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 20 Version 21
Labour facing big council losses Labour facing big council losses
(10 minutes later)
Labour is suffering a bad night in local elections in England and Wales, losing more than 100 seats so far.Labour is suffering a bad night in local elections in England and Wales, losing more than 100 seats so far.
BBC research suggests the party has fallen into third place nationally, taking 24% of the vote, beaten by the Tories on 44% and Lib Dems on 25%.BBC research suggests the party has fallen into third place nationally, taking 24% of the vote, beaten by the Tories on 44% and Lib Dems on 25%.
But chief whip Geoff Hoon told the BBC there was "no crisis" for Gordon Brown.But chief whip Geoff Hoon told the BBC there was "no crisis" for Gordon Brown.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the Tories were enjoying an "exceptional" set of results, with Lib Dems calling their performance "solid".Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said the Tories were enjoying an "exceptional" set of results, with Lib Dems calling their performance "solid".
'Step forward''Step forward'
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.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.
So far they have a net increase of more than 120 councillors and a 4% higher share of the national vote than at last year's local polls.So far they have a net increase of more than 120 councillors and a 4% higher share of the national vote than at last year's local polls.
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."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."
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-glance 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 href="/1/hi/england/london/7378792.stm">London result on knife edge class="" href="/1/hi/in_depth/uk_politics/2008/local_elections_2008/7371050.stm">Emily Maitlis election blogElections latest at-a-glance
The Tories have gained control of several councils including Southampton, Bury, Harlow and Maidstone.The Tories have gained control of several councils including Southampton, Bury, Harlow and Maidstone.
If Labour makes large losses overall, this is likely to add to problems for the prime minister, criticised recently by backbench MPs over his handling of the abolition of the 10p income tax rate and under pressure over the state of the economy.If Labour makes large losses overall, this is likely to add to problems for the prime minister, criticised recently by backbench MPs over his handling of the abolition of the 10p income tax rate and 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.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.""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."
Deputy leader Vince Cable said: "The important thing is that we've beaten Labour into third place."
More than 4,000 seats on 159 councils were up for grabs in Thursday's elections, as well as the London mayoralty and assembly.More than 4,000 seats on 159 councils were up for grabs in Thursday's elections, as well as the London mayoralty and assembly.
Most English councils are announcing results overnight, with those in Wales due later around Friday lunchtime. All seats are up for election in the 22 Welsh unitary authorities.
Key announcements still to come include:Key announcements still to come include:
  • Coventry - Labour launched its campaign in this city, suggesting they are confident of ending its Conservative control. Expected soon.
  • Coventry - Labour launched its campaign in this city, suggesting they are confident of ending its Conservative control. Expected soon.
  • 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.
    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 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
    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.
    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.