ALTHOUGH Labour cannot realistically lose power in Blackburn with Darwen, the local election campaign is set to be colourful. The Conservatives hope to make gains on May 6 in the hope of executing a long-term strategy of taking control of the all-purpose unitary council. The Liberal Democrats are concentrating on their power base in Darwen with just one candidate in Blackburn offering a 'third party' alternative. Labour currently has 33 of the council's 51 wards with 17 up for election of which it won 11 the last time they were contested. The party was rocked by bitter resignation speeches by expelled former deputy leader Andy Kay and standards committee chair Saima Afzal at the last Council Forum in March so it is little surprise they are adopting a 'steady as she goes' campaign strategy.