AN ALLIANCE between the Thurrock Independents and a rival party has been ruled out, with the leader of the party claiming it would “betray” voters.

None of the political parties were able to win enough votes to secure a majority during last week’s elections but with Labour holding 17 of the 49 seats and the Thurrock Independents holding nine, it would be possible for the rival parties to join forces and attempt to create a new administration.

But the leader of the Thurrock Independents has ruled this possibility out and has instead demanded that the council introduces a committee system that would mean decision making by committees that are made up of councillors in proportion to the number of seats held by each party.

The leader of Thurrock Independents, Luke Spillman, said: “The Thurrock Independents will not be entering into either a coalition nor confidence and supply arrangement with either the Conservatives or Labour.

“To do so would betray the residents. We’re not interested in back room deals in exchange for a few extra councillor allowances.

“We favour an immediate move to the committee system.

“The committee system will allow the views of all Thurrock residents to have influence on how Thurrock is governed.

“Given these facts the only democratic outcome possible is for party differences to be put aside and for all parties and independents to work collaboratively and collectively together.”

The Thurrock Independents and Labour have taken the same stance on many of the major issues within the borough including opposing the closure of Orsett Hospital and an extension to the council offices. Despite this, the two parties have rarely been able to unite over the issues, which has often resulted in a war of words.

John Kent, leader of the Labour group, was asked to comment on Mr Spillman’s remarks but he did not respond. Rob Gledhill, leader of the Conservatives, also failed to comment on whether he would support a committee system.

If the Conservatives remain in power, they are likely to continue running the council as a minority administration. After losing a seat in the elections, the party now holds 22, three seats short of an overall majority.