Another local election, another low turn-out, another hung council in Bradford.

It all seems depressingly familiar - although not in the least surprising. No-one seriously expected any great changes in the make-up of Bradford Council, although with an electorate that can be unpredictable at times, politicians of all parties were hopeful that at least a small gap might be opened up somewhere.

But, no, we're back where we started with the two main parties holding an equal number of seats and the Liberal Democrats - whose steadily improving showing is actually to blame for pinching the votes that used to ping back and forth between the Tories and Labour - again hold the balance of power.

And where does that leave us? With another week or two of shenanigans as Jeanette Sunderland tries to win some concessions from the other two party leaders in return for a vague promise of grudging support which will allow one of them - probably Margaret Eaton - to nominally control the Council again. All to be followed, of course, by a tense and difficult period of behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing to keep some semblance of direction on the road.

No wonder voters are apathetic and cynical. No wonder some of them turn to vile, racist organisations like the BNP to express their disatisfaction.

Despite the fact these disgusting extremists failed to take a seat, Bradford had a narrow escape last night. Others - like Burnley - fared less well.

The main parties must take this as a wake-up call that local government is failing - and they'd better do something about it, fast.