An assortment of musicians, actors, and artists could decide whether the 10-year reign of the Liberal Democrats in Liverpool will come to an end in 2008. It would be ironic, indeed, if the European Capital of Culture year – one of the Lib Dems most notable achievements – also saw their fall from power.

It's a big task for Labour, but this year has seen spectacular election successes for them.  Until the Capital of Culture award in 2003, all was well for the Lib Dems. Then the partnership of chief executive, David Henshaw, and tousled-haired leader, Mike Storey, fell apart.

Some major projects failed to get off the drawing board, and the build up to Capital of Culture has had more drama than a Shakespeare play.

This culminated in August in an announcement that the popular Mathew Street Festival was being cancelled, at very short notice. The reason? Road and construction work which had been planned for years.

In reality, much of the festival took place, but the resulting row has left council leader, fireman Warren Bradley, not speaking to the boss of the Culture Company, ex-rugby league player, Jason Harborow.

The turmoil resulted in a shake up of the Culture Company board, with NW Development Agency chairman, Bryan Gray, taking the helm alongside Phil Redmond – creator of TV's Brookside soap – to oversee implementation of the 2008 programme.

Mr Redmond is an interesting character. His hippie hair-style and soft spoken manner haven't prevented speculation that he might make an elected mayor of Liverpool one day. With Mr Redmond involved, and the world's largest cruise liners docking once more at the Pier Head, there's now a new confidence that 2008 will be a success for the city.

But will it be enough to keep the Lib Dems in power?

Jim Hancock is a freelance journalist and former political correspondent with the BBC in the North West