Capital Punishment: Bookies Say Labour to Gain Six Seats in London

Labour’s much vaunted ‘ground war’ is set to pay off in London as the party will gain at least six seats at the general election according to Sporting Index.

Sadiq Khan, MP for Tooting since 2005, has led Labour’s London campaign efforts since last year’s local elections – seeing his party gain control of five additional councils including Hammersmith and Fulham – and looks set to stretch the party’s lead at Westminster over the Conservatives to 20 seats.

David Cameron’s Tories are predicted to lose four seats in the capital including Ealing Central and Acton, as well as Croydon Central, but look likely to hold onto Finchley and Golders Green – just.

The London Liberal Democrats are proving difficult for Labour to shift but are predicted to lose former Frontbencher Sarah Teather’s Brent Central seat, in addition to Hornsey and Wood Green.

Ed Fulton, political spokesman for Sporting Index, said: “With all the focus on matters north of the border in recent weeks, Labour has quietly made real headway in London. Many of these races are thrillingly close, but Labour look certain to gain at least six seats.

“We’ll be watching the contest in Finchley and Golders Green between Labour’s Sarah Sackman and the Conservative’s Mike Freer very closely, as the winner may well be decided by just a handful of votes. The balance of power in the next government could shift on a single seat and the party that wins here may well be occupying Number 10 after 7 May.”