The elections at Wokingham Borough Council May are the most important local elections for a generation – with all 54 council seats up for election.

Theoretically, any of big three parties could find themselves with any number of councillors - or none. There is then a two-year break before the next Wokingham Borough Council elections during which time the composition of the council will remain unchanged.

If a week is a long time in politics, two years is an eternity. Whoever is controlling the council, we can expect a lot of unpopular decisions to be made in the next eighteen months with no opportunity for residents to express an opinion as to how the council is performing.

That is why it is more important than ever to ensure there are Labour councillors standing up for their communities.

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Labour councillors have a fantastic track record of holding the administration to account (whatever the colour of the party in charge) but also of engaging constructively where this is the right thing to do.

We know that effective opposition is important but also that opposition must be constructive, and not just foot stamping. We also know residents want councillors who are on their side and who are seen to be working for their communities.

READ MORE: Wokingham Tory leader accuses Lib Dems of failures

This year Labour councillor Andrew Gray helped bring the financial support for young people leaving the care of the council up to the minimum levels recommended by government.

Councillor Marie-Louise Weighill extracted the truth about the loss of St Crispin’s leisure centre facilities. And councillor Rachel Burgess secured support for funding for breast feeding mums.

Labour councillors consistently pick up on issues that are ignored, overlooked or disregarded by the other parties. We do this because our values are different to the other parties.

Vote Labour – because Labour councillors make the council better.