Speaking at the Conservative Party’s recent spring conference in Blackpool, chairman Oliver Dowden has said that a “two-year election campaign” will begin with May’s local elections.
The next general election will not take place until 2024, but many Conservatives are concerned about making losses on the ground in the upcoming local polls following a string of recent controversies, including the well-documented partygate scandal.
Dowden warned of a “seat-by-seat” battle in two years’ time when the nation next elects its MPs, compared to the landslide seen in the 2019 general election.
Despite a more closely contested election being expected, Dowden explained that the party would set out a target-seat strategy as it goes in search of an unprecedented fifth consecutive general election victory.
Dowden told the conference: “Of course, we face a tough path through the locals and onto the next general election.
“We will be seeking a fifth Conservative win. A feat never achieved before. And the challenge starts this May.”
Dowden went on to say that there will be a “big open call” for Conservative candidates for the upcoming elections, with the party looking for individuals with “wide-ranging life experiences” to run.
“Our candidates must reflect the new Conservative party: the party of Darlington and Doncaster, as much as Devon and Dorset,” Dowden said.
The local council elections are being held on May 5 in England, Scotland and Wales, with the Northern Ireland Assembly elections going ahead on the same day.
The Labour Party has played down expectation of huge gains in the local polls, while the Liberal Democrats enter the local elections with confidence after historically winning the long Conservative held North Shropshire seat in a recent by-election contest.
Image taken from Wikimedia Commons
