Labour is still reeling from the loss of the Bradford West parliamentary by-election two weeks ago, in which the Respect candidate, George Galloway, overturned a previously “safe” Labour majority of 10,000. (..)

Mayoral elections are taking place in London, Liverpool and Salford on May 3. Referendums on whether elected mayors should be introduced are being held on the same day in Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield and Wakefield.