AS a gesture it is certainly grand and intriguing too. The new leader of City of York Council has offered his Labour rival a place on the council's new executive.

Coun Steve Galloway has made an informal approach to Dave Merrett, who was re-elected as his party's group leader last Friday, after Labour's heavy defeat at the local elections.

A number of interesting issues surround this unusual offer. After 20 years of one-party domination, York's council is facing a new future.

Having spent a political eternity in opposition, the Liberal Democrats now find themselves in power. Last Friday we pointed out that the party had moved from theory into practice and would now have to show their mettle.

This opening gambit from Mr Galloway suggests a certain canniness. By inviting the leader of the opposition to play a part in running the city, the Lib Dem leader appears to be ushering in a new era of openness and collaboration. So if Mr Merrett declines Mr Galloway's offer, or is prevented by party rules from accepting, then he is turning down an opportunity that could be for the greater good of York.

Mr Galloway's ground-breaking invitation is apparently designed to increase accountability on the council executive and to avoid the potential for information being withheld from York residents.

If the man from the Labour Party says no, he appears ungracious and unwilling to put aside political differences in the name of unity. But if he concedes, he could be seen as joining the enemy camp.

Smart move, Mr Galloway.

Of course, it is also perfectly possible that on shaking off the dust of opposition, the newly-elected Lib Dems looked around and decided that a bit of experienced help would not go amiss. If Mr Galloway's offer did amount to an admission of relative inexperience, it would suggest a maturity not always to be found in local government.

Updated: 10:39 Tuesday, May 06, 2003