Election campaigning increases

Last Modified: 17 Apr 2008
By: Cathy Newman

Labour has been warned it could face humiliation in next month's local elections with issues like the 10p tax rate playing strongly among many voters.

But the Conservatives are also struggling to establish themselves in the north, while the Liberal Democrats are also fighting to avoid losses.

A total of 152 local authorities in England are holding ballots. In Wales, there are votes in all 22 authorities.

While in London, a mayor and 25 members of the London Assembly will be elected.

Four years ago, when most of these seats were last fought, Labour suffered a disastrous night in its urban heartlands, winning just under 2,300 seats.

The Conservatives won around 1,700 seats and the Liberal Democrats picked up almost 1,300 seats.

Because most of the councils are only electing a third of their members, many are unlikely to see big changes in their overall control but the Conservatives will be looking to make gains in authorities like North Tyneside and Bury to show its support has increased in northern England.

The Liberal Democrats could take control of Sheffield, while Labour has made winning back Liverpool a key target.