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Local and mayoral results: Conservatives make gains Local and mayoral results: Conservatives make gains
(35 minutes later)
The Conservatives have gained control of five councils while Labour have lost two, on a night of contrasting fortunes for the parties in local polls.The Conservatives have gained control of five councils while Labour have lost two, on a night of contrasting fortunes for the parties in local polls.
Among the first results in England and Wales, the Tories gained Warwickshire, Lincolnshire and Monmouthshire.Among the first results in England and Wales, the Tories gained Warwickshire, Lincolnshire and Monmouthshire.
Labour lost control of Blaenau Gwent and Bridgend, but held onto Cardiff.Labour lost control of Blaenau Gwent and Bridgend, but held onto Cardiff.
Lib Dem results have been patchy - they failed to stop the Tories retaining control in Somerset - while UKIP have lost all of their 42 seats so far.Lib Dem results have been patchy - they failed to stop the Tories retaining control in Somerset - while UKIP have lost all of their 42 seats so far.
Despite the results, the Conservatives have attempted to downplay their significance as a guide to the outcome of the general election on 8 June.Despite the results, the Conservatives have attempted to downplay their significance as a guide to the outcome of the general election on 8 June.
When are the results declared?When are the results declared?
A total of 4,851 seats are up for grabs in 88 councils - all 32 in Scotland, 22 in Wales and 34 country councils and unitary authorities in England.A total of 4,851 seats are up for grabs in 88 councils - all 32 in Scotland, 22 in Wales and 34 country councils and unitary authorities in England.
So far, 24 councils in England and Wales have announced their results.So far, 24 councils in England and Wales have announced their results.
The remainder - including the likes of Lancashire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Norfolk - will declare during Friday morning and afternoon.The remainder - including the likes of Lancashire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Norfolk - will declare during Friday morning and afternoon.
Counting in Scotland is just getting under way. The result in Glasgow, where the SNP is trying to wrest control from Labour, is not expected until about 1500 GMT.Counting in Scotland is just getting under way. The result in Glasgow, where the SNP is trying to wrest control from Labour, is not expected until about 1500 GMT.
How have things gone so far?How have things gone so far?
At 10:00 BST, the Conservatives had control of 10 authorities and 582 seats, a net gain of 166.At 10:00 BST, the Conservatives had control of 10 authorities and 582 seats, a net gain of 166.
Labour, meanwhile, had control of five authorities and 421 seats, a net loss of 127.Labour, meanwhile, had control of five authorities and 421 seats, a net loss of 127.
The Lib Dems had 153 seats, a net loss of 24. UKIP had failed to win any seats, a net loss of 42, while the Greens had picked up 11. The Lib Dems had 153 seats, a net loss of 24. UKIP had failed to win any seats, a net loss of 42, while the Greens had picked up 11, a net gain of six.
Plaid Cymru, meanwhile, have won 60 seats - a net gain so far of 13.
A good night for the ConservativesA good night for the Conservatives
The Conservatives are now in charge of Warwickshire, Lincolnshire, Gloucestershire, the Isle of Wight and Monmouthshire, all of which were previously under no overall control.The Conservatives are now in charge of Warwickshire, Lincolnshire, Gloucestershire, the Isle of Wight and Monmouthshire, all of which were previously under no overall control.
So far, the party has only lost four seats as it also held onto Dorset, Essex and Somerset among others.So far, the party has only lost four seats as it also held onto Dorset, Essex and Somerset among others.
The Conservative candidate for the new "metro mayor" post for the West of England, Tim Bowles, beat Labour's Lesley Mansell by 51.6% to 48.4%.The Conservative candidate for the new "metro mayor" post for the West of England, Tim Bowles, beat Labour's Lesley Mansell by 51.6% to 48.4%.
John Curtice, Professor of Politics at Strathclyde University, said the Conservatives had so far put in their best election performance since at least 2008, with an average swing of seven points from Labour to the Tories since 2013.John Curtice, Professor of Politics at Strathclyde University, said the Conservatives had so far put in their best election performance since at least 2008, with an average swing of seven points from Labour to the Tories since 2013.
