Claim: Before the 2003 Harrogate Borough Council election, the Liberal Democrats had 27 seats on the council, the Conservatives 26 and there was 1 independent and the  Liberal Democrats defended their record in control of the council.
Evidence: Before the election the Liberal Democrats had 27 seats on the council, the Conservatives 26 and there was 1 independent. The Liberal Democrats defended their record in control of the council, pointing to an improvement in the council finances, providing new facilities for the area, keeping Harrogates portion of the council tax rises low and tackling anti-social behaviour.