By John Hess BBC East Midlands Political Editor

The Iraq crisis has caused a stir across the region

In Nottinghamshire's Rushcliffe constituency, electioneering coincides with a planning inquiry into Home Office proposals for a large asylum centre.

The former air base at RAF Newton in rural Nottinghamshire will accommodate up to 750 people.

Local MP Ken Clarke has played a central role in attempting to scrap the idea and has lobbied Home Office ministers.

Muslim concern Leicester is a successful multi-cultural community - but there are pressure points

The Conservatives have a comfortable majority on Rushcliffe Borough Council and should strengthen their hold.

In Leicester, Labour's grip on the city council has slipped in recent years to a strong challenge from the Liberal Democrats, which is now the main opposition. Labour has an overall majority of two.

Asylum and immigration policy have always been big issues for Leicester.

In recent years, its success at integration has made the city a model for building a successful multi-cultural community - but there are pressure points.

Leicester has more than 30,000 Muslims in a city with one of the largest ethnic populations in Britain.

Dirty tricks

The debate over war with Iraq has alarmed its Islamic community.

In some city wards, hostility to the war may have electoral consequences for Labour.

There was a battle to deselect the Sherrif of Nottingham

In Derby, a third of seats are being fought this time round.

Last May, Labour had a fright as traditional ground was lost to the Liberal Democrats.

Labour may slip again, but it will take a stronger performance by the Conservatives to dislodge its hold.

Nottingham is the "Queen of the Midlands" and the regional capital of the East Midlands; that is what the brochures tell you, at any rate.

Politically, Labour dominates with a four-fold majority over the Tories.

All 55 seats are up for grabs and there is little to indicate a big change.

Labour's run-up to the campaign has included embarrassing headlines of machine politics, dirty tricks and vote rigging.

Two senior Labour figures, the Sheriff of Nottingham Ali Asghar and former planning chairman Jahangir Afsar, claimed they were victims of a plot to deselect them.

Labour's regional office stepped in and ordered an inquiry.

New boundaries

Now the party has overturned the selection of 13 would-be candidates in six inner-city wards and ordered a new selection process.

The big election target for the Conservatives will be Broxtowe, one of Nottingham's sprawling suburbs.

Swing seat Gedling is a parliamentary swing seat where the Conservatives made gains last time

This is political swing territory and will be an interesting one to watch.

Labour is the largest party in the council chamber but has been losing ground to a strong revival by the Conservatives and the Lib Dems.

With new boundaries and all 44 seats being contested, Labour may have troubles.

The Conservatives are hoping to repeat in Broxtowe their success in Gedling, another Nottingham suburban district and typical swing parliamentary seat.

While Labour's Vernon Coaker was re-elected with an increased majority, the Tories swept to power in mid-term local elections.

They now have a 10-seat majority over Labour and could well increase that.

Health concerns

In Lincoln, a third of the city council seats - all of them held by Labour - are being contested.

Even if Labour loses all six, the party will maintain its large majority over the Conservatives.

In rural Lincolnshire the traditional parties may face a challenge from independents campaigning for better health care.

Health Concern is considering fielding candidates in South Kesteven after strong local feelings over the future of hospital facilities in Grantham, the biggest town in south Lincolnshire.