BATTLE lines for the 2015 General Election are now clearer following the publication of the full Parliamentary candidates list.

Nationally, the Conservatives and Labour still look locked into a neck-and-neck battle to be the biggest single party come Thursday, May 7.

But across the UK the picture is more complicated, with smaller parties like UKIP, the Greens and, particularly, the SNP all expected to play a role in the overall outcome.

Locally, in Wharfedale, Aireborough and Horsforth, the most delicately poised seat is that of Pudsey, which includes Horsforth and parts of Aireborough.

Conservative Stuart Andrew won the seat from Labour last time – when there was a large swing towards the Tories – but is defending a majority of 1,659.

It will be contested by Mr Andrew and four other candidates – Labour’s Jamie Edmund Hanley; Ryk Downes for the Liberal Democrats; Claire Elizabeth Allen for the Green Party; and Roger Tattersall, for UKIP.

The Keighley constituency, which includes Ilkley and Addingham, looks set for a close-fought battle too.

Labour lost the seat to the Conservatives in 2010 when Kris Hopkins won thanks to a big 8.3 per cent swing to the Tories and recorded a majority of 2,940 votes.

Conservative candidate Mr Hopkins is up against four others – Ros Brown, Green Party; Gareth Epps, Liberal Democrats; John Grogan, Labour; and Paul Latham for UKIP.

In Leeds North West, a constituency which includes Otley, Bramhope, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Arthington and parts of Yeadon, no fewer than seven candidates will be trying to defeat Liberal Democrat Greg Mulholland.

Mr Mulholland is attempting to defend the 9,103 majority he secured in holding the seat in 2010, when he secured 47.5 per cent of the vote.

He will be contesting the seat along with: Bob Buxton for A Voice for the Region; Mike Davies for the Alliance for Green Socialism – Save NHS; Mark Flanagan for Demanding a New Vision for Politics; Tim Goodall for the Green Party; Julian Metcalfe for UKIP; Alex Sobel for Labour; and Alex Story for The Conservative Party.

Shipley, which includes Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston, would appear to be the ‘safest’ local seat after Conservative Philip Davies secured a majority of nearly 10,000 in 2010.

His fellow contenders will include Labour’s Steve Clapcote; Yorkshire First’s Darren Hill; UKIP’s Waqas Khan; Andrew Martin, Liberal Democrats; and Kevin Warnes for the Green Party.