This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6612781.stm
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 14 | Version 15 |
|---|---|
| Election campaigns reach climax | Election campaigns reach climax |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Campaigning is in its final stages ahead of Thursday's Scottish, Welsh and English local elections. | Campaigning is in its final stages ahead of Thursday's Scottish, Welsh and English local elections. |
| The polls are the biggest test of public opinion since 2005's general election - and will be Tony Blair's last as Labour leader. | The polls are the biggest test of public opinion since 2005's general election - and will be Tony Blair's last as Labour leader. |
| All of the parties are out in force, with the contest expected to be particularly fierce between Labour and the SNP in Scotland. | All of the parties are out in force, with the contest expected to be particularly fierce between Labour and the SNP in Scotland. |
| Labour is also battling to regain control of the Welsh assembly. | Labour is also battling to regain control of the Welsh assembly. |
| Labour's opponents have urged voters to use Thursday's polls to issue a verdict on Tony Blair's 10 years in power. | Labour's opponents have urged voters to use Thursday's polls to issue a verdict on Tony Blair's 10 years in power. |
| 'Mood' | 'Mood' |
| But Mr Blair, who is expected to announce his resignation next week, has urged voters to resist the temptation to give him one final "kicking" at the ballot box. | But Mr Blair, who is expected to announce his resignation next week, has urged voters to resist the temptation to give him one final "kicking" at the ballot box. |
| He has warned that the SNP, which has pledged a referendum on independence, would cause "chaos and instability". | He has warned that the SNP, which has pledged a referendum on independence, would cause "chaos and instability". |
| SCOTLAND - HOW THEY STAND Labour: 50SNP: 25Conservatives: 17Lib Dems: 17 Green: 7SSP: 4Solidarity: 2Senior Citizens Unity Party: 1Independents: 5Presiding officer: 1 (ex SNP) In Depth: Elections 2007 Q&A: 2007 elections Send us your comments | SCOTLAND - HOW THEY STAND Labour: 50SNP: 25Conservatives: 17Lib Dems: 17 Green: 7SSP: 4Solidarity: 2Senior Citizens Unity Party: 1Independents: 5Presiding officer: 1 (ex SNP) In Depth: Elections 2007 Q&A: 2007 elections Send us your comments |
| And on Friday First Minister Jack McConnell, who was joined by Home Secretary John Reid in central Glasgow, urged Scottish voters to "come home to Labour". | And on Friday First Minister Jack McConnell, who was joined by Home Secretary John Reid in central Glasgow, urged Scottish voters to "come home to Labour". |
| Labour has governed in coalition with the Lib Dems for the past four years - and Scotland's electoral system makes it difficult for one party to command an overall majority. | Labour has governed in coalition with the Lib Dems for the past four years - and Scotland's electoral system makes it difficult for one party to command an overall majority. |
| But, if the SNP becomes the largest party, it could force Labour out of power for the first time since devolution in 1999. | But, if the SNP becomes the largest party, it could force Labour out of power for the first time since devolution in 1999. |
| Welsh seats | Welsh seats |
| Leader Alex Salmond said Labour did "not have a divine right to rule" and pledged a healthier, and wealthier, Scotland under the SNP. | Leader Alex Salmond said Labour did "not have a divine right to rule" and pledged a healthier, and wealthier, Scotland under the SNP. |
| He added: "It's time for fresh thinking and a new approach to build a more successful Scotland." | He added: "It's time for fresh thinking and a new approach to build a more successful Scotland." |
| Chancellor Gordon Brown - whom Mr Blair has said he expects to take over as prime minister - will return from an EU conference in Brussels to lead a last-ditch battle for Labour votes. | Chancellor Gordon Brown - whom Mr Blair has said he expects to take over as prime minister - will return from an EU conference in Brussels to lead a last-ditch battle for Labour votes. |
| However, senior figures from all the parties - including Mr Salmond - are also on the campaign trail for a final push. | However, senior figures from all the parties - including Mr Salmond - are also on the campaign trail for a final push. |
