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Conservatives hail election gains Conservatives hail election gains
(about 2 hours later)
The Conservatives say they have made stunning gains in the English local elections which will pave the way to victory at the next general election. The Conservatives say they are on course to win the next election after gaining hundreds of councillors across England and winning 40% of the vote.
With many results still to come in, the Conservatives have made a net gain of 861 seats and have seized control of councils across England. With only a handful of results still to come in, the Tories have made a net gain of 875 seats and have seized control of councils across England.
Labour has suffered a net loss of more than 468 council seats and the Liberal Democrats have lost about 252 seats. Labour has suffered a net loss of more than 485 council seats and the Liberal Democrats have lost about 242 seats.
Tony Blair said Labour recovered from worse results to win the last election.Tony Blair said Labour recovered from worse results to win the last election.
BBC projections based on the English council results put the Conservative share of the vote at 40%, the same as last year, with Labour on 27%, one point up, and the Lib Dems on 26% - down a point. BBC projections based on the English council results put the Conservative share of the vote at 40%, the same as last year, with Labour on 27%, one point up, and the Lib Dems down one point at 26%.
'Dreadful results''Dreadful results'
The Conservatives are claiming they have made some significant electoral gains in Northern England. Party sources claim the Conservatives gained more than 100 new councillors in the north of England, although they again failed to win any seats on Manchester City Council.
Although they again failed to win any seats on Manchester City Council, Tories gained control in Chester, Blackpool and South Ribble. However, in Blackpool, the Labour leader, deputy leader and mayor all lost their seats to Conservatives.
In Blackpool, the Labour leader, deputy leader and mayor all lost their seats to Conservatives.
David Cameron lauded the Conservative win in Chester See the results for EnglandDavid Cameron lauded the Conservative win in Chester See the results for England
Tory leader David Cameron said: "We took control of South Ribble with stunning results on one side of the Pennines.Tory leader David Cameron said: "We took control of South Ribble with stunning results on one side of the Pennines.
"We took control of the East Riding of Yorkshire on the other side with also stunning results.""We took control of the East Riding of Yorkshire on the other side with also stunning results."
Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "For the Liberal Democrats I think it's been a dreadful set of results and the Tories have not broken through, particularly in the northern cities, in the way they wanted to.Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "For the Liberal Democrats I think it's been a dreadful set of results and the Tories have not broken through, particularly in the northern cities, in the way they wanted to.
"I think people will understand that if we could come from worse results in 2004 to win a general election, we can do that now.""I think people will understand that if we could come from worse results in 2004 to win a general election, we can do that now."
The Lib Dems have suffered heavy losses, losing councils such as South Norfolk and Uttlesford on big swings to the Tories.The Lib Dems have suffered heavy losses, losing councils such as South Norfolk and Uttlesford on big swings to the Tories.
'Mixed bag'
But they recorded gains in Hull, Rochdale, Eastbourne and Hinckley and Bosworth. And Labour lost overall control of Sheffield after Lib Dem gains.But they recorded gains in Hull, Rochdale, Eastbourne and Hinckley and Bosworth. And Labour lost overall control of Sheffield after Lib Dem gains.
At 1500 BST the Lib Dems had a net loss of one council and a loss of 207 councillors, while the Tories had net gains of 23 councils and a net gain of 612 councillors.
Tony Blair said Labour could recover from the resultsTony Blair said Labour could recover from the results
Party leader Sir Menzies Campbell admitted the elections had delivered a "mixed bag", but said there had been some results to be cheerful about.Party leader Sir Menzies Campbell admitted the elections had delivered a "mixed bag", but said there had been some results to be cheerful about.
In the Midlands, the Tories took control of Oswestry Borough Council for the first time in the council's history and South Derbyshire went their way after 33 years as a Labour stronghold.In the Midlands, the Tories took control of Oswestry Borough Council for the first time in the council's history and South Derbyshire went their way after 33 years as a Labour stronghold.
They also became the largest party in Birmingham for the first time in 24 years.They also became the largest party in Birmingham for the first time in 24 years.
But their biggest gains were further south. They won Plymouth and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, where the Lib Dem leader lost her seat.
Toss of coinToss of coin
It did not all go the Tories' way - their candidate in Tony Blair's home ward in County Durham failed to poll a single vote.It did not all go the Tories' way - their candidate in Tony Blair's home ward in County Durham failed to poll a single vote.
In Lincolnshire, Conservative Christopher Underwood-Frost only held on by winning on the toss of a coin after he tied with his Lib Dem rival on 781 votes.In Lincolnshire, Conservative Christopher Underwood-Frost only held on by winning on the toss of a coin after he tied with his Lib Dem rival on 781 votes.
Elsewhere in the county, Boston Bypass independents, campaigning for a bypass for the town, won control of the borough council.Elsewhere in the county, Boston Bypass independents, campaigning for a bypass for the town, won control of the borough council.
Electronic countingElectronic counting
Across England 32.8m people were eligible to vote and about 10,500 councillors will be elected.Across England 32.8m people were eligible to vote and about 10,500 councillors will be elected.
Five English councils trialling new ways of electronic voting have been forced to hold recounts after a series of glitches.Five English councils trialling new ways of electronic voting have been forced to hold recounts after a series of glitches.
The votes will be counted by hand, delaying the declarations in Warwick and Stratford district councils, Warwick Town Council, South Buckinghamshire and Breckland.The votes will be counted by hand, delaying the declarations in Warwick and Stratford district councils, Warwick Town Council, South Buckinghamshire and Breckland.
Almost half of the counts started straight after polls closed, but other authorities delayed their counts until later on Friday because of a new postal voting system.Almost half of the counts started straight after polls closed, but other authorities delayed their counts until later on Friday because of a new postal voting system.
Election officers must compare signatures accompanying ballot papers with those on the original applications for a postal vote.Election officers must compare signatures accompanying ballot papers with those on the original applications for a postal vote.