‘The council is only interested in sticking a plaster over the problem’

Two y e a rs ag o , Canterbury was the scene of one of the biggest shocks of the general election. For the first time in more than 100 years, the Conservatives lost control of the constituency. Labour’s Rosie Duffield edged out the incumbent Sir Julian Brazier by 187 votes, overturning the veteran MP’S majority of almost 10,000 in the process.

The picture couldn’t be more different locally. The Conservatives have a vice-like grip on Canterbury City Council, with Labour holding just four seats across the district. Despite having a couple of loud voices in the authority, the left-wing party holds little sway.

Its leader, Alan Baldock, is picking away at a croissant opposite me. We’re sat knee-to-knee in the tightly-packed Café St Pierre in St Peter’s Street. As I attempt to discreetly unfold my legs under the table, they kick against the shins of the Northgate councillor. Ignoring my clumsiness, he tells me he believes Labour’s surge in 2017 could spill into the local elections in three months’ time.

“I do feel May will be a turning point,” the 61-year-old says confidently. “Whatever happens, this council will be a different shape altogether. We want to win a majority in the council – that is our mission. It’s a huge ask.

“We’ve started selecting our candidates, we’re training them and working with them to make sure they fully understand their roles and duties. They will be ready to take power should the opportunity arise.”

However, Alan adds, Labour “won’t have a strong candidate” running against the leader of the city council, Simon Cook. The Lib Dems are gunning for his Nailbourne seat after marginally missing out on it in 2015. Labour,