Rival parties predict 'excellent' and 'difficult' local elections in the South of England

ITV News

24-04-2025

Labour, Lib Dem, Conservative and Reform representatives from the region make their local election predictions on ITV Meridian's The Last Word
Political parties in the South of England are assessing their chances of success on polling day, with a week to go until the local council elections.
All county council seats in Kent and Oxfordshire are up for election on Thursday, 1 May.
Council seats are also being contested on the unitary authorities of Buckinghamshire and Wiltshire.
Liberal Democrat MP, Calum Miller, said the party was "optimistic about these elections" and hopeful of 'excellent results'.
Mr Miller, who represents Bicester and Woodstock in Oxfordshire, told ITV Meridian's The Last Word: 'I hope people will see in their Liberal Democrat candidates local champions who can take forward their interests.
'We're optimistic about these elections. We hope that people will see the difference a Liberal Democrat councillor can make and that we can see some excellent results.'
Oxfordshire County Council has been run by a minority Lib Dem administration since 2021. Kent County Council (KCC) has been Conservative-controlled since 1997.
Reform UK are targeting the county, with party sources talking up their chances of taking control of KCC.
Reform's Gary Markwell told ITV's The Last Word: 'This will be the first time that we have an opportunity to take control of a local council. That would provide an opportunity for Reform to make a mark on local government.'
Labour MP Polly Billington told the monthly political programme that voting for Reform in Kent could present a "real risk" that the Conservatives retain control.
Ms Billington, who represents East Thanet, said: 'It's very clear and important for people to understand that if they vote for Reform, quite often they're going to end up with either a Tory-run county council or one that's supported by Reform.'
Local elections have been postponed by the government for county councils in Essex, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex and Hampshire. Elections have also been delayed for the Isle of Wight Council.
Conservative MP Dame Caroline Dinenage predicted a 'difficult set of elections' for her party.
Pollster Lord Hayward has predicted the Conservatives could lose hundreds of council seats across England.
Polls are open from 7am till 10am on Thursday, 1st May, for council elections in Kent, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Buckinghamshire.
ITV Meridian's monthly political programme, The Last Word, is on ITV1 at 10.45pm on Thursday, 24 April 2025. It is also available on ITVX.