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Local and mayoral results: Tories advance amid Labour losses Local and mayoral results: Tories advance amid Labour losses
(about 1 hour later)
The Conservatives have gained ground in local elections across Britain at the expense of Labour and UKIP. The Conservatives have made big gains at the expense of Labour and UKIP in local elections across Britain.
They have assumed control of 10 new councils in England and Wales, such as Derbyshire, Monmouthshire and Norfolk, and are making headway in Scotland. The Tories won control of 11 new councils in England and Wales and are making headway in Scotland, where Labour lost control of Glasgow.
Labour, which lost control of Glasgow as well as Bridgend and Blaenau Gwent, said it was "disappointing" five weeks before the general election. UKIP has been virtually wiped out, losing 136 councillors, while the Lib Dems have lost more than 30 seats.
UKIP has lost more than 80 seats amid claims its influence was "at an end". The projected national vote share for the Tories is 38% to Labour's 27%, the Lib Dems' 18% and UKIP's 5%.
Amid contrasting fortunes for the parties in local polls, the Conservatives have attempted to downplay their significance as a guide to the outcome of the general election on 8 June. The Conservatives scored a victory in Tees Valley, a traditional Labour stronghold, where their candidate Ben Houchen was elected the area's first metro Mayor. He hailed it as a "political earthquake".
What's the state of play so far? The party also gained control in Derbyshire, Monmouthshire and Norfolk, while Labour lost control of Glasgow as well as Bridgend and Blaenau Gwent.
A total of 4,851 seats are up for grabs in 88 councils - all 32 in Scotland, 22 in Wales and 34 county councils and unitary authorities in England. Polling expert John Curtice said that if the results in so far were reflected at next month's general election, Theresa May would win a bigger majority - but he questioned whether she would get the landslide she was hoping for.
So far, 57 councils have announced their final results. The 11 point Tory lead over Labour in the projected national share is smaller than their 17% average lead in recent opinion polls, he added.
At 14:00 BST, the Conservatives had control of 21 authorities and 1,346 seats, a net gain of 383 seats and 10 councils. The projected national share figures are what the share of the vote would be if all parts of Britain had local elections and had voted in the same way as Thursday's English County Council elections.
Labour, meanwhile, had control of six authorities and 751 seats, a net loss of 267 seats and four councils. The Lib Dems had 300 seats, a net loss of 36.
UKIP had won just one seat, a net loss of 105, while the Greens had picked up 19, a net gain of two.
Plaid Cymru, meanwhile, had won 153 seats - a net gain so far of 33.
What are the notable results?What are the notable results?
Among a string of gains in England, the Conservative victory in Derbyshire is perhaps the most notable result so far.Among a string of gains in England, the Conservative victory in Derbyshire is perhaps the most notable result so far.
It won 19 seats directly from Labour - which has lost control of the council for the first time while in the party is in opposition at a national level, since the 1970s.It won 19 seats directly from Labour - which has lost control of the council for the first time while in the party is in opposition at a national level, since the 1970s.
Labour has also ceded control of Glasgow Council, which has been a municipal stronghold for decades, although it is not clear yet whether the SNP will win enough votes to command a majority.Labour has also ceded control of Glasgow Council, which has been a municipal stronghold for decades, although it is not clear yet whether the SNP will win enough votes to command a majority.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives have won seats in Glasgow wards such as Shettleston and Paisley, where they have been unrepresented for years.Meanwhile, the Conservatives have won seats in Glasgow wards such as Shettleston and Paisley, where they have been unrepresented for years.
This is part of a resurgence in Scotland for the Tories, albeit from a low base. They have picked up eight seats in Aberdeen and have made gains in Edinburgh, Fife and Midlothian.This is part of a resurgence in Scotland for the Tories, albeit from a low base. They have picked up eight seats in Aberdeen and have made gains in Edinburgh, Fife and Midlothian.
A good time for the ConservativesA good time for the Conservatives
As well as Derbyshire, the Conservatives have taken charge of Warwickshire, Lincolnshire, Gloucestershire, the Isle of Wight, Norfolk and Monmouthshire, all of which were previously under no overall control.As well as Derbyshire, the Conservatives have taken charge of Warwickshire, Lincolnshire, Gloucestershire, the Isle of Wight, Norfolk and Monmouthshire, all of which were previously under no overall control.
So far, the party has only lost two seats as it also held onto Dorset, Essex and Somerset among others.So far, the party has only lost two 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 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.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 farAnalysis: Where the parties stand so far
By Laura Kuenssberg, BBC's political editorBy 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.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.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 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 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 64 seats that have been declared.It has been a bleak night so far for UKIP, which has lost all of its 64 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 Steven Woolfe said the party's influence was "at an end" while its former MP Douglas Carswell said "it was over".Former UKIP leadership contender Steven Woolfe said the party's influence was "at an end" while its former MP Douglas Carswell said "it was over".
But party leader Paul Nuttall said UKIP, which did well in 2013 council elections and won 3.8 million votes in the 2015 general election, was a "victim of its own success".But party leader Paul Nuttall said UKIP, which did well in 2013 council elections and won 3.8 million votes in the 2015 general election, was a "victim of its own success".
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. The Lib Dems lost six seats although former MP Tessa Munt ousted the Conservative leader John Osman.The Conservatives saw off the Lib Dems' challenge to hold on to Somerset County Council. The Lib Dems lost six seats although former MP Tessa Munt ousted the Conservative leader John Osman.
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.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. It has also been a good night for those unaffiliated to any political party, with 28 more independents than before.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.
Metro mayor resultsMetro mayor results
Along with the West of England, voters in Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City region, the West Midlands, Tees Valley, and Cambridge and Peterborough are all electing "metro mayors" covering combined local authority areas. Voters in the West of England, Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City region, the West Midlands, Tees Valley, and Cambridge and Peterborough have all been electing "metro mayors" covering combined local authority areas.
Former MP Steve Rotheram won in Liverpool on the first ballot, getting 59% of the total vote. Labour former cabinet minister Andy Burnham has won the mayoral contest in Greater Manchester, with 63% of the vote.
The Tees Valley election has gone to a run-off after no candidate got 50% of the vote in the first round. He said it was the start of a "new era" for the the region and an end to "London-centric" politics.
In the West Midlands, it is expected to be a close call between Conservative Andy Street, a former John Lewis boss and former Labour MP Sion Simon. Ben Houchen, who won Tees Valley for the Conservatives, said after defeating Labour's Sue Jeffrey: "We are seeing a massive trend towards the Conservatives. We have started to turn the Tees Valley blue."
The outcome of the Greater Manchester election, in which former cabinet minister Andy Burnham is standing for Labour, is due at 18.00 GMT. In the West Midlands, it is expected to be a close call between Conservative Andy Street, a former John Lewis boss, and former Labour MP Sion Simon.
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.
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.
Labour's Ros Jones was elected in Doncaster on the first ballot as was Labour's Norma Readfearn in North Tyneside. Labour's Ros Jones was elected in Doncaster on the first ballot, as was Labour's Norma Readfearn in North Tyneside.
What's your reaction to the results? Tell us who you voted for and why by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.What's your reaction to the results? Tell us who you voted for and why by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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