AT last, the stalemate is over. For it looks like Swindon Council has finally reached a compromise over who will take charge of the authority.

Credit, on this occasion, must go to the Tories for standing aside and letting Labour, the party with the majority of seats, take charge following the indecisive election results earlier this month.

There is no doubt that the image of the council would have been tarnished further had the bitter behind-the-scenes wrangling been allowed to continue.

But this, of course, is where the hard work begins.

The people of Swindon have been let down too many times by the three parties which run the council.

The lack of compromise and the backbiting is, in part, responsible for the desperate state of affairs the council finds itself in today.

You could say that is politics, of course. And not many people would cherish being in Sue Bates' shoes.

But if this authority is to turn itself around and face the challenges ahead getting education, social services, and the transport system back on track as well as avoid being labelled a failing authority, then now is the time to get a grip.