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Tories 'winning across England' Tories 'winning across England'
(about 2 hours later)
Conservative leader David Cameron has said his party's performance in the local elections shows it can win in "every part of the country".Conservative leader David Cameron has said his party's performance in the local elections shows it can win in "every part of the country".
So far the Tories have taken councils from Labour and the Lib Dems including Derbyshire, run by Labour since 1981.So far the Tories have taken councils from Labour and the Lib Dems including Derbyshire, run by Labour since 1981.
The Lib Dems have won control in Bristol while Labour has lost control of all of its four councils.The Lib Dems have won control in Bristol while Labour has lost control of all of its four councils.
Labour deputy Harriet Harman admitted the results were "disappointing" but said the party would learn from them.Labour deputy Harriet Harman admitted the results were "disappointing" but said the party would learn from them.
The Conservatives have taken Staffordshire, Lancashire and Derbyshire from Labour - which had run all three since 1981 - as well as Devon and Somerset from the Lib Dems.The Conservatives have taken Staffordshire, Lancashire and Derbyshire from Labour - which had run all three since 1981 - as well as Devon and Somerset from the Lib Dems.
Projected vote shareProjected vote share
They also took Warwickshire from no overall control and took power in the new Central Bedfordshire unitary authority, winning 54 seats on the council. The Lib Dems took 11, while Labour failed to win a seat.They also took Warwickshire from no overall control and took power in the new Central Bedfordshire unitary authority, winning 54 seats on the council. The Lib Dems took 11, while Labour failed to win a seat.
With results in from 33 out of 34 councils which held elections, the Tories had gained 230 councillors while Labour had lost 272 seats and the Lib Dems four.
According to the BBC's estimated projected national vote share - the Conservatives are on 38%, Labour on 23% - a historic low - the Lib Dems on 28% and other parties on 11%.According to the BBC's estimated projected national vote share - the Conservatives are on 38%, Labour on 23% - a historic low - the Lib Dems on 28% and other parties on 11%.
We have won almost every council we could possibly have won ... We have won councils we really didn't think we were going to win David Cameron Labour loses council strongholds Tories take hold of Central Beds Tories romp home in LincolnshireWe have won almost every council we could possibly have won ... We have won councils we really didn't think we were going to win David Cameron Labour loses council strongholds Tories take hold of Central Beds Tories romp home in Lincolnshire
It suggests the Tories and Lib Dems are doing as well as they did in 2004 while Labour is three points down and 1% lower than last year's record low projection.It suggests the Tories and Lib Dems are doing as well as they did in 2004 while Labour is three points down and 1% lower than last year's record low projection.
The Conservatives' projection is down on the 44% they got last year and there was some evidence that in areas where Tory MPs had been embroiled in the expenses scandal, the Tory vote dropped.The Conservatives' projection is down on the 44% they got last year and there was some evidence that in areas where Tory MPs had been embroiled in the expenses scandal, the Tory vote dropped.
But Mr Cameron told the BBC the number of minor parties and independents was bound to have an effect on vote share but did not accept the party had not progressed since the last elections.But Mr Cameron told the BBC the number of minor parties and independents was bound to have an effect on vote share but did not accept the party had not progressed since the last elections.
"The last set of county council elections four years ago - compared with those we have gained seats up and down the country," he said."The last set of county council elections four years ago - compared with those we have gained seats up and down the country," he said.
"We have won almost every council we could possibly have won ... We have won councils we really didn't think we were going to win ... so I don't accept that these aren't extremely good results for the Conservative Party.""We have won almost every council we could possibly have won ... We have won councils we really didn't think we were going to win ... so I don't accept that these aren't extremely good results for the Conservative Party."
He said the results showed people wanted a "strong, positive and united alternative" to the government and were seeing the Conservatives as that alternative.He said the results showed people wanted a "strong, positive and united alternative" to the government and were seeing the Conservatives as that alternative.
'Fresh start''Fresh start'
"Across the country what's remarkable about these figures and what shines out is it's the Conservative Party winning in every part of the country," he said."Across the country what's remarkable about these figures and what shines out is it's the Conservative Party winning in every part of the country," he said.
"Here in the south west, against the Lib Dems, but in the Midlands against Labour and in the north west we are doing very well in Lancashire against Labour as well.""Here in the south west, against the Lib Dems, but in the Midlands against Labour and in the north west we are doing very well in Lancashire against Labour as well."
He said the government was in "near collapse" and people wanted a "fresh start".He said the government was in "near collapse" and people wanted a "fresh start".
Harman on 'disappointing results'Harman on 'disappointing results'
The Lib Dems took Bristol but lost Somerset and Devon to the Tories. However according to the BBC's projected national vote share, they are well ahead of Labour - on 28% compared to Labour's 23%.The Lib Dems took Bristol but lost Somerset and Devon to the Tories. However according to the BBC's projected national vote share, they are well ahead of Labour - on 28% compared to Labour's 23%.
Labour has lost control of Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Nottinghamshire on what proved a poor day for them.Labour has lost control of Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Nottinghamshire on what proved a poor day for them.
