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SNP claims victory in Scotland as Labour holds on in local elections SNP claims victory in Scotland as Labour holds on in local elections
(35 minutes later)
The SNP have claimed an "historic" third victory in Scottish Parliament elections - but may not have enough seats to form a majority government.The SNP have claimed an "historic" third victory in Scottish Parliament elections - but may not have enough seats to form a majority government.
Labour look set to be pushed into third place by a resurgent Scottish Tory Party - and the Lib Dems also staged a revival. Labour are set to be pushed into third by the resurgent Scottish Tories with the Greens set to beat the Lib Dems.
Jeremy Corbyn avoided the drubbing some had predicted in local elections, as Labour held key councils in England. Deputy leader Tom Watson called it a "mixed picture" for Labour as Jeremy Corbyn's party held key councils in England, although it lost councillors.
UKIP had a good night and looks set for their first Welsh Assembly seats.UKIP had a good night and looks set for their first Welsh Assembly seats.
The London Mayoral result will not be declared until late Friday. Most of the results are now in for the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly elections. Counting continues across English councils with the London Mayoral result and Northern Ireland counting and results not expected until later on Friday.
Counting gets under way later in 40 English local council polls, with further results to come. As it became clear there had been a third successive victory for the SNP, leader Nicola Sturgeon told supporters: "We have made history".
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon may have to do a deal with another party - probably the Greens - to form a minority administration. However Ms Sturgeon may have to do a deal with another party - probably the Greens - with the party set to fall just short of an overall majority.
Labour also lost its Rhondda Welsh Assembly seat, in its south Wales heartlands, to Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood and the SNP had a clean sweep of seats in Glasgow, once a Labour stronghold.Labour also lost its Rhondda Welsh Assembly seat, in its south Wales heartlands, to Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood and the SNP had a clean sweep of seats in Glasgow, once a Labour stronghold.
Labour MP John Mann - one of Jeremy Corbyn's biggest internal critics - conceded that the party was "doing OK" in England but he said it should be winning by a landslide against a feuding and weakened Conservative Party.Labour MP John Mann - one of Jeremy Corbyn's biggest internal critics - conceded that the party was "doing OK" in England but he said it should be winning by a landslide against a feuding and weakened Conservative Party.
Analysis by Laura Kuenssberg, BBC political editorAnalysis by Laura Kuenssberg, BBC political editor
Jeremy Corbyn's party has swerved universal disaster - losses so far in England are fewer than some had feared. But with meltdown in Scotland, and losses where there should traditionally be gains, Labour would be foolish to take much comfort from the results.Jeremy Corbyn's party has swerved universal disaster - losses so far in England are fewer than some had feared. But with meltdown in Scotland, and losses where there should traditionally be gains, Labour would be foolish to take much comfort from the results.
There is little to suggest that voters believe the Labour Party on its current performance is on its way to a general election victory. Mr Corbyn's internal enemies are not likely to wield the knife, but there are already calls for more decisive leadership, more appeals to go to the centre ground.There is little to suggest that voters believe the Labour Party on its current performance is on its way to a general election victory. Mr Corbyn's internal enemies are not likely to wield the knife, but there are already calls for more decisive leadership, more appeals to go to the centre ground.
But nor is there much evidence of enthusiasm for the Conservative government in England. The Tories so far have picked up a handful of seats, traditionally an achievement for a party in power at these kinds of polls.But nor is there much evidence of enthusiasm for the Conservative government in England. The Tories so far have picked up a handful of seats, traditionally an achievement for a party in power at these kinds of polls.
But for success, and unexpected success, the Conservatives can look to Scotland where it appears they are set to take second place, - a fundamental change in Scotland. But there, voters again expressed their faith and belief in the Scottish National Party as their government.But for success, and unexpected success, the Conservatives can look to Scotland where it appears they are set to take second place, - a fundamental change in Scotland. But there, voters again expressed their faith and belief in the Scottish National Party as their government.
Read more from LauraRead more from Laura
BBC analysis suggests the Tory vote is down in southern England, which may have helped Labour to retain control of councils in areas such as Crawley, Southampton, Norwich and Hastings, where its vote was looking vulnerable.BBC analysis suggests the Tory vote is down in southern England, which may have helped Labour to retain control of councils in areas such as Crawley, Southampton, Norwich and Hastings, where its vote was looking vulnerable.
Labour's vote share is down about 6% on average on 2012 - the last time the seats in England were contested - but a BBC analysis suggests its share is up 4% on the general election in key wards, with the Conservatives down by a similar amount.Labour's vote share is down about 6% on average on 2012 - the last time the seats in England were contested - but a BBC analysis suggests its share is up 4% on the general election in key wards, with the Conservatives down by a similar amount.
Its share is more sharply down in Scotland. The party gained one seat from the SNP - Edinburgh Southern but Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale was left relying on the top-up system for a seat, after failing to take Edinburgh Eastern. Its share is more sharply down in Scotland. The party gained one seat from the SNP - Edinburgh Southern - but Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale was left relying on the top-up system for a seat, after failing to take Edinburgh Eastern.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon is expected to lead her party to a third successive term in office, telling supporters: "We have made history".
In other developments:In other developments:
The Conservatives have won the Holyrood seat of Eastwood from Labour and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson won Edinburgh Central from the SNP, taking the Tories to five constituency seats, their strongest showing for some time.The Conservatives have won the Holyrood seat of Eastwood from Labour and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson won Edinburgh Central from the SNP, taking the Tories to five constituency seats, their strongest showing for some time.
