Tory candidates distance themselves from Johnson
The Guardian|May 05, 2022
Leaflets for today's elections refer only to ‘Local Conservatives'
Heather Stewart, Jessica Elgot, Vikram Dodd
Tory candidates distance themselves from Johnson

Hundreds of Tories are distancing themselves from Boris Johnson by standing as “Local Conservatives”in today's council elections, with rebel MPs saying they would gauge support over the weekend for a move against the prime minister.

Election leaflets seen by the Guardian show candidates across England playing down their Tory affiliations, eschewing pictures of Johnson and styling themselves "Local Conservative" on ballot papers.

Conservative Central Office registered "Local Conservative" as an alternative title in early 2019, when Theresa May's unpopularity was at its height. It is being widely used in this week's polls as Conservatives weigh up the electoral costs of the Partygate scandal. The Metropolitan police are expected to make an announcement on the inquiry into lockdown law-breaking in Downing Street soon after the elections, the Guardian has learned, with expectations of further fines.

More than 5,000 seats are being contested in today's vote. In Hartlepool, candidates are urging voters: “This Thursday, please don't punish local Conservatives for the mistakes made in Westminster. We are local, and proud of where we live."

The deputy Labour leader, Angela Rayner, said: “It speaks volumes that Boris Johnson's own Conservative candidates are ashamed to be associated with him and trying to pull the wool over voters' eyes.”

A senior Tory source insisted: "CCHQ [Conservative campaign headquarters] does not direct local associations' campaigns. There are a range of options available to local campaigners and some choose to use the Local Conservatives brand."

Tory MPs who have been organising against the prime minister say they will renew efforts after today's vote, having previously been unwilling to jeopardise their local councillors.

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