Last updated 19:49, Thursday, 09 October 2008

THE new Labour leader of Cumbria County Council has urged the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to join his ruling cabinet.

Stewart Young was elected council leader last month following the collapse of the Conservative/Liberal Democrat alliance which had run the council since 2001.

But as no party has a majority, he should be leading a politically-proportionate cabinet of five Labour councillors, four Conservatives and one Liberal Democrat.

However, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have refused to take up their seats.

Only Labour members were present when the new cabinet met on Tuesday.

Mr Young said: “Unfortunately there are five empty places at the table because the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have declined to take up those seats.

“That is extremely disappointing, particularly as we had extensive discussions as to how we might make an all-party cabinet work.”

The Conservatives said it would be ludicrous to join the cabinet after they were removed by a vote of no confidence.

The Liberal Democrats say they will not join unless the Tories do.

Mr Young said: “We need to work with other groups to get policies agreed.”