1998 Cheltenham Borough Council election explained

The 1998 Cheltenham Council election took place on 7 May 1998 to elect members of Cheltenham Borough Council in Gloucestershire, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Liberal Democrats stayed in overall control of the council.[1]

After the election, the composition of the council was

Campaign

Before the election the Liberal Democrats held 32 of the 41 seats on the council and were guaranteed to remain in control of the council with only 13 seats being contested.[2] They were defending most of the seats up for election, while another 3 were held by the People Against Bureaucracy Action Group.[2] These 3 seats included 2 where Liberal Democrats councillors had defected to People Against Bureaucracy.[2] Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrat leader of the council, Alistair Cameron, stood down at the election.[2]

The campaign saw the Conservatives attack the Liberal Democrats for the level of council tax in Cheltenham and for wasting money.[3]

Notes and References

  1. News: Policy and politics: Local Elections: Analysis: Council poll results . The Guardian. 16 . 1998-05-09 .
  2. News: Stephen . Harrison . Close contest as Labour battles to stay in control. Voters across the Midlands go to the polls next Thursday May 7. Today, Local Government Correspondent Stephen Harrison looks at the looming ballot battle in Gloucestershire. . . 4 . 1998-04-30 .
  3. News: Tories on warpath over Ashdown party's council tax record . . 6 . 1998-04-21 .