Article from Swindon Evening Advertiser, Tuesday 6 May 2003

LABOUR group leader Kevin Small has decided to relinquish control of Swindon Council after the Conservatives became the majority party in the local elections.

The Tory group was one seat and 29 votes away from winning overall control after gaining six seats - bringing their total to 29.

Labour is now in control of 22 seats and the number of Liberal Democrats seats remained unchanged with eight seats.

Coun Small (Lab, Western) will hand over power to Coun Mike Bawden at the next meeting of the council on May 16.

He said: "We decided that we were no longer the largest party and there had been an electoral mandate giving the Conservatives the right to run the council.

"It will give the Labour party time to regroup and an opportunity for the people of Swindon to see the real side of the Conservatives as the party of cuts in local government."

Coun Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town & Lawns) said: "Last year we accepted the labour group was the largest party and I think it was a sensible decision.

"We will assist in the transfer of the administration and will put forward our own administration in 10 days time."