Just what is going on in the corridors of power at Bradford City Hall?

All the political parties concerned in the running of Britain's fourth biggest metropolitan authority are at loggerheads. No group is in overall control, and the leader was elected with just the votes of her own group - a move which it is believed has never before been seen in local government.

That's politicians for you. The Conservatives, under the leadership of Councillor Margaret Eaton, have decided to pick up the batons and run with them.

Labour say their four members on the executive committee will not accept portfolios. They believe as the main party of opposition it wouldn't be right to accept them.

The Liberal Democrat group members have taken their bat home, saying they will not accept the education portfolio because the Tories have refused to allocate £12 million for schools in next year's budget.

Now the children have had their various tantrums and have stamped their feet, the question remains of just what is going to happen in what undoubtedly will be a challenging year.

This newspaper proudly joined the campaign for a Keighley Town Council because of its belief in democracy - the more local the better, with those elected doing their level best to represent the wishes of the people who voted for them.

What must now surely happen on BMDC is that the political leaders, no matter what they think of each other or their beliefs, work out a give and take partnership strategy to achieve what is best for the metropolitan district and its residents. That does not mean giving and then taking advantage.