How has Michael Howard, the Tory leader, emerged from his first electoral test?
The Tories have emerged in a reasonably good position, having regained control of councils that had previously been lost to the Liberal Democrats, such as Cheltenham and Eastbourne. These are traditional Tory areas in the South however. The Conservatives made no inroads in the North or the Midlands. Mr Howard can reflect that the results are good so far, but we have to remember that this is only half time. The European election results are due on Sunday evening, and from what we have seen in the London election today, United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) appears to be doing quite well. With UKIP targeting the European election, the Tory leader could be looking at a far less appetising picture on Sunday. Have the Liberal Democrats made a breakthrough? They have lost seats where they controlled councils, such as Norwich, Winchester, Eastbourne and Cheltenham, either to the Tories or to no overall control. But equally Charles Kennedy, the Lib Dem leader, can have reason to be pleased
