THE chairman of Worcester's Green Party was preparing for showdown talks with his own members last night – with the clock ticking over a decision.

Louis Stephen was due to meet with his own branch for private talks over whether to help Labour or the Conservatives run Worcester City Council.

The views of his party members could be crucial in influencing which side to support after last week's dramatic election outcome.

In the early hours of Friday morning Mr Stephen captured the Battenhall ward from Tory control, a result which helped tip the council into a position of 'no overall control'.

We can reveal how Mr Stephen has already held talks with the council's chief executive Sheena Ramsey, with the duo coming together on Saturday.

Worcester Green Party also met on Friday evening for what it called "initial talks" and was set to get together last night to consider what to do.

Mr Stephen was also seeking talks with both the city council's Tory Councillor Marc Bayliss and Labour group leader Councillor Adrian Gregson yesterday, to break the post-election ice and see if any common ground exists.

Councillor Gregson was due to meet him yesterday evening, and told this newspaper he would do "whatever is best for Worcester".

The city now has 17 Conservatives, 16 Labour politicians and two Greens, who are effectively the king-makers.

But with a decision needing to be made next Tuesday, May 17 at the Annual Council meeting the third largest party only has a matter of days to make its mind up.

Worcester Green Party has more than 100 members but only its regular activists were expected to attend its talks last night.

Councillor Stephen, who also underwent his training alongside three other new councillors yesterday, said: "My meeting with Sheena Ramsey went very well.

"It was very professional and gave me the chance to ask any questions I had, and talk about the next few days and weeks.

"I needed to have that discussion, and what I'm seeking to do is to talk with both Marc Bayliss and Adrian Gregson before we decide what to do next."

Mr Stephen had already ruled out a formal power-sharing Coalition with either Labour or the Conservatives before the elections, but insists he wants to give "both parties" a fair hearing ahead of next week.

Councillor Gregson, who was also preparing to meet with members of his own Labour Party last night after his talks with the Green Party chairman, said: "We are looking to achieve whatever we think is best for the people of Worcester."

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