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Labour worries on council losses Labour worries on council losses
(10 minutes later)
Labour fears it may have lost control of two Welsh councils.Labour fears it may have lost control of two Welsh councils.
With counting under way at most of the 22 county councils, Labour suggested it may have lost majorities in Blaenau Gwent and Newport.With counting under way at most of the 22 county councils, Labour suggested it may have lost majorities in Blaenau Gwent and Newport.
Defeat in both areas would be a major blow to Labour in what has been the party's south Wales heartland.Defeat in both areas would be a major blow to Labour in what has been the party's south Wales heartland.
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.
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
As results started to come in, Welsh Labour leader and assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan told Sky News it was "important not to panic".As results started to come in, Welsh Labour leader and assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan told Sky News it was "important not to panic".
Elsewhere, in an early result on Anglesey, prominent independent John Arthur Jones lost his Cyngar seat to Plaid Cymru's Rhian Medi from Plaid Cymru by 200 votes. In 2004 Mr Jones had beaten her by one vote.Elsewhere, in an early result on Anglesey, prominent independent John Arthur Jones lost his Cyngar seat to Plaid Cymru's Rhian Medi from Plaid Cymru by 200 votes. In 2004 Mr Jones had beaten her by one vote.
Independent John Meirion Davies, holder of the education portfolio on Anglesey, lost his seat to the Liberal Democrats.Independent John Meirion Davies, holder of the education portfolio on Anglesey, lost his seat to the Liberal Democrats.
In Swansea, Joan Peters, who was an Independent member of the cabinet, lost in Oystermouth to the Conservatives.In Swansea, Joan Peters, who was an Independent member of the cabinet, lost in Oystermouth to the Conservatives.
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 senior party sources said if Plaid was going to have a bloody nose then it was better to have one with a high turnout, to ensure that the people of the county had spoken.Plaid Cymru hopes to retain control of Gwynedd, but senior party sources said if Plaid was going to have a bloody nose then it was better to have one with a high turnout, to ensure that the people of the county had spoken.
It's been an evening of kicking Plaid and, intererestingly, an evening of kicking the incumbent councillors as well Elfyn Llwyd MP, Plaid Cymru, on the early Gwynedd results 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 results
Plaid Cymru 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 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, intererestingly, 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 results in more than 1,200 seats were being closely watched as a verdict on the performance of the main political parties, both at Westminster and in the Welsh assembly.The results in more than 1,200 seats were being closely watched as a verdict on the performance of the main political parties, both at Westminster and in the Welsh assembly.
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.
Some authorities, such as Cardiff, are publishing the results ward-by-ward online.Some authorities, such as Cardiff, are publishing the results ward-by-ward online.
BBC Wales election coverage:
BBC Wales election coverage:
Web: The BBC Wales News website - bbc.co.uk/walesnews - will provide continually updated coverage throughout Thursday and on Friday.Web: The BBC Wales News website - bbc.co.uk/walesnews - will provide continually updated coverage throughout Thursday and on Friday.
Radio: Radio Wales and Radio Cymru: Results programmes to 0300 BST on Friday. Also on Radio 5 Live to 0500 BST and Radio Four to 0300 BST.Radio: Radio Wales and Radio Cymru: Results programmes to 0300 BST on Friday. Also on Radio 5 Live to 0500 BST and Radio Four to 0300 BST.
TV: Betsan Powys and Adrian Masters will provide regular updates from Wales on Election Night 2008 to 0600 BST on BBC One Wales and the BBC News channel.TV: Betsan Powys and Adrian Masters will provide regular updates from Wales on Election Night 2008 to 0600 BST on BBC One Wales and the BBC News channel.