Newly-empowered county council leader Keith Mitchell is moving fast to cement the Tories' domination of the authority following last week's local elections.

Mr Mitchell has announced that he will be appointing fellow Tories to all key positions on the county's executive. Labour leader Liz Brighouse accuses him of shutting out the opposition.

Now there's a surprise. Not Mr Mitchell's plans, but Mrs Brighouse's objections. After all, wouldn't she do the same if Labour had just swept to power?

Mrs Brighouse would probably say No to that question.

Her concern -- shared by a number of city councillors -- is that a culture of secrecy will develop and the county will become a de facto dictatorship, with Mr Mitchell cutting a dash as 'The Kaiser.'

That must not be allowed to happen and it is the job of the opposition -- and this newspaper -- to see that it does not.

But this is politics and the Tories have just scored a resounding victory.

Now they are out to push through the policies they campaigned on -- and they are clearly aiming to do it with the minimum of interference.

Mrs Brighouse's ire is understandable. But so is Mr Mitchell's triumphant march on County Hall. To the victor, the spoils, as they say.