THE balance of power in the council chamber could shift in the spring, according to a former cabinet member.

Oliver Donachie, who defected from the Conservatives to the Independent Tories group, believes the local elections could see the ruling party lose its majority.

He expects to lose his seat in Haydon Wick but says a possible alliance with the Liberal Democrats could be key in 2021 and beyond.

Coun Donachie's fellow Independent Tory Emma Faramarzi will remain in her Priory Vale seat until 2022.

The Conservatives' four-seat majority may be cut as one is vacant in Labour stronghold Rodbourne Cheney after the death of councillor Des Moffatt last year.

Coun Donachie said: "We’ve got enough candidates for all the seats in North Swindon and we are looking for candidates to stand in South Swindon.

“A number of the seats held by the Conservatives have majorities of just t200 or 300. You don’t have to win that many votes to win them. If Labour win just three seats, then there’s no overall control, if the Conservatives lose four then they will have lost control of the council entirely.

“I think it’s entirely feasible. I don’t expect to be a councillor next year, I think the Conservatives will go after me, but Emma and the Lib Dems could hold the balance and make a difference to the way the council is going.”

The leader of the two-man Liberal Democrat group Stan Pajak shied away from any formal arrangement with Coun Donachie’s group, but said: “ The group stance allows them to work with less damaging political dogma, hence their support for my proposal for a reduction in member allowances.

“There won’t be a formal relationship but simply getting the best for the residents of Swindon and being prepared to support policies we share.”

Deputy leader Russell Holland said he was dismayed at Coun Donachie’s words and added: “Swindon’s Conservative councillors and MPs are 100 per cent focused on helping Swindon residents get through the pandemic and help the Swindon economy to bounce back.

“This misguided stunt is just designed to split the Conservative vote in order to let Labour in. He has no credible plan. It’s actually quite sad to see someone turn on their colleagues in this way.

“I’m grateful for residents giving Swindon Conservatives the opportunity to serve and I’m not going to get distracted by Stan and Oli day-dreaming about being kingmakers.”

Next year’s local election will be held on Thursday, May 6 after being postponed this year because of the Covid-19 lockdown.