THE Tory leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council has offered to step down and hand the reins of power to Labour.

Councillor Ross Irving has told The Sentinel that he is willing to resign and hand over key cabinet posts to the Labour Party following its victory in last week's local elections.

However, the city's Labour group is still weighing up its options after winning 17 out of 20 council seats in Thursday's polls.

The wins took its overall share of the 60-seat council chamber from 14 to 26 members, making it by far the largest political party.

But five days after the results were declared, it is still not clear whether Labour group leader councillor Mohammed Pervez intends to lead the authority.

Mr Pervez was reinstated as group leader at Labour's annual meeting on Monday, but said he needs to have further talks on the party's future role.

He said: "Although we may be the biggest party in the council, we still do not have an overall majority.

"We now need discussions with Labour group members, party members and other councillors and partners as to what the future arrangements for governance need to be."

In the meantime the city faces a further week of political uncertainty. The party needed 31 seats for an overall majority.

Mr Irving, pictured below, said he hopes Mr Pervez will either form a power-sharing coalition or run the city with a minority administration.

He said: "Negotiations are ongoing, but my view is that Labour is the biggest party and therefore has a moral responsibility to take part in the governance of the city.

"I have offered cabinet positions immediately and I would also be prepared to step down at the next full council meeting, but I am still awaiting a response.

"I am quite prepared to offer my full support and to share in government with Labour, and I believe the Liberal Democrats feel the same way."

City Independent group leader councillor Brian Ward said Labour will be letting voters down if it does not take the helm.

He said: "Labour got a mandate from the people and they should now take up that power and form an administration.

"They can either go it alone as a minority party or they can take a partner along with them. But what I don't want is a return to the old elected mayor's executive and members' board (EMB) coalition, because I felt that was detrimental to the city."

Mr Ward ruled his group out of any future coalition.

He said: "We would rather go into opposition and be a critical friend to the administration."

Non-Aligned Group spokesman councillor Mick Salih also called on Labour to take the initiative.

He said: "The people have spoken and they have given Labour a mandate to form a new leadership and cabinet and try to take the city forward.

"Sitting back and letting other minority groups lead the council is not what people voted for."

Independent councillor Peter Kent-Baguley said: "I think it would be grossly irresponsible of Labour not to take the leadership now that they hold so many seats."