This week voters in Cornwall will have the chance to decide their political leaders for the next four years.
With the elections only five days away and counting the political temperature is starting to rise as the main parties report positive feedback from the electorate.
The Liberal Democrats are "quietly optimistic" about their fortunes on Thursday while Conservatives are "hopeful" and Ukip could get their first seat on Cornwall Council.
Independents are fighting hard across the county, the Green Party is out in force and Labour is trying to build on its current sole seat. Mebyon Kernow said its "fresh approach" was winning friends across Cornwall.
Alex Folkes, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, said candidates were getting a warm welcome on the doorstep. He said: "There are a huge number of people fed up with the waste and mismanagement of the current Tory and Independent administration.
"I think we are poised to make gains. The precise numbers are a matter for the electorate, of course. But it seems pretty clear that the Conservatives are set to sustain heavy losses and there appears to be little movement towards MK (Mebyon Kernow) or Labour. The battle, as ever, comes down to a choice between Lib Dems or Tories."
But Conservative group leader Fiona Ferguson said she hoped her party's record at County Hall would attract voters.
She said: "We have turned around a failing council and council tax has hardly risen in 4 years despite a reduced budget from central government, so we are hopeful.
"It is heartening that, although some people are upset with the Government about particular policies, they are still prepared to back good candidates in this election."
Ukip is expected to make great strides nationally and local organisers hope to get their first seat on Cornwall Council.
Stephanie McWilliam, UKIP Cornwall chairman, said: "Politics is becoming interesting again and we hear repeatedly from people saying that if there wasn't a UKIP candidate, they wouldn't be voting at all on Thursday."
Mrs McWilliam said wind turbines and transport were hot topics when out canvassing.
She said: "I am really quite optimistic that we will get our first UKIP Councillors in Cornwall this week. However, where they will come is hard to predict."
County Hall has been ruled jointly for the last four years by Conservatives and Independents who will be contesting seats across Cornwall.
One of those standing as an Independent, Andrew Wallis, said he had experienced a good response on the doorstep.
He said: "Those who don't already know me, like the fact I am an Independent. I am getting the feeling there is a lot of disillusionment with the main parties."
Rob Simmons from Mebyon Kernow said voters were very interested in the party's ideas and a fresh approach to politics.
He said: "The welcome element in this election is how many people are considering voting MK for the first time, as they turn their backs on the other parties.
"We've worked really hard in this campaign on the doorstep and on policies and hope we get the results we deserve on Thursday."
Labour disappeared from County hall in the 2009 elections until Jude Robinson came in on a by-election.
She said that canvassing was something that went on throughout rather than just at election time and added: "Returns show a swing to Labour, which we hope will translate into seats at the election but we are not taking that for granted. Win or lose, we will keep campaigning - after a short break to rest our feet."
Lindsay Southcombe, current Mayor of Truro and standing as a Green Party candidate, said there had been good debates on the doorstep about solar farms and wind turbines and generally candidates were receiving "a positive response".
ThisisCornwall contacted Mebyon Kernow but did not receive a reply.
Details of all of the candidates standing in the Cornwall Council elections are available on the Cornwall Council website.
