Miliband facing iron test in local elections

The bulk of the council seats being elected today were last contested four years ago at a time when Labour was polling at below 30 per cent and senior figures were openly revolting against Gordon Brown’s leadership so the party should expect to make significant gains this time round.

Mr Miliband will also be hoping to see the executive mayor’s seat in Doncaster, where he is an MP, return to Labour control.

The Labour leader has endured a difficult campaign, however, at times appearing hesitant over the party’s economic plans and what they would mean for Government borrowing.

A failure to capitalise on Labour’s advantage in the polls would leave Mr Miliband facing a summer of questions over his leadership.

As he ended the campaign in Derbyshire yesterday, he said: “I don’t know what the elections are going to produce.

“What I know is that I’ve gone round this country and talked to people all round Britain.

“These are county council elections, often taking place in previously Conservative areas. We obviously want to make gains in these elections.

“I think really important for us though is to say, Labour councillors can make a difference even in tough times.

“People might say: ‘Well look if there are cuts coming from Westminster can anybody make a difference?’

“Yes, by having the right priorities.”

The elections also represent a test for the UK Independence Party’s ability to turn its growing popularity into votes and council seats.

Ukip is fielding 49 candidates in North Yorkshire, compared with just two four years ago, and 1,700 nationally and has been riding high since securing second place in the Eastleigh by-election in February.

However, the party machine has struggled to cope with its rapid expansion, leading to embarrassing revelations about some of the people standing for the party today.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage said it was impossible to predict the result of today’s elections but expects the party to establish “bridgeheads” on a number of county councils.

“I think a lot of the country will go purple tomorrow,” he said last night.

While Ukip is widely expected to poll a significant number of votes in North Yorkshire it remains to be seen whether it will gather enough in particular divisions to win seats.

However, Ukip could still have a significant impact on some results by taking votes away from the major parties, with the Conservatives thought to be most at risk.

Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday avoided discussing the Ukip threat, insisting that most voters faced a choice between the Tories and Labour, but admitted the Conservatives could be in for a tough time in today’s polls. “Of course it’s mid-term, the Government has had to make difficult decisions. We’re responsible for making a series of difficult cuts and difficult choices,” he said.

“I think people understand that but often it’s not welcome and often it can lead to people feeling frustrated.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable yesterday stressed the Liberal Democrats’ independence from the Conservatives as the party waits to see how its part in the coalition impacts on its showing.

He said: “We will fight the next election as an independent party equidistant between the other two and willing to work with either if the circumstances require.”

He added: “Ukip are a new phenomenon. They seem very light on serious policy but the best way to expose that is to engage them in serious debate rather than throw abuse at them.

“One of the bigger risks for British politics is that the Tories chase after them and indulge some of the prejudices which Ukip express, but my party will remain very firmly on the middle and moderate progressive ground.”

The polls will close at 10pm tonight but the vast majority of votes, including those in North Yorkshire and Doncaster, will not be counted until tomorrow.

Council by-elections are also taking place in the Sheffield ward of Fulwood and the East Riding wards of Mid Holderness and Howdenshire.

Voters in South Shields will select a new MP following the decision of David Miliband to step down but Labour is not expected to face a serious challenge.