CONSERVATIVES in Darlington have condemned their Labour counterparts for delaying an announcement on the party's new leader until after the council elections.

Council leader John Williams will step down as leader and councillor at May's election, after 22 years at the helm of the authority.

However, there are no plans for Labour to announce a successor until after the election, to give newly-elected councillors a say on their group leader.

The Conservative group has criticised the decision, comparing it to when Heather Scott took over from Tony Richmond as the Conservative leader in Darlington in 2007.

Councillor Scott said: "Labour's approach to leadership defies credibility. People want to know who would lead the Labour group after the local election.

"Different politicians have different approaches to the problems people face, and in modern politics the man or woman at the top is increasingly answerable to the voters.

"Labour attacked us four years ago when we changed our leader in advance of the local election, but we were open and honest with local voters and they rewarded us with a sharply increased vote.

"We want to know the character and credibility of the person Labour believes should lead our town."

Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Martin Swainston said: "It does seem a little bit rich that they are going to be holding the elections without a leader in place.

"Maybe there is an ulterior motive about who is going to steer the ship.

"If they aren't going to announce who is going to be leader, they will be shooting themselves in the foot."

In response, Councillor Williams said: "The Tories didn't change their leader 'openly and honestly' before the last local elections.

"They did it for dubious reasons over a quiet Christmas and new year holiday period when they thought nobody would notice.

"I will continue to lead the Labour group in Darlington with all my usual vigour until the new leader is elected after the elections from the talented and experienced team that everyone knows that we have.

"It is only right and proper that all the newly-elected councillors have a say on who their new leader will be.

"Quite clearly, they could not do that if the leadership election was held now. "