It is most unlikely that the LibDems will have the balance of power after the election. Even if they succeed in winning a seat on the Council (which is most unlikely) their only potential places would be Ravenscourt Park, Askew or College Park wards.In Ravenscourt Park, their campaign has been low key and everything points to them getting a sharply lower vote than in 2002 when they came third. Askew may be turning into a genuine 3 way marginal - but the the Labour majorities in Askew and College Park are probably just too big to overturn at one election.However, even if the LibDems did win seats in H&F, the main reason they would not hold the balance of power is that these seats (apart from one in Ravenscourt Park) would all be taken from Labour. Tory advances elsewhere (Addison, Fulham Broadway, Sands End, Fulham Reach, North End wards) mean Labour would be squeezed. Sarah's hope would only be achieved if Labour collapsed in some wards while putting up an unexpectedly good performance in others. There is no obvious reason why this would happen.
Mark Loveday ● 7001d