Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall

“When I told some people in Washington, yeah, I'm going up to New York, we're doing a campaign speech, they said, ‘What do you mean New York?’ Nobody can win. Republicans can't win,’” Trump regaled a crowd at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island earlier this month.The rally was only a short train ride from the liberal bastion of New York City, but the atmosphere was indistinguishable from his rallies in more conservative states. The arena’s parking lot was a Trumpian tailgate party; vendors sold merchandise with the slogan “I’m voting for the felon," and a Trump impersonator posed for photos.

“I said, I can win New York, and we can win New York,” Trump declared.Maureen Liantonio, a 55-year-old from Long Island, showed up to support him. Rather than wearing the usual red-white-and-blue to the rally, she wore a bright shirt featuring Trump wearing Barbie-pink shades and blowing bubble gum.“I’m doing it all Republican,” she said. "The whole down ballot, Republican.”

Trump might not take New York in the Electoral College, but that night in Uniondale before thousands, he was correct – Republicans can win.In New York, Republicans and Democrats are at war over a handful of congressional districts on Long Island, and in the Hudson Valley and central region as they fight to control the House of Representatives - in addition to the White House. Part of Trump's mission in Democratic states like New York, which he is unlikely to win, is to fight for Republican candidates to win those districts.

A handful of moderate districts in partisan states could tip the balance of power in the House. Republicans, currently the House majority, are challenging Democratic representatives in blue-leaning regions in Washington state and Maine. Meanwhile Democrats are fighting to keep their centrist lawmakers in more conservative states like Alaska and Ohio.

Winning House seats in up-for grabs districts like Uniondale's is vital for Trump and his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris: House control helps determine whether the next president's agenda faces supportive, same-party lawmakers - or an unyielding wall of partisan opposition.Meanwhile planned cuts already include scrapping projects like the refurbishment of Bradford City Hall and a solar farm at Odsal.

Pollard argued that a different approach could have cut borrowing by £8-10m. He said his party would still propose a council tax rise, but at the usual maximum rate of 4.99%.The Tory proposals won't face a vote at Thursday's budget meeting - as Pollard said the council's current financial situation and the "fixed" nature of its emergency support agreement with ministers meant the party "cannot present an alternative budget", something opposition parties normally do.

But he said selling the One City Park development along with scrapping plans for a new swimming pool and leisure centre at Squire Lane were "tough decisions" the council should consider."I concede that its realistic value on the open market would be, rather disappointingly, around £18-20m. Nonetheless, that particular lamb would still be worth sacrificing," he said.