every seat, it seemed to one in every seat, it seemed to impact the conservatives�* vote share. reminders who reform are and why they are a potential problem for the conservatives?— why they are a potential problem for the conservatives? reform was born out of the brexiter _ the conservatives? reform was born out of the brexiter party _ the conservatives? reform was born out of the brexiter party which - the conservatives? reform was born out of the brexiter party which was l out of the brexiter party which was led by nigel farage. req set was delivered, in the technical sense at least, so they became the reform party. effectively they are on the right of the tory party, so do they divide the tory vote is the big question. up until probably today, where the reform party are in general intention polling tends to be where they are when they have an actual electoral test. the problem for the tories is in the local elections, and they have not stood in many places, they did pretty well in many places, they did pretty well in blackpool, their best by—election to date, and in the wards they are getting on average about 11r%, and it

is the tory candidate really suffering as a result. it will confirm the fear of tory mps that the effect of the reform party is to really reduce their chances and increase labour�*s chances, so if it is replicated on scale in a general election it could have quite a devastating effect in terms of the type of loss of the tories have, so this result will not provide much comfort, particularly because there are problems that nigel farage might say he is taking a more active role in the party, something tories have also feared, for giving it more momentum. also feared, for giving it more momentum-— also feared, for giving it more momentum. ., ., ., momentum. moving away from reform towards rishi — momentum. moving away from reform towards rishi sunak, _ momentum. moving away from reform towards rishi sunak, what _ momentum. moving away from reform towards rishi sunak, what do - momentum. moving away from reform towards rishi sunak, what do you - towards rishi sunak, what do you think the results so far mean for him? , . . think the results so far mean for him? ,~ , ., _ think the results so far mean for him? , ., _ , him? they are tricky. obviously this has been the _ him? they are tricky. obviously this has been the big _ him? they are tricky. obviously this has been the big danger— him? they are tricky. obviously this has been the big danger point - him? they are tricky. obviously this has been the big danger point for. has been the big danger point for rishi sunak since he became prime minister, last year�*s local election results were pretty bad for the prime minister, i think they still any recovery narrative, they were so soon after he took over nobody would

say, we played him, he has to go. so far we are not really getting light sent from tory mps, but i think in downing street and the parliamentary party that has always been a bit of a fear that if the results are really bad, by the end of the weekend mps are back in parliament on tuesday, you could start to seek a move against him. we are some way off that but the results are probably on the worse end of things right now which is why the prime minister will be hoping he has a few things he can point to on top of harlow and the odd police and crime commissioner, so that could be a metro mayor and better results elsewhere, he needs a story to tell to reassure his mps and if he does not, that is when they can start to get quite spooked.— not, that is when they can start to get quite spooked. katy, thank you ve much get quite spooked. katy, thank you very much for— get quite spooked. katy, thank you very much for that. _ let�*s speak to ava santina evans, political correspondent for politichoe. thanks very much for coming on the programme. let�*s look at the labour

perspective from this. if you were keir starmer, how would you be feeling? keir starmer, how would you be feelin: ? ., ., , keir starmer, how would you be feelina? ., ., , , .,, feeling? you would be quite pleased, it is the worst — feeling? you would be quite pleased, it is the worst result _ feeling? you would be quite pleased, it is the worst result for _ feeling? you would be quite pleased, it is the worst result for the _ it is the worst result for the tories in about a0 years in a local election, about the same as where they were in 95, which i don�*t need to tell you is just before they lost that catastrophic election 97. but i would be concerned about the leadership�*s position on israel gaza, in places like 0ldham they have lost seats to independent candidates specifically speaking on a one—man date, which is the israel gaza position, i�*d be looking towards those ahead of the general election to consider the correct position —— specifically speaking on one mandate. if you are the shadow health secretary wes streeting where you are in a sort of marginal seat in ilford and you have a candidate running on a similar mandate, you might question whether that is a position they should reconsider. katy, your thoughts on the kind of decisions that keir starmer will had

