Hundreds of Conservative candidates are standing as 'Local Conservatives' in Thursday's council elections, distancing themselves from Prime Minister Boris Johnson amid the Partygate scandal. Election leaflets seen by the Guardian show candidates across England playing down their Tory affiliations, eschewing pictures of Johnson, and using the alternative title registered by Conservative central office in early 2019.
In Hartlepool, candidates are urging voters: 'Please don’t punish local Conservatives for the mistakes made in Westminster. We are local and proud of where we live.' The Metropolitan police are expected to announce further fines after the elections. More than 5,000 seats are being contested.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said: 'It speaks volumes that Boris Johnson’s own Conservative candidates are ashamed to be associated with him and trying to pull the wool over voters’ eyes.' A senior Tory source stated that CCHQ does not direct local campaigns and that some choose the Local Conservatives brand.
Tory MPs organising against the prime minister say they will renew efforts after Thursday's vote. One former cabinet minister suggested a poor set of results could be the 'tinder' for a leadership challenge, especially if Johnson faces more Partygate fines. Another MP noted that former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has reportedly told friends he is considering running for party leader again.
Some MPs believe Johnson may carry out a lightning reshuffle after the polls and before next week’s Queen’s speech. Conservative MPs who have been canvassing warn of a tough night, particularly in London and southern England. Tory special advisers have been told Wandsworth in south London is the priority area for activists to flood.
Areas where candidates are listed as 'Local Conservatives' include Oxford, Birmingham, Sutton, Elmbridge, and justice secretary Dominic Raab’s constituency of Esher and Walton. A leaflet for Keith Rowe in Birmingham Northfield emphasises a 'straight fight' with Labour, while in Newcastle-under-Lyme, leaflets stress the election is about local not national issues.
