An independent candidate has accused the main parties of giving the Conservatives “a seven seat head start” ahead of the Lichfield District Council elections.
The Tories secured the councillors without a vote being cast after no other candidates came forward in a number of wards.
It comes after Labour councillor Colin Ball – who is again standing in the Curborough ward – warned any votes that went to Green Party or Lib Dem candidates would help the Conservatives retain seats.
But Joanne Grange, who is standing in an independent in the Chadsmead ward having previously been a Tory councillor, said Labour needed to look closer to home for reasons why change may not be coming to the district council.
“I suspect what will have a bigger impact in handing victory to the Conservatives is the failure to put up candidates,” she said.
“From the candidate listing there are already seven Tory councillors that have ‘won’ uncontested seats.
“By failing to oppose all seats the Lib Dems and Labour have given the blue team a seven seat head start.”
Full details of candidates standing in each ward are available here.
