County Council Elections - What the candidates are saying

Date published: 31 May 2009

It's a generation since Labour took control of Lancashire. But since the party swept to victory in the county's local elections of 1981, here in the Red Rose county the party is looking over its shoulder with mounting trepidation at a new life in opposition for the first time in many people's political memories.

For David Cameron, success in Lancashire, one of only four county councils remaining under Government control, holds out the prospect of a renaissance in Northern England – a battleground where he must triumph if he is to win power in the general election next year.

To underscore his determination, Mr Cameron has made three visits to the North West in recent weeks. Labour, by contrast, is accused of running scared, with top brass ordered to stay clear of the territory for fear of contaminating the local brand. Labour activists privately admit to a "difficult" campaign.

Ms Hazel Harding, the Labour leader of Lancashire Council, who won her seat in the North Rossendale ward in 1985, comes from a tradition of powerful women forged in the cauldron of the region's politics

But defending the slimmest of majorities in her own seat, Ms Harding is realistic about Labour chances this week, and faces the prospect of defeat with both sorrow and anger.

"I see the things that we have done and the things that we still want to do – become efficient, move towards greater localisation – and to not have the opportunity, and to see some of the services we have built up lost will be very, very sad," she said.

She insists that Labour has worked harder in this campaign than ever before, defending its 43 seats on the county council compared to the Conservative tally of 33. Labour's majority, now down to four, has been steadily eroded by boundary changes.

Ms Harding, a former journalist, says: "I wanted our campaign to be a local campaign to reflect Labour in Lancashire. Seeing a Cabinet minister or a senior MP swanning through the town – I am not sure that will help."

The man who hopes to succeed Ms Harding in control of Lancashire's £600m annual budget and overseeing services to its electorate of one million, is the former Preston City Council chief executive, Geoff Driver, who is now Conservative group leader.

His party clearly scents victory, not just in the county council but in a significant proportion of the 12 Labour-held parliamentary seats within geographical Lancashire. 

ANYONE wondering how seriously the Tories are taking next week’s County Hall elections need only look at some of the names that have visited Lancashire in recent weeks.

It reads like a who’s who of the Conservative Party - leader David Cameron has been a regular visitor, launching the Euro election campaign in Rossendale.

Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague, Shadow Chancellor George Osborne and Home Affairs Spokesman Chris Grayling have also been in town.

And the entire shadow cabinet gathered for a meeting at County Hall in March, in a move the council’s Labour rulers branded a “publicity-seeking gimmick.”

Group leader Geoff Driver, who will be defending a seat in Preston, insisted the big hitters were “well-briefed” on local policies, and promised to fight the election on Lancashire issues rather than capitalise on Labour’s poor national opinion poll ratings.

He said: “The visits are a consequence of the fact that Lancashire County Council is the number one target for the Conservative Party. “But we are not knocking on door saying ‘vote for me to get rid of Gordon Brown.’

Coun Driver, who ousted previous Tory leader Michael Welsh a year ago, added: “We have had to counter the message that ‘you are all the same’, and I have had to talk about what MPs are up to. But people are welcoming the line that David Cameron is taking.”

Labour currently has 43 seats to the Conservatives’ 33. The Liberal Democrats have four, with two independents.

Lib Dem Group leader David Whipp said he expected his party to play a crucial role, if the battle between Labour and the Conservatives results in a no overall majority situation.

The Lib Dems currently have four councillors, but West Craven Cllr Whipp, one of the most vocal critics of the ruling Labour group at council meetings, said he was confident of increasing his share.

He said: “We are confident we will get into double figures.

“We also think there’s a very strong possibility that the county council will be balanced, and obviously we will use that influence for the best interests of Lancashire residents.

“Clearly the furore over MPs’ expenses has dominated a lot of the discussion on the doorsteps, but people are also interested in local issues.”

A hung council would raise fears that County Hall would run less efficiently, with decisions taking longer to be reached as different factions fight for their positions.

But Coun Whipp, who recalls the last time no party had an overall majority from 1985 to 1989, insisted this would not be the case.

He added: “I don’t think this would happen at all. We have clear policy priorities and would like to see them implemented.”

 In Whitworth, there is a new political party fielding a candidate for the County for the first time - Community First. Alan Neal, the candidate, has been involved in local politics for 22 years, and is passionate about 'putting people before politics'.

He says: 'The challenge is to take control of all local issues and concerns, and the change is to elect a candidate who will make the County Council accountable to our local community. Community First offers you this opportunity. If we work together we can make a difference – but only with your help.'