'Progressive opposition' to Reform faces uncertain future

A question mark hangs over the newly-formed official opposition at Lancashire County Council, with the alliance arrangement set to be considered as part of a review of the authority's constitution.

- by Paul Faulkner

'Progressive Lancashire' - a partnership forged between the seven independent and four Green Party candidates who won seats at this month's local elections-has drawn the ire of the Conservatives, who are narrowly the largest single opposition group at County Hall with eight members.

The Tory group's new leader, Aidy Riggott, branded the tie-up "undemocratic", while the Progressive Lancashire leader, Azhar Ali, said Conservatives had to accept they had been trounced at the polls.