Local Elections 2007: Manchester Predictions

Previewed HERE. List of all candidates here.

In alphabetical order the key wards with predictions:

Ancoats and Clayton: Much increased majority for Labour. 250? Dodgy Danny routed.
Baguley: Lynn Worthington is an Independent Socialist Save Our Baby Unit, which is interesting. Not really.
Burnage: Close run thing, a real two horse race, with Labour's Frank Duffy a real stayer on the near side. Too close to call.
Cheetham: Former councillor and PPC for Gorton the news whore solicitor Mr Kassim Afzal was dropped for taxi man Sham Raja. Big increase in majority for Cllr Afzal Khan. 250?
Chorlton: Increased majority for Angela Gallagher. 250-300. Bloody nose for Leech and his "Bastards" lackey.
Chorlton Park: John Hacking (Labour) some progress but Shameless Lib Dems weigh in.
City Centre: Right Wing Independent Kin Cheng takes votes from Tories and Lib Dems. Kathy Crotty in with a chance for Labour. Whiney Rob Adlard may surprise for Tories. Absentee and almost de-selected Lib Dem Kenny Dobson defending. And Brigit Vollm for the Greens. This is one of just two three or four horse races in town. 1-2-3 could be in any order.
Didsbury East: "Chicken" Geoff Bridson (Labour) tackles Helen "D" Fisher (Lib Dem). Chance of an upset.
Gorton South: Home seat of the wobbling Lib Dem leader Simon Ashley with Julie Reid standing for no nonsense Labour. Another chance of an upset. Reduced majority is best Libs can hope for.
Gorton North: Labour Gain. 250 majority.
Higher Blackley: Joe Finnon, the BNP student rabble rouser and undercover infiltrator moves across from Fallowfield. This was for a time hot Fash country with a sadly departed Lamb and Flag PH a focus. Shirley Reeve of UKIP also pitches for the right wingers. Labour to scatter these pretenders. Increased turn out and majority.
Hulme: Former PPC Steve Durrant and anti-fash and anti-war activist (Green) stands again after being humbled into third last time in the Green's "stronghold". Labour hold with increased majority for Mary Murphy. 150-200.
Longsight: Another Labour gain. 500-600 majority.
Miles Platting and Newton Heath: Yes, we have Derek Adams for the BNP (he's bananas), Lisa Duffy competing with him in UKIP colours, June Hitchin for Labour and erstwhile Lab, Ind, UKIP now Lib Dem Damien O'Connor. June to win but a slightly dented majority.
Rusholme: Nahella Ashraf is Respect's candidate. Bit too keen on the Labour bashing even among friends - e.g. Tony Lloyd MP at Pakistan Earthquake appeal supper had to hear a silly tirade. But she's a good worker and will take votes mostly from Lib Dems as Labour recover. This is the other close 3-way. Possible Labour Gain with very outside chance of a Respect first.
Whalley Range: Labour gain for the experienced and hard-working Kath Fry over the inexperienced and you know irredeemably lazy Faroz Bhatti. 350 majority.