Labour accused of meddling after vetoing local authority coalition plans

Concerns attempts to block local deals with Lib Dems or Greens risk allowing Tories to regain control of councils

Labour faces accusations of overcentralised meddling after the party's national executive vetoed planned coalitions with the Liberal Democrats or Greens in a series of formerly Conservative-held local authorities.

While it is longstanding Labour policy that local parties need a green light from the national executive committee (NEC) before forming coalitions, some activists say attempts to block deals risk allowing Conservatives to regain control instead.