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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Election campaigns reach climax | Election campaigns reach climax |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Campaigning is entering its final stages ahead of Thursday's Scottish, Welsh and English local elections. | Campaigning is entering 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 will be out in force on Wednesday, with the contest expected to be particularly fierce between Labour and the SNP in Scotland. | All of the parties will be out in force on Wednesday, 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'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. |
| 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. |
| 'Mood' | 'Mood' |
| During his final campaign visit to Scotland on Tuesday, Mr Blair warned that the SNP, which has pledged a referendum on independence, would cause "chaos and instability". | During his final campaign visit to Scotland on Tuesday, Mr Blair warned that the SNP, which has pledged a referendum on independence, would cause "chaos and instability". |
| But SNP leader Alex Salmond re-emphasised his party's commitment to a referendum on independence and claimed to have "caught the mood" of the Scottish people. | But SNP leader Alex Salmond re-emphasised his party's commitment to a referendum on independence and claimed to have "caught the mood" of the Scottish people. |
| SCOTLAND - HOW THEY STAND Labour: 50SNP: 25Conservatives: 17Lib Dems: 17 SSP: 4Solidarity: 2Green: 7Senior citizens unity party: 1Independents: 5Presiding officer: 1 (ex SNP) In Depth: Elections 2007 Q&A: 2007 elections | SCOTLAND - HOW THEY STAND Labour: 50SNP: 25Conservatives: 17Lib Dems: 17 SSP: 4Solidarity: 2Green: 7Senior citizens unity party: 1Independents: 5Presiding officer: 1 (ex SNP) In Depth: Elections 2007 Q&A: 2007 elections |
| 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. |
| Chancellor Gordon Brown - whom Mr Blair has said he expects to take over as prime minister - will return from an EU conference in Brussels on Wednesday 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 on Wednesday to lead a last-ditch battle for Labour votes. |
| However, senior figures from all the parties - including Mr Salmond - are expected to be on the campaign trail for a final push. | However, senior figures from all the parties - including Mr Salmond - are expected to be on the campaign trail for a final push. |
| WALES - HOW THEY STAND Labour: 29Conservatives: 12 Plaid Cymru: 12Lib Dems: 6Others: 1 | WALES - HOW THEY STAND Labour: 29Conservatives: 12 Plaid Cymru: 12Lib Dems: 6Others: 1 |
| 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. | |
| Welsh seats | Welsh seats |
| 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 the Tories and Lib Dems 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 the Tories and Lib Dems could gain enough seats to form a ruling coalition, forcing it out of power. |
| Plaid Cymru also hopes to become the largest opposition group and speculation has been rife about its likely coalition partners. | Plaid Cymru also hopes to become the largest opposition group and speculation has been rife about its likely coalition partners. |
| There are 40 local constituencies and another 20 seats in Wales, split equally between five large regional constituencies. | There are 40 local constituencies and another 20 seats in Wales, split equally between five large regional constituencies. |
| Everyone has two votes - one to elect a constituency member and one vote to elect a regional member. | Everyone has two votes - one to elect a constituency member and one vote to elect a regional member. |
| Impact | Impact |
| Labour is also under pressure in English local elections, where it is expected to lose hundreds of seats. | Labour is also under pressure in English local elections, where it is expected to lose hundreds of seats. |
| PARTIES DEFENDING SEATS IN ENGLISH LOCAL ELECTIONS Conservative: 4408Lib Dem: 2412Labour: 2385Green: 44BNP: 10UKIP: 5Source: BBC Research. Figures include vacant seats previously controlled by the relevant party | PARTIES DEFENDING SEATS IN ENGLISH LOCAL ELECTIONS Conservative: 4408Lib Dem: 2412Labour: 2385Green: 44BNP: 10UKIP: 5Source: BBC Research. Figures include vacant seats previously controlled by the relevant party |
| 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. |
| 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. |