Brexit is dominating discussions on the doorstep in Bolton

PARTY activists who have been knocking on doors ahead of tomorrow’s vote say that local issues have been overshadowed by Brexit.

A low turnout is expected as voters are fed up with the mainstream parties, making it impossible to predict the outcome.

A third of the seats at Bolton Council are up for grabs this year which means the ruling Labour-group could lose control.

But the political landscape nationally could affect Conservative chances of taking key seats.

Labour councillor Nick Peel told The Bolton News that Europe has been the biggest issue on the doorstep.

He said: “We are telling people this is a local election about local issues and people do by and large get that. But there’s a lot of frustration about Brexit.”

The Conservative campaign has been focused on ousting Labour who have dominated for four decades.

Tory leader David Greenhalgh said the party has a new set of priorities for the borough but admits that issues like Brexit could affect the result.

He said: “Clearly the national picture has impacted, but we are keeping the message local and stressing the opportunity that exists at these local elections of removing Labour from power.”

Lib Dem leader Roger Hayes has also spoken to many voters about Brexit but said that his party's supporters, who are mostly Remainers, are probably less annoyed than others.

He said: “A lot of people are angry about what’s going on in Parliament – or what’s not going on in Parliament.”

Cllr Hayes, who is confident that his party will make gains at this election, also said that there is a lack of trust in the Labour administration.

Both he and Cllr Greenhalgh reported a general “dissatisfaction” of the Labour-run council on the doorstep.

The Conservatives say they will repair roads, clean up the town and protect Bolton’s green belt if they are in power – a big issue in the west of the borough.

But Labour consider the countryside saved as the council revealed that no houses will be built on the green belt if their plans are passed – although some protected sites could be used for industrial sites.

Labour will be hoping that their plans to regenerate Bolton revealed earlier this year will pay dividends at the polls.

Cllr Peel, who is running Labour’s campaign in Bolton, said that residents have been discussing these plans with him.

He said: “People are aware of the plan for the town centre. They want to talk about it. There’s some scepticism – mostly healthy scepticism – as well as optimism.”

Since the last election, changes have been made to the £1.2 billion masterplan which will now see district town centres in other parts of the borough benefit.

Labour will be hoping that this message will have reached townships like Farnworth, Horwich and Westhoughton where hyper-local parties have sprung up.

Farnworth and Kearsley First already have three seats and could take three more if they beat Labour tomorrow.

Kearsley candidate Paul Heslop said that his party have campaigned on the back of their councillors’ efforts over the past year but blamed their opponents for taking a “nasty approach”.

He said: “We believe that our residents will see right through opponent statements such as ‘deception’ and ‘colluding’ and that voters will choose our positive Party which came about solely to seek fairness for our towns.”

Meanwhile, Horwich and Blackrod First Independents say that residents want change.

Steven Chadwick said: “Many people are fed up with the lack of transparency and accountability and councillors who don’t represent them.

“With everything that has happened both locally in the borough and also nationally with Brexit, there is a lack of trust and many people are looking for an alternative.”

New party Westhoughton First Independents will also be fielding two candidates at these election.

However, Tory leader, Cllr Greenhalgh, warned that the rise of these small parties could benefit Labour.

He said: “The Independent brand is very popular at the moment, but in some wards, be careful, as the anti-Labour vote may be split and allow Labour to hang on. Only the Conservatives have the numbers of councillors to challenge and get Labour out.”

UKIP could also split the vote in some areas as the party stands a chance of picking up votes from Brexit supporters.

However, group leader Sean Hornby, who is up for re-election, said the main concerns on the street are about the lack of a police presence.

People are also concerned about potholes, parks and the lack of youth activities.

He added: “Residents on the streets and the doorstep want a fare allocation of the money they pay to the council and better accountability. They want better value for money for the services we have and they want our town centre to be cleared of the beggars. They also want free parking all year round not just on certain times of the year. They want to have more say on how the Council runs.”

Green Party leader Alan Johnson said the campaign is going well and his group seem to be gaining ground across Bolton.

He said: “We are keen to discuss climate change with electors, we also seem to be gaining ground across Bolton. But we are also wanting to focus on local issues as these are local elections, with special concern by electors being shown about fly-tipping, recycling, and local cuts to budgets, public services, our local NHS.”