Currently controlled by a minority Labour administration, local political issues in York could lead to losses for the Party. Labour’s majority on the Council was lost following a string of five defections, and the subsequent resignation of the Council and Labour Group Leader, James Alexander.
One of the Labour defectors – who subsequently joined the Liberal Democrats – died in 2014, triggering a by-election, where the Liberal Democrats won the seat with a major swing, decimating the Labour vote. This election was an indication of the impact of the bitter internal issues within the Labour Party in York – and the effect this could have on Party’s 2015 election chances.
With all of the Council’s 47 seats up for election, and the Conservative and Liberal Democrats holding 9 seats each, it could be that one of these parties is able to take advantage of the political issues in York and make gains on May 7.
City of York Council
