With six days to 2011’s elections, City Editor David Bartlett looks at the battle for control of Warrington

LABOUR look set to retake control of Warrington council, after spending five years in opposition.

The party needs to gain just one seat at Thursday’s poll to unseat the Liberal Democrat and Conservative coalition that has run the town since 2006.

Labour won a seat from the Lib- Dems in a by-election before Christmas, taking 71% of the vote and now expects to make further gains.

The unpopularity of the national coalition government looms large over campaigning in the town.

Cllr Ian Marks, council leader and head of the Liberal Democrats, admits that he has a challenge on his hands to keep control.

“We have a majority of just one, which makes it difficult in the current climate, but I think we have done a pretty good job in charge for the last five years.

“I have been pleasantly surprised at the reaction of people on the doorstep.

“We are reminding people that this is about local issues and is not a referendum on the Government.” He said the council had not been forced to introduce savage cuts like in the neighbouring cities of Liverpool and Manchester.

“We had a long-term savings programme in place so we did not have to make drastic cuts like other places.”