As talks on a new UN security council resolution on Iraq continue, John Prescott has admitted the war has left "a cloud" over this week's elections.

Amid hopes that a deal on the transfer of sovereignty will be reached shortly, talks are continuing in New York.

And on Monday UN special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi will address the security council on the handover process.

But ahead of Thursday's local and European elections, the deputy prime minister admitted the war in Iraq had caused difficulties for Labour.

"We know it is a great concern. We have to keep dealing with the problems of the United Nations," he told BBC1's Politics Show.

But Prescott urged voters to recognise that the government was delivering on its manifesto pledges.

"What we promised to the electorate we have delivered, we have actually delivered," he said.

"When you are in government for seven years you are entitled to come along and say this is what we have promised - here is my pledge card.

"We have completed them, not in 10 years but in six and seven years."

The deputy prime minister accepted that the war "is a major issue" for voters.

"But at the end of the day they have got to ask themselves, if you vote for the Liberals, what difference is that going to make?" he asked.

"More Liberal councils are not going to make any change in the United Nations or on this policy."