BOOKMAKERS are not renowned for bouts of rashness. We must assume therefore that the long odds available on Iain Duncan Smith winning the next General Election are an accurate reflection of his chances.

Such odds in a two-horse race (although the Liberal Democrats would claim to be a third runner) suggest Labour remains on course for an historic third successive term in office.

The Conservatives did make inroads in Thursday's council elections, but not to the extent an Opposition might expect mid-term.

While the modest gains are enough to remove the threat of a challenge to Mr Duncan Smith's leadership, for the time being at least, they do not amount to a significant revival in Tory fortunes.

But Labour must not be complacent and take victory at the next General Election for granted.

We are delighted to see that the BNP failed to gain representation in the North-East. But its share of the popular vote and its success at Burnley clearly demonstrate the threat posed by the BNP in exploiting the disaffected and disengaged in our communities.

The warning signs are there for Labour not only to talk of raising standards of public services, but to deliver on its promises.

The warning signs are also there in the traditional Labour strongholds of Durham City and Redcar and east Cleveland, where it lost control of the local councils.

Where there are questions over its performance in office - either in town halls or Westminster - Labour cannot take victory for granted.