| WALES - HOW THEY STAND Labour: 29Conservatives: 11 Plaid Cymru: 12Lib Dems: 6Others: 2 Last push in Wales Final pitch to Scottish voters | WALES - HOW THEY STAND Labour: 29Conservatives: 11 Plaid Cymru: 12Lib Dems: 6Others: 2 Last push in Wales Final pitch to Scottish voters |
| In Wales, where Labour is fighting to regain control of the Welsh assembly, the party leaders have also been criss-crossing the country in a final bid for votes. | In Wales, where Labour is fighting to regain control of the Welsh assembly, the party leaders have also been criss-crossing the country in a final bid for votes. |
| Labour lost its majority in 2005 after Blaenau Gwent AM Peter Law became an independent. | Labour lost its majority in 2005 after Blaenau Gwent AM Peter Law became an independent. |
| It still expects to be the largest party after Thursday's poll, but a combination of Plaid Cymru, the Tories and Lib Dems and independents could gain enough seats to form a ruling coalition, forcing it out of power. | It still expects to be the largest party after Thursday's poll, but a combination of Plaid Cymru, the Tories and Lib Dems and independents could gain enough seats to form a ruling coalition, forcing it out of power. |
| Cameron | Cameron |
| Plaid Cymru also hopes to remain the largest opposition group and speculation has been rife about its likely coalition partners. | Plaid Cymru also hopes to remain the largest opposition group and speculation has been rife about its likely coalition partners. |
| In the Commons on Wednesday, Labour MP Alun Michael warned of a "negative nexus" of nationalists and Conservatives. | In the Commons on Wednesday, Labour MP Alun Michael warned of a "negative nexus" of nationalists and Conservatives. |
| But Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said the Labour vote was "in meltdown" adding: "The people of Wales have a clear choice on Thursday, four more years of the same with Labour or a change of direction with Plaid." | But Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said the Labour vote was "in meltdown" adding: "The people of Wales have a clear choice on Thursday, four more years of the same with Labour or a change of direction with Plaid." |
| Labour is under pressure in English local elections too, where it is expected to lose hundreds of seats. | Labour is under pressure in English local elections too, where it is expected to lose hundreds of seats. |
| PARTIES DEFENDING SEATS IN ENGLISH LOCAL ELECTIONS Conservative: 4404Labour: 2379Lib Dem: 2419ALL OTHER: 1277 of which: Green: 45BNP: 9UKIP: 6IKHH: 3Respect: 4Mebyon Kernow: 6Source: BBC Research Analysis: What is at stake? | |
| The poll will also be a major test of David Cameron's leadership of the Conservative Party - and his claim to be on course to win the next general election. | The poll will also be a major test of David Cameron's leadership of the Conservative Party - and his claim to be on course to win the next general election. |
| The Tories will be looking in particular to pick up seats in the Midlands and North of England, where they have struggled to make an impact in recent years. | The Tories will be looking in particular to pick up seats in the Midlands and North of England, where they have struggled to make an impact in recent years. |
| On Wednesday, Mr Cameron admitted his party also had a "real battle" ahead of it to re-establish itself in Scotland. | On Wednesday, Mr Cameron admitted his party also had a "real battle" ahead of it to re-establish itself in Scotland. |
| He told GMTV: "We got wiped out in that 1997 election. | He told GMTV: "We got wiped out in that 1997 election. |
| "We only have one member of Parliament, we are hoping to build back, and we will have to build and these things do take time." | "We only have one member of Parliament, we are hoping to build back, and we will have to build and these things do take time." |
| Across England, 32.8 million people will be able to vote - with seats being contested in 312 local authorities. | Across England, 32.8 million people will be able to vote - with seats being contested in 312 local authorities. |
| In some councils one third of seats will be up for election; in others, the whole council will be elected. | In some councils one third of seats will be up for election; in others, the whole council will be elected. |
| There are also mayoral elections in Bedford, Mansfield and Middlesbrough. | There are also mayoral elections in Bedford, Mansfield and Middlesbrough. |
| It is the biggest election in the local cycle in England, with about 10,500 council seats up for grabs. | It is the biggest election in the local cycle in England, with about 10,500 council seats up for grabs. |