The Challenge for Labour in the Midlands

As the votes for local elections come in there is no doubt that much of the analysis and interest will be centred on Labour.

The Midlands is a key battleground. Traditionally many of the the metropolitan authorities here have been Labour strongholds. Can they stay that way or will disaffection with the new leader Jeremy Corbyn favour more votes going in other directions?

Birmingham, Sandwell, Coventry and Wolverhampton should remain red after the votes are cast - but all eyes will be on Walsall and Dudley where the party is more vulnerable. Normally as the official party of opposition at Westminster they would be expected to make big gains at local elections. But in the words of one West Midlands Labour MP, who did not want to be named; "Jeremy Corbyn is not a vote winner on the doorstep."

Another tight contest is at Amber Valley in Derbyshire. The Conservatives are narrowly in control with 24 seats to Labour's 21. Again, it should be Labour's for the taking, We will find out if that is the case - but will have to wait until the count takes place on Saturday.

There will also be big interest in the Worcestershire town of Redditch. Currently Labour have power, but it's on a knife edge. They hold 15 seats to the Conservatives 13. If the Conservatives make gains on the night and take control of the town hall it will have been a very bad night for a Labour party keen to fight back after one of it's worst electoral defeats in the General Election of 2015.