the purpose is to serve our country, this is the last stop before the general election, and we have made significant and very real progress. the prime minister is insisting the conservatives have everything to fight for despite the party losing nearly half the seats contested in england yesterday. labour is buoyed up england yesterday. labour is buoyed up after winning over 1000 council seats and key mayoral contest in the east midlands and rishi select�*s back yard in yorkshire and north yorkshire. this is what we can expect over the next few hours. results are expected in the six remaining regional mayoral races today and that includes greater manchester and the west midlands where the tories will be hoping andy street can cling on. all eyes will

be on the capital to see if sadik khan can win a third term as london mayor. rumours have been swirling that the results will be much closer than the polls have suggested. we are expecting results from a handful of councils as well as ten police and crime commissioners. the labour leader has been speaking following a rally this morning to celebrate a clear warrant a plasma collection is the first mayor of the east midlands. the first mayor of the east midlands-_ the first mayor of the east midlands. ., ., midlands. he was asked about the london mayoral _ midlands. he was asked about the london mayoral contest. - midlands. he was asked about the london mayoral contest. sadik- midlands. he was asked about the l london mayoral contest. sadik khan was absolutely the right candidate. he has got two terms of delivery behind him and i'm confident he's got another time of delivery in front of him but, that, if you look across the country, i am standing here in mansfield, in the east midlands where we find a significant victory in the team here but that is the pattern across the country. we have been winning in blackpool,

north yorkshire, true blue tory territory and tear on the west midlands with a very many constituencies that match acutely in the general election so all that this is done with a purpose. i want a labour government to serve our country and this is effectively the last stop on the journey to the general election and i am really pleased that we have been able to show we are making progress. we have earned their trust and confidence of voters and we are making progress towards that general are very good set of results for others. you towards that general are very good set of results for others.— set of results for others. you have not one councillors _ set of results for others. you have not one councillors and _ set of results for others. you have not one councillors and mayors . not one councillors and mayors everywhere you want to do. how damaging is that to your prospects prime minister this year. we have one significantly. in prime minister this year. we have one significantly.— one significantly. in all places across the — one significantly. in all places across the country _ one significantly. in all places across the country whether i one significantly. in all places l across the country whether that one significantly. in all places - across the country whether that is by—elections, whether that is mayoral teas, councils, and of course the police and crime commissioners. now commence in places, we did not get all the votes he wanted and of course we will fight to get those votes back but if you look at the overarching picture

on purpose, it is to serve our country. this is the last stop before the general election and we have made significant and very real progress everywhere that we to do so so i am very pleased about that. i was speaking with your victorious east midlands candidate yesterday. she said she will put the region first regardless of who is in number ten. we have seen conservative mayor was criticised governments. if you're not in number ten by the end of this year she could become a thorn in your side, couldn't she? i would expect claire ward, as these methods may, to absolutely put the east midlands first. that is what she should do. fight for every single person that voted for her and every single person who didn't vote for her in the east midlands. if we are able to form a labour government, that is actually a massive advantage for the east midlands because it means that you will have a government under mayor able to work together but do i expect to fight for the east midlands question absolutely. that

is what she do. i midlands question absolutely. that is what she do.— is what she do. i intend to fight with her for _ is what she do. i intend to fight with her for the _ is what she do. i intend to fight with her for the east _ is what she do. i intend to fight with her for the east midlands. | is what she do. i intend to fight - with her for the east midlands. just with herfor the east midlands. just showing you the counter there at liverpool where we are expecting to get the results from the liverpool city region may results in the next few minutes. we will take it to that and it is held by labour and steve rotherham and we will see how those results go. we have seen some eating into some of the labour results and it is not clear that will be the case in liverpool and we will go back when we get those results for you. the prime minister is also facing the results that have come on over the past couple of days and rishi sunak has described the significant losses he is seen as disappointing. with most results are now the conservatives have lost more than a50 seats on councils right

across the country had earlier our science minister gave this reaction to bbc breakfast. it is disappointing - to bbc breakfast. it is disappointing to - to bbc breakfast. it is disappointing to lose l to bbc breakfast. it is| disappointing to lose a to bbc breakfast. it 3 disappointing to lose a single conservative camps there are major or police commissioner because i how hard they work for their local communities. we were coming off a difficult backdrop of when this was less for it and i think everyone will understand the last few years have been very difficult for top i can understand that. people have made sacrifices. it had to make somebody hard conservative loves doing. the geopolitical situation, pandemic, what is happening over in ukraine with russia's war, all of those are set for a very difficult backdrop which is not to take away from the fact that these are a disappointing set of results but they also frame very clearly the choice that we are going to see at the next general election. labour did not make as much progress in places like carlow, where starmer

had said wednesday they need to win places like carlow. and also you see where labour is in power, so where people are actually experiencing the impact of their policies, they were losing. so they lost a by—election in wandsworth and they last some independence against a low traffic neighbourhood in oxford. perhaps a little bit more mix but i don't want to take away from the fact that obviously disappointed. i think the broader point is that, you know, the message i take and the message that we are focusing on is you've got to deliver. you've got somewhere like ben with a very clear track record of delivery, people understand what his policies are, thejob of delivery, people understand what his policies are, the job for us as party of the next six months to frame super clearly for the electorate what that choices. it got us to the plans, inflation is down and am getting control of migration and am getting control of migration and our borders, which has a real impact on everybody�*s quality of

