COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2011: Blears confident of Lib Dem wipeout across Manchester

By Ben Lugg, Helen Le Caplain and Kathryn Cummings

FORMER Cabinet minister Hazel Blears believes Manchester voters are determined to exact revenge on Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, following his coalition deal with the Conservative Party.

Blears believes Liberal Democrats will suffer heavy losses across Greater Manchester, losing Stockport Council, which they have held since 2002, while Rochdale and Oldham are key Labour targets to shift from no overall control.

Blears, the MP for Salford and Eccles, is also confident that many city centre wards could turn red to increase the Labour majority on Manchester City Council.

"I think the Liberal Democrats are going to bear the brunt of people's anger and they are being used as a human shield by the Conservatives," said Blears.

UPBEAT: Former Cabinet minister Hazel Blears, in conversation with Mancunian Matters reporter Ben Lugg, is confident it will be a good night for Labour (MM)

Blears's views are shared by Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester City Council.

He said: "Labour are expecting to make gains.

"The Liberal Democrats will reap what they have sown after decades of dishonesty."

Blears also believes the national referendum on the alternative vote system, which split many senior Labour politicians, will be another snub to the Lib Dems, who made the ballot a key condition of their coalition agreement 12 months ago.

"I think the AV vote will be a resounding no and that is something I am happy about," she added.