THEY may not like it but the fact is that the electorate have not given the Labour party a clear policy mandate in Burnley.

The June elections left them with 21 members compared with a combined opposition total of 24.

Common sense dictates that although Labour are the largest single political force in the borough they cannot charge ahead with schemes which will not gain the support of the majority of councillors - and that means at least some members of the opposition.

This is bound to mean tempering some of their policies and sharing power - something Coun Stuart Caddy does not want to do.

But what are the alternatives?

They might find working with the Liberal Democrats unpalatable but such power sharing has happened in other parts of the country without the complete collapse of local authorities.

And it has also happened without central government, in the form of John Prescott's department, stepping in to take over as they will be legally forced to do if the borough drifts on into chaos with no leadership.

The Labour group has a duty above all to provide people with an orderly administration of local government.

They and their leader should remember their obligations to all electors and grow up.