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/uk_politics/7372860.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 17 Version 18
Tories make early council gains Tories make strong council gains
(20 minutes later)
Results are coming in for the local elections in England and Wales, with the Tories making strong early gains. The Conservatives are making strong gains as the results of local elections in England and Wales are announced.
More than 4,000 council seats are up for grabs, as well as the London mayoralty and assembly. BBC research suggests the party will take 44% of the vote nationally, with Labour on 24% and the Lib Dems on 25%.
Most English councils will announce results overnight. Results in Wales and London are due later on Friday. Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the Tories were enjoying an "exceptional" night, so far making a net gain of seven councils.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the Tories were enjoying an "exceptional" night, so far taking eight councils and losing one. Labour has lost two local authorities overall, but chief whip Geoff Hoon told the BBC: "There's no crisis."
'Not greatest night' 'Step forward'
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%. The Tories are under pressure to gain at least 40% of the national vote to suggest the party is on course to win a general election.
Labour, on 24%, has slipped into third place behind the Lib Dems, on 25%, according to the BBC figures 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."
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
If Labour makes large losses, this is likely to add to problems for Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has been criticised by backbench MPs over his handling of the abolition of the 10p income tax rate and is under pressure over the state of the economy.
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."
Mr Hoon said: "There's no crisis. This isn't something that's going to affect the fundamental stability of the government.
"We have to go on making the difficult decisions the country requires."
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."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."
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." More than 4,000 seats on 159 councils were up for grabs in Thursday's elections, as well as the London mayoralty and assembly.
The key seats to watch out for as the night unfolds include: Most English councils are announcing results overnight, with those in Wales due later around Friday lunchtime.
    class="bulletList">
  • 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 soon.
 Key announcements still to come include:
  • Coventry - Labour launched its campaign in this city, suggesting they are confident of ending its Conservative control. Expected 0230 BST.
    		•
      class="bulletList">
    • 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.
    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 comments
    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 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.