Last updated 22:12, Thursday, 06 November 2008

ALLERDALE council leader Joe Milburn remains in power today after a dramatic week in which a notice of a motion of no confidence was made against him then mysteriously withdrawn.

His Conservative colleague Duncan Fairbairn applied to the authority on Monday to move the motion at Wednesday’s full council meeting.

His application said the notice was given after a “decision” taken at a meeting of the Conservative Group.

Coun Milburn, elected to represent Crummock as a Conservative councillor, leads the Alliance, made up of Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Independents.

On Tuesday afternoon, the notice of motion was suddenly withdrawn. Coun Fairbairn declined to say why but added: “I have taken legal advice not to continue.”

It is believed however, that it was the Conservative Group head office in Carlisle that asked Coun Fairbairn to withdraw the motion. Its spokesman declined to comment.

Mr Milburn said he was relieved that the vote had been retracted.

He said: “This is just the game of politics. It has been an unseemly struggle but I will carry on as the leader of this council if that is what Allerdale wishes.

“I have no plans to stand down. Unfortunately the things that have happened this week are part of political life and I dislike it intensely.

“For me it is just business as usual and I will now be getting on with council issues.

“I am appreciative of all the members of the Alliance. They are independent minded people and are their own masters and mistresses. ”

Independent councillor Margaret Snaith, of Silloth, who used to be part of the Alliance, added: “The Alliance has been rocky for some time and I think it’s only a matter of time before they implode.”

n Outrage at plans to share management with Carlisle City Council Page 3