Prime minister Theresa May has signalled intent to go on the offensive for new English county council, Welsh and Scottish seats.
The three foundation stones of her ‘Plan for Britain’ local election campaign were low taxes, delivering social care and ensuring Brexit was a success.
She said: ‘We must present a credible and compelling alternative, in every county, every town, every city.
‘No ‘no-go areas’ for our Party and no community left behind in our country.’
Ms May launched her local election manifesto in Nottinghamshire, the same county as the leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn.
Earlier in the week, Mr Corbyn has claimed ‘Labour councils are making a difference’ and ‘stepping up where the government fails to act’.
He also said the government was ‘running our country down’ with 40% cuts to budgets across both Labour and Conservative-run councils.
Ms May rebuffed this claim in her speech, referencing the aftermath of the global financial recession a decade ago and Labour’s subsequent policies.
She said: ‘Local government have had to play their part in dealing with Labour's deficit - it is the Labour Party that left us with such a large deficit.’