In was not only in Whitehall where the election results did not make it immediately obvious who would be forming the administration. Derby City Council had a third of its seats up for election on May 6 leaving the Conservatives up one, having fought on a strong manifesto, although still with no Party in overall control. They have also been boosted by a couple of defections. It reflected a strong performance by the conservatives in the City – the Derby North constituency was almost gained from Labour – a 7.4% swing was achieved leaving us just a few hundred votes short.
Hitherto there has been a minority Lib Dem administration. However the Conservatives are now the largest Party. Will there be a Conservative minority administration? A Conservative/Lib Dem coalition? Some kind of Lib Lab pact? Negotiations are continuing.
It is not the only place where deals are being thrashed out. In Bradford, for instance, we lost seats. Will we go into coalition with the Lib Dems? In Hyndburn the Conservatives are still running the authority, with the backing of an independent, after losing overall control.
Of the hung councils in London a piece by Dave Hill suggests that Merton will switch from being a Conservative minority administration to a Labour minority administration, while Redbridge is likely to remain Conservative led.
UPDATE
The Derby Conservatives appear to have sealed the deal.