to be making on this issue and whether any policy changes would be necessary? whether any policy changes would be necessa ? ., ,., ., ., necessary? labour have moved their osition on necessary? labour have moved their position on a — necessary? labour have moved their position on a ceasefire _ necessary? labour have moved their position on a ceasefire but _ necessary? labour have moved their position on a ceasefire but the - position on a ceasefire but the problem — position on a ceasefire but the problem is lots of voters who feel isolated _ problem is lots of voters who feel isolated by labour because my position— isolated by labour because my position remember that old position and how— position remember that old position and how long they took to get to the new ceasefire position, and there is a clip _ new ceasefire position, and there is a clip of— new ceasefire position, and there is a clip of keir— new ceasefire position, and there is a clip of keir starmer on lbc soon after_ a clip of keir starmer on lbc soon after party— a clip of keir starmer on lbc soon after party conference last year when _ after party conference last year when he — after party conference last year when he was asked about cutting off electricity— when he was asked about cutting off electricity and so on in gaza and appeared — electricity and so on in gaza and appeared to suggest that this could be a appeared to suggest that this could he a way— appeared to suggest that this could be a way israel could defend itself. after some days he clarified his position— after some days he clarified his position but the clip lives on and ensured — position but the clip lives on and ensured that there is what's up various— ensured that there is what's up various whatsapp groups and i think has come _ various whatsapp groups and i think has come back to haunt the labour party _ has come back to haunt the labour party i_ has come back to haunt the labour party. i think they are in a tricky position— party. i think they are in a tricky position and we have had enough in terms _ position and we have had enough in terms of— position and we have had enough in terms of the early results here but also if _ terms of the early results here but also if you — terms of the early results here but also if you look at george galloway's election in that by—election, it suggests there is a backlash— by—election, it suggests there is a backlash towards labour which could be backlash towards labour which could he partly— backlash towards labour which could be partly traced to the position on israel— be partly traced to the position on israel gaza. it is tricky, you could

-et israel gaza. it is tricky, you could get some — israel gaza. it is tricky, you could get some quite quirky results whereby— get some quite quirky results whereby labour could be on course for a _ whereby labour could be on course for a landslide or at least a large majority— for a landslide or at least a large majority but some seats like bristol, _ majority but some seats like bristol, the shadow set which could lose her— bristol, the shadow set which could lose her seat to the greens, thangam dehhonaire, _ lose her seat to the greens, thangam debbonaire, and so far. the labour party— debbonaire, and so far. the labour party will— debbonaire, and so far. the labour party will try — debbonaire, and so far. the labour party will try to reflect on what they _ party will try to reflect on what they could do but it is not so simple — they could do but it is not so simple as— they could do but it is not so simple as changing a position because — simple as changing a position because of the events leading up to it. ava, sticking with labour, leading up to it. ava, sticking with labour. we _ leading up to it. ava, sticking with labour, we heard _ leading up to it. ava, sticking with labour, we heard keir— leading up to it. ava, sticking with labour, we heard keir starmer- labour, we heard keir starmer talking about basically wanting rishi sunak to call an election, it is time to move forward with labour, we will hear those messages, we have heard that for a while and will continue to do so. what do you think about that as a strategy and more broadly the labour position away from the specific issue of the israel gaza war. i from the specific issue of the israel gaza war.— from the specific issue of the israel gaza war. i think labour are caettin israel gaza war. i think labour are getting quite _ israel gaza war. i think labour are getting quite tired _ israel gaza war. i think labour are getting quite tired with _ israel gaza war. i think labour are getting quite tired with having - israel gaza war. i think labour are getting quite tired with having to l getting quite tired with having to keep mirroring the conservative

party. i think what we have seen over the last year is essentially labour policy has been a de facto copy of whatever the conservatives had done, we have seen that through the gender critical advice and advice on inflation, we have seen it throughout the cost of living crisis. i think they are running out of road that they need to get to a point where they could start announcing these sorts of policies they would like to bring in if they get it to government, so there seems to be a fatigue amongst activists where they are turning up on the doorstep and they don�*t have anything new to tell constituents other than, though, the conservatives are doing absolutely terribly, how bad could it be if we got into government? but i think the israel gaza point is really important. pat mcfadden, labour�*s national election coordinator has been out and about this morning. he says it has come up on the doorstep and we will have to reconsider, particularly in london and sadiq khan�*s campaign, the result of which