He said the Conservatives appeared to have been the main beneficiaries of a sharp decline in support for UKIP.He said the Conservatives appeared to have been the main beneficiaries of a sharp decline in support for UKIP.
Conservative defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the outcome was "very encouraging", but denied the general election was in the bag, saying the results were not an "accurate prediction" of next month's poll.Conservative defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the outcome was "very encouraging", but denied the general election was in the bag, saying the results were not an "accurate prediction" of next month's poll.
Disappointment for LabourDisappointment for Labour
Labour-controlled councils in England, such as Derbyshire and Durham, have yet to declare - but they will be closely watched as there are already signs of the party losing ground in areas which voted to leave the EU.Labour-controlled councils in England, such as Derbyshire and Durham, have yet to declare - but they will be closely watched as there are already signs of the party losing ground in areas which voted to leave the EU.
It lost ground in Lincolnshire, Cumbria and Warwickshire. Phil Johnson, the party's general election candidate in Nuneaton, lost his seat on Warwickshire council to the Conservatives.It lost ground in Lincolnshire, Cumbria and Warwickshire. Phil Johnson, the party's general election candidate in Nuneaton, lost his seat on Warwickshire council to the Conservatives.
The performance was labelled "pretty disastrous" by ex-MP Stephen Kinnock, who is standing again in Aberavon.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said this was not the "wipe-out that many commentators were forecasting" and Labour were building a "solid base" for the general election.Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said this was not the "wipe-out that many commentators were forecasting" and Labour were building a "solid base" for the general election.
But the BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the opposition should be "gobbling up" seats rather than trying to "put a rosy picture" on holding onto seats in some of their traditional heartlands.But the BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the opposition should be "gobbling up" seats rather than trying to "put a rosy picture" on holding onto seats in some of their traditional heartlands.
Analysis: Where the parties stand so far
By Laura Kuenssberg, BBC's political editor
It's early, early days. But so far there will be grimaces at Labour HQ, beaming smiles at Tory CCHQ, a slightly frazzled atmosphere at the Lib Dem's home this morning and well, don't be surprised if you see Nigel Farage at his favourite boozer by lunchtime.
There are lots and lots of results still to come in. But with a general election only a month away, this barometer of real votes looks grim for the Labour Party.
What's happened in Wales?What's happened in Wales?
It was a mixed picture for Labour in Wales, where it has been the dominant force in local government for decades.It was a mixed picture for Labour in Wales, where it has been the dominant force in local government for decades.
It lost control of its heartland seat Blaenau Gwent to independents. It also lost Bridgend while the result in Merthyr Tydfil is on a knife-edge as the final three seats will not be declared until 8 June and Labour would have to win them all to retain a majority.It lost control of its heartland seat Blaenau Gwent to independents. It also lost Bridgend while the result in Merthyr Tydfil is on a knife-edge as the final three seats will not be declared until 8 June and Labour would have to win them all to retain a majority.
Merthyr Tydfil's Labour leader Brendan Toomey, among those to lose his seat, said the party was "having a very disappointing evening to say the least".Merthyr Tydfil's Labour leader Brendan Toomey, among those to lose his seat, said the party was "having a very disappointing evening to say the least".
Vaughan Gething, a member of the Labour government in Wales, said there was an "awful lot of work" for the party to do before the general election.Vaughan Gething, a member of the Labour government in Wales, said there was an "awful lot of work" for the party to do before the general election.
He told Radio 4's Today there had been "mixed messages" on the doorsteps about Jeremy Corbyn but there had also been strong results - with his party "turning back the Tory tide" in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea.He told Radio 4's Today there had been "mixed messages" on the doorsteps about Jeremy Corbyn but there had also been strong results - with his party "turning back the Tory tide" in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea.
UKIP's 'challenging night'UKIP's 'challenging night'
It has been a bleak night so far for UKIP, which has lost all of its 42 seats that have been declared.It has been a bleak night so far for UKIP, which has lost all of its 42 seats that have been declared.
In Lincolnshire, where UKIP had 16 councillors elected in 2013 and was the official opposition on the council, the party has lost all of its remaining 13 seats.In Lincolnshire, where UKIP had 16 councillors elected in 2013 and was the official opposition on the council, the party has lost all of its remaining 13 seats.
