They came, they saw, they debated – but after months of talk it came down to a simple show of hands.

And even then it wasn’t enough.

In a rare move, Brighton and Hove City Council failed to set its budget at the first time of asking.

Politicians, journalists and campaigners will now have to come back in a fewdays time to go through it all again – and hopefully witness a resolution.

If not, then the hefty shadow of local government secretary Eric Pickles will loom over the city as he will decide how to spend our money.

It won’t be pretty.

But even with a couple of days to digest Thursday night’s feast, the fallout still remains incredibly complex.

How can the Greens run the city after “abdicating”

the basic responsibility of setting a budget?

Howcan the Conservatives continue to stick to their guns even though they know they will not get their way?

How can Labour escape the jibes of being the “Tory cuts lite” party?

Temperatures ran high – and that was before the debate even kicked off, partly due to the radiators being cranked up.

Quite why no one raised the idea of turning down the heating dial as a way to save money and potentially some services I will never know.

Green councillor Leo Littman kicked things off with a signal of intent.

“I’m presenting this budget to you as we have no choice. But unless our amendments for a 4.75% increase are agreed I cannot support the budget.”

Council leader Jason Kitcat went on to try to convince people that he was putting city above the ballot box.

Not everyone was convinced – with some claiming his stance meant he was taking a break from running the council.

Ann Norman set out the Conservative position: “Today is another Groundhog Day in Brighton and Hove – another year, another council tax rise.”

Remaining calm and assured, she batted away sarcastic clapping from left-leaning types across the chamber and in the public gallery.

Acouncil tax freeze, lower parking charges, taking money away from trade unions, improve efficiencies – this was typical Tory stuff straight from Thatcher’s textbook.

But there was compassion too – more money for the council’s employer support service Able and Willing and restoring a grant to Pride.

Tory colleague Graham Cox went further, asking his left wing colleagues to “join the revolution”

in looking at what the voluntary and third sector can do for the council. Cuddly Cameron would be proud.

And what about the third party?

Well, when cornered you attack. And Labour group leader Warren Morgan first turned left, blasting the Greens as “out of touch with reality” before directing the usual barbs towards the “nasty” Tories.

Like a lover cast to one side, he asked why the Greens had announced the referendum plan to the national media before talking about it with him.

“Shame on you, shame on you”

he went on before adding a quip that Jim Royle would be proud of: “Financial responsibility – my i360.”.

But deep down it was clear that his party was relying on others to deliver some of its promises, such as a 2% council tax rise.

So where does the budget limbo leave the council and the city?

Well, a quick glimpse around the council chamber as people filed out after a six-hour meeting showed Labour furious, some Greens smiling and one Tory saying what a waste of time.

Unsurprisingly everyone when asked put on a brave face and claimed victory of some sorts.

And unsurprisingly everyone is claiming there is disunity within the other parties.

But the truth is no one, apart from a handful of Tories, want the stalemate to remain.

Something has to give. And the time for egos and electioneering should be put to one side.

One jibe aimed at the ruling Greens was that they had “abdicated responsibility” by not voting through a budget.

But this rings true of all the city’s councillors.

If you’re reading, let’s be clear – you’ve all grabbed your headlines and kudos for sticking to your guns. Now why don’t we ditch the politics and come to a sensible compromise which will allow the city to move forward.

Anything less and Brighton and Hove will be known as the place where Pickles stuffed our local services for years to come.