we will get tomorrow, about midday, one o�*clock, his team have really been concentrating on the issue, out and about fly hearing, on the doorstep banging the drum that sadiq khan is very much for a ceasefire and if you are a younger voter you can trust in him he will pressure the labour leadership into changing their position.— the labour leadership into changing their position. katy, can we spend a moment on — their position. katy, can we spend a moment on the _ their position. katy, can we spend a moment on the liberal— their position. katy, can we spend a moment on the liberal democrats, | their position. katy, can we spend a i moment on the liberal democrats, the greens, the independence, smaller parties away from the big two and the impact of reform? has anything stood out for you? the the impact of reform? has anything stood out for you?— stood out for you? the green party seem to be — stood out for you? the green party seem to be benefiting _ stood out for you? the green party seem to be benefiting to _ stood out for you? the green party seem to be benefiting to a - stood out for you? the green party seem to be benefiting to a degreel seem to be benefiting to a degree from some of the votes leaving labour, — from some of the votes leaving labour, some of that can potentially be traced _ labour, some of that can potentially be traced to israel palestine, that argument — be traced to israel palestine, that argument has been made by some green politicians _ argument has been made by some green politicians. we will have the bristol — politicians. we will have the bristol county later, that is why one of— bristol county later, that is why one of the — bristol county later, that is why one of the koh green party del microlitres is eventually trying to win a _ microlitres is eventually trying to win a seat — microlitres is eventually trying to win a seat in a general election so that will—

win a seat in a general election so that will he — win a seat in a general election so that will be an interesting test of greens— that will be an interesting test of greens versus labour and on the lib dems— greens versus labour and on the lib dems i_ greens versus labour and on the lib dems i think— greens versus labour and on the lib dems i think wokingham will be very interesting. john redwood in that seat, _ interesting. john redwood in that seat. it— interesting. john redwood in that seat. it is— interesting. john redwood in that seat. it is a — interesting. john redwood in that seat, it is a true blue council but there _ seat, it is a true blue council but there is— seat, it is a true blue council but there is hope they could potentially make _ there is hope they could potentially make it _ there is hope they could potentially make it into a lib dem one, in which case _ make it into a lib dem one, in which case it— make it into a lib dem one, in which case it will— make it into a lib dem one, in which case it will feel quite different and i— case it will feel quite different and i think he will start to feel the story— and i think he will start to feel the story squeeze if that comes to be the story squeeze if that comes to he the _ the story squeeze if that comes to be the case, where the liberal democrats are making inroads in the blue wall, _ democrats are making inroads in the blue wall, labour are making inroads in the _ blue wall, labour are making inroads in the red _ blue wall, labour are making inroads in the red wall and the reform party is helping _ in the red wall and the reform party is helping labour to do that. it raises — is helping labour to do that. it raises the _ is helping labour to do that. it raises the question of where is the core vote — raises the question of where is the core vote for the tories these days, is there _ core vote for the tories these days, is there one? — core vote for the tories these days, is there one? no i was looking particularly safe.— is there one? no i was looking particularly safe. is there one? no i was looking articularl safe. �* ., ., particularly safe. ava, where do you think that leads _ particularly safe. ava, where do you think that leads rishi _ particularly safe. ava, where do you think that leads rishi sunak's - think that leads rishi sunak�*s position? think that leads rishi sunak's osition? ., , ., ., ~' position? -- no where is looking particularly _ position? -- no where is looking particularly safe. _ position? -- no where is looking particularly safe. reform - position? -- no where is looking particularly safe. reform did - position? -- no where is looking particularly safe. reform did notj particularly safe. reform did not seem to make _ particularly safe. reform did not seem to make much _ particularly safe. reform did not seem to make much of- particularly safe. reform did not seem to make much of a - particularly safe. reform did not seem to make much of a dent i particularly safe. reform did not seem to make much of a dent in blackpool south, i know it was the biggest result in a by—election so far, i7%, but not enough to clinch