It also lost all its seats in Warwickshire, Hampshire, Essex and the Isle of Wight, which were taken by the Conservatives.It also lost all its seats in Warwickshire, Hampshire, Essex and the Isle of Wight, which were taken by the Conservatives.
Former UKIP leadership contender Lisa Duffy described the performance as "very disappointing" and "challenging", adding: "We knew it was going to be a difficult night."Former UKIP leadership contender Lisa Duffy described the performance as "very disappointing" and "challenging", adding: "We knew it was going to be a difficult night."
What about the others?What about the others?
Lib Dem president Sal Brinton described her party's performance overall as "patchy", while former business secretary Vince Cable said there had been no "spectacular breakthrough".Lib Dem president Sal Brinton described her party's performance overall as "patchy", while former business secretary Vince Cable said there had been no "spectacular breakthrough".
The Conservatives saw off the Lib Dems' challenge to hold on to Somerset County Council - although leader John Osman was ousted by Lib Dem former MP Tessa Munt.The Conservatives saw off the Lib Dems' challenge to hold on to Somerset County Council - although leader John Osman was ousted by Lib Dem former MP Tessa Munt.
In Cumbria, where party leader Tim Farron is hoping to be re-elected as MP for Westmoreland and Lonsdale, the party failed to increase its representation. In Cumbria, where party leader Tim Farron is hoping to be re-elected as MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, the party failed to increase its representation.
Ex-MP Stephen Williams only came third in the race to be the new metro mayor for the west of England.Ex-MP Stephen Williams only came third in the race to be the new metro mayor for the west of England.
The Green Party have gained six seats in England while Plaid Cymru have added eight in Wales. The Green Party have gained six seats in England while Plaid Cymru have added eight in Wales. It has also been a good night for those unaffiliated to any political party, with 28 more independents than before.
It has also been a good night for those unaffiliated to any political party, with 28 more independents than before.
Analysis: Where the parties stand... so far
By Chris Mason
The swing from Labour to the Conservatives, across the results we have so far, is substantial.
UKIP's vote is collapsing heavily.
The party has been wiped out in Lincolnshire, the very spot where its leader Paul Nuttall will fight for a Westminster seat next month, in Boston and Skegness.
What about the Liberal Democrats? They can point to some high moments: their former MP Tessa Munt beating the Conservative leader of Somerset County Council, for instance.
But, for all their talk of a Lib Dem fight back, it is not amounting to much so far.
Read more from Chris
Still to come... the metro mayorsStill to come... the metro mayors
Along with the West of England, voters in Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City region, the West Midlands, Tees Valley, and Cambridge and Peterborough will also all elect "metro mayors" covering combined local authority areas.Along with the West of England, voters in Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City region, the West Midlands, Tees Valley, and Cambridge and Peterborough will also all elect "metro mayors" covering combined local authority areas.
The mayors will mostly be responsible for economic development, but some will have powers over transport and housing.The mayors will mostly be responsible for economic development, but some will have powers over transport and housing.
Former Labour cabinet minister Andy Burnham, who is stepping down as an MP, hopes to become Greater Manchester's first elected mayor while in the West Midlands, former John Lewis boss Andy Street is running for the Conservatives while Sion Simon hopes to secure the role for Labour.Former Labour cabinet minister Andy Burnham, who is stepping down as an MP, hopes to become Greater Manchester's first elected mayor while in the West Midlands, former John Lewis boss Andy Street is running for the Conservatives while Sion Simon hopes to secure the role for Labour.
The West Midlands result is expected at about 15.00 GMT and the Greater Manchester outcome at 18.00 GMT.The West Midlands result is expected at about 15.00 GMT and the Greater Manchester outcome at 18.00 GMT.
Turnout in these elections will be closely watched, amid reports that the number of eligible people voting in Liverpool could be as low at 10%.Turnout in these elections will be closely watched, amid reports that the number of eligible people voting in Liverpool could be as low at 10%.
In Doncaster and North Tyneside, residents voted for local authority mayors, who are elected leaders of their respective councils.In Doncaster and North Tyneside, residents voted for local authority mayors, who are elected leaders of their respective councils.
English mayoral candidates
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