Opposition parties will not form a rainbow coalition to oust Brighton and Hove City Council's all-Conservative cabinet and its leader Mary Mears.

Mooted plans for Labour, the Green Party and Liberal Democrats to unite to take over the council's key roles have been axed.

They were scrapped after Greens voted against any formal allegiance between themselves and other parties because they wanted to maintain a distinct identity.

Labour yesterday lambasted the Greens for wasting an opportunity to remove the Tories from power, saying it could have stopped feared job cuts and improved public services.

Labour leader Gill Mitchell said: "The Greens have said that they aren’t willing to compromise their fundamental beliefs, however we live in a real world and real politics is full of compromises.

“Right now councillors of all parties should be looking to create a stable and reliable future for the city."

Rumours of a coalition spread ahead of a by-election in Hove last month.

Green Alexandra Phillips won the previously Conservative seat, giving the opposition parties enough combined votes to oust the Tories.

In June party leaders said a coalition was possible but insiders said a bitterly fought by-election had deepened already hostile relations..

Green members voted overwhelmingly against a coalition either to control the cabinet or as a cross-party opposition.

Group convenor Councillor Bill Randall said: "After discussion with all parties, the Green Party has decided Green councillors can better serve the city through championing Green policies as a free, stand-alone Green group.

“The Tory grip on the council has already been loosened and the changed political balance has seen our influence grow.

"We believe a cross party coalition would be unworkable and unstable at this point given our significant disagreements with Labour.

However we are confident we can work effectively with all parties on a case-by-case basis."

He said Greens would push for the implementation of policies including more city centre schools and a citywide 20mph speed limit.

They are now joint second largest group on the council alongside Labour. Each have 13 of the 54 seats. With the Lib Dems, who have two seats, they could muster 28 votes, enough to beat the 25 Conservatives and Independent Jayne Bennett, who votes with them.

Labour deputy leader Pat Hawkes accused the Greens of failing to step up from being a protest group.

She said: "It is very easy to criticise those in power if you have never been a position of power."

But regardless of their differences Labour and Green councillor are expected to collaborate on issues, particularly when it comes to the council's budget.

Councillor Mears said she never believed a coalition was realistic. She said the by-election would not have a significant impact on the running of the council.

She added: "We have always worked as a minority administration so that is not a change for us. It will be interesting and I'm sure groups are having discussions on how they go forward but at the end of the day we all have a responsibility to the tax-payers and will take that seriously.

"There will be a lot of conversations to have between the parties, particularly on issues like the budget."