Labour won’t capitalise on Tory infighting,while Conservative councillors are in open revolt against their government – and face being reorganised out of existenceConventional political wisdom will be turned on its head in Thursday’s local elections. Normally the official opposition should be confident of making substantial gains, particularly when a governing party is bitterly divided. Labour will not do well.
That is only fraction of a complex undercurrent behind this year’s contests in 54 metropolitan and unitary councils, and 70 smaller districts,plus four mayoral elections in England. The untold story, particularly in the shires, and is the simmering resentment,verging on open revolt, between senior Conservative councillors and the government. They are aghast at arbitrary change being thrust upon their areas – from pushing novel trans-council structures and elected mayors to regressive housing and planning reform – without any discussion. Ministers are edgy, and listening.
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Source: theguardian.com