Theresa May says Notts is ‘county of contrast’ as she launches Conservative local election bid

Theresa May described Nottinghamshire as a ‘county of contrasts’ as she visited Calverton to launch the Conservative bid to win the County Council election.

The Prime Minister was at Calverton Village Hall to support local members in their bid to win the May 4 poll in Nottinghamshire.

Her visit on Thursday (March 6) came two days after Jeremy Corbyn launched Labour’s campaign in Newark.

The presence of both in a short space of time indicates councillors are expecting a close fight which many commentators could use as a ‘health check’ for both parties.

Although traditionally a left-leaning county, the Nottinghamshire County Council elections are often close and the area is seen as a key battleground politically.

The Prime Minister described the area of a ‘county of contrasts’ – hinting at its political and economic divisions.

“We are determined to make sure that the priorities of ordinary working people across Britain are the priorities of our national Government in Westminster, so we can build together a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few,” said Mrs May.

“And in these important local elections, we are equally determined to ensure that the concerns of local residents are the chief concern of councils and mayors across Britain, so that no part of our country is left behind and every community can thrive and prosper.”

Kay Cutts, leader of the Conservative group at Nottinghamshire County Council, will be fighting on May 4 to regain control of the authority after losing out to Labour, led by Alan Rhodes, in the last county poll in 2013.

Kay-Cutts-Nottinghamshire-County-Council
Kay Cutts is bidding to win back control of the county from Labour.

“The last time I had an opportunity to run Nottinghamshire County Council, we actually did a tremendous amount, which the Prime Minister recognised this morning, not only freezing council tax, and saving money, but providing better services and I want to do that again for people in Nottinghamshire.”

Nottinghamshire voters will be asked on May 4 to decide who should represent them on the County Council, which is currently Labour-controlled by an 11-seat majority over the Conservatives.

And people are being asked to check their poll cards – because many district boundaries have moved along with polling stations.

The changes mean the total number of county councillors will reduce from 67 to 66 with nearly all the divisions changing in name, size or both.