It’s that time of year when normally peaceful streets of Blackburn are transformed into a battle ground for the warning parties.

As always, the stakes are high, but this time the General Election coincides with the Local election. With labour languishing in the national polls and the country still in recession, it will be interesting to see if labour can maintain its power but the odds are heavily stacked against them.

As new players like Bushra Irefan (Independent), Bobby Anwar, (UKIP) and Michael Law riding (Cons) join the battle to oust ‘Jack’.

Many are predicting Jacks majority of 8,009 is under severe threat.

In 97’ his majority was 14,451 and his share was 55% but in the last election this had dropped to 42%.

If this trend continues then it is more than feasible we may have a new MP. Jack has served this community for 31 years and voters need to decide if they can take another 5 years.

Recent scandals of MP’s expenses and Lobby gate have undermined the political process with many feeling disillusioned.

Whilst Iraq and Afghanistan may not command the same newsworthiness as they did, the next few weeks may bring these issues to the fore and influence the constituents.

The local elections provide Labour with an opportunity to regain power but things don’t look too promising.

Currently, the coalition made up of Conservatives/Liberal Democrats and For Darwen run the council and they only have a 2 seat advantage from a total of 64.

This 3 year reign has been marred by scandal, suspensions and defections and it will be interesting to see if they are able to maintain their slender majority.

The coalition has always been a marriage of the good, the bad and the ugly and the political landscape post elections may be completely different.

In the last local elections, we saw the coalition losing seats but also gaining and holding on to power by the skin by their teeth.

Given the tenuous coalition, For Darwen hold the key and they may switch alliances. We may even have a Lib/Lab coalition which is prevalent across the country.

The marginal wards of Audley, Bastwell, Corporation Park, Ewood, Little Harwood, Queens Park and Shear Brow will be the focus of attention for the parties and in the last few elections, these wards have been subjected to political skulduggery by all parties and one has to presume this will continue in the same fashion.

Whoever wins, will the last one out switch the lights off!