Deciding against a snap election has caused a setback for Labour, and thrown a spotlight on next May's crucial council polls. The party lost seats to the Tories at Harlow DC and Sefton MBC – both in likely barometer parliamentary constituencies – but it did capture a Wrexham CBC seat. However, overall voting figures suggest the Tories have slightly strengthened their position, opening up the prospect of a knife-edge battle next May. If the Tories make further advances on top of 2004, this would signal a potential defeat for Labour in a 2009 general election. But if Labour was to achieve the tiny recovery needed to make net gains for the first time in a decade, this would boost its hopes of a fourth term. Next year's elections involve about 170 authorities in England and Wales, and London's mayor and assembly. The exact figure depends on what is planned for areas due to switch to unitary structures. So far this year, Labour has a two-seat net gain in by-elections, Liberal Democrats five and SNP one. Tories have lost four and Independent and others four.
