Labour's campaign for the local elections was launched on 5 April 2006 and was led by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair MP (Lab, Sedgefield) and the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Blair's expected successor, Gordon Brown MP (Lab, Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath) in the wake of rumours of a split between the two over when Blair should stand down as PM. Respect launched their election manifesto on 10 April 2006 calling the local elections a referendum on New Labour. The Greens launched their campaign on 11 April 2006, having already announced that 1,300 candidates will be standing across the country. The BNP launched their election manifesto on 14 April 2006. Soon after, Margaret Hodge, the Labour Employment Minister, told the press that 8 out of 10 white voters in her east London constituency of Barking admitted being tempted to vote for the BNP, hinting that the party's share of council seats was set to increase. The Conservatives launched their campaign on 18 April. David Cameron, Eric Pickles, Caroline Spelman and Peter Ainsworth fronted a press conference that focused on environmental issues. One third of the seats in all 36 Metropolitan Boroughs were up for election. One third of the council seats were up for election in 20 unitary authorities. In 81 English district authorities one third of the council was up for election.