Conservative Commons leader Chris Grayling told the BBC she had been successful because there was "no other political leader in Scotland who is so closely associated with the unionist cause".Conservative Commons leader Chris Grayling told the BBC she had been successful because there was "no other political leader in Scotland who is so closely associated with the unionist cause".
Ms Davidson said: "There are people right across Scotland who are sending the SNP a message - the voices and the decision we made as a country will not be ignored."Ms Davidson said: "There are people right across Scotland who are sending the SNP a message - the voices and the decision we made as a country will not be ignored."
The Lib Dems held Orkney and Shetland and took Fife North East from the SNP. The SNP took Rutherglen from Labour.The Lib Dems held Orkney and Shetland and took Fife North East from the SNP. The SNP took Rutherglen from Labour.
In a surprise result in Wales, Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood unseated Labour's Leighton Andrews in the Rhondda - described by former Labour cabinet minister Peter Hain as "a terrible shock for us in Welsh Labour".In a surprise result in Wales, Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood unseated Labour's Leighton Andrews in the Rhondda - described by former Labour cabinet minister Peter Hain as "a terrible shock for us in Welsh Labour".
Ms Wood said: "A new dawn has already broken over the Valleys, people have voted for change."Ms Wood said: "A new dawn has already broken over the Valleys, people have voted for change."
Labour's vote is down by eight points overall, the Conservative vote is down by three points, while Plaid Cymru is up by two points. UKIP has seen its vote increase by 12 points, suggesting it will maintain the level it achieved in 2015 which should be enough to enable the party to win its first assembly seats. In Wales, Labour's vote is down by eight points overall, the Conservative vote is down by three points, while Plaid Cymru is up by two points. UKIP has seen its vote increase by 12 points, suggesting it will maintain the level it achieved in 2015 which should be enough to enable the party to win its first assembly seats.
Labour has held the Westminster seat of Sheffield Brightside in a by-election, on a 5.8% swing from the Conservatives, with UKIP coming second. The party also held Ogmore in another Parliamentary by-election, in South Wales, with UKIP again in second place. Labour has held the seat of Sheffield Brightside in a Westminster by-election, on a 5.8% swing from the Conservatives, with UKIP coming second. The party also held Ogmore in another Parliamentary by-election, in South Wales, with UKIP again in second place.
Responding to claims Labour is not doing as well as it should be, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell told the BBC: "We are laying the foundations for a four-year programme."Responding to claims Labour is not doing as well as it should be, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell told the BBC: "We are laying the foundations for a four-year programme."
"If you compare, from when Jeremy took over to now, we are on a clear path of improvement. That's exactly what our strategy is all about.""If you compare, from when Jeremy took over to now, we are on a clear path of improvement. That's exactly what our strategy is all about."
He said in Scotland the picture was "complex" and Labour was "at the early stages" of rebuilding support having been "wiped out" in 2015.He said in Scotland the picture was "complex" and Labour was "at the early stages" of rebuilding support having been "wiped out" in 2015.
In total, 2,747 seats in English councils - spanning metropolitan boroughs, unitary authorities and district councils - were up for grabs. The majority of the seats were last contested in 2012.In total, 2,747 seats in English councils - spanning metropolitan boroughs, unitary authorities and district councils - were up for grabs. The majority of the seats were last contested in 2012.
Thursday's polls are the single largest test of political opinion before the next general election, which is scheduled for 2020, with 43 million people entitled to take part.Thursday's polls are the single largest test of political opinion before the next general election, which is scheduled for 2020, with 43 million people entitled to take part.
What to expect when (all timings are estimates)What to expect when (all timings are estimates)
Friday 6 MayFriday 6 May
Around 80 English local election results expected overnightAround 80 English local election results expected overnight
Scottish Parliament - results in all 129 seats expected overnightScottish Parliament - results in all 129 seats expected overnight
Welsh Assembly - results in all 60 seats expected overnightWelsh Assembly - results in all 60 seats expected overnight
Liverpool mayoral result also expected overnight.Liverpool mayoral result also expected overnight.
11:30 First results from around 50 councils in England to declare on Friday11:30 First results from around 50 councils in England to declare on Friday
15:00 First results of London Assembly elections15:00 First results of London Assembly elections
17:00 First preference vote share information for elections to Northern Ireland Assembly17:00 First preference vote share information for elections to Northern Ireland Assembly
1800 Result of first preference votes for Mayor of London (final result expected early evening)1800 Result of first preference votes for Mayor of London (final result expected early evening)
Results of Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Salford mayoral contest are also expected on Friday.Results of Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Salford mayoral contest are also expected on Friday.
Saturday 7 MaySaturday 7 May
14:00 Results from five remaining councils in England14:00 Results from five remaining councils in England
16:00 Result of Bristol Mayoral contest16:00 Result of Bristol Mayoral contest
Result of elections to Northern Ireland Assembly expectedResult of elections to Northern Ireland Assembly expected
Sunday 8 MaySunday 8 May
16:00 Result of elections to Bristol Council (final council in England to declare)16:00 Result of elections to Bristol Council (final council in England to declare)
Results of Police and Crime Commissioner elections in WalesResults of Police and Crime Commissioner elections in Wales