While a cloud of uncertainty may hang over the election, local government needs to ensure its own agenda is crystal clear for whoever forms the next government, says Giles Roca.

All is still to play for as we enter the final circuit of what will be recognised as one of the closest general election races in history.

The political parties and their carefully-crafted messages and manifestos have, quite literally, been blown off course and overshadowed by the volcano Eyjafjallajokull and its ash cloud.

Despite the cloud of uncertainty hanging over the election, there are a number of things which have shone with clarity.

We know, for instance, that the televised leaders' debates have fundamentally changed the nature of political campaigning from which there will be no going back. We also know that however well financed and planned any campaign is, it can be easily blown off course by events outside of its control. And, of course, we are no clearer to understanding the outcome of the election now from when the election campaign started.

Nevertheless, local government now needs to be thinking and planning about how it engages with the new government, whatever its actual make-up or composition. Local government has four clear objectives it needs to implement in the aftermath of 6 May, both in the short and long terms.

First, there is a clear job to influence and shape policy of the incoming government. We now have sight of the three main party manifestos which provide a clear starting point. Much work has been done already by authorities to influence this process, which partly explains the lack of major surprises and the generally-positive stance struck by each party.

However, we all know that what appears in a manifesto is frequently a long way from the final product, often for very good reasons. The sector, therefore, needs to push for clarity on those areas which are still unclear, while arguing vigorously where there is a risk of powers being bypassed or stripped away.