LOCAL ELECTIONS 2012: Bolton Council preview

By Carrie Smith and Shanna McGoldrick

It has been a winter of discontent for Bolton residents and tonight’s election results may reflect that.

Since the last election, the council have announced an £18m package of spending cuts in addition to the previous £42m announced.

A third of all Bolton’s libraries are expected to close despite 15,000 people signing a petition against the move.

One in five council jobs could also be axed under the proposed cuts.

Big hitters are up for election, including Labour leader Cliff Morris for the Halliwell seat and Liberal Democrat leader Roger Hayes for the Smithills seat.

The Conservatives could really struggle to maintain seats in Breightmet, Darcy Lever and Little Lever, Horwich and Blackrod, Westhoughton North and Chew Moor.

The Lib Dems will also have to fight Labour to keep their seats.

The BNP have not put forward as many candidates this year, including in Breightmet despite coming third in last year’s local election.

22 seats are up for grabs tonight, with the Conservatives defending 11, the Lib Dems 3 and Labour 8.

The current council make-up is 35 Labour seats, 18 Conservatives, 18 Liberal Democrats and 2 vacant after Conservative husband and wife Paul and Diana Brierley resigned in March this year.

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