the conservative vote. if you are coordinating an election at the moment you will be looking at reform and thinking it might cut the votes slightly but it is not enough to take a seat from us, which would be quite a big breath of relief. looking at the lib dems and the greens, the greens had a pretty catastrophic result in blackpool south, i think they picked up around 300 votes, you would be thinking, we need to go back to the drawing boards and ask why we are doing so terribly in the face of a conservative government which is pretty unappealing, by all accounts, to the electorate. diva pretty unappealing, by all accounts, to the electorate.— to the electorate. ava and katy, thank you _ to the electorate. ava and katy, thank you so — to the electorate. ava and katy, thank you so much, _ to the electorate. ava and katy, thank you so much, great - to the electorate. ava and katy, thank you so much, great to - to the electorate. ava and katy, l thank you so much, great to have to the electorate. ava and katy, - thank you so much, great to have you both and your thoughts taking over the results as we have done so far. usual caveat, we are still a long way from knowing the complete picture, lots of results due to come, new ones coming in at around lunchtime and it will be into the weekend before we get the full picture. thus

far, not a great night for the conservatives so a pretty good night for labour. the labour leader sir keir starmer has been out and about in blackpool because they won blackpool south. late in blackpool because they won blackpool south.— in blackpool because they won blackool south. ~ ., ., ., blackpool south. we won pat general election and we _ blackpool south. we won pat general election and we are _ blackpool south. we won pat general election and we are confident - blackpool south. we won pat general election and we are confident going l election and we are confident going into it, because this by—election shows the country want to change —— we want that general election. we have ia years of failure and decline, chaos and division from the tories. people want to turn the page and go forward with labour at our positive plan for the country. loath? positive plan for the country. why so cautious _ positive plan for the country. why so cautious when _ positive plan for the country. why so cautious when you have had such a bil so cautious when you have had such a big win? _ so cautious when you have had such a big win? we _ so cautious when you have had such a bi win? ~ . ., ., so cautious when you have had such a bi win? ~ . . ., . ., big win? we want a general election and we want — big win? we want a general election and we want to _ big win? we want a general election and we want to take _ big win? we want a general election and we want to take the _ big win? we want a general election and we want to take the country - and we want to take the country forward. i thank everyone who voted labour yesterday put their trust in a changed labour party. politics and by—election are about messages and there is discussion about what this means. i think it is really

straightforward, people have had enough, they want to turn the page, they want to go forward with labour, they want to go forward with labour, they know we have a positive case and that is a direct message to the prime minister, the most direct of all the results that are coming, many are read by tomorrow to come, this is a direct message to the prime minister, make way, let�*s have a general election and allow the country to go forward.— a general election and allow the country to go forward. before we let ou move country to go forward. before we let you move onto _ country to go forward. before we let you move onto other _ country to go forward. before we let you move onto other people, - country to go forward. before we let you move onto other people, how i you move onto other people, how concerned are you about the impact your gaza position is having on the votes in some areas?— your gaza position is having on the votes in some areas? obviously i'm concerned wherever _ votes in some areas? obviously i'm concerned wherever we _ votes in some areas? obviously i'm concerned wherever we votes, - votes in some areas? obviously i'm concerned wherever we votes, we l concerned wherever we votes, we intend to win any votes we have lost back, but there is no denying that across the country, whether it is hartlepool in the north, rushmore and the south, redditch, the bellwether seat, we are winning votes across the country and that reflects a change labour party with a positive case to take to the country, so i am very pleased with the results, blackpool is an

