But former Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin lives on today – as leader of Preston City Council.

At least that's what the leader of the opposition reckons.
Labour group leader John Collins made his controversial remark after he was beaten by two votes by Ken Hudson in the race for the council leadership.

Coun Collins, who had a book entitled Young Stalin in front of him, said he was angry at Coun Hudson revealing his new six-person cabinet, including changes to portfolios, without speaking to him beforehand.

In a fiery council meeting, he said: "What has been done today is absolutely outrageous. There's been no consultation of this in the leaders' forum. Isn't the resemblance of this bearded man (Coun Hudson) the same as Stalin?"

Coun Hudson claimed he could not give out the information before he had been re-elected leader.

He later laughed off the resemblance to Joseph Stalin – and preferred to be compared to Joseph from the hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!

He told the Evening Post: "I feel more like another Joseph – one who had a dream. That is that Preston becomes the third city in the North West and Tithebarn regneration goes through successfully.

"He did compare me as I have a beard, but most people compare me with Amos Brearly from Emmerdale. John just descended into a child who spat his dummy out – Stalin is more a reflection on him."

Coun Collins said he was particularly annoyed at "coalition members" chairing committees monitoring the authority.

The new cabinet consists of: Coun Ken Hudson (leader), Coun Eric Fazackerley (resources and deputy leader), Coun Neil Cartwright (development), Coun Anthony Gornall (environment and regeneration), Coun Christine Thomas (leisure, culture and environmental services) and Coun Kate Calder (community safety and engagement).

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