No talks have been held over coalition deal in Sunderland after May 6 election

Formal talks have not been held over the possibility of a coalition administration in Sunderland, despite claims one could be formed to oust the ruling Labour Party

Setting out their stall ahead of next month’s (May 6) round of local elections, Wearside’s opposition Conservative group raised the prospect of a deal if a single party does not win a majority on Sunderland City Council.

The Tories hope policies such as a ‘rat action plan’ and cuts to councillor payments will attract votes their way, but also admit they are likely to need additional support if they want to seize power for themselves.

Group leader Antony Mullen said: “We haven’t had any formal talks yet, but the Conservative Party does work with the other opposition parties.

“I see no reason why we couldn’t set out a plan of shared priorities, to deliver in power what we’ve been trying to in opposition.”

Labour would need to lose at least 11 of the 48 seats they currently hold to be forced from power.

Of the 28 seats up for grabs, Labour is defending 21 of them, with four vacant, two held by the Conservatives and one by the Liberal Democrats.

Niall Hodson, who heads the eight-strong Lib Dem group, was sceptical about the prospect of an electoral pact, however.

“It hasn’t been discussed with the Liberal Democrat group,” he said.

“It would be hard to see Labour or the Tories working with us because they have criticised a lot of what we’ve had to do and say over the last five years.

“I don’t think there’s obvious grounds for a coalition agreement.”

UKIP, which has three councillors, was more open to the suggestion, with Cllr Pam Mann admitting she would be interested in supporting ‘any coalition’, but was yet to be approached personally.

Key Labour figures, however, have remained bullish about their prospects.

“We think it’s outrageous the Conservatives are talking about getting power in Sunderland by the backdoor with a coalition,” said Cllr Phil Tye, chairman of Wearside’s Labour group.

“We’re not contemplating a hung council – we think the public will reward us.

“I think residents were tired of us talking a lot about things, but now they can see diggers in the ground and the public appreciate that.”