Coming to the experts, so to speak: why did Labour do so badly ?

[T_i_B]

12. The Tory leaflets weren't exactly brilliant either

Lots of glossy but negative bumph that was clearly written in Tory central office.

Labour leaflets did name the sitting MP, but barely mentioned local issues, which is not good when the whole council is up for election on the same date. And yes, they could have been much more positive about themselves. The Tories were more active locally then Labour, and clearly had more more resources to spend on the local campaign then Labour as well.

Over the border in Sheffield it was a different story, but the Tory party in Sheffield died out many years ago, and the Lib Dems in Sheffield are heading the same way.