"It is the final thing I want to do in politics and I have been at it a long time," says Victor Lyon. "I want to return Barnet to a Conservative administration.

"Our biggest difficulty is apathy, but I am convinced we are going to win."

Mr Lyon said he noted all the hype the present administration had introduced about its activities. "If you attend any of the local forums you will find time after time people are complaining about the poor delivery of services. Conservatives are going to concentrate on this and highlight the failings of the council administration.

"I find there is considerable goodwill towards the Conservatives perhaps more locally than nationally. We are winning council seats in many parts of the country. In Barnet we shall set out our stall before the public.

"We have a good team and we deserve to win."

Taking a broader look at local government he warned that horrendous costs were being stored up for the future.

In addition to the rising cost of many services there would be bigger payments to councillors, and growth in council staff.

The government continued to load responsibilities on councils but he didn't see the government providing more money, so the bill would have to be paid by local people.

He repeated his view that it was a pity the poll tax had been scrapped, although he agreed it had needed modification. The present system of council tax was unfortunate because two-thirds of the population did not have to pay and were indifferent to the cost.

"These rising costs are a time bomb ticking away."

In Barnet the present administration was desperately selling off everything it could with an eye to next May's local elections. Although Barnet's council tax might be kept down for election year, we could expect a massive hike in the demands of the GLA.

Mr Lyon recalled that on leaving Barnet Council a press officer had complained about the pressure put on him to slant his "information".

He noted there had been many changes among senior council staff and a general air of apprehension at the town hall. A Conservative administration would not behave in this way, he declared.