incredible results, but we are picking up seats where we need than in other parts of the country too. sir keir starmer pretty happy as you would expect with that result in blackpool south and what it is saying from his perspective. the most important thing for the people of blackpool south as they have a new mp, chris webb. let�*s listen to him. the people of blackpool south had spoken to britain had said to rishi sunak and the conservatives they have had enough of ia years at the conservatives being in power, they have lost trust of the british people, and blackpool has had enough of this failed government which has crushed the economy, destroyed public services and put up taxes. they had said it is time for change, and that started here in blackpool tonight. 0nly labour offers new hopes for towns like blackpool. we need change, and we will get it

under way labour government. cheering and applause —— under a cheering and applause —— undera labour cheering and applause —— under a labour government. cheering and applause —— undera labour government. i cheering and applause —— under a labour government. i want to thank the election officer, election staff and the police for their smooth running of this election that counts. i know it takes a lot of work to put this on, i thank you for your professionalism and commitment to the democratic process. i would also like to thank my entire campaign team and the wider movement. blackpool south is the 23rd parliamentary by—election of this parliament and it is down to each and every one of you for your sacrifices we have turned blackpool south right once again. thank you to my amazing family who have given me endless support over the years —— turned blackpool south red. and to my incredible wife for all her support and sacrifices she has made, especially in these last few weeks, looking after our newborn son. thank

you to my mum, dad and sister watching in australia, who had supported me all these years. above all, i would like to thank the people of blackpool south who put their trust in me to be the next member of parliament. it is a huge privilege to represent the seat that i call home and have been born and bred in, where we have not had a local mp for 60 years. the circumstances that led to this by—election have been well documented. i believe many people in blackpool have been left with little faith in poet —— in politicians because of the behaviour of others. to them, i say, i am humbled because of the behaviour of others. to them, isay, iam humbled by because of the behaviour of others. to them, i say, i am humbled by your support that every ward in this town voted for me. whether you voted for me or not, though, i promise to work for you every day, to earn your trust and restore the faith in politics. i promise i won�*t let you down. i had said this all along, campaigning in blackpool, and i mean

it. iwill campaigning in blackpool, and i mean it. i will put the priorities of this town first and fight for residents in westminster and challenge this government to get a better deal for blackpool. i challenge this government to get a better dealfor blackpool. i had spoken to so many during this campaign and had the same conversations. people are fed up because nothing seems to work any more. how do because of the conservative cost of living crisis. but instead of giving up, they got up but instead of giving up, they got up at voted for change with labour. it is not acceptable that blackpool has the highest crime rate in lancashire, with police officers cut by 43%. it lancashire, with police officers cut by a3%. it is not acceptable the conservatives have allowed some parts of the time to be run down without a plan to rejuvenate them, it is not acceptable that it blackpool south, in parts, more children live in poverty because of the decisions as government have made. people in blackpool south and across the country are sick of the government�*s failure to tackle the big issues facing our country. in this election we offered a plan for

blackpool that was positive, a plan to put more police on the streets, deliver the regeneration of our town needs and help hard—working families through the cost of living crisis. 0nly keir starmer�*s labour party has the vision and ideas to make life better for everyone in our country. changes what people want, and up and down the country labour is the party they are looking for to deliver it. blackpool south has said that loud and clear tonight. the message to the prime minister is we need a general election, the sooner the better. people no longer trust the conservatives. prime minister, do the decent thing, admit you have failed to answer call a general election. cheering and applause give the people in britain the same opportunity people in blackpool south have, a labour member of

parliament and keir starmer in downing street. and let labour get on with delivering the change the people of britain want and deserve. that was chris webb giving his victory speech, the new labour mp for blackpool south. what does this mean for the conservatives and the conservative leadership under rishi sunak. with his thoughts, here�*s conservative commentator tim montgomerie. i asked different people in the conservative party watch, if the tories won the majority, they would do with it. you did not hear conclusive answers. rishi sunak has not shown the builders he wants to —— shown the voters he wants to build houses, it is not clear other than stopping the boats what is fake messages and that is apparently why the conservative party is in this bad pace. when the results are as bad pace. when the results are as bad as they have been tonight, with so many good conservatives losing

