THE Conservatives and Liberal democrat groups in Barnet have both said they will look to speak more after the announcement of the coalition government between the two parties.

The Tories hold the majority of seats on Barnet Council, claiming 39 in Thursday's vote, while the Lib Dems lost half and now hold only three in Child's Hill.

Their leader, Councillor Jack Cohen, said it has been an “extraordinary few days” in politics, but said the change would be good for the country.

He told the Times Series: “Locally it's going to be very interesting as I've never seen eye to eye with the local Conservatives' policies.

“I hope the behaviour of our national leaders rubs off locally and they talk to us much more than they have in the past.

“They have a massive majority but I hope this does not make them think they can do as they like. Hopefully they will not just vote down our ideas in council but actually listen to them now.”

He said they would still go against any policies brought in by national Government if they did not agree with them locally.

Council leader Lynne Hillan also said the changes in national government have been interesting and did not rule out loser links with the Lib Dems locally.

She said: “I certainly think we need to be friends. Traditionally the Liberals in Barnet have voted with the Labour Party, but hopefully they will have a change of heart.

“I'm not envisaging making Jack Cohen my deputy leader and we will not be forming a coalition. I think 39 councillors is enough.

“We will certainly be talking to see if we can be more in agreements In view of the national picture we owe it to our parties to have a more friendly tone than in the past.”