attend meetings while staying with his mistress in Swansea.