A PARISH councillor who stood for the district council because he was sick of party politics getting in the way of the decision making process has found himself playing a pivotal role between the two main parties.

Voters elected 19 Liberal Democrats and 19 Conservatives to West Wiltshire District Council in last week's local elections and the balance of power now rests on the shoulders of four independent and two labour members. Hilperton parish councillor, Ernie Clark, is one independent who is refusing to pledge his support to either party, meaning his vote could hold considerable weight in decisions.

He said: "It is an unexpected situation I must admit but my whole ethos is that party politics isn't right at district council level.

"I don't think that either party has a monopoly on good ideas and I intend to vote on an issue by issue basis.

"I was elected on an independent platform and I would be selling myself and everyone else out if I was to join either the Liberals or the Conservatives."

To gain control of the council one of the parties needs to be able to secure 23 votes, needing to get four members from outside their party to give them support.

The other independents are Tony Philips, Christopher Newbury and John Syme and the Labour members are Eli Manasseh and William Cox. Cllr Philips, who represents the Weavers ward, claims he hasn't been approached by either the Lib Dems or the Tories but that he will refuse to throw in his lot with either of the main parties.

He said: "I look at it in this light my electorate gave me a good majority because they believe in me as an independent.

"I feel personally that we all have a responsibility to represent the people of west Wiltshire and if we get into these political shenanigans we won't do that."

John Syme, the independent member for Warminster West said that he will consider supporting one of the main parties.

He said: "The Tories haven't approached me but the Lib Dems have made me an offer."

"We have got to decide to support one or the other if the council is going to work, if we don't then nothing will get done."

Council spokesman Louise Knox said: "As far as the authority is concerned the political parties are discussing the options available for forming and administration and they have until the full council meeting on Wednesday to decide that.

"In the meantime officers will continue to follow the policies set by the old administration."

The independent members were due to meet this week to discuss the way forward.