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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Tories win Sunderland by-election | Tories win Sunderland by-election |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The Conservatives have won a by-election victory, taking a seat from Labour on Sunderland Council. | The Conservatives have won a by-election victory, taking a seat from Labour on Sunderland Council. |
| It was one of nine by-elections held. With one result outstanding, Labour retained six seats and the Tories one. | It was one of nine by-elections held. With one result outstanding, Labour retained six seats and the Tories one. |
| BBC political correspondent Sean Curran said analysis of the eight contests suggested that nationally the Tories should have a lead over Labour of 6.2%. | BBC political correspondent Sean Curran said analysis of the eight contests suggested that nationally the Tories should have a lead over Labour of 6.2%. |
| But he said polls did not reflect that, a fact Gordon Brown would consider when thinking about an autumn election. | But he said polls did not reflect that, a fact Gordon Brown would consider when thinking about an autumn election. |
| Labour has enjoyed a poll lead - dubbed the "Brown bounce" - since Mr Brown took over as prime minister in June. | Labour has enjoyed a poll lead - dubbed the "Brown bounce" - since Mr Brown took over as prime minister in June. |
| Mixed results | Mixed results |
| In Sunderland's Washington East seat, there was a 3.7% swing from Labour to the Tories. | In Sunderland's Washington East seat, there was a 3.7% swing from Labour to the Tories. |
| Elsewhere, on Kent County Council, there was a 5.5% swing from Labour to Conservatives, although Labour held the Dover Town seat. | Elsewhere, on Kent County Council, there was a 5.5% swing from Labour to Conservatives, although Labour held the Dover Town seat. |
| Dover District Council saw the only major swing to Labour. In Aylsham, the party gained 11.6% of the vote and held the seat. Labour also held a further seat on Dover District Council. | Dover District Council saw the only major swing to Labour. In Aylsham, the party gained 11.6% of the vote and held the seat. Labour also held a further seat on Dover District Council. |
| Labour also held seats on Portsmouth City Council, Northamptonshire County Council and Chester le-Street District Council. | Labour also held seats on Portsmouth City Council, Northamptonshire County Council and Chester le-Street District Council. |
| The Tories, meanwhile, successfully defended control of Cheshire County Council. | The Tories, meanwhile, successfully defended control of Cheshire County Council. |
| By early Friday morning, figures were still to come for a Mansfield District Council by-election. | By early Friday morning, figures were still to come for a Mansfield District Council by-election. |
| Sean Curran said it was important to remember that people often voted differently at local elections compared with general elections. | Sean Curran said it was important to remember that people often voted differently at local elections compared with general elections. |
| Despite widespread speculation during Labour's conference this week, Mr Brown has repeatedly refused to reveal his intentions for the date of the next general election. | Despite widespread speculation during Labour's conference this week, Mr Brown has repeatedly refused to reveal his intentions for the date of the next general election. |
| It is believed the prime minister will meet advisers this weekend to discuss the possibility of calling a snap vote. | It is believed the prime minister will meet advisers this weekend to discuss the possibility of calling a snap vote. |
| If the Tories' predicted six-point lead was borne out it would produce a hung Parliament at a general election. |