their seats, this is not a mid—term, it is the end of parliament, time is running out and rishi sunak has not use the time he has had. the reform party came third in the blackpool south by—election — not far behind the conservatives. reform uk�*s leader richard tice says his party is looking to the future. we have been focusing on getting ready for a general election, that would put well be in the summer, we will be ready whenever it is. frankly the country is broken, nothing works, we are in the longest recession for 70 years and its records began, per person, that is actually what matters, and britain needs reform, the economy needs reform, the health system needs reform, the health system needs reform, immigration needs to be frozen, the immigration system needs reform. wherever you look, people are saying, there must be somebody out there with common—sense policies is why as people hear about as they say, i like what i hear, that is why people are starting to vote for us.

you look at the percentages we got in sunderland and elsewhere, we also got the mayoral elections, we are excited about how we will perform in those relative to the conservatives. rome was not built on a day but we are making great progress and all of these results are showing we are achieving more than the national polling average, and that it�*s an important indicator. polling average, and that it's an important indicator.— polling average, and that it's an important indicator. richard tice, np. let�*s speak to the mp for north east fife, wendy chamberlain, who is also the liberal democrats�* chief whip. thank you for coming on the programme. we had spent a bit of time on the story of the night for labour, pretty good, for the conservatives, pretty bad, it is difficult to find the story for the liberal democrats? i difficult to find the story for the liberal democrats?— difficult to find the story for the liberal democrats? i would disagree, i think we liberal democrats? i would disagree, i think we have _ liberal democrats? i would disagree, i think we have a _ liberal democrats? i would disagree, i think we have a very _ liberal democrats? i would disagree, i think we have a very good _ liberal democrats? i would disagree, i think we have a very good story - liberal democrats? i would disagree, i think we have a very good story to l i think we have a very good story to tell but it is obviously very early days and we are hopeful of seeing real progress in places like tunbridge wells, wokingham and dorset later today. so far all four

councils we were defending, we have won, including in hull well be faced off against labour, we have made progress in suella braverman�*s back yard, we expect to make progress and thatis yard, we expect to make progress and that is what we have done. what yard, we expect to make progress and that is what we have done.— that is what we have done. what do ou think that is what we have done. what do you think this _ that is what we have done. what do you think this would _ that is what we have done. what do you think this would translate - that is what we have done. what do you think this would translate to - you think this would translate to win a general election, is there enough momentum? $5 win a general election, is there enough momentum?— win a general election, is there enough momentum? as you will be aware, we enough momentum? as you will be aware. we were _ enough momentum? as you will be aware, we were second _ enough momentum? as you will be aware, we were second to - enough momentum? as you will be aware, we were second to the - aware, we were second to the conservatives in 80 seats in 2019 and we are very clear about the work we are doing to bring as many liberal democrat mps to parliament as possible. when you look at the results overnight in places like eastleigh, cheadle, hazel grove, we have won the popular vote in those constituencies so that demonstrates we are making the right progress as we are making the right progress as we look to the general election which, frankly, can�*t come soon enough. which, frankly, can't come soon enou:h. , ., ., ., , enough. the reputation of the lib dems as they _ enough. the reputation of the lib

dems as they over _ enough. the reputation of the lib dems as they over perform - enough. the reputation of the lib dems as they over perform in - enough. the reputation of the lib. dems as they over perform in local elections and elections in between general elections and underperform during the general election, so if you are pointing to the positives, are you clear you have dispelled that stereotype? this are you clear you have dispelled that stereotype?— are you clear you have dispelled that stereotype? this is going to be lookin: like that stereotype? this is going to be looking like the _ that stereotype? this is going to be looking like the local _ that stereotype? this is going to be looking like the local elections - looking like the local elections were for the sixth time in a row the lib dems will have made progress and we have never done that as a party. we have won over 650 councillors in this term of parliament, more than any other party, so i really think we are making huge progress and it is quite clear when you look at the four by—election wins but we have had in this parliament where we focus resources we do well, particularly given the conservatives are in freefall. d0 particularly given the conservatives are in freefall.— are in freefall. do you want a reneral are in freefall. do you want a general election _ are in freefall. do you want a general election sooner - are in freefall. do you want a l general election sooner rather are in freefall. do you want a - general election sooner rather than later? ~ , ,., , , general election sooner rather than later? ~ , ,. ., later? absolutely, it is clear there is a strong — later? absolutely, it is clear there is a strong and — later? absolutely, it is clear there is a strong and consistent - later? absolutely, it is clear there l is a strong and consistent message the voters are giving to the conservatives. what else can they do at the time left to them? rishi

