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David Cameron launches Conservative local elections campaign Local elections 2013: Cameron attacks 'waste' as he launches campaign
(about 2 hours later)
David Cameron is set to launch the Conservative campaign for the local elections in England. David Cameron has vowed to eradicate council "waste and propaganda," as he launched his party's campaign for local authority elections next month.
The prime minster is expected to appeal for the votes of "hard-working people", during a visit to the Midlands. He contrasted what he described as excessive salaries and perks for Labour councillors with the "good government" of Conservative town halls.
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 on Thursday 2 May.
The Greens will launch their campaign in Oxford later. Labour, Lib Dems and UKIP have already begun campaigning. The Tories are fighting to retain the major gains made in these areas 2009.
At a speech in Warwickshire, Mr Cameron is expected to tell party members: "Remember what we're fighting for. Labour, Lib Dems and UKIP have already begun campaigning for next month's elections - which also include Anglesey in Wales - while the Green Party also launched their campaign on Friday.
'Key achievements' Council tax
"Yes, we're fighting for our councils but it's about more than that. During a visit to Warwickshire, Mr Cameron cited Conservative councils' decision to freeze council tax for the past three years as evidence that the party was on the side of "hard-working people".
"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." The government has encouraged local authorities in England to freeze council tax bills by providing central cash to cushion the cut in real-terms income, although a third of the total have rejected the offer.
Mr Cameron is also expected to hail progress on welfare reform, immigration and cutting income tax. "Here in Warwickshire they've frozen council tax - this year, last year, the year before that," he said. "On average - on a Band D bill, Conservative councils continue to charge lower levels of council taxes than Labour or Lib Dems."
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. And he attacked the record of Labour local authorities, criticising the pay of top officials in Sheffield and suggesting Durham Council had given their staff an annual £12,000 clothing allowance to spend on "Geordie Armani".
They are to include job creation, progress on reducing the deficit, cuts in the income tax threshold and capping benefits. "If you want good government that costs less - vote Conservative," he said. "If you want waste and propaganda - vote Labour. Do not let Labour do to your council what they did to our country."
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 also hailed progress on welfare reform, immigration and cutting income tax, saying the coalition government was "on track" on tackling the country's financial problems.
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'
Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, will also set out her campaign objectives later. It the first time she has led her party in an election campaign, having succeeded MP Caroline Lucas in the job in September. Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, will also set out her campaign objectives later.
The Greens are fielding close to 1,000 candidates in the elections and defending seats they hold in Oxfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk among other places. In 2009, the last time the equivalent seats were contested, they elected 17 councillors.The Greens are fielding close to 1,000 candidates in the elections and defending seats they hold in Oxfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk among other places. In 2009, the last time the equivalent seats were contested, they elected 17 councillors.
The party are campaigning on a platform of opposing government welfare cuts, protecting the green belt, supporting a "living wage", introducing 20mph limits on more roads and stopping the construction of waste incinerators.The party are campaigning on a platform of opposing government welfare cuts, protecting the green belt, supporting a "living wage", introducing 20mph limits on more roads and stopping the construction of waste incinerators.
UKIP are 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.UKIP are 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 are 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.Labour are 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.
When he launched the party's campaign earlier this month, leader Ed Miliband pledged to "stand up for those without power".When he launched the party's campaign earlier this month, leader Ed Miliband pledged to "stand up for those without power".
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".
In the most recent Westminster by-election, in Eastleigh, the Conservatives were pushed into third place behind the Liberal Democrats and UKIP while the Greens did not put up a candidate.In the most recent Westminster by-election, in Eastleigh, the Conservatives were pushed into third place behind the Liberal Democrats and UKIP while the Greens did not put up a candidate.