Local Elections 2024: Tories Face ‘Tough Election’ as Reform UK Gains Momentum
The Conservative Party is bracing itself for a challenging set of local elections on Thursday, with voters in parts of England heading to the polls to elect councillors and mayors. According to Lord Houchen, the Tories are facing an "extremely tough election" as they battle for votes against not only Labour, but also Reform UK, a right-of-centre party that is "eating away" at the Tory vote.
In an interview, Lord Houchen warned that Reform UK’s growing support could have a significant impact on the election outcome. "They are facing another right-of-centre party, which is eating away at their vote," he said. This sentiment was echoed by Labour, who are also facing a challenge from Reform UK. The party has seen its support in national polls grow since last year’s general election, posing a threat to both the Tories and Labour.
Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden acknowledged that it was not "unusual" for governments not to do well in local elections, but insisted that Labour would be "working for every vote". He told the BBC that Labour had "inherited a difficult situation" but that the country was "beginning to see something of a turnaround", citing falling NHS waiting lists and the introduction of breakfast clubs in schools.
The Green Party is also hoping to make gains in the local elections, with co-leader Carla Denyer expressing confidence that her party would increase its number of councillors for the eighth year in a row. She told the BBC that people felt "let down" by Labour and the Conservatives and were looking for an alternative. "While some people are looking at Reform for that, a lot of people are thinking, well I don’t just want to vote for division and rhetoric, I want to vote for some hard working local Green councillors who are actually going to fix things," she added.
The local elections are being closely watched, with many pundits seeing them as a barometer for the parties’ performance in the run-up to the next general election. According to the BBC, the Tories are facing a tough battle to hold on to their council seats, with Reform UK’s growing popularity posing a significant threat. Labour, meanwhile, is hoping to make gains and build on its recent successes.
As the polls open on Thursday, voters will be casting their ballots for councillors and mayors in parts of England. The outcome will be closely watched by all parties, with many seeing it as a crucial test of their popularity. As the BBC reports, the local elections are a key indicator of the parties’ performance and could have significant implications for the future of British politics.
The local elections are also significant as they mark a crucial test of the parties’ ability to connect with voters at a local level. With many voters feeling disillusioned with the main parties, the Greens and Reform UK are hoping to capitalize on this sentiment and make gains. As Carla Denyer noted, "people are looking for an alternative" and are willing to consider smaller parties that offer a different approach.
This election will demonstrate the true public perception of these parties and will remain a subject of much debate long after.
