Local Elections Labour councils to watch: Update

Thank you to everyone who has tweeted with more councils that Labour should watch on May 3^rd. Here is an update to the original list, plus some extras I thought would be of interest.

English Unitary Councils

Peterborough: This is likely to be a Conservative hold (38 seats). However, it is predicted that there could be a large swing to Labour, who currently only have 6 seats, as the Conservative group have been unpopular with the public by raising council tax.

 

Metropolitan Boroughs

Sefton: Labour is the largest party in Sefton, but it is currently a hung council with the Conservatives on 14 seats, Labour on 28 and the Lib Dems on 23. This is a Labour target council, however it is likely to remain hung as only a third of seats are up for election.

 

District Councils

Chorley: Currently a Conservative (23 seats) / Lib Dem (2 seats) coalition. This is a Labour / Tory battleground and Labour (20 seats) will be aiming to overtake the Conservatives as the largest group.

Crawley: Currently a Conservative controlled council, with 24 seats. Labour has 13 seats on the council and although this is expected to remain in Tory control, it is likely that Labour could reduce their lead.

Exeter: Labour is the largest party in Exeter with 19 seats; the Conservatives are on 11 seats and the Lib Dems have 9. Labour is poised to take overall control, and will so by gaining just 2 seats.

Newcastle-under-Lyme: Currently a Conservative (20 seats) / Lib Dem (13 seats) administration. Labour is a very close second with 20 seats and should the Conservative or Lib Dem vote swing to Labour they could take control. Otherwise, it is likely that the coalition will survive.

Norwich: Labour is ready to take control in Norwich and it is widely predicted that Labour will take the 2 remaining Conservative seats and 1 from the Lib Dems to take overall control. It is currently a Labour minority with 18 seats; Greens have 15 seats, Lib Dems 4 and the Conservatives 2.

Nuneaton & Bedworth: Labour is the largest party with 17 seats and with half of the council seats up for election Labour could win overall control even on a small swing. Conservatives on 14 seats and Independents have 3.

 

Scotland

Aberdeen: Currently a Lib Dem (12 seats) / SNP (15 seats) coalition. Although the council is likely to remain hung, Labour (10 seats) will be battling with the SNP to take any swing from the Lib Dems.

Fife: Currently a SNP (23 seats) / Lib Dem (21 seats) coalition, Labour are not far behind with 24 seats. Although it is likely to remain no overall control, with a strong performance of late, Labour could make some gains from the Lib Dems.

 

Wales

Bridgend: Labour has minority control in Bridgend and will need to take just 1 seat to gain full control. Labour 27 seats, Conservatives 6, Lib Dems 6, Independents 14, Plaid 1.

Torfaen: Labour is in minority control of Torfaen with 21 seats and needs to gain 2 seats to take the overall majority. Conservatives 5 seats, Lib Dems 1, Independents 15, Plaid 2.

Laura Wilkes is a Policy Manager at Local Government Information Unit. She writes here in a personal capacity.