Blackfire Posted April 16, 2023 Posted April 16, 2023 The local elections on Thursday 4 May are big both in terms of size and significance. Thirty-two out of 34 councils in the North West are being contested, with 17 being all-out elections, with every seat up for grabs rather than only one third. This means control of several local authorities could change hands, altering the face of politics in our region. Professor of Politics at the University of Liverpool Jon Tonge said: "Only a fool would make definite predictions about what's going to happen in these local elections. "There's a lot of uncertainty associated with them but these are probably the biggest set of local elections we've seen in the North West in terms of the size and number of council seats being contested." But they're also significant nationally. With a general election 18 months away, they'll be a real indication of how voters are feeling. Of the 32 councils being contested, Labour are defending 18 whole the Conservatives are battling to stay in control of the four they run in Lancashire. Ten are under no overall control - meaning there's either a minority administration or a coalition. Labour need to do well and will hope to take some of those 'under no overall control' local authorities like Bolton, Burnley, Hyndburn, West Lancashire, Wirral, Cheshire West and Chester, and South Ribble. If they can make gains here, it would help leader Sir Keir Starmer feel more confident about getting his hands on the keys to Number 10 next autumn. "Labour needs to take back overall control of about five councils," Prof Tonge says. "That really is the benchmark that they are making adequate progress, that they can be confident at the next general election." The Conservatives should be confident of holding on to Wyre, Fylde and Ribble Valley, but there could be a real battle for Pendle. The Tories are defending six of their 17 seats there and Labour party bosses have eyes on them. Should the Conservatives hold on in Pendle, it will give Rishi Sunak real confidence that his party still has a real chance at the general election. "If the Conservatives can hold Pendle, then Rishi Sunak will be cock-a-hoop," Prof Tonge explained, "because that's a sign that Labour cannot inflict damage upon the Conservatives." He thinks the Tories will also be watching their overall level of seats in councils which are having big all-out contests. "Like in Bolton, where you have a Conservative minority administration running the council, can the Tories stay in charge albeit under no overall control?" [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-65277014]
Premium
Recommended Posts