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Power shifts in key councils Tories hail council successes
(20 minutes later)
Conservatives and Liberal Democrats were celebrating after taking control of key councils in England. class="" href="/1/hi/england/cornwall/6618623.stm">Castle used as polling station Conservatives have claimed they made significant gains across England after sweeping to power in 13 councils.
But while some predicted Labour would suffer major losses - they held their own in many local authorities. They seized control in Town Halls such as Chester, which they had not held since 1986, and saw a net gain across the country of more than 250 councillors.
The Liberal Democrats took control of Hull before snapping up Rochdale and gaining Eastbourne. But Labour, who saw a net loss of about 130 councillors, breathed a sigh of relief that they did not suffer any major defeats - and held their own in many local authorities, especially in the North.
The Tories took heart after seizing power on nine councils, including Chester, an authority they last held in 1986, and North Warwickshire. The Liberal Democrats hailed victories in Hull and Eastbourne but overall were left reeling from a net loss of 93 council seats.
They also gained five seats to overturn Labour's reign in Plymouth and also grasped control of Gravesham and Dover in Kent, Woking and Waverley in Surrey, North West Leicestershire and South Ribble in Lancashire. The Tories took heart after seizing power in councils including Plymouth, North Warwickshire, Gravesham and Dover in Kent, Woking and Waverley in Surrey, North West Leicestershire, South Ribble in Lancashire and Malvern Hills in Worcestershire.
Overall, the Tories had a net gain of 198 council seats in England with Labour losing 130 and the Liberal Democrats down 39. But John Hutton, Labour's Works and Pensions Secretary, said: "The Tories have not made progress."
John Hutton, Labour's Works and Pensions Secretary, said: "I think most people thought Labour's vote would go down but it's gone up. The Tories have not made progress."
Across England 32.8 million people were able to vote. Some counts were not being held until Friday.Across England 32.8 million people were able to vote. Some counts were not being held until Friday.
About 10,500 councillors will be elected across England as a result of Thursday's voting.About 10,500 councillors will be elected across England as a result of Thursday's voting.
While almost half of the counts were due to start straight after polls closed and see winners announced in the early hours, 169 of the 312 authorities have delayed their counts until Friday - because of a new postal voting system.While almost half of the counts were due to start straight after polls closed and see winners announced in the early hours, 169 of the 312 authorities have delayed their counts until Friday - because of a new postal voting system.
PARTIES DEFENDING SEATS IN ENGLISH LOCAL ELECTIONS Conservative: 4404Labour: 2379Lib Dem: 2419Others: 1277 of which: Green: 45BNP: 9UKIP: 6IKHH: 3Respect: 4Mebyon Kernow: 6Source: BBC Research In Depth: Elections 2007 Q&A: 2007 elections Send us your commentsPARTIES DEFENDING SEATS IN ENGLISH LOCAL ELECTIONS Conservative: 4404Labour: 2379Lib Dem: 2419Others: 1277 of which: Green: 45BNP: 9UKIP: 6IKHH: 3Respect: 4Mebyon Kernow: 6Source: BBC Research In Depth: Elections 2007 Q&A: 2007 elections Send us your comments
Election officers must double check at least 20% (but preferably 100%) of signatures accompanying ballot papers with those on the original applications for a postal vote.Election officers must double check at least 20% (but preferably 100%) of signatures accompanying ballot papers with those on the original applications for a postal vote.
It means a clear picture of the results will be unlikely to be available before Friday afternoon.It means a clear picture of the results will be unlikely to be available before Friday afternoon.
However, in a Lincolnshire council seat Conservative Christopher Underwood-Frost held on - by winning the toss of a coin.However, in a Lincolnshire council seat Conservative Christopher Underwood-Frost held on - by winning the toss of a coin.
He had tied with his Lib Dem rival on 781 votes, forcing the spin of a coin to decide the winner.He had tied with his Lib Dem rival on 781 votes, forcing the spin of a coin to decide the winner.
Much of the country experienced warm weather during voting hours, which is traditionally seen as a boost to turnout.Much of the country experienced warm weather during voting hours, which is traditionally seen as a boost to turnout.
In last year's council elections, turnout across England was about 36%.In last year's council elections, turnout across England was about 36%.