A TORY takeover of Basingstoke and Deane is looking increasingly likely after key Independent councillors said they may abstain in a crucial vote.

Once again the balance of power in the borough lies in the hands of the Independents - Martin Biermann, David Leeks and Ian Tilbury.

Following Thursday's elections, no party has emerged with an overall majority, and it is unclear who will take up leadership of the council or the top Cabinet positions, which are set to be decided at a crunch meeting on May 18.

All three main parties need the support of the Independents, and if just one Independent sides with the Conservatives or abstains, it will be enough to give the Tories a majority.

If the Independents vote with Labour and the Liberal Democrats, the votes will be tied and the mayor is given the casting vote.

Councillor Tony Jones, a long-serving Labour member who has been deputy mayor for the last year, is set to become mayor on Thursday, a decision which is not being contested. However, he is likely to vote in Labour's favour in the event of a tie.

The three men at the centre of the debate say they believe the Tories are likely to take control if they abstain or fail to agree a deal with the current administration.

Cllr Tilbury, who represents Overton, said it seemed likely that the Conservatives would get the chance to form a Cabinet, although he would not want to vote for them and may abstain on May 18.

He said: "I cannot support them at this moment and I certainly wouldn't vote to put them in. But realistically we have got to accept that they are the bigger group."

Cllr David Leeks, who represents Tadley South, said: "At the moment, we have not spoken among ourselves. I have no idea what is going to happen.

"If we do nothing, then I suppose the Conservatives go in. If we stick with the administration then it is down to the mayor to pass the casting vote every time. We will just have to see how it goes."

Martin Biermann, who has just been re-elected in Chineham, said that, as an Independent, he often abstains in such votes.

He said: "As far as the vote on the leadership and the administration is concerned, I have a dilemma. I have not yet concluded what I would do because these are new circumstances."

Cllr John Leek, leader of the Conservative group, said: "I am afraid it is early days, but I trust that the Independents will want to support us. We clearly have a mandate to form the administration. Our vote was up enormously."

Cllr John Shaw, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said he believes the parties will be able to come to a compromise where they can work together, but said it was too early to say who would form the Cabinet.

He said: "I think there is a responsibility for the parties to think carefully about the outcome of the election and to try to make the best decisions for the future of the borough."

Cllr Paul Harvey, Labour member and current leader of the borough council, said it was impossible to say if he would retain his position on the council after May 18.

He said: "The entire future of the authority will be determined on May 18 and the three Independent councillors hold the balance of power.

"Nobody can predict anything at the moment."

First published: Monday, May 8, 2006