Labour has been urged to join forces with the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party as part of a plot to oust the Conservative Party at this week’s local elections. Campaigners are calling for tactical voting in the upcoming local elections as part of an attempt to overturn Conservative local council majorities. Campaign group Compass conducted research showing there are 39 councils in the “blue wall” where the Conservative Party won overall control, despite receiving less than 50 percent of the vote.
It described these areas as “tragedy councils”, because a Tory candidate won despite the combined left-leaning vote being higher than votes for right-wing parties.
The group used its research to identify where left-leaning voters would have the best chance of defeating the Conservative Party in their local area.
Local groups affiliated with Compass are having discussions with Labour, Lib Dem and Green organisers ahead of the local elections to reach agreements about transferring campaign resources to whichever candidates are best placed to win.
The party also called on Labour and the Lib Dems to be more “honest” about swapping target sear information and moving resources at elections.
Compass says the research “dispels the myth” of safe Tory councils in the south, claiming the party often only wins majorities there because the progressive vote is split.
Frances Foley, the group’s deputy director, called for tactical voting to oust the Tories.
She said: “We have a multi-party system hiding in plain sight of a first-past-the-post system, which breeds frustration – people don’t feel represented.”
Ms Foley continued: “But there are signs in the last few years that tactical voting is necessary.
“I think you’re going to see it at the local elections this year, and in a big way at the general election.
“We’re pointing out that the Tories are weaker in places you wouldn’t expect.”
Speaking to the Independent, the campaigner continued: “Progressives are getting wilier, getting more organized, and they’re also getting more trusting of each other.
“Co-operation is happening at a local level – but a lot of it is under the radar because the national parties still want to be seen running in absolutely every seat.”
She added: “You’ll get people saying it’s back-door deals in smoke-filled rooms – but the Tories did it to their advantage with the Brexit Party in 2019.
“We’re saying, let’s get smarter about getting more progressives elected and realize we need to change the voting system.”
Pollster Professor Sir John Curtice said there has been growing evidence of anti-Conservative tactical voting in recent years, particularly at last year’s local elections.
He said this could be a problem for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Speaking about the local elections, Sir John said: “The crucial question is how big a factor tactical voting is.
“If it happens [in a big way], then the Tory party could lose well over 1,000 seats in May.”
