FORMER Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Toby Philpott is considering whether to stand at next year's district council elections.

Mr Philpott is looking at possible wards in Folkestone town or harbour areas.

Local political observers are predicting an open contest next May, with Lib Dems and Tories uncertain how the coalition Government and stringent cuts will affect a local poll.

Mr Philpott, who would probably stand on a independent Lib Dem ticket, said: "It could be a very interesting election, and I am considering the options open to me. There is still a lot of time to go. I haven't made up my mind."

Other factors that may affect results are wards where there have been Lib Dem defections to the Tories. Labour is thought to be gearing up in key wards where it can pick up traditional working-class and protest votes.

Certain target wards may offer up UKIP, Shepway Independents, BNP and Greens as alternatives.

Both Tories and the Lib Dems are anticipating an increased momentum from the Labour Party, which will have elected its new leader by the autumn.

Leaflets on local issues attacking the Coalition have already gone out, and Labour is considering where to field candidates.

Tory agent Gordon Williams admitted recently that he expects a much bigger push from Labour in 2011, while the Lib Dems say the danger could come from a sustained Shepway Independent campaign like the one in 2007.

Indy leader Colin Tearle said: "We honestly haven't decided what we are going to do yet."

In 2007, with the backing of Martin Bell, the white-suited former BBC journalist who famously beat Neil Hamilton in Tatton on an anti-sleaze ticket in 1997, the Indies polled well but failed to win any seats. In many wards, they knocked the Lib Dems into third place.