Polls apart

It's not been a great fortnight for local democracy. The best performing council administration will today, 4 May, find itself judged in the local polls not necessarily by its actions but by those of its national parties. Toasts in local Labour clubs are unlikely to be raised to ministers Prescott, Clarke, Jowell, Kelly or Hewitt. The Lib Dems hope memories of their recent leadership election campaign will have faded in voters' minds. And local Conservatives, already with the wind in their sails, hope the Cameron effect can only add to their successes.