Local elections in Britain seen as 'test' for Brown (Roundup)

May 1, 2008, 15:21 GMT

Electoral workers wait for voters at a polling sation in London, Britain, 01 May 2008. Millions of British voters are heading to the polls in local elections across England and Wales. About 4,000 seats on 159 councils are up for grabs, along with the London\'s top position, London Mayor and the London Assembly. EPA/ANDY RAIN

London - Local elections held in large parts of Britain Thursday were seen as an important popularity test for Prime Minister Gordon Brown whose ruling Labour Party has been trailing behind the Conservatives in a string of recent opinion polls.

Up to 60 per cent of the national electorate of about 40 million are called upon to choose councillors in towns and cities in England and Wales, while Londoners will vote in a mayoral election.

The elections are seen as having national importance, as Brown's Labour Party could face setbacks following a series of unfavourable opinion polls.

They show that the Conservatives, under David Cameron, are up to 20 points ahead of Labour, and that voters are dissatisfied with Brown's leadership.

However, all eyes will be on London where Mayor Ken Livingstone is facing a strong challenge from Conservative candidate, Boris Johnson.

A defeat in London would be seen as a serious blow to the Labour Party, and by implication, to Brown.

Livingstone, the maverick mayor best known for introducing a charge to ease traffic congestion, has ruled London since 2000.

According to a final poll for the London mayoral race, published earlier this week, Johnson, a journalist and Conservative member of parliament (MP), is predicted to sweep to power in London.

But other findings have put Livingstone, the Labour mayor, ahead in what is predicted to be a tight contest.

According to reports, Labour's private pollsters have said that, for the first time, the rightwing British National Party (BNP) could win at least one seat in the London Assembly, the 25-strong city parliament.

Livingstone, who has received the full backing of the national Labour Party during his campaign, has been accused of a 'dictatorial' style of leadership and of corruption in his administration.

Equally, Johnson has been given top level support by Cameron, for whom a win in London would be seen as proof that the party could emerge from a decade of opposition and be set for victory in the next general election.

Final results from both the council elections and the mayoral poll will be known on Friday.