Labour Councillor Katie Corrigan leaves after serving as chairman of Durham County Council. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT FOUNDATIONS of an unlikely new political structure have been laid after Labour’s once rock-solid support across County Durham crumbled. A seismic political earthquake, one almost impossible to overstate, has exposed fault lines in public opinion and Wednesday’s historic county council meeting cemented in place a new cross-party alliance. Rival leaders outmanoeuvred the existing ruling party when Labour lost its majority in elections earlier this month and former council chief Simon Henig stood down. Agreements between Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and three separate independent groups, meant Labour’s 53 councillors were left without allies to help them achieve the majority of 64 they needed to retain control of Durham County Council.