VETERAN Labour activist Councillor Gerry Harrison says the elections will be the closest in Camden for 30 years. Cllr Harrison is standing down after four years representing Cantelowes ward. A Labour campaigner in Camden since 1975, he represe

Marc Mullen

VETERAN Labour activist Councillor Gerry Harrison says the elections will be the closest in Camden for 30 years.

Cllr Harrison is standing down after four years representing Cantelowes ward.

A Labour campaigner in Camden since 1975, he represented South End ward between 1994 and 2002, when it became absorbed into Hampstead Town, Gospel Oak and Haverstock wards.

He said: "This election is very close - I would think one of the closest since I started as a foot soldier.

"But I am pretty certain Labour will still win and confound the pundits.

"There will be a lot of voting on individual councillors' individual records. I don't want people to vote on the national party's record - the war in Iraq or selling peerages."

Labour has controlled Camden Council since 1971 and currently has 34 seats on the council and a majority of 15.

One of the Tories' key targets is Labour council leader Raj Chada's Gospel Oak seat.

Tory leader Councillor Piers Wauchope said: "We will be standing against Labour councillors on their record of representing their constituents."

Cllr Chada said: "We will be speaking to as many residents as possible, telling them what our plans are for the next four years and what we have done over the last four years."

In neighbouring Haverstock and Kentish Town wards the Lib Dems are Labour's main threat.

Lib Dem councillor Jill Fraser, from Queens Crescent, overturned a Labour stronghold when she won her Haverstock seat in a by-election in 2003.

Cllr Fraser said: "Everyone is so fed up with this Labour council that they will either vote for someone else or not vote."

marc.mullen@hamhigh.co.uk