The leader of Lancaster Labour group has taken a parting shot at the Greens after losing her seat at the local elections.
Erica Lewis said she "hasn't seen the leadership I would expect" from the Green-led Lancaster City Council cabinet and called them a "single issue party".
Her comments came after she was defeated in the local elections by the Greens in Bowerham ward, losing her seat on the city council.
Labour, who remained the largest group on the council with 24 seats to the Greens' 21 after Friday's local election results, were due to meet to choose a new local leader today.
Talks between parties will also be taking place on who will form the next cabinet on Lancaster City Council.
Green leader Councillor Gina Dowding has called for a "rainbow alliance" of Greens, Labour and Liberal Democrats and said she found the comments "astonishing".
You can listen to what Erica Lewis and Gina Dowding had to say after the local elections below:
ERICA LEWIS
GINA DOWDING
Erica Lewis, who remains a Lancashire county councillor, was speaking to Beyond Radio at Lancaster Town Hall following Friday's results.
"I have an ongoing concern about the Green administration that we have had," she said.
"I have been unsure of what it is they have done and what they wanted to do with the council.
"They removed me as leader in an arrangement with the Conservatives but they kept the strategic plan that I had developed, which had cross-party support across the chamber.
"My fear is that, the climate emergency is important and we do need to address that, but the cost of living crisis is also real. My concern about single issue parties like the Greens is they focus on their single issue and don't pay attention to the breadth of issues that are facing the residents of this district.
"In the two years, I haven't seen the leadership that I would expect.
"There will be discussions about who forms the next leadership but they won't include me."
Following the elections, the city council remained under no overall control, meaning Labour and the Greens will be looking to align with other parties to form an administration.
A cross-party group of Green, Labour and independent councillors had previously been running the cabinet, led by Caroline Jackson of the Greens, who replaced County Councillor Lewis in 2021.
Also speaking at the town hall on Friday, Councillor Gina Dowding, leader of the Lancaster Green group and also a county councillor, hit back at County Councillor Lewis's comments.
"I find that an astonishing interpretation of what has been going on," she said.
"We have been really majoring on trying to actually start to deliver housing on the ground.
"We've got funding for brownfield housing, the Canal Quarter (development) is going ahead, we have a planning application for new social housing and we've really pushed that.
"We've saved carbon emissions. I think there's so much. We now have electric bin wagons. We've made a commitment to wildflower meadows. We've made some really good steps in the right direction. That's why we've got the results we have."
Speaking on how the next council cabinet might look, Councillor Dowding said: "What we've seen in terms of gains across the district, it's clear that we've made gains in Lancaster and some of the rurals.
"The Lib Dems have gained in mainly rurals and a bit of Morecambe, and Labour have made gains in Morecambe, basically. So I think that kind of rainbow coalition or alliance would reflect what voters have done. I think people would expect that."
The final results at the Lancaster City Council elections saw Labour win 24 seats, the Greens 21, Lib Dems 7, Conservatives 5, Morecambe Bay Independents 3 and Independents 1.
Related Stories:
Local election results for Lancaster and Morecambe District - Beyond Radio
Quad bike rider dies after road crash in Morecambe
Morecambe guesthouse couple to star on reality TV show 'Four in a Bed'
PHOTOS: Northern Lights dazzle on Highest Point festival day one
Mother and son unveiled as new Lancaster mayoral team
New police and crime commissioner for Lancashire begins role
Morecambe homeless man jailed after admitting criminal damage
Firefighters tackle fire at flat in Morecambe
Lancaster youth charity awarded £221,400 towards vision for 'creative youth space' in city
Tennis club near Lancaster unveils new courts after £50,000 fundraising campaign
INTERVIEW: Highest Point chief 'proud' of lineup for 2024 festival
Highest Point festival stage times: all you need to know
Highest Point team 'excited' for sunny weekend as prep continues ahead of Lancaster festival
New Friends group officially formed to support popular Morecambe music venue
"Overwhelming support" as award-winning Lancaster bakery announces shock closure
Labour wins city council by-election in Carnforth
Chance to take a nostalgic trip for Morecambe Vintage Bus Day
Lancaster city centre restaurant open again after burglary
Man arrested after burglary at Lancaster baby photography shop
Car seized at Lancaster M6 services after occupants seen inhaling 'laughing gas' through balloons
INTERVIEWS and PHOTOS: Thousands enjoy packed Wray Fair finale to Scarecrow Festival
