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LibDems challenge Labour across County Durham

A fine body of men and women: Liberal Democrat candidates meet on the steps of County Hall.

“Times have changed” – LibDem leader

 

Durham City Council leader Fraser Reynolds, chairman of the Durham County Liberal Democrat Federation, said: “For far too long, Labour have had all their own way in this county. They have retained control only because of old party loyalties, not because they were particularly good. Now times have changed and people are totally fed-up with being let down and taken for granted. The Liberal Democrats are now offering a real alternative and will be contesting seats right across the county, from Chester le Street t Bishop Auckland and from Consett to Easington.”

 

Nigel Martin, leader of the Lib Dems on Durham County Council, said: “Labour are now in total disarray. We have proved that we can run Durham City Council well and get re-elected. We have selected some outstanding candidates. We are up for the fight. We aim to give Labour the shock of their lives on May 1.” [Northern Echo 3rd April 2008].

 

Tories admit they can’t win

 

The Conservatives, who hold just two seats on Durham County Council, have admitted they cannot win control of the new Unitary County Council, to be elected on 1st May – but they have a funny way of putting it. “The Liberal Democrats have no chance of running the new council, so voters can choose Conservative with confidence” they say.

 

We say, there is an outside chance that Liberal Democrats will win a majority of seats on 1st May, but we are confident that we can and will take away Labour’s overall majority and end decades of “one party rule” in County Durham. Only the Liberal Democrats can do this. The Tories cannot make this claim. They finished third in last year’s Sedgefield by-election, and they are certain to finish no higher than third (and more probably fourth) on 1st May.

 

Unable to predict any Tory gains from Labour, all the Conservatives can do is to try and stop the Liberal Democrats winning – and thus help Labour stay in control! Funny old world, isn’t it?

 

Not only have the Liberal Democrats won control of Durham City and Newcastle City councils, in both cases the public have voted them back in at the following election. There are far more Liberal Democrat councillors than Tories in the county, and the LibDems are fielding 40 per cent more candidates than the Tories.