WHAT looked like a straight fight between the Conservatives and Labour to run Hyndburn Council will be even messier than usual when voters head to the polling station on May 2.

The Tories are keen to take overall control and dispense with the need for Green Party votes.

But they have had to suspend one of their candidates over historic anti-Jewish social media posts.

And to add to the party's woes health and communities bass Cllr Sajid Mahmood, up for re-election in his Church ward, has had to apologise over alleged 'aggressive' behaviour to a town hall employee during a standards investigation.

Labour's push for power has been damaged by the prospective Parliamentary candidate Graham Jones being suspended from the party for an anti-Israel outburst as a meeting and one of the candidates - former council deputy leader Clare Pritchard fighting Peel ward in Accrington - having to apologise for unwise remarks on Facebook that Queen Camilla was 'a jumped up whore'.

Last year's polls saw Labour make gains but not enough to unseat the Tories as the 2022 rebellion of former councillors spearheaded by ex-group leader Miles Parkinson largely fizzled out as he lost his Altham ward.

With six candidates the Green Party - which currently has two councillors - will be hoping to make gains and become the real power broker in the snakepit that is Hyndburn politics.

They and the remaining former Labour councillor Joyce Plummer have helped keep the Conservatives in power as a minority administration.

Just to add spice there are a couple of Independents - including Paul Knighton in Overton ward whose hobby is videoing council meetings and putting the footage on social media; a Workers Party hopeful; and a Reform UK candidate - in the already pretty hot poll pot. 

With the Tories and Labour having 16 councillors each and contesting all 12 wards it is hard to predict who will come out on top.

As borough leader Cllr Marlene Haworth eases back in to full control as she recovers from a December stroke, her deputy leader and Hyndburn Council 'master of mischief' Cllr Peter Britcliffe is effectively running the Conservative campaign.

He is up for re-election in his Oswaldtwistle St Andrew's ward as is his council meeting tit-for-tat Labour sparring partner Cllr Noordad Aziz in Great Harwood's Netherton.

Cllr Britcliffe - father of borough Tory MP Sara - said: "Local elections are residents' chance to vote on local issues and decide who they want to run the council, look after taxpayers money, and bring investment into the area.

"Over the past two years the Conservative team at Hyndburn have worked hard to bring forward ambitious plans for the area and we are confident that we will now exceed the target that we set ourselves of securing £100 million investment to transform our borough.

"By voting Conservative you will enable us to continue with our ambitious plans and to deliver real and meaningful change.

The message is clear: if you want to see your local town improved, if you want a council that will look after your money and keep council taxes down, and if you want a council that supports local people and local community groups then vote Conservative."

Labour group leader Cllr Munsif Dad said: "May 2 is a chance for change.

"We can strive for a better Hyndburn or we can stick with the usual councillors who've overseen managed decline, tired ideas rehashed against a backdrop of Conservative chaos nationally.

"Let's be clear, if we don't take control now, then it's two more years of unpopular, wasteful vanity projects and missed opportunities,

"We want to tackle the rats, the rubbish, and demand better roads.

"Our borough is surrounded by wonderful Greenbelt, we want to keep it. We are committed to identifying brownfield sites first, and regenerating existing housing stock.

"We will tackle anti-social behaviour head on. Looking at the root causes and rebuilding pride and community spirit."

Green Party leader Cllr Paddy Short said: "Unlike the local Conservative and Labour councillors, the Green Party do not have party whips.

"We believe that our councillors should have the freedom to speak up for their local residents and not be tied down by party bureaucracy.

"For decades now residents have been dismayed at the continuing decline of our borough. They believe their voices are not being heard.

"It is time to have change in Hyndburn. It is time that parties stop spending their time on political point scoring.

"If elected our Green councillors will safeguard our Green Belt and parks, reduce the number of empty properties, support and promote a local renewable community energy grid, initiate 'Fly-Tipping Enforcement Days' every month in all wards, and designate investment areas in deprived wards."

With Miss Britcliffe among a handful of 'Red Wall' 2019 Conservative MPs who appear to have a real chance of keeping their seats when the nation goes to the polls both major parties will be watching the Hyndburn count on May 3 to see just how the political wind is really blowing.