This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2016-36218450

The article has changed 29 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Counting under way in 'Super Thursday' elections Counting under way in 'Super Thursday' elections
(35 minutes later)
Counting is under way in elections to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies and more than 120 councils in England.Counting is under way in elections to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies and more than 120 councils in England.
There are also mayoral contests in London, Bristol, Liverpool and Salford.There are also mayoral contests in London, Bristol, Liverpool and Salford.
For Labour, it is the first big test of public opinion since Jeremy Corbyn became leader.
Results are due in overnight from Wales and Scotland and some English councils but the mayoral result in London is not expected before Friday evening.Results are due in overnight from Wales and Scotland and some English councils but the mayoral result in London is not expected before Friday evening.
For Labour, it is the first big test of public opinion since Jeremy Corbyn became leader.
UK Parliamentary by-elections are also being held in Ogmore and Sheffield Brightside while police and crime commissioners are also being elected in England and Wales.UK Parliamentary by-elections are also being held in Ogmore and Sheffield Brightside while police and crime commissioners are also being elected in England and Wales.
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell told Sky News that if Labour could reduce the 6.3% margin by which the Conservatives led in the 2015 general election they would "demonstrate steady progress".Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell told Sky News that if Labour could reduce the 6.3% margin by which the Conservatives led in the 2015 general election they would "demonstrate steady progress".
He said the aim was to "steadily build our support" over four years and said the party had hit an "all-time high" when the seats were last contested in English councils in 2012. But he admitted conditions remained "tough" for Labour in Scotland.He said the aim was to "steadily build our support" over four years and said the party had hit an "all-time high" when the seats were last contested in English councils in 2012. But he admitted conditions remained "tough" for Labour in Scotland.
Meanwhile, Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham is considering standing to become mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017, it has emerged.Meanwhile, Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham is considering standing to become mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017, it has emerged.
A spokesman for the defeated Labour leadership contender said "approaches" had been made to Mr Burnham about the role.
"It is early days and no decision has been taken. Whatever the decision, he will continue to serve the leader of the party and stay in the shadow cabinet."
BBC Newsnight's political editor Nick Watt said there was unlikely to be a leadership challenge against Mr Corbyn, unless Sadiq Khan loses to Zac Goldsmith in the London mayoral race.
Problems were reported in Barnet, North London, where the council apologised after some people were unable to vote on Thursday morning.
AnalysisAnalysis
By BBC Deputy Political Editor John PienaarBy BBC Deputy Political Editor John Pienaar
The English local council seats up for grabs were won at the height of Labour's popularity under Ed Miliband - though that's not saying a great deal. Now, losses look inevitable, and a pantheon of psephologists predict 150, 190, more?The English local council seats up for grabs were won at the height of Labour's popularity under Ed Miliband - though that's not saying a great deal. Now, losses look inevitable, and a pantheon of psephologists predict 150, 190, more?
Mr Corbyn's Labour enemies have set the bar for respectability impossibly high.Mr Corbyn's Labour enemies have set the bar for respectability impossibly high.
Four hundred gains are the minimum to show progress, according to the likes of defeated leadership contender Liz Kendall, and given the fact Labour's trailing the Conservatives in the national polls, she might as well have demanded 400,000.Four hundred gains are the minimum to show progress, according to the likes of defeated leadership contender Liz Kendall, and given the fact Labour's trailing the Conservatives in the national polls, she might as well have demanded 400,000.
If Labour comes third in Scotland - though that's not thought very likely - or loses in London - something almost no-one expects to happen, the hair-rending and teeth-gnashing will be so frenzied as to leave the entire Labour Party, Corbynistas and anti-Corbynistas alike, bald and toothless.If Labour comes third in Scotland - though that's not thought very likely - or loses in London - something almost no-one expects to happen, the hair-rending and teeth-gnashing will be so frenzied as to leave the entire Labour Party, Corbynistas and anti-Corbynistas alike, bald and toothless.
As it is, we can expect a cacophonous set of rival choruses. Those loyal to the leader blaming the disloyalty of dissident MPs for vote-sapping disunity. And those who want the leader gone blaming him; demanding a change of direction and some a change of leader.As it is, we can expect a cacophonous set of rival choruses. Those loyal to the leader blaming the disloyalty of dissident MPs for vote-sapping disunity. And those who want the leader gone blaming him; demanding a change of direction and some a change of leader.
Read John's full analysisRead John's full analysis
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. A spokesman for the defeated Labour leadership contender said "approaches" had been made to Mr Burnham about the role.
Elections to the Holyrood Parliament in Edinburgh and the devolved assemblies in Cardiff and Belfast last took place in 2011. "It is early days and no decision has been taken. Whatever the decision, he will continue to serve the leader of the party and stay in the shadow cabinet."
The SNP has been in power in Scotland since 2007, while Labour has run the Welsh government since 1999. BBC Newsnight's political editor Nick Watt said there was unlikely to be a leadership challenge against Mr Corbyn, unless Sadiq Khan loses to Zac Goldsmith in the London mayoral race.
There is a power-sharing arrangement in place in the Northern Ireland Executive. The DUP and Sinn Fein have been the two largest parties at Stormont since 2011. The first results of the evening - as is customary on election nights - came from Sunderland, shortly followed by Newcastle. Labour's vote appears to be up on 2015 but down on both 2012 and 2011, says polling expert Professor John Curtice. Meanwhile UKIP have secured an average of 22% of the vote in four wards they stood in.
In total, 2,747 seats in English councils - spanning metropolitan boroughs, unitary authorities and district councils - are 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 - are up for grabs. The majority of the seats were last contested in 2012.
Earlier, problems were reported in Barnet, North London, where the council apologised after some people were unable to vote on Thursday morning.
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.
New MPs for the constituencies of Ogmore, in Bridgend County, and Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough - both safe Labour seats - will also be chosen.New MPs for the constituencies of Ogmore, in Bridgend County, and Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough - both safe Labour seats - will also be chosen.
The Ogmore by-election was triggered by former Labour MP Huw Irranca-Davies's decision to stand for the Welsh Assembly. The Sheffield contest was caused by the death of sitting Labour MP Harry Harpham.The Ogmore by-election was triggered by former Labour MP Huw Irranca-Davies's decision to stand for the Welsh Assembly. The Sheffield contest was caused by the death of sitting Labour MP Harry Harpham.
Voters in 40 police force areas in England and Wales, excluding London and Greater Manchester, will also elect a police and crime commissioner. The inaugural elections for the positions were held in 2012.Voters in 40 police force areas in England and Wales, excluding London and Greater Manchester, will also elect a police and crime commissioner. The inaugural elections for the positions were held in 2012.
What to expect when (all timings are estimates)What to expect when (all timings are estimates)
Friday 6 MayFriday 6 May
00:30 First results from councils in England - around 80 results expected overnight00:30 First results from councils in England - around 80 results expected overnight
01:30 First results from Scottish Parliament - results in all 129 seats expected overnight01:30 First results from Scottish Parliament - results in all 129 seats expected overnight
02:15 First results from Welsh Assembly - results in all 60 seats expected overnight02:15 First results from Welsh Assembly - results in all 60 seats expected overnight
04:00 Liverpool mayoral result expected any time
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 are also expected on Friday Results of Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England 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