Experts are predicting a bad night for the Conservative Party as voting began at polling stations across the country today.

In the local council elections, the Labour Party is expected to make significant gains this year, with the party hopeful it could take majorities at Birmingham, Plymouth, Southampton, Reading and Cardiff.

But few commentators have so far predicted that Labour could become the largest party in local government following today’s elections – a reflection, perhaps, of Conservative dominance across county councils.

Mayoral votes are also taking place today, with London’s keenly contested race between Conservative incumbent Boris Johnson and Labour’s former mayor Ken Livingstone set to be settled.

Ten cities – including Manchester and Birmingham – are also set to decide whether to hold future votes on directly-elected mayors.

The Liberal Democrats’ much-criticised role within the national government coalition could leave the party exposed to a negative reaction from local residents. The Lib Dems currently control Cardiff City Council, and must see off a strong challenge from Labour to retain their grip on the Welsh capital. Similarly, Lib Dems in Cambridge fear a Labour comeback, while the party could also lose its minority control of Stockport.

But despite Labour’s expected grass roots resurgence, local party activists are still expecting a tough fight to secure majorities across former Labour heartlands. In Bradford, for example, the minority Labour administration faces a late challenge from the Respect Party, which has grown in confidence following George Galloway’s extraordinary win in a recent parliamentary constituency vote.

The London mayoral election, meanwhile, seems to be slipping away from Labour’s Ken Livingstone – if the most recent polls are to be believed. Mr Livingstone appeared to have eroded Boris Johnson’s opinion poll lead just months ago, but surveys this week suggested that the Conservative incumbent now holds a comfortable lead over his long-term adversary. However, the distribution of second preference votes in London could yet ensure the race for mayor is closer than recent polls indicate.

Voters in Liverpool and Salford will also decide today on their new directly-elected mayors. Labour’s current city council leader, Joe Anderson, faces a high-profile opponent in Liberal Democrat Richard Kemp – a key member of the party at the Local Government Association.