Why the Conservatives believe you should vote for them at the Sunderland City Council elections on May 7

With council elections due to take place on May 7, we are shining the spotlight on the main parties standing in the run-up to polling day.

Sunderland City Council normally holds its elections by ‘thirds’ for its 75 councillors, with one council seat in each of the city’s 25 wards up for grabs each election cycle.

However, a landmark round of local elections is taking place this year following changes to ward boundaries by the Local Government Boundary Commission, with 75 councillors due to be elected to new wards.

Electors can vote for no more than three candidates in their ward and anyone wanting to vote must be on the electoral register.

More than 360 candidates from five established political parties are throwing their hats into the ring, as well as three independent candidates.

All political parties and independent candidates have been given the opportunity to tell readers why you should vote for them.

Here’s what the Sunderland Conservatives have to say.

Antony Mullen – Leader of Sunderland Conservatives

Our manifesto – “Cleaner, Safer Streets” – reflects what residents tell us every day: yes, the city centre is improving with the new Riverside development (most of which was funded by the last Conservative government) but the places we live are getting worse.

Dirty streets. Anti-social behaviour. Crumbling roads. Illegal parking. Speeding cars. Drug dealing.

These problems have become too common – but it does not have to be like this.

We have a plan.

Local Conservatives know how to reverse this decline and – in the wards we currently represent – people benefit from the difference we make: proactive reporting of flytipping, new CCTV, increased enforcement patrols, tougher fines for wrongdoing.

We’re experienced.

That’s how we’ve been able to set out precisely how we would increase the road resurfacing budget by £3.4 million, all whilst offering a lower rate of council tax than every other party.

We’re trusted to get things done.

That’s why some former Labour and Lib Dem councillors are backing us – and why more of our candidates have been endorsed by the Campaign to Save the National Glass Centre than every other party.

Regardless of who is in power in City Hall, we will be there for you – and on your side. We will fight for the best deal from whoever is in power and ensure that you are protected from whatever political mistakes might be made by a new administration.

Vote for Cleaner, Safer Streets. Choose a team you can trust. Back your Local Conservatives. We can, and will, do better.