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Counting under way in local polls Counting under way in local polls
(20 minutes later)
The polls have closed and counting is under way in the local elections in England and Wales.The polls have closed and counting is under way in the local elections in England and Wales.
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.
Meanwhile,a BBC opinion poll suggests David Cameron is seen as more effective leader than Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown or Lib Dem Nick Clegg. Meanwhile, a BBC opinion poll suggests David Cameron is seen as a more effective leader than prime minister Gordon Brown or Lib Dem Nick Clegg.
Tory targets Economic competence
Several million people have voted in the local elections during the course of Thursday, with 5.5 million eligible to do so in London alone. Of 1,005 people who took part, 68% said Mr Clegg was an asset to his party, compared with 43% for Mr Clegg and 42% for Mr Brown.
Most of the English local authorities are electing a third of members to serve for another four years. Mr Brown's reputation for economic competence has also taken a blow.
Labour insiders fear the party could shed up to 200 council seats amid widespread anger over the abolition of the 10p income tax rate and sniping at Mr Brown's leadership. 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%.
Among the key battlegrounds, Labour will be hoping to retain control of Reading and retake Sheffield from no overall control in a straight fight with the Liberal Democrats.
The Conservatives will be looking to make several gains, such as taking control of Basingstoke, Worcester, Solihull, Thurrock, Maidstone and Rossendale.
Other authorities the party is hopeful of winning include Barrow-in-Furness, Bury and Vale of Glamorgan.
Pressure on Brown
The Lib Dems are defending 750 seats, with the poll being the first major test of leader Mr Clegg, who was elected in December.
A poor poll showing for Labour could make life difficult for Mr Brown, with backbenchers increasingly concerned about their own prospects at the next general election.
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
However, only 36% say they trust the Conservatives to run the economy – ten points down on last year, and little better than the figure of 32% recorded for the party in 2002.
Labour insiders fear the party could shed up to 200 council seats amid widespread anger over the abolition of the 10p income tax rate and sniping at Mr Brown's leadership.
But the Conservatives are under pressure to gain 40% of the vote to prove they are on course to win a general election - although the party is trying to play down expectations.
The key seats to watch out for as the night unfolds include:
  • Bury - winning outright control of this authority, one of the more marginal boroughs, would be seen as a good result for the Conservatives.
  • Coventry - Labour launched its campaign in this city, suggesting they are confident of ending its Conservative control.
  • 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.
  • North Tyneside - A northern Conservative target, but is run by a Labour mayor. A win here, however, would be a boost for Tory morale.
    • 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 result, due on Friday evening, looks extremely close, following a gruelling contest between Conservative Boris Johnson and Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone.The London 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 widely seen as a test of their parties' national popularity ahead of the next general election, which has to be held by 2010. 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 survey suggests Conservative David Cameron is seen as the most effective of the main party leaders.
    Of 1,005 people who took part, 68% said he was an asset to his party, compared with 43% for Mr Clegg and 42% for Mr Brown.