LONDON // The Labour party looks poised to win hundreds of seats in local elections across Britain, yet could still end up being perceived as the polls' big loser.
Despite the fact that the party enjoys a double-digit lead in opinion polls after a dreadful few weeks for the ruling Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government, the most high-profile contests do not look likely to go Labour's way.
London's Conservative party mayor, Boris Johnson, is the favourite to defy odds and hang on to his post after an ill-tempered, mudslinging campaign (much enjoyed by Londoners) with his main rival, Labour's Ken Livingstone.
And in Glasgow, Scotland's traditional Labour heartland, the Scottish National Party (SNP) hopes to wrest control of the council despite currently having only 20 seats to Labour's 39.
"It would indeed be ironic and rather sad if all the headlines are made by London and Glasgow at a time when we look set to sweep the board in many councils across the country," a Labour official said.
"We feel, in fact, that we will remain the biggest party in Glasgow, although whether or not we retain overall control is unclear. The last few days of campaigning will be crucial.
"As for London - well, it's a personality thing between Ken and Boris. Admittedly, at the moment, Boris seems to have the upper hand."
Opinion polls in London put the Mr Johnson six points ahead of Mr Livingstone, both of whom rank among the best known political personalities in Britain, where they are almost universally referred to by their first names.
The Conservatives' poll lead in London compares quite dramatically with an advantage of between 11-13 points that Labour currently enjoys over the Conservatives nationally. It is a lead that is expected to win Labour 600 or more seats, about 400 of them from the Conservatives.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats, whose popularity has tumbled since it went into coalition with the Conservatives after the general election two years ago, are bracing for a slew of losses on top of the hundreds they lost in council elections last year - up to 300, perhaps, of the 777 seats they are defending.
It is all adding up to a feeling of trepidation among the three major UK parties with the elections being dubbed by political pundits as "Black Thursday" for all concerned.
As a sideshow to the main event, 10 English cities will also be holding referenda on whether or not they should have an elected mayor, à la London and Liverpool. The city councils currently elect the mayor in those cities.
The main business of the day, though, will be contests for some 5,000 council seats in England, Scotland and Wales. David Cameron, the prime minister, has tried to put the emphasis on Conservative "competence" in running local authorities while Labour has stressed its role in protecting council jobs and services.
But, except in areas where there are pressing local issues or mayoral elections, most people will simply vote according to their feelings towards the parties performance in central government.
That could spell trouble for the Conservatives a month after a budget whose provisions have been seen as an attack on the elderly and after a string of gaffes over issues such as: the extradition to Jordan of the extremist preacher Abu Qatada; the mishandling of a threatened strike by fuel tanker drivers; and a much-criticised bid to limit tax-free donations to charities by wealthy philanthropists.
Labour, meanwhile, suffered an embarrassing electoral setback in a March by-election in a supposedly safe parliamentary seat in Bradford - won by maverick politician and one-time Saddam Hussein apologist, George Galloway - while its leader, Ed Miliband, commands little popular support.
Unless Labour can start picking up clumps of seats from the Conservatives on councils in the southern half of the country, its claim to be a government-in-waiting will not be credible.
Meanwhile Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader and deputy prime minister, can only cross his fingers and hope for the best after seeing support for his party slump by more than half since the general election, to 11 per cent or less now in opinion polls.
Even the buoyant SNP have had their problems with Allison Hunter, the party's leader in Glasgow, under attack from all sides after telling one interviewer that she had no policies to implement if the party succeeded in ousting Labour.
dsapsted@thenational.ae
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Company%20profile
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Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Huroob Ezterari
Director: Ahmed Moussa
Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed
Three stars
The%20specs
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Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now