The Conservative party focused their efforts on retaining their existing seats, campaigning on issues like the closure of Sure Start centres, disruption caused by rebuilding the city centre, and an alternative budget proposal.[4] Labour focused on their aim of protecting frontline services, rebuilding the city centre for the Olympics (Coventry hosted several football events), and fixing potholes. Liberal Democrat councillor Russell Field focused on his record in working for his ward. The Socialists supported an independent candidate in Foleshill who is campaigning against the planned closure of a local sports centre. They focused on "stiffening the resistance to coalition cuts to this city" and accused Labour of signing up to coalition austerity plans. The Greens focused on alternative plans for the city, including an insulation scheme for homes and instituting a Living Wage for council employees. UKIP was focussing on local issues.[4]
The composition of the council before and after the election can be found in the following table:
Party
Previous council
Staying councillors
Seats up for election
Election result
New council
Labour
35
28
7
15
43
Conservatives
17
8
9
3
11
Socialist Alternative
1
0
1
0
0
Green
0
0
0
0
0
Liberal Democrats
1
0
1
0
0
British National Party
0
0
0
0
0
UKIP
0
0
0
0
0
Christian Movement for Great Britain
0
0
0
0
0
Independent
0
0
0
0
0
Total
54
36
18
18
54
Results by ward
Note: For all wards, the percentage change is calculated from the council local election in 2011 (the last time the ward was contested), whilst the gains, losses, and holds are calculated from 2008 (the last time these particular seats were contested).
Note for Bablake ward: Independent candidate John Gazey was the sitting councillor for the Conservative party. After being deselected he decided to run as an independent.[7]