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| David Cameron launches Conservative local elections campaign | David Cameron launches Conservative local elections campaign |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| David Cameron is set to launch the Conservative campaign for the local elections in England. | David Cameron is set to launch the Conservative campaign for the local elections in England. |
| The prime minster is expected to appeal for the votes of "hard-working people", during a visit to the Midlands. | The prime minster is expected to appeal for the votes of "hard-working people", during a visit to the Midlands. |
| Elections will be held for 27 county councils and seven unitary authorities in England, along with Anglesey in Wales, on Thursday 2 May. | Elections will be held for 27 county councils and seven unitary authorities in England, along with Anglesey in Wales, on Thursday 2 May. |
| The Greens will launch their campaign in Oxford later. Labour, Lib Dems and UKIP have already begun campaigning. | The Greens will launch their campaign in Oxford later. Labour, Lib Dems and UKIP have already begun campaigning. |
| At a speech in Warwickshire, Mr Cameron is expected to tell party members: "Remember what we're fighting for. | At a speech in Warwickshire, Mr Cameron is expected to tell party members: "Remember what we're fighting for. |
| "Yes, we're fighting for our councils but it's about more than that. | "Yes, we're fighting for our councils but it's about more than that. |
| "We're rebuilding our country. Backing hard-working people. Making this a country where if you work hard and do the right thing, you will get on." | "We're rebuilding our country. Backing hard-working people. Making this a country where if you work hard and do the right thing, you will get on." |
| 'Key achievements' | 'Key achievements' |
| Mr Cameron is also expected to hail progress on welfare reform, immigration and cutting income tax. | Mr Cameron is also expected to hail progress on welfare reform, immigration and cutting income tax. |
| Aides said he would also insist Tory-led town halls run better services and highlight what he sees as key achievements of the coalition administration in Westminster. | Aides said he would also insist Tory-led town halls run better services and highlight what he sees as key achievements of the coalition administration in Westminster. |
| They are to include job creation, progress on reducing the deficit, cuts in the income tax threshold and capping benefits. | They are to include job creation, progress on reducing the deficit, cuts in the income tax threshold and capping benefits. |
| Mr Cameron is also expected to highlight the government's scheme to encourage local authorities in England to freeze council tax bills by providing central cash to cushion the cut in real-terms income. | Mr Cameron is also expected to highlight the government's scheme to encourage local authorities in England to freeze council tax bills by providing central cash to cushion the cut in real-terms income. |
| But although it has helped keep the average rise to a below-inflation 0.8% across the country this year, many Conservative authorities are among the third of the total which have rejected the offer. | But although it has helped keep the average rise to a below-inflation 0.8% across the country this year, many Conservative authorities are among the third of the total which have rejected the offer. |
| 'Significant gains' | 'Significant gains' |
| The Conservatives came third, behind UKIP and the Liberal Democrats, in the most recent Westminster by-election, in Eastleigh, Hampshire, triggered by Chris Huhne's resignation and subsequent jailing for perverting the course of justice. | |
| UKIP is fielding a record number of candidates in the 2 May poll. Leader Nigel Farage said his party would "establish a bridgehead" in county councils across England. | |
| Labour is expected to make significant gains among the 2,449 seats up for grabs as they were last fought for in 2009, when Gordon Brown's government was unpopular nationally. | |
| Leader Ed Miliband pledged to "stand up for those without power", as he launched the party's campaign earlier this month. | Leader Ed Miliband pledged to "stand up for those without power", as he launched the party's campaign earlier this month. |
| Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg began the Lib Dems' campaign on Monday. | Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg began the Lib Dems' campaign on Monday. |
| Speaking during a visit to Kendal in Cumbria, he said the party had the "right priorities in tough times" and had proved it could be relied upon to deliver local services "as fairly as possible". | Speaking during a visit to Kendal in Cumbria, he said the party had the "right priorities in tough times" and had proved it could be relied upon to deliver local services "as fairly as possible". |