The battle for Stockton-on-Tees

Stockton-on-Tees is a unitary authority with all the seats up for election on May 5. It is run by a Conservative/Labour coalition. There are 13 Conservatives and 22 Labour councillors also five Lib dems and 16 others made up of the Thornaby Independent Association, the Ingelby Barwick Independent Society and the Billingham Independent Association.

The Council has a Conservative leader and it has done a good job in finding savings without cutting services - for instance in reviewing underused buildings.

The Stockton South seat was gained by the Conservatives in the General Election last year. The new MP James Wharton has been campaigning hard for our Council candidates for the elections this year. The Conservative manifesto emphasises cost effectiveness and sensitive planning policies.