sunak should accept now is the time for a general election. i am sunak should accept now is the time for a general election.— for a general election. i am sure ou for a general election. i am sure you would _ for a general election. i am sure you would have _ for a general election. i am sure you would have heard _ for a general election. i am sure you would have heard sir- for a general election. i am sure you would have heard sir keir. you would have heard sir keir starmer in blackpool south talking about that messaging towards rishi sunak, time for a change, get out the way, the country will move forward under labour. it�*s a pretty similar to forward under labour. it�*s a pretty similarto your forward under labour. it�*s a pretty similar to your messaging and does that encourage you all worry you? i think it is quite clear about change as a narrative coming forward. i have not had elections at north east fife, there are no local elections in scotland until 2027, but certainly what i am hearing is change, notjust in relation to the conservatives but in scotland it is in relation to the snp, where it looks like they will have a new first minister, three first ministers in the same amount of time that the conservatives have brought forward prime ministers, and there is a need for change in scotland too. ~ . . ~

is a need for change in scotland too. ~ . ., ~ ., ., is a need for change in scotland too. . ., ~ ., ., too. we had talked a lot about scotland, _ too. we had talked a lot about scotland, and _ too. we had talked a lot about scotland, and we _ too. we had talked a lot about scotland, and we will - too. we had talked a lot about scotland, and we will again, . too. we had talked a lot about i scotland, and we will again, but too. we had talked a lot about - scotland, and we will again, but not right now. thank you for your time, wendy chamberlain. leiper�*s campaign coordinator pat mcfadden told bbc breakfast earlier it was a good night for the party. in breakfast earlier it was a good night for the party.— night for the party. in the blackpool _ night for the party. in the blackpool south - night for the party. in the i blackpool south by-election night for the party. in the - blackpool south by-election we night for the party. in the _ blackpool south by-election we have blackpool south by—election we have won a stunning victory, a 26% swing with the tories barely hanging on to second place. elsewhere in the local council election gains like in hartlepool in the north which you have just discussed —— hartlepool in the north which you havejust discussed —— discuss, in much more in the south. we are feeling good, we fought a good, positive campaign. the results are good for us overnight so far and of course we have lots more to come over the next couple of days. let�*s over the next couple of days. let's cross live to _ over the next couple of days. let's cross live to blackpool, _ over the next couple of days. let's cross live to blackpool, rowan bridge is. what happened? i(eir bridge is. what happened? keir starmer has _ bridge is. what happened? lie: " starmer has been using bridge is. what happened? iie: " starmer has been using words bridge is. what happened? i;;e: " starmer has been using words like seismic and historic for the labour

victory you had in blackpool last night, a 26% swing to labour, the third biggest swing from the conservatives to labour since 19a5. no doubt it is a really significant result for labour, and i don�*t think it is a surprise we saw keir starmer and angela rayner, the deputy leader, in the constituency this morning making most of last night�*s victory. a really quite difficult night for the conservative party, they were almost forced into third place, almost beaten by reform uk, they only squeaked in by about 100 votes into second place of a disastrous night for the conservatives. they tried to play it down and said they were aware it would always be a difficult situation given some of the local circumstances and battle. scott benson, the mp who resigned in force this by—election, had been suspended from the conservative party over a

