This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/7375223.stm

The article has changed 32 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 15 Version 16
Labour suffers in Welsh heartland Labour suffers in Welsh heartland
(about 3 hours later)
Labour has lost control of three councils across Wales and could also be out of office in another.Labour has lost control of three councils across Wales and could also be out of office in another.
Labour has been defeated in its south Wales valley heartland areas of Merthyr and Blaenau Gwent, in Flintshire, and it fears the same fate in Newport. Labour has been defeated in its south Wales valley heartland areas of Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen, Flintshire, and it fears for Newport.
But Plaid Cymru also took punishment, and could lose control of Gwynedd.But Plaid Cymru also took punishment, and could lose control of Gwynedd.
The Liberal Democrats have strengthened their lead in Cardiff and threaten Labour in Newport. The Tories gained control of Vale of Glamorgan.
First Minister and Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan said the tide was "turning strongly" against his party, but it was important not to panic.First Minister and Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan said the tide was "turning strongly" against his party, but it was important not to panic.
"If Labour voters are disaffected they are not going to come out and we are going to lose seats," said Mr Morgan."If Labour voters are disaffected they are not going to come out and we are going to lose seats," said Mr Morgan.
Mid-term is a difficult place to be Justice Minister David Hanson MPMid-term is a difficult place to be Justice Minister David Hanson MP
In Torfaen, the party numbers were almost halved, losing 18 of its 34 seats, to take the local authority from a Labour stronghold to no overall control with independents gaining nine to become the second largest group.
It has emerged the Labour majority in Blaenau Gwent shrank before the election to about eight after some councillors defected to other groups.It has emerged the Labour majority in Blaenau Gwent shrank before the election to about eight after some councillors defected to other groups.
In Blaenau Gwent, with two wards still to declare, independents had 16 seats, Labour 15, People's Voice three, and Lib Dems two.In Blaenau Gwent, with two wards still to declare, independents had 16 seats, Labour 15, People's Voice three, and Lib Dems two.
The area has been problematical for Labour since AM Peter Law left the party in protest over the imposition of all-women shortlists to choose a new MP.The area has been problematical for Labour since AM Peter Law left the party in protest over the imposition of all-women shortlists to choose a new MP.
Mr Law became an independent and was also elected the MP, and since his death both the parliamentary and assembly seats have been represented by independents.Mr Law became an independent and was also elected the MP, and since his death both the parliamentary and assembly seats have been represented by independents.
WHO RAN WELSH COUNCILS FROM 2004 - 2008 Blaenau Gwent: LabourBridgend: Liberal Democrat / Conservative / Plaid Cymru / IndependentCaerphilly: LabourCardiff: Liberal DemocratCarmarthen: Labour / IndependentCeredigion: Independent / Liberal Democrat / LabourConwy: Independent / Conservative / Plaid Cymru / Liberal DemocratDenbighshire: Independent / Conservative / Plaid CymruFlintshire: LabourGwynedd: Plaid CymruMerthyr: Labour / IndependentMonmouth: ConservativeNeath Port Talbot: LabourNewport: LabourPembrokeshire: IndependentPowys: IndependentRhondda Cynon Taf: LabourSwansea: Liberal Democrat / IndependentTorfaen: LabourVale of Glamorgan: Labour / Plaid Cymru / IndependentWrexham: Liberal Democrat-led BoardYnys Mon: Anglesey Forward / Radical IndependentsWHO RAN WELSH COUNCILS FROM 2004 - 2008 Blaenau Gwent: LabourBridgend: Liberal Democrat / Conservative / Plaid Cymru / IndependentCaerphilly: LabourCardiff: Liberal DemocratCarmarthen: Labour / IndependentCeredigion: Independent / Liberal Democrat / LabourConwy: Independent / Conservative / Plaid Cymru / Liberal DemocratDenbighshire: Independent / Conservative / Plaid CymruFlintshire: LabourGwynedd: Plaid CymruMerthyr: Labour / IndependentMonmouth: ConservativeNeath Port Talbot: LabourNewport: LabourPembrokeshire: IndependentPowys: IndependentRhondda Cynon Taf: LabourSwansea: Liberal Democrat / IndependentTorfaen: LabourVale of Glamorgan: Labour / Plaid Cymru / IndependentWrexham: Liberal Democrat-led BoardYnys Mon: Anglesey Forward / Radical Independents
Before the final results, Justice Minister David Hanson said Labour was facing a "difficult night" in Flintshire.Before the final results, Justice Minister David Hanson said Labour was facing a "difficult night" in Flintshire.
Mr Hanson told BBC Wales: "These things happen - politics go up, politics go down. We are going to lose some seats, we have lost some seats, we are going to lose some more.Mr Hanson told BBC Wales: "These things happen - politics go up, politics go down. We are going to lose some seats, we have lost some seats, we are going to lose some more.
