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UKIP vote surges in English local elections UKIP vote surges in English local elections
(35 minutes later)
UKIP is gaining council seats across England - mainly at the expense of the Conservatives. The UK Independence Party is making gains across the country as results come in from England's local elections.
The anti-EU party is on course to show that last year's local elections breakthrough was not a one-off.The anti-EU party is on course to show that last year's local elections breakthrough was not a one-off.
Labour is losing votes to UKIP in its northern heartlands and is making slower progress than it wanted so far. Labour is also making gains with the Conservatives and Lib Dems both losing councillors.
The Lib Dems' vote share has been hit hardest but most results in 161 English councils are still to come. Euro election results are due on Sunday. Turnout looks set to be about 36%. Most results in 161 English councils are still to come. Euro election results are due on Sunday.
Some 11 councils in Northern Ireland are also up for grabs.Some 11 councils in Northern Ireland are also up for grabs.
The surge in support for UKIP has sent shockwaves through the main parties at Westminster, with just a year to go before the next general election.The surge in support for UKIP has sent shockwaves through the main parties at Westminster, with just a year to go before the next general election.
UKIP director of communications and European Parliament candidate Patrick O'Flynn said the party was looking to win upwards of 100 council seats.UKIP director of communications and European Parliament candidate Patrick O'Flynn said the party was looking to win upwards of 100 council seats.
"That would be terrific for us," he said. "I think we can do it.""That would be terrific for us," he said. "I think we can do it."
'Unforgivably unprofessional''Unforgivably unprofessional'
The success of UKIP in Essex cost Labour control of Thurrock council.The success of UKIP in Essex cost Labour control of Thurrock council.
And in the Labour heartland of Rotherham, UKIP took 10 of the 21 seats being contested.And in the Labour heartland of Rotherham, UKIP took 10 of the 21 seats being contested.
Labour MP Graham Stringer - a longstanding critic of Ed Miliband - said it was now clear his party was not going to do as well as it expected.Labour MP Graham Stringer - a longstanding critic of Ed Miliband - said it was now clear his party was not going to do as well as it expected.
The Blackley and Broughton MP launched an attack on Mr Miliband's campaign calling it "unforgivably unprofessional".The Blackley and Broughton MP launched an attack on Mr Miliband's campaign calling it "unforgivably unprofessional".
He told the BBC: "We have not done as well as we should have done in both the presentation of our policies and the organisation of the campaign.He told the BBC: "We have not done as well as we should have done in both the presentation of our policies and the organisation of the campaign.
Labour's shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna rejected the criticisms, but said it was now clear the UK was in an "era of four-party politics".Labour's shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna rejected the criticisms, but said it was now clear the UK was in an "era of four-party politics".
Some Conservative backbenchers have called for an electoral pact with UKIP going into the general election, with Jacob-Rees-Mogg warning UKIP could split the "small c Conservative vote" and let Labour in.Some Conservative backbenchers have called for an electoral pact with UKIP going into the general election, with Jacob-Rees-Mogg warning UKIP could split the "small c Conservative vote" and let Labour in.
Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps rejected a formal deal between the two parties, saying there was "no question of a pact per se".Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps rejected a formal deal between the two parties, saying there was "no question of a pact per se".
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said overnight UKIP had emerged as a "fourth national political force capable of disrupting the hopes and plans of each of the established three parties".The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said overnight UKIP had emerged as a "fourth national political force capable of disrupting the hopes and plans of each of the established three parties".
"[But it] is worth remembering that once every vote is counted UKIP will not run a single council, they will still have far fewer councillors than their rivals, they will not, of course, have an MP but - in the words of one Labour council leader - they will have caused mayhem.""[But it] is worth remembering that once every vote is counted UKIP will not run a single council, they will still have far fewer councillors than their rivals, they will not, of course, have an MP but - in the words of one Labour council leader - they will have caused mayhem."
The Lib Dems were enduring another bad night at the polls, although there were signs of them holding on in areas where they have MPs.The Lib Dems were enduring another bad night at the polls, although there were signs of them holding on in areas where they have MPs.
The party lost control of Portsmouth City Council where suspended MP Mike Hancock - standing as an independent but unopposed by the Lib Dems - lost his seat after 43 years as a councillor.The party lost control of Portsmouth City Council where suspended MP Mike Hancock - standing as an independent but unopposed by the Lib Dems - lost his seat after 43 years as a councillor.
The Green Party, which is hoping to double its tally of MEPs to four, is performing moderately well with an average 9% share of the vote in wards where it is standing.The Green Party, which is hoping to double its tally of MEPs to four, is performing moderately well with an average 9% share of the vote in wards where it is standing.
But this is significantly down on the party's 13% showing in 2009.But this is significantly down on the party's 13% showing in 2009.
Mayoral elections took place in four London boroughs and Watford.Mayoral elections took place in four London boroughs and Watford.
In Northern Ireland, voters were electing 462 representatives to 11 so-called "super districts" following a reorganisation that took place in 2012, reducing the number of councils from 26 previously.In Northern Ireland, voters were electing 462 representatives to 11 so-called "super districts" following a reorganisation that took place in 2012, reducing the number of councils from 26 previously.
There were no local elections in either Scotland or Wales.There were no local elections in either Scotland or Wales.