lobbying scandal which tainted the conservative brand somewhat. that and the lead keir starmer has had nationally have both played out here in blackpool south overnight. what in blackpool south overnight. what is the interesting _ in blackpool south overnight. what is the interesting takeaway from sir keir starmer�*s speech that struck you when you heard itjust about an hour ago also now? i you when you heard it 'ust about an hour ago also now?_ hour ago also now? i think what is interesting — hour ago also now? i think what is interesting is _ hour ago also now? i think what is interesting is he _ hour ago also now? i think what is interesting is he is _ hour ago also now? i think what is interesting is he is clearly... - hour ago also now? i think what is interesting is he is clearly... you i interesting is he is clearly... you could see the brilliancy in the mood, but when we spoke to helen catt afterwards we still had the sensual amount keir starmer�*s attitude around this, he was still calling for a general election but he was worried about appearing too presumptive about the result of any general election, bearing in mind the turnout in blackpool was only about a third of the electorate, two thirds of people did not bother to vote and this is a snapshot of

opinion overnight and local councils, a general election might not come until the end of the year and sir keir starmer was being ultra—cautious, he does not want labour to feel too presumptuous ahead of any general election and they are still scarred by the memories of 1992 and what happens and they don�*t want a repeat of that, they are looking for something more like 1997 and tony blair�*s victory. more like 1997 and tony blair's victo . ;, ~ more like 1997 and tony blair's victo . ., ~ more like 1997 and tony blair's victo . . ~' , more like 1997 and tony blair's victo . ., , . ., victory. thank you very much, great to have you — victory. thank you very much, great to have you on _ victory. thank you very much, great to have you on the _ victory. thank you very much, great to have you on the programme. - victory. thank you very much, great to have you on the programme. we | to have you on the programme. we will be back in blackpool throughout the day because it was the one parliamentary by—election and the result of that is being celebrated by that man there, the new mp, chris webb for blackpool south, but not celebrated just by him, by sir keir starmer and many in the labour leadership hoping particularly that the size of the swing that, though it was pretty much predicted and expected, but the size of the swing was historically high. they will be

taking some comfort from that, setting aside what row was outlining some out —— some local issues, the controversy around the previous mp, but chris webb and sir keir starmer repeating the message to the conservative prime minister rishi sunak that they want to see an election immediately. they say the country wants change, wants to move forward with labour, that is their message. but this is notjust how these results transfer to the proposed general election by the end of the year, this is also of course about local elections on local issues, local politicians changing and influencing the lives of their local populations. we had seen the results coming through so far, 35 out of 107 councils, labour up 52 councillors, conservatives down 122, liberal democrats at 18, independent

of 39 and the greens at 13. stay with us for all the results in the days ahead. i�*m a lewis vaughan jones, this is bbc news. asi as i mentioned the days ahead, this is not like a normal general election where we have pretty much all of the results overnight and then we know what is going on the next morning. not the case. there is a little lower in action, results coming through right now, at lunchtime things pick up and it will even be into the weekend until we get the full picture of who has won what and where. i want to show you this. there was a headache for former prime minister, boris johnson. he was turned away from a polling station when he went to vote in local elections because he forgot to bring adequate photo identification — a requirement he brought in when he was prime minister. he brought in that law, and he fell foul of it.

mrjohnson introduced a law in 2022 making it compulsory for voters in england to show photo id. he didn�*t have the right photo id. we understand that he went home, collected the right it, went back and was able to vote. we have been hearing that the new voter id rules will of course have impacted some people, but largely did not have a greater impact. you are watching bbc news, i�*m lewis vaughan—jones, plenty more coverage coming up. live from london. this is bbc news big conservative losses in local elections across england with the party potentially facing its worst night at the polls in four decades. labour win the blackpool south by—election with a 26% swing of the vote.

sir keir starmer hails his party�*s performance and has this message. we wa nt we want that general election and we are confident going into the general election because what this by—election shows is the country wants change. the lib dems have retained all the councils they held, while it�*s been a strong night for the green party. more than half the results, including the mayoral contests in england�*s major cities, have yet be declared, we�*ll bring you all the latest. hello, i�*m lewis vaughanjones. we will be steering our way through the elections we have had in, looking at what they mean and what is coming up next. i should stress, not all the results are in yet, we will have to wait until saturday for