Jeremy Corbyn has a message for his critics and for David Cameron ahead of local elections

'Respect the mandate. Respect the wishes of party members'

Jeremy Corbyn makes a speech during a mayday rally in London (AFP)

Jeremy Corbyn has issued a defiant message to critics of his leadership ahead of Thursday's local elections.

Speaking to the Mirror, the Labour leader said he was not having “sleepless nights” over questions about his handling of several anti-semitism allegations against Labour councillors. “I was elected with a very big mandate to do the job, and I am doing the job,” Mr Corbyn said. He added that Labour MPs should “respect the mandate”.

The comments came as Labour released their latest party election broadcast, in which Mr Corbyn says: “This Thursday's elections are a chance to send a message to David Cameron and his Government. It has become increasingly clear they simply cannot be trusted.

“They certainly can't be trusted to make sure the richest pay their fair share of tax.”

He added “they can't be trusted to protect the local services we rely on” and Mr Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne had “failed to meet any of their targets to fix the economy”.

The elections will provide the first national test of Mr Corbyn's leadership as Labour critics insist the party must make gains, with former shadow cabinet minister Michael Dugher suggesting a benchmark of another 400 seats.

But with experts forecasting though the party could lose hundreds of seats in England – and apparently on course for another mauling in Scotland and a tough fight in Wales where devolved governments are up for election – Mr Corbyn insisted he will not place “arbitrary figures” on what would constitute success.

It was in the wake of the Chancellor's 2012 “omnishambles” budget that this set of council seats was last contested, with Labour taking advantage to make significant gains under Ed Miliband, adding more than 500 councillors.

That platform makes it hard for Mr Corbyn to emerge with an eye-catching result even if he should inspire a resurgence in support.

His strongest hope of a headline-grabbing victory lies with Sadiq Khan wresting back the London mayoralty after eight years of Tory Boris Johnson at City Hall.

But while the Labour candidate remains the bookies' favourite, the Tooting MP is engaged in a concerted effort to prevent his campaign being derailed by the anti-Semitism row and to distance himself from both Mr Corbyn and ex-mayor Ken Livingstone.