"Mid-term is a difficult place to be. The 10p tax issue is a difficult issue. I think all of us have seen results from that in ways we didn't expect.""Mid-term is a difficult place to be. The 10p tax issue is a difficult issue. I think all of us have seen results from that in ways we didn't expect."
The Conservatives comfortably held their only Welsh council, Monmouthshire, and hoped to make gains in Vale of Glamorgan, although counting was late. The Conservatives comfortably held their only Welsh council, Monmouthshire, and gained in Vale of Glamorgan, after a late count.
Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said Tories were hoping to match gains made in England in Wales.Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said Tories were hoping to match gains made in England in Wales.
'Real pain''Real pain'
She said the Conservatives were "building bit by bit in Wales", adding: "On the doorstep it was obvious that there was real pain out there."She said the Conservatives were "building bit by bit in Wales", adding: "On the doorstep it was obvious that there was real pain out there."
Elsewhere, in an early result on Anglesey, prominent independent John Arthur Jones lost his Cyngar seat to Plaid Cymru by 200 votes, and independent John Meirion Davies, holder of the education portfolio on Anglesey, lost to the Liberal Democrats.Elsewhere, in an early result on Anglesey, prominent independent John Arthur Jones lost his Cyngar seat to Plaid Cymru by 200 votes, and independent John Meirion Davies, holder of the education portfolio on Anglesey, lost to the Liberal Democrats.
In Swansea Labour hoped to regain control from a Lib Dem-led administration. With more than 50 seats out of 72 declared so far, Labour had a net loss of two, the Lib Dems a net loss of one, the Tories a net gain of one.In Swansea Labour hoped to regain control from a Lib Dem-led administration. With more than 50 seats out of 72 declared so far, Labour had a net loss of two, the Lib Dems a net loss of one, the Tories a net gain of one.
It's been an evening of kicking Plaid and, interestingly, an evening of kicking the incumbent councillors as well Elfyn Llwyd MP, Plaid Cymru, on the early Gwynedd resultsIt's been an evening of kicking Plaid and, interestingly, an evening of kicking the incumbent councillors as well Elfyn Llwyd MP, Plaid Cymru, on the early Gwynedd results
There will be two crucial recounts in Swansea on Friday morning in Cockett and Sketty, and results suggested the Lib Dems could still form a new coalition with the independents.There will be two crucial recounts in Swansea on Friday morning in Cockett and Sketty, and results suggested the Lib Dems could still form a new coalition with the independents.
There was also good news for the Lib Dems in Cardiff, where they made gains and saw Labour lose seats. With some results still undeclared in the capital, it looked as though Lib Dems would retain control.There was also good news for the Lib Dems in Cardiff, where they made gains and saw Labour lose seats. With some results still undeclared in the capital, it looked as though Lib Dems would retain control.
Early reports of turnout suggested that it was low in Wrexham, with Liberal Democrats reports that it was "very patchy", and as low as 20% in some areas, and about 40% in others.Early reports of turnout suggested that it was low in Wrexham, with Liberal Democrats reports that it was "very patchy", and as low as 20% in some areas, and about 40% in others.
However, in Gwynedd turnout was said to be quite high, with 60% of postal votes returned in Blaenau Ffestiniog, and 50% in Chwilog.However, in Gwynedd turnout was said to be quite high, with 60% of postal votes returned in Blaenau Ffestiniog, and 50% in Chwilog.
Plaid Cymru hopes to retain control of Gwynedd, but the party lost the Brithdir and Llanfachreth ward in Gwynedd to Llais Gwynedd, the protest group set up to halt school reorganisation. Llais Gwynedd also had another councillor elected unopposed.Plaid Cymru hopes to retain control of Gwynedd, but the party lost the Brithdir and Llanfachreth ward in Gwynedd to Llais Gwynedd, the protest group set up to halt school reorganisation. Llais Gwynedd also had another councillor elected unopposed.
Plaid MP Elfyn Llwyd MP said of the Gwynedd results: "It's not been good but it's not been a disaster.Plaid MP Elfyn Llwyd MP said of the Gwynedd results: "It's not been good but it's not been a disaster.
"It's been an evening of kicking Plaid and, interestingly, an evening of kicking the incumbent councillors as well.""It's been an evening of kicking Plaid and, interestingly, an evening of kicking the incumbent councillors as well."
Plaid MP Adam Price admitted that Gwynedd was "looking pretty grim" and did not expect his party to retain the only council it controlled.Plaid MP Adam Price admitted that Gwynedd was "looking pretty grim" and did not expect his party to retain the only council it controlled.
Most councils started counting when polls closed, but others will leave it until Friday morning. That means that a full picture will not emerge until Friday afternoon.Most councils started counting when polls closed, but others will leave it until Friday morning. That means that a full picture will not emerge until Friday afternoon.