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Labour loses in Welsh heartlands Labour loses in Welsh heartlands
(about 1 hour later)
Labour has lost control of four councils across Wales and could also be out of office in another.Labour has lost control of four councils across Wales and could also be out of office in another.
Labour was defeated in its south Wales valley heartland areas of Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen. It also lost Flintshire.Labour was defeated in its south Wales valley heartland areas of Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen. It also lost Flintshire.
Plaid Cymru also took punishment in Gwynedd with national party president Dafydd Iwan losing his seat.Plaid Cymru also took punishment in Gwynedd with national party president Dafydd Iwan losing his seat.
The Liberal Democrats strengthened their lead in Cardiff. The Tories gained control of Vale of Glamorgan.The Liberal Democrats strengthened their lead in Cardiff. The Tories gained control of Vale of Glamorgan.
Nine of the 22 local election results have so far been declared.Nine of the 22 local election results have so far been declared.
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.
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.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.
With two wards still to declare in the area, independents had 16 seats, Labour 15, People's Voice three, and Lib Dems two.With two wards still to declare in the area, independents had 16 seats, Labour 15, People's Voice three, and Lib Dems two.
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
The Conservatives comfortably held their only Welsh council, Monmouthshire, and gained in Vale of Glamorgan.The Conservatives comfortably held their only Welsh council, Monmouthshire, and gained in Vale of Glamorgan.
Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said Tories were hoping to match gains made in England in Wales. Conserviative Party leader David Cameron made flying visit to Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, on Friday morning.
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." He said: "I think it shows Wales, north and south, the Conservative Party is back in contention, winning seats."
Elsewhere, 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, Plaid Cymru hopes to retain control of Gwynedd, but suffered the shock of national party president Dafydd Iwan losing his council seat to the Llais Gwynedd, the protest group set up to halt school reorganisation.
In Swansea, with 63 seats out of 72 declared so far, it seems the city will once again be ruled by a coalition with Labour unlikely to regain the majority it last held four years ago.
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.
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.
Plaid Cymru hopes to retain control of Gwynedd, but suffered the shock of national party president Dafydd Iwan losing his council seat to the Llais Gwynedd, the protest group set up to halt school reorganisation.
Llais Gwynedd also had another councillor elected unopposed.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."
The party also fell short of the 22 seats needed to win Ceredigion but is the largest party after three gains despite losing long-serving councillor Penri James, Ceredigion's prospective parliamentary candidate for the party.The party also fell short of the 22 seats needed to win Ceredigion but is the largest party after three gains despite losing long-serving councillor Penri James, Ceredigion's prospective parliamentary candidate for the party.
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. 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, with 63 seats out of 72 declared so far, it seems the city will once again be ruled by a coalition with Labour unlikely to regain the majority it last held four years ago.
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.
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.
Recounts and remaining full counts began on Friday morning. A full picture of results is expected some time in the afternoon.