A battle of step counts for votes in Merton

In Merton, Labour and the Liberal Democrats are taking every step to secure votes ahead of the local council elections in May.

Liberal Democrat leader on the council, Anthony Fairclough, said he is doing 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day. Labour's Ross Garrod, the current council leader, says he is matching that.

Both are fighting to take control of the south-west London borough.

According to Professor Tony Travers, of the London School of Economics, Merton is the Lib Dems' number one hope after they won a parliamentary seat there in the 2024 General Election.

Elections for London's 32 councils take place on 7 May, and in Merton it's all to play for.

"Obviously we want to take control of the council, that's what we're here for," Fairclough said.

"We are fighting, we're doing everything we can to achieve [control]. Ultimately, it's up to the residents as to whether they want that or not, and I hope that they do," Fairclough added.

As Garrod marshalled his team on a quickfire walkabout in Raynes Park, he said: "It's really positive on the doorstep.

"It's an election that's being fought on local issues, who empties your bins, who looks after the elderly, who looks after the children, and residents really recognise our track record of delivering that as a Labour-run council."

While their leaflets talk up local achievements, there's no mention or picture of party leader and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Asked if people are saying they will not vote Labour because of him, Garrod said: "Our vote is holding up, we have got a strong local record of delivery and people like what we're doing."

With many voters disillusioned, getting the vote out in Merton is very much part of the battle.

"Where people already have Liberal Democrat councillors, they like their councillors, they get stuff done, we sort things out for them," Fairclough said.

"Where they don't currently have Liberal Democrat councillors, there's a real desire for change. People are telling us that it's time for a change and it's between us and Labour."

It's not just the pundits who are seeing this as pretty much a two-horse race.

Merton's Conservatives are realistic about their chances.

Their leader Nick McLean told BBC London it was unlikely he will be leading the council after 7 May, but he hoped to be "a significant influence on the council and that's what we're fighting for".

He added: "We can see where the party is in national polls and we've got to be politically realistic about that.

"But that does not mean that our message is not needed."

Also running in Merton is Reform UK, the Greens and a number of independent candidates.

Voters across London's 32 councils should prepare for more leaflets and more political voices over the next three weeks.

A full list of candidates standing for election to Merton Council can be found here.

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