Councillor Jim Harker was accused of "stifling democracy" after council members were prevented from responding to his 15-minute speech on the achievements of his Conservative administration.

After failing to overturn the gagging order, members of the council's minority Labour group resorted to a symbolic protest, by covering their mouths with plasters and holding up ironic "Silence for Councillor Harker" placards.

During his speech at the council's annual meeting yesterday, Councillor Harker (Con, Kettering Rural) reflected on his party's past 12 months in power.

He described a year of "challenge and success", focusing particularly on developments in social care provision, funding for youth services, improvements in recycling rates and the award of a new highways contract.

He said: "We can be proud that the changes we have made are making a real and positive difference to people's lives and to the world around them.

"We can be confident that as we enter a new council year, the county council is much better placed to meet whatever challenges may lie ahead," Councillor Harker said.

But Labour group leader Jim McGhee and Lib Dem borough councillor Malcolm Mildren had strong words of criticism for Councillor Harker, after being denied the chance to respond to his words. Speaking after the meeting, Councillor McGhee (Lab, Kingswood) said the reality of life in Northamptonshire was very different to how the Conservative leader had described it.

He said: "In this state of the nation address, Councillor Harker has managed to describe the parallel world that is the Northamptonshire of his dreams.

"The rest of us have to exist in the real world of failing services, showing some signs of life but only adequate signs of improving. Our protest was a symbolic way of asking him what he is scared of by stifling debate and democracy and not giving other members the chance to speak."

Councillor Mildren added: "Giving members the right to reply ensures a council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of concern and a basis by which members are able to hold the cabinet to account.

But Councillor Harker defended the decision not to allow others to respond.

He said: "The annual meeting is a largely ceremonial affair and the object was to rise above the yah-boo politics we get at every other council meeting."