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Real politics

Whilst the speculation and gossip has focused on the Prime Minister and his ever changing cabinet, the real politics of winning elections is going on elsewhere in the country.

Whilst there has been enormous spin regarding the decline of the Conservative Party, the local election results in England show a very different story.

The Conservative Party has won an additional seven councils, namely Staffordshire, Lancashire and Derbyshire from Labour (which had run all three since 1981), Devon and Somerset from the Lib Dems, Warwickshire from no overall control and the new Central Bedfordshire unitary authority.

In total, the Conservative Party now has an additional 217 councillors with a local political base from which to campaign for the next general election and, most importantly, they are based across all parts of England. This follows similar successes in Wales last year.

Creating a strong local activist base is what wins close run seats and as supporters desert the Labour Party, this will have a real impact.

That is the real story for today and a result which, although largely ignored by the press, sets the foundation for success when the Prime Minister finally decides to call an election.

Comments

Glyn Davies said…
What is really pleasing is that our party is winning again in the North and South West - countering accusations that we represent just the South East of England. I believe we can also do very well in Wales now, even if I do accept that Scotland remains a big challenge for us.
June 06, 2009 9:38 am
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