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Sun refuses to back any party in local elections Sun refuses to back any party in local elections
(5 months later)
The Sun has broken with decades of tradition and refused to back any political party for council elections being held across England and Wales.The Sun has broken with decades of tradition and refused to back any political party for council elections being held across England and Wales.
As millions of Britons prepared to vote on Thursday, the Sun told its readers that "none of the big four deserves our support". It will be seen as a major blow to David Cameron's Conservative party, which famously enjoyed the support of Rupert Murdoch's tabloid in the 2010 general election.As millions of Britons prepared to vote on Thursday, the Sun told its readers that "none of the big four deserves our support". It will be seen as a major blow to David Cameron's Conservative party, which famously enjoyed the support of Rupert Murdoch's tabloid in the 2010 general election.
Instead, the paper urged its readers to "vote local" and judge individual candidates on their own merits.Instead, the paper urged its readers to "vote local" and judge individual candidates on their own merits.
The paper said in its leader column: "The Sun is not going to tell you how to vote today. From our very first paper, 44 years ago, we have always remained politically independent. We have never served any set party – and we never will. Sometimes we endorsed Labour or the Tories at election times. But today, as 18 million people have the chance to elect new local councils, none of the big four deserves our support."The paper said in its leader column: "The Sun is not going to tell you how to vote today. From our very first paper, 44 years ago, we have always remained politically independent. We have never served any set party – and we never will. Sometimes we endorsed Labour or the Tories at election times. But today, as 18 million people have the chance to elect new local councils, none of the big four deserves our support."
The Sun, which is Britain's biggest-selling national title and holds great sway in Westminster, described the decision by many local governments to defy the prime minister's demand to freeze council tax as unacceptable.The Sun, which is Britain's biggest-selling national title and holds great sway in Westminster, described the decision by many local governments to defy the prime minister's demand to freeze council tax as unacceptable.
The paper gave a damning indictment of Labour, saying Ed Miliband's recent public outings were shambolic and claiming that the party was "still in complete denial about the economic mess they created when in power".The paper gave a damning indictment of Labour, saying Ed Miliband's recent public outings were shambolic and claiming that the party was "still in complete denial about the economic mess they created when in power".
Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats were described as being "as two-faced as they ever were", cutting budgets in Westminster but complaining about it on a local level.Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats were described as being "as two-faced as they ever were", cutting budgets in Westminster but complaining about it on a local level.
In a guarded endorsement of Ukip, the Sun praised leader Nigel Farage's "admirable plain talking" but described the party as a "chaotic mob that mistakenly puts forward so many fruitcakes and extremists".In a guarded endorsement of Ukip, the Sun praised leader Nigel Farage's "admirable plain talking" but described the party as a "chaotic mob that mistakenly puts forward so many fruitcakes and extremists".
The tabloid said: "Who you choose today must be a local decision, not a national one. Read the leaflets. Listen to what all the actual candidates are telling you, and judge them individually. Did they deliver on their 2009 promises? Have they the right priorities for the next four years? Let them all win back our faith the hard way. One by one, from the bottom up."The tabloid said: "Who you choose today must be a local decision, not a national one. Read the leaflets. Listen to what all the actual candidates are telling you, and judge them individually. Did they deliver on their 2009 promises? Have they the right priorities for the next four years? Let them all win back our faith the hard way. One by one, from the bottom up."
Elections are being held for 27 English county councils and seven unitary authorities, as well as in Anglesey in Wales, amounting to more than 2,300 seats across England. The Tories fear they may lose up to 500 seats.Elections are being held for 27 English county councils and seven unitary authorities, as well as in Anglesey in Wales, amounting to more than 2,300 seats across England. The Tories fear they may lose up to 500 seats.
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