Well, they kicked off with an eyebrow-raising alliance between the Conservatives (initially led by Jim Currie until the national party took his toys away) and the Independents, who chose Neil Burden to replace Pam Lyne as their leader. The Lib Dems, under Doris Ansari, decided against making up the numbers in a rainbow coalition, while Dick Cole's Mebyon Kernow just seemed really happy to be there. (Labour were left without a single councillor.)
It has quickly become clear that perhaps the greatest challenge is that faced by Neil Burden (pictured left), who heads a collection of Independents who organise as a single political grouping (an interesting concept) but who nevertheless can vote however they please if the going gets tough. Some Independent councillors (most notably Bert Biscoe) are already openly critical of the administration and others mutter that they are being pulled along by the Tories with no real input of their own. Indeed the rumours are that there is already serious unrest among the Indies with talk of fractious group meetings and open claims that Councillor Burden is not up to the job. (Slightly unfair in my opinion, since the poor chap has just got over a nasty spell in hospital, but I suppose 'politics is politics'.) The make or break time for the coalition looks as though it's going to be Budget time next February, with some Independents believing this will be their last chance to raise Council Tax before the next government (whoever they are) puts the inevitable squeeze on public spending. The Tories, on the other hand, know there's a General Election on the way and they are desperate to show they can keep Council Tax down, regardless of the effect on public services in Cornwall. If the Tories can't cut taxes there doesn't seem to be much point having them around. An interesting few months ahead.
From an outside perspective it's going to be fascinating to see if this alliance holds together under sustained attack from the Lib Dems, who seem to be relishing the role of gamekeepers turned poachers. Many have been critical of their decision not to take part in the new administration but at least they, along with the impressive Dick Cole, are in a position to ask the awkward questions and keep the Cabinet on its toes.
In terms of what the new administration has achieved in the first six months the answer would appear to be 'very little so far'. It is, of course, very early on but the signs are that the Tory leadership is having to keep one eye on the volatility of its coalition partner and another on making sure they don't rock the boat for their parliamentary candidates next year. All of which plays splendidly into the hands of the highly ambitious Chief Executive, Kevin Lavery, who appears to be the 'de facto' Leader of the Council in the absence of any kind of policy framework from the Cabinet. Perhaps Cornwall Council is safer in his hands rather than anyone else's, but it's not really democracy, is it?
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