BATTLELINES have been drawn between the two main political rivals in Swindon after a key member of Labour MP Anne Snelgrove’s team announced she will stand against the Conservative leader of the borough council.

Sarah Bush, who manages the South Swindon MP’s office, will be running as the Labour Party candidate for the Dorcan seat against Coun Rod Bluh in the local elections.

Mrs Snelgrove has been a vocal opponent of the Conservative administration’s handling of the decision to offer free wi-fi internet access in the town, but Mrs Bush has insisted that she made the decision to stand for the seat by herself.

She said: “I was selected for Dorcan before the wi-fi thing hit the headlines. I think wi-fi is a great idea. But it’s extremely difficult for people to understand if they don’t see the process.

“If they can’t see the minutes and read what’s been said and who made the decisions, it’s very difficult for the man in the street to feel comfortable with the decision-making.”

She said Mrs Snelgrove played no part in her decision to stand.

She said: “Anne keeps a very clear line between the local party and the national party.”

Mrs Bush, 56, who lives in the Eastcott area of the town, stood for election in Dorcan in 1999 and spent several years working with former Dorcan Labour councillor Pete Brown and he is now returning the favour by helping her canvass. She says she wants to tackle issues like parking, litter and graffiti.

“Having worked in Dorcan before I could see the advantage of a councillor that walked around and actually got things done,” she said.

She said she believed Coun Bluh focused too much on issues for the whole town rather than his ward in particular.

“I think there is room for improvement. I have worked with Rod on the board of the New Swindon Company so I’ve known him for a few years.

“The trouble is if your eye is off the ball and you are no longer looking at your own ward, but at the vision in your own head, you lose touch with the local issues. I believe that’s what’s happened.”

But Coun Bluh said he believed the decision was made on party political grounds and that he was being deliberately targeted.

“Labour has shown no active interest in my ward for several years and for Sarah Bush to be standing, who is Anne Snelgrove’s right hand person, at this election, I believe is no coincidence,” he said.

He added the decision on the wi-fi contract was made in accordance with protocol and there was no breach of process.

He also refuted as “nonsense” the allegation that he was more focused on the town in general than his ward in particular.

The elections, which take place on the same day as the general election on Thursday, May 6, will see one third of the borough councillors elected to 22 wards.

The deadline for nominations is noon today.