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Tories make early council gains Tories make early council gains
(10 minutes later)
Results are coming in for the local elections in England and Wales, with the Conservatives making early gains. Results are coming in for the local elections in England and Wales, with the Tories making strong early gains.
More than 4,000 council seats are up for grabs, as well as the London mayoralty and assembly.More than 4,000 council seats are up for grabs, as well as the London mayoralty and assembly.
Most English councils will announce results overnight. Results in Wales and London are due later on Friday.Most English councils will announce results overnight. Results in Wales and London are due later on Friday.
Elections expert John Curtice said it looked like "a relatively good night for the Tories", after the party took seven councils in early results. Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the Tories were enjoying an "exceptional" night, so far taking eight councils and losing one.
It appeared to be a "bad night for the Lib Dems", while Labour could "look forward to at best doing much as they did in 2004 and 2007", Professor Curtice, of Strathclyde University, added.
'Not greatest night''Not greatest night'
The Tories are under pressure to gain at least 40% of the national vote to prove they are on course to win a general election. The latest BBC projection of the national vote, from the results in so far, puts them on 44%.
Labour, on 24%, has slipped into third place behind the Lib Dems, on 25%, according to the BBC figures
Labour insiders fear the party could lose up to 200 council seats amid widespread anger over the abolition of the 10p income tax rate and sniping at Prime Minister Gordon Brown's leadership.Labour insiders fear the party could lose up to 200 council seats amid widespread anger over the abolition of the 10p income tax rate and sniping at Prime Minister Gordon Brown's leadership.
RESULTS ROUND-UP Early results indicate a good night for Tories, a lacklustre Labour show and a bad night for Lib DemsConservatives unexpectedly capture Southampton from a Lab-Lib coalitionBoth Greens and BNP are on a par with last year's elections so far but appear down on 2004 voteGeneral turnout looks like it will be about 35%, similar to last yearLabour appears so far to be regaining much of the Muslim vote it lost after the Iraq War Emily Maitlis election blogElections latest at-a-glanceRESULTS ROUND-UP Early results indicate a good night for Tories, a lacklustre Labour show and a bad night for Lib DemsConservatives unexpectedly capture Southampton from a Lab-Lib coalitionBoth Greens and BNP are on a par with last year's elections so far but appear down on 2004 voteGeneral turnout looks like it will be about 35%, similar to last yearLabour appears so far to be regaining much of the Muslim vote it lost after the Iraq War Emily Maitlis election blogElections latest at-a-glance
Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: "Nobody is going to pretend this is our greatest night...Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: "Nobody is going to pretend this is our greatest night...
"Generally I think that we would recognise that these elections have been conducted in the context of people feeling exposed and feeling anxious about the state of the economy and its impact on them.""Generally I think that we would recognise that these elections have been conducted in the context of people feeling exposed and feeling anxious about the state of the economy and its impact on them."
But the Conservatives are under pressure to gain at least 40% of the vote to prove they are on course to win a general election - although the party is trying to play down expectations. Former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy said he hoped for a "solid" set of results, adding: "It is not impossible because Labour I think are in very great difficulty."
Shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling told the BBC it would be "foolish" to make over-optimistic predictions, but added: "I'm confident we will make gains tonight." But Mr Hague said: "These are exceptional results and this could be the lowest Labour share of the vote in the modern history of local elections… This is a big step forward."
Lib Dem president Simon Hughes said: "I think we will see that we have made a good start with [party leader] Nick Clegg and we will see progress."
The key seats to watch out for as the night unfolds include:The key seats to watch out for as the night unfolds include:
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  • Bury - winning outright control of this authority, one of the more marginal boroughs, would be seen as a good result for the Conservatives. Expected 0130 BST.
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    • Liverpool - The Liberal Democrats have ruled here since 1998 but sustained losses in 2006 and 2007. Labour would have to do well to take control, but it is possible. Expected 0130 BST.
  • Liverpool - The Liberal Democrats have ruled here since 1998 but sustained losses in 2006 and 2007. Labour would have to do well to take control, but it is possible. Expected 0130 BST.
  • Coventry - Labour launched its campaign in this city, suggesting they are confident of ending its Conservative control. Expected 0230 BST.
  • Coventry - Labour launched its campaign in this city, suggesting they are confident of ending its Conservative control. Expected 0230 BST.
  • North Tyneside - A northern Conservative target, but is run by a Labour mayor. A win here, however, would be a boost for Tory morale. Expected 1200 BST.
  • North Tyneside - A northern Conservative target, but is run by a Labour mayor. A win here, however, would be a boost for Tory morale. Expected 1200 BST.
  • Reading
    • - The Tories need a 4% swing to take the council - the only one still held by Labour in south-east England, outside London. Expected 1230 BST.
  • Reading
    • - The Tories need a 4% swing to take the council - the only one still held by Labour in south-east England, outside London. Expected 1230 BST.
    All seats are up for election in the 22 Welsh unitary authorities, where voters will have to wait until at least Friday lunchtime for their results.All seats are up for election in the 22 Welsh unitary authorities, where voters will have to wait until at least Friday lunchtime for their results.
    The London mayoral result, due on Friday evening, looks extremely close, following a gruelling contest between Conservative Boris Johnson and Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone.The London mayoral result, due on Friday evening, looks extremely close, following a gruelling contest between Conservative Boris Johnson and Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone.
    Their fate, along with that of Lib Dem contender Brian Paddick, will be closely watched for signs of how popular their parties are nationally.Their fate, along with that of Lib Dem contender Brian Paddick, will be closely watched for signs of how popular their parties are nationally.
    Meanwhile, a BBC opinion poll suggests Tory leader David Cameron is seen as more effective than Mr Brown or Mr Clegg.Meanwhile, a BBC opinion poll suggests Tory leader David Cameron is seen as more effective than Mr Brown or Mr Clegg.
    Of 1,005 people who took part in a poll for the BBC, 68% said Mr Cameron was an asset to his party, compared with 43% for Mr Clegg and 42% for Mr Brown.Of 1,005 people who took part in a poll for the BBC, 68% said Mr Cameron was an asset to his party, compared with 43% for Mr Clegg and 42% for Mr Brown.
    Mr Brown's reputation for economic competence has also taken a blow.Mr Brown's reputation for economic competence has also taken a blow.
    HAVE YOUR SAY I voted this evening. If you can't get to vote in person you can request a postal vote, there's really no excuse Jon, BasingstokeSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I voted this evening. If you can't get to vote in person you can request a postal vote, there's really no excuse Jon, BasingstokeSend us your comments
    At this time last year 48% said that Labour could be trusted to run the country's economy, little different from the 53% who did so in 2002. But this year the figure has fallen to 32%.At this time last year 48% said that Labour could be trusted to run the country's economy, little different from the 53% who did so in 2002. But this year the figure has fallen to 32%.
    However, only 36% say they trust the Conservatives to run the economy - 10 points down on last year, and little better than the figure of 32% recorded for the party in 2002.However, only 36% say they trust the Conservatives to run the economy - 10 points down on last year, and little better than the figure of 32% recorded for the party in 2002.