Manchester Council Elections: Labour's Grip on Power Put to Test

Strategic Insights -

Labour has dominated Manchester city council for three decades, but the Liberal Democrats are vying to take control after the May 4 elections. The Tories, however, are unlikely to make a comeback, having not held a seat in the council since 1992. The Liberal Democrats have been buoyed by a surge in support from anti-war voters and a notable victory in the Withington parliamentary constituency in 2005. As Labour leader Richard Leese prepares to defend his position, the battle for control is heating up.

Key Takeaways:

  • Labour has held a majority of 57 seats on Manchester city council for 30 years, but the Liberal Democrats aim to take control with a concerted effort in the May 4 elections.
  • The Liberal Democrats have 38 seats on the council, with ambitions to win 23 out of 32 seats to gain control, but they have never won more than 13 seats in a single election.
  • The Tories have not held a seat in the council since 1992 and have lost their last councillor in 1996, with their best hope being a win in the Brooklands ward.
  • Labour is defending 19 seats in the elections, while the Liberal Democrats are fighting to defend 13 seats.
  • The Liberal Democrats have been boosted by their 2005 general election victory in the Withington constituency, where candidate John Leech won with a 17.3% swing.

Statistics:

  • Labour has held a majority of 57 seats on Manchester city council for 30 years.
  • The Liberal Democrats currently hold 38 seats on the council.
  • The Tories have not won a seat on the council since 1992.
  • Labour is defending 19 seats in the elections.
  • The Liberal Democrats are defending 13 seats in the elections.
  • The Liberal Democrats won 17.3% of the vote and overturned an 11,500 Labour majority in the Withington parliamentary constituency in 2005.

Sources:

  • [The Times] "Vote blue, go green, say the Tories. But in Manchester the best the party can hope for only is the smallest flash of blue among the red and yellow."
  • The Guardian "Liberal Democrats claim they could take control of Manchester city council"
  • The Lancashire Telegraph "Tories 'unlikely to win' in council elections"