The UK has the May local elections and will this be a litmus test for the labour government? I doubt it - many councillors are emphasing the local issues and hoping that the 'Baghdad bounce' doesn't hit them. Most voters are focusing on the domestic issues too and the passion and resolve since February 15th has waned and disappeared. We are now back to asylum bashing and from reading the papers one would think that the UK was being swamped with illegal immigrants and it was this that was the cause of all the problems. Issues are suddenly all local and well, for many it is 'what Gulf war?'. I AM being a bit too cynical and being quite unfair with the voting public....so I hope they prove me wrong. However, what message can the public send to the PM without bringing the Government down? Another mass protest? Letters of protest? What?

I doubt whether the labour government has anything to worry about - a combination of utter voter apathy and ineffectual opposition means that Tony Blair will be strengthened and not weakened. Some of my friends who are voting - many are torn between voting for Labour or not voting at all. One friend feels that there should be a 'I am not voting for anyone' vote for people who are sick of politicians but not of democracy. I am voting and am casting for LibDem - yep, supporting the vultures of British politics as they will pick up votes from shell-shocked Tories and angry Labour voters. The local councilliors are pushing for more agressive recycling targets and I am all for that. Disappointed with the weak opposition though - the only way to make Labour more effective is to have an opposition with teeth and will. The Tories and LibDems don't have either though the LibDems appear to be winning votes and support at the expense of the Tories. I am hearing some rumours that in some areas there might be a LibDem / Tory alliance (shudder). I hope not and is this happens nationally I will switch and vote for well, there's a predicament!