life that is the price of the rental home they live in, or the chance of their children to have a job, we've got plans in place for that. some of those are relatively recent camino, the impact of cutting tax on workmen and national insurance is probably only been in one piece that going into these elections but going into a general election, let's assume that would be this autumn, there will be a lot more opportunity for people to see the impact of plans working and to look at that in sharp contrast to the other choices that they have got. contrast to the other choices that they have got-— contrast to the other choices that the have not. _ ., ., , they have got. lets cross now to my colleaaue they have got. lets cross now to my colleague who _ they have got. lets cross now to my colleague who was _ they have got. lets cross now to my colleague who was at _ they have got. lets cross now to my colleague who was at the _ they have got. lets cross now to my colleague who was at the counter i they have got. lets cross now to my colleague who was at the counter in | colleague who was at the counter in birmingham for us. there is been a lot of interest as to how tight this particular race is going to be. indeed. as you can see, over my shoulder, counting is well under way here in birmingham for the west midlands may oral seat. the incumbent, the conservative party

mayor is hoping for another term but all through the campaign labour has tried really hard to do what they can to try to unseat him. their candidate is richard parker. i've spoken to sources from labour and the conservative side this morning. i will tell you what the conservatives said, they said it is genuinely too close to call. they said we have to also look at areas outside of birmingham city because of course the west midlands may oral seat takes in another places in the region. he went on to say this is a really finely balanced race but a very similar message from the labour party as well here who have been talking to. they think that this race is neck and neck. i don't think we can tell, there are a source told me. that really does mean that the atmosphere room is quite electric as those accounts continue on. let's break it down. the conservatives

really want to win here. andy street term in office. in many ways, in his campaign he sort of distance himself from the national party and hasn't really mentioned the conservatives on much of his election literature and throughout the campaign. you'll be hoping his recognition and his personality will help them get another term and his record in the job previously but labour will hope that they can take that seat from him. they are hoping that they can also ride on what has been a national wave overnight in terms of the labour party doing well, as we saw, earlier in the east midlands for example. but really, as we have been saying, it is too close to call. to discuss this in a little bit more detail i'm joined byjane, the political editor of birmingham live. all elections are exciting but this is particularly exciting because really we still don't know which way it is going to go. there

are lots of things at play. let's start by talking about andy street. he is a well known name here. in many ways, when he first became mayor, was it in 2017 question that he was the anti—politician for the beginner from a corporate background, from john lewis. how do people see his record here? and what do you think, if he does when, will be the reasons may do it here and then we will move on to labour. that, you are right. this is a really— that, you are right. this is a really fascinating and potentially a really fascinating and potentially a real nail—biting finish to this campaign. andy street, as you pointed — campaign. andy street, as you pointed out, he is all about brandt and d _ pointed out, he is all about brandt and d this— pointed out, he is all about brandt and d. this is man who is saying to the voters — and d. this is man who is saying to the voters vote for me as a person, vote for— the voters vote for me as a person, vote for me — the voters vote for me as a person, vote for me on my record in the mayoratty— vote for me on my record in the mayoralty for the past seven years, forget _ mayoralty for the past seven years, forget about all that lockdown in westminster, just look at me and what _ westminster, just look at me and what i _ westminster, just look at me and what i have — westminster, just look at me and what i have achieved. now clearly that brand — what i have achieved. now clearly that brand andy stick can only go so far.

that brand andy stick can only go so far~ you're _ that brand andy stick can only go so far. you're right, he literally is no sign — far. you're right, he literally is no sign of— far. you're right, he literally is no sign of being a conservative on his literature but at the same time he is _ his literature but at the same time he is the _ his literature but at the same time he is the archconservative poster boy for— he is the archconservative poster boy for the — he is the archconservative poster boy for the west midlands. and that is why— boy for the west midlands. and that is why rishi sunak will be looking at this— is why rishi sunak will be looking at this result very closely because i at this result very closely because i predict. — at this result very closely because i predict, should andy street win, we could — i predict, should andy street win, we could see rishi select turn up on the door— we could see rishi select turn up on the door to — we could see rishi select turn up on the door to give them a pat on the back the door to give them a pat on the hack and _ the door to give them a pat on the back and say, great, we've done it for the _ back and say, great, we've done it for the conservatives. 0n the other hand, _ for the conservatives. 0n the other hand. for— for the conservatives. 0n the other hand, for labour, it is all about the labour— hand, for labour, it is all about the labour party. so you have had this really— the labour party. so you have had this really interesting juxtaposition of man versus a party and i_ juxtaposition of man versus a party and i think— juxtaposition of man versus a party and i think that is how it has come across— and i think that is how it has come across to — and i think that is how it has come across to voters.— and i think that is how it has come across to voters. what we have seen other parts — across to voters. what we have seen other parts of _ across to voters. what we have seen other parts of the _ across to voters. what we have seen other parