Greens side with Tories over Labour (again)

Another set of local elections offers another chance to expose the fallacy of the ‘progressive alliance.’ Every so often, misty-eyed centrists of a certain age like to wax lyrical about Labour, the Lib Dem’s and Greens joining together to kick those wicked Tories out of office. A Marvel Universe for moderates, if you like. Sadly for such commentators, political reality has a nasty habit of shattering these illusions.

Every election produces unlikely bed fellows, offensive to those of a progressive disposition and this year is no exception. For up in Lancashire, the Greens have opted to back the Conservatives on Hyndburn Council, after this month’s elections left Labour and the Tories with 16 councillors each. Ironically, the decision of the Greens to ‘informally support’ the Conservatives was taken by its two councillors Paddy Short and Caroline Montague both of whom were Labour councillors until quitting 12 months ago. 

So much for natural political bedfellows eh?