19 April 2002
The Conservative Party chose to launch its offensive from Bradford on April 15, signalling its attempt to try to move away from its image of 'true blue' middle England. 'There is a refocus away from the traditional Tory areas of the shires,' a spokesman for the Conservative Party told Public Finance. 'The key to this campaign is to try to spread the message of our successes in authorities throughout the country. We are no longer a party of rural councils.'
With more than 5,000 seats being contested, representing around 22.4 million of England's 37.3 million electorate, the Tories are expecting to make only 'realistic' inroads. They are targeting around 28 councils where they have a chance of gaining control, including Bradford, which they currently run with the support of the Liberal Democrats.
Croydon is also on their list, as is the Wirral, currently held by Labour by just three seats and liable to be pushed into no overall control. According to party sources, the Tories expect to gain between 150 and 200 seats, putting them on schedule to take control of the Local Government Association next year.
The Liberal Democrats are also expecting gains in Old Labour areas such as the metropolitan and London boroughs. Southwark is top of the hit-list of councils likely to fall to the Lib Dems, while Kingston upon Hull and Kirklees are potential major gains. The party is also targeting Norwich, Milton Keynes, Cheltenham and Eastbourne.
Launching their campaign, also on April 15, the LibDems chose to focus on Labour's 'centralist' tendencies and pledged to devolve more power to local communities. 'Less ringfencing and micro-management from Whitehall will mean more freedom for local councils to act on voters' priorities,' said Don Foster, LibDem spokesman for transport, local government and the regions.
The elections on May 2 include the first polls for directly elected mayors in Watford, Doncaster, Hartlepool, Lewisham, North Tyneside, Middlesbrough and Newham. There are also mayoral referendums in five areas.
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