Michael Thrasher looks at the position of the main parties ahead of next month’s vote – 10th April 2013

Each of the coalition parties is facing a significant challenge in this May’s council elections.

The last time these particular elections were fought in 2009, the Conservatives were riding high while the Liberal Democrats also took advantage of Labour’s unpopularity.

Ed Miliband’s party should bounce back from its setback but UKIP’s growing presence will muddy the waters.

At stake are 2,392 seats across 27 county and seven unitary councils in England. There is also an election in Anglesey, postponed from last year.

By some margin the Conservatives have most to lose, defending more than 1,400 seats and council control in 29 authorities.

Their nearest challengers in three-quarters of these seats are Liberal Democrats….click here to continue reading original article