Leaked Labour Report Reveals They Cannot Win Election in Croydon

11.33.22pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 26th Apr 2004

A strategy report leaked from Croydon Labour Party to the Liberal Democrats admits that Labour cannot win the Croydon & Sutton London Assembly seat.

The report, which was leaked anonymously to the Liberal Democrats, sets out Labour's campaign strategy for the GLA and European elections on 10th June and also the next General Election.

Whilst referring to Labour's strategy for the forthcoming London Assembly elections the report states - "… there is no realistic prospect of winning the Croydon & Sutton GLA seat."

The report goes on to state more explicitly - "The only geographical seat available is Croydon & Sutton GLA constituency - which Labour will not win".

The report also admits that Labour cannot win the Croydon South Westminster seat at the next General Election - "... Croydon South is unwinnable".

"Labour's admission they cannot win in Croydon & Sutton is no surprise, given that they came third last time round and they have less local councillors than the Liberal Democrats across the two boroughs," said Steven Gauge, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Spokesman for Croydon & Sutton.

"This report reinforces the message that only the Conservatives or the Liberal Democrats can win around here in the London Assembly elections."

Editors Notes:

2000 Greater London Assembly Election Result for Croydon & Sutton:

Conservative - 48,421

Liberal Democrat - 30,614

Labour - 29,514

Number of local Councillors across Croydon & Sutton:

Liberal Democrat - 44

Labour - 40

Conservative - 40