Writing for the New Statesman, Political Editor Stephen Bush says that due to the postponement of the ballot last year, May 6 will be the biggest local council election held in England and Wales since 1973.
Not only are a large number of borough councils up for election, but so are county councils, Police and Crime Commissioners and a number of Mayors .
Mr Bush points out that Tunbridge Wells Conservatives are attempting to hold 13 seats and attacking three, and believes the party will ‘comfortably win’.
But he fails to note that there are also three by-elections being held in the borough, with Tory seats in Bidborough & Speldhurst, and Paddock Wood West, as well as a previously independent seat in St James’ also up for election.
In lighthearted analysis of all seats across the country, the Political Editor, mimicking Star Wars character Yoda, wrote of Tunbridge Wells: “Comfortably win this one, the Conservatives (defending 13, attacking three) will. Doing well to hold what they have, the Liberal Democrats (defending two [sic], attacking 14) and Labour (defending one, attacking 15) will be. Speaking like Yoda to add some interest to this otherwise tedious result, I am.”
In 2019, the Tunbridge Wells Conservatives saw their worst local election result in nearly 20 years, losing around a dozen seats, including that belonging to previous leader David Jukes.
The Council’s failed Calverley Square scheme, which also gave rise to the Tunbridge Wells Alliance political party, had been blamed for the voter disquiet.
But the controlling party still has a majority of nine at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, as it holds 28 seats with the other parties holding 19. One of the 48 seats is currently vacant.
May 6 will see 19 seats up for election, 13 Conservative, 3 Lib Dem, 1 Labour, 1 independent, and 1 vacant seat.
The Conservatives need to win at least ten to remain in control.
