Tory activist slams Bolton's Labour councillors for 'taking focus away from local issues' during council election campaign

By Carrie Smith & Shanna McGoldrick

Bolton grassroots Conservative activist Chris Gregory has slammed Labour for taking the focus away from local issues in today’s elections.

The long-time Conservative said the surge in Labour support has Conservative candidates worried.

Mr Gregory has previously stood for election himself in the Manor ward – as a Liberal Democrat – before he later switched allegiance to the Conservatives.

He said: “If we can't win Bradshaw, Heaton and Astley Bridge it will be horrendous."

Mr Gregory added he knew Bradshaw Conservative candidate Stuart Haslam was worried and accused the Labour party of ramping up its emphasis on national issues and anger against the coalition government.

He said: "The coalition is doing brilliantly, but we need to bring it back to a local level as this is a local election."

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