AN attempt to turn back the clock to the committee system at Hampshire County Council has been rebuffed.

Opposition councillors want to scrap the Cabinet-style government introduced in 2001 and return to a system where backbenchers had more involvement and power.

Lib Dem, Labour and UKIP councillors won the support of former council leader Ken Thornber but they were defeated 41 to 28.

Councillor David Harrison , Lib Dem member for Totton South and Marchwood, introduced a motion at the annual general meeting: "All backbenchers feel under-utilised and less than engaged and it's disappointing that just about ten out of 78 councillors make all the decisions."

He said the public is shocked to discover that most councillors have no say in the vital decisions.

Cllr Thornber, Conservative member for Brockenhurst, said the cabinet system was foisted on Hampshire by prime minister Tony Blair.

He said the committee system was "very fulfilling, stimulating and challenging for backbenchers. Elected members were disenfranchised by Tony Blair."

Councillors became experts in issues raising the quality of decision-making, he said. One even challenged Lord Denning, a former Master of the Rolls, over a footpath issue in Whitchurch.

But Cllr Mel Kendal, Conservative New Milton, said now was not the time to disrupt the council with such a return when it is facing reorganisation over devolution.

Cllr Adrian Collett, Lib Dem for Yateley, Blackwater and Ancells, said: "Cabinet was imposed on us. The committee system was efficient. Committees were just as quick and efficient and the decisions were much better." We did not need a Cabinet system. What we had was excellent and we should have the confidence to go back to it."