Ten local election results to watch

Cornwall: One of the new unitary councils, being elected on new boundaries with a larger number of seats. The Liberal Democrats had comfortable control of the old council, but there has been infighting in the group and they are under electoral pressure from the Conservatives over council performance and opposition to reorganisation.

Cumbria: For seven years the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats had a pact to run the council, but they fell out over the blame for a poor audit and Labour took minority control last year. It will be difficult for any party to get overall control and the BNP has been polling well in by-elections.

Derbyshire: One of only four remaining Labour county councils, this is the one with the largest majority but would fall if Labour loses six seats. Gordon Brown launched Labour’s local government campaign here and the party is concentrating resources to keep majority control of at least one county council.

Devon: Liberal Democrat majority control would end with only three losses, and the Conservatives would win a majority with eight gains and are targeting 12; however some of their Devon MPs have been caught up in the expenses scandal. UKIP are also strong in the area in the European election.

Doncaster Mayoral: The incumbent mayor, Martin Winter, was expelled from Labour last year and is not standing after a social services scandal. A widespread feeling that Doncaster has not moved on from 1990s corruption scandals may open the way for an Independent. Michael Maye was the runner-up last time and may be able to beat Labour’s Sandra Holland.

Isle of Wight: The Conservatives’ big win here in 2005 was a strikingly good result in a traditionally marginal area. Things became very heated over schools reorganisation which involved many closures, and the Liberal Democrats are now hitting back using other issues including poor Audit Commission ratings and increased allowances.

Lancashire: Labour narrowly retained overall control at the last election but by-election losses and defections have since removed their majority. A very good Conservative result could see them win control for the first time since 1977; David Cameron and senior shadow cabinet members have been making frequent campaign visits.

Somerset: With the Liberal Democrats’ majority vulnerable to the loss of only two seats, the Conservatives are putting some effort into trying to return to power after 16 years. Among their campaign themes are the £25 million of council deposits locked in Icelandic banks, and a controversial IT project.

Staffordshire: Three seats lost would see Labour surrendering control, and if the Conservatives can gain four seats, they would become the new majority. This would be good news for their general election prospects – several Parliamentary seats in Staffordshire are marginal – but Labour is hoping it can hold on to a council with good audit ratings.

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