Labour's deputy leader, Harriet Harman, told reporters: "I think we're disappointed about the election results, but we'll learn lessons about it and I think it has a lot to do with the concern people have got about expenses."Labour's deputy leader, Harriet Harman, told reporters: "I think we're disappointed about the election results, but we'll learn lessons about it and I think it has a lot to do with the concern people have got about expenses."
'Resigned to defeat''Resigned to defeat'
She was strongly criticised by former deputy prime minister John Prescott, who accused her and other ministers of running a "non campaign" and of being "resigned to defeat".She was strongly criticised by former deputy prime minister John Prescott, who accused her and other ministers of running a "non campaign" and of being "resigned to defeat".
What I think is coming out of the projected national vote share is that both Labour and the Conservatives have been hit since last year and we are indeed making gains Chris HuhneLiberal Democrats Lib Dems take control of Bristol First county council seat for BNP Tories take Devon English Democrat wins mayor voteWhat I think is coming out of the projected national vote share is that both Labour and the Conservatives have been hit since last year and we are indeed making gains Chris HuhneLiberal Democrats Lib Dems take control of Bristol First county council seat for BNP Tories take Devon English Democrat wins mayor vote
But that was dismissed by local government minister John Healey told the BBC: "He's wrong, we have been out campaigning for the last few weeks as you would expect."But that was dismissed by local government minister John Healey told the BBC: "He's wrong, we have been out campaigning for the last few weeks as you would expect."
He said campaigns in local areas had been "very strong" but had been "overwhelmed" by the expenses row and voters were using them as a referendum on personalities at Westminster.He said campaigns in local areas had been "very strong" but had been "overwhelmed" by the expenses row and voters were using them as a referendum on personalities at Westminster.
The Conservatives have also retained control of Hampshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Essex county councils and gained Warwickshire from no overall controlThe Conservatives have also retained control of Hampshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Essex county councils and gained Warwickshire from no overall control
'Spectacular gains''Spectacular gains'
In Bristol, the Lib Dems and Tories gained four seats each, all at the expense of Labour.In Bristol, the Lib Dems and Tories gained four seats each, all at the expense of Labour.
The Lib Dems have 36 councillors, giving them an overall majority in the city.The Lib Dems have 36 councillors, giving them an overall majority in the city.
Party leader Nick Clegg hailed "spectacular gains" in Bristol said this was the beginning of a "complete transformation of city politics" with his party taking urban seats off Labour.Party leader Nick Clegg hailed "spectacular gains" in Bristol said this was the beginning of a "complete transformation of city politics" with his party taking urban seats off Labour.
But he admitted it looked like the Lib Dems were facing a strong challenge from the Tories in the rural south west.But he admitted it looked like the Lib Dems were facing a strong challenge from the Tories in the rural south west.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg on losses and gains in the local electionsLib Dem leader Nick Clegg on losses and gains in the local elections
"It's a bit of a patchwork - a bit of a setback in the south west but very spectacular gains elsewhere," Mr Clegg said."It's a bit of a patchwork - a bit of a setback in the south west but very spectacular gains elsewhere," Mr Clegg said.
His colleague Chris Huhne added: "What I think is coming out of the projected national vote share is that both Labour and the Conservatives have been hit since last year and we are indeed making gains."His colleague Chris Huhne added: "What I think is coming out of the projected national vote share is that both Labour and the Conservatives have been hit since last year and we are indeed making gains."
Meanwhile, the Green Party have won 16 seats while UKIP picked up six, including three in Staffordshire.Meanwhile, the Green Party have won 16 seats while UKIP picked up six, including three in Staffordshire.
The British National Party have won three seats in Lancashire, Leicestershire and Hertfordshire.The British National Party have won three seats in Lancashire, Leicestershire and Hertfordshire.
The English Democrats, who campaign for an English Parliament, have also had a win in Doncaster, where their candidate Peter Davies was elected mayor. The Tory and Labour candidates were knocked out in the first round.The English Democrats, who campaign for an English Parliament, have also had a win in Doncaster, where their candidate Peter Davies was elected mayor. The Tory and Labour candidates were knocked out in the first round.
In Hartlepool, independent Stuart Drummond was re-elected for a third term as mayor. The former Hartlepool United mascot - known as H'Angus the Monkey - first won office in 2002.In Hartlepool, independent Stuart Drummond was re-elected for a third term as mayor. The former Hartlepool United mascot - known as H'Angus the Monkey - first won office in 2002.
Turnout appears to have been mixed.Turnout appears to have been mixed.
Provisional figures from the Doncaster mayoral election suggest 35.8% of voters took part - down from 54% in 2005. In Staffordshire turnout is also estimated at 31% so far. But in Leicestershire results were delayed by a "higher than expected" turnout.Provisional figures from the Doncaster mayoral election suggest 35.8% of voters took part - down from 54% in 2005. In Staffordshire turnout is also estimated at 31% so far. But in Leicestershire results were delayed by a "higher than expected" turnout.