Election 2010: Tower Hamlets' local candidates hold their breath

AS the borough's candidates wait to hear the results of the local elections, some party members will be eager not to see a repeat of events that hit Tower Hamlets council in 2006.

The last local election proved to one of the most unpredictable ever in Tower Hamlets, with Labour managing to keep hold of the council while still losing 17 seats and its leader Michael Keith.

Mr Keith was trounced by Respect in a bitterly fought contest in Shadwell.

But the biggest losers were the Lib Dems, with the 2006 election seeing them not only lose 10 of the 16 seats they won in 2002, but also their leader, Janet Ludlow, and other long-standing familiar faces.

Respect and the Conservatives triumphed as George Galloway's coalition took 12 seats to become the official opposition at the Town Hall - although they have since gained another two councillors and lost six to Labour and the Tories.

And the Conservatives gained their first completely Tory wards as they pushed Labour out of Blackwall and Cubitt Town and Millwall.

It was clear that no one was safe in their seats but this has not stopped some familiar faces trying their luck again this year.

Labour's Housing Choice hate-figure David Edgar, who was swept from office last time, is trying again this year by standing for Labour in Limehouse.

And Mr Keith will be hoping to get elected as ward councillor in St Katherine's & Wapping for Labour.

The candidates standing for Tower Hamlets will be fighting it out today for one of three seats in the borough's 17 wards.

Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems have each put forward 51 candidates, Respect has put forward 50 while the Green Party will have 35 fighting for seats.

There are six independent candidates standing and the British National Party has put forward four candidates.