Council fails to elect new leader

Councillor Comer was previously deputy leader

Bristol City Council has failed to elect a leader after the recent local elections.

The Lib Dems are the largest party on the hung authority, with 31 seats, but need the support of one of the other parties to get their leader elected.

Attempts by the Lib Dems to nominate Steve Comer failed on Tuesday.

The council will meet again next Tuesday. If no agreement is reached, government commissioners could be drafted in to run council affairs.

'Public opinion'

Mr Comer told BBC Radio Bristol: "What worries me is the impact this has on the people outside.

"They see a squabbling bunch of councillors they've elected, failing to progress business."

Labour, the second largest group on the council, said it opposed Mr Comer's nomination in protest at the plans to part-privatise the jobs of council home care staff.

"We cannot support a Liberal Democrats administration bent on blatantly ignoring public opinion," said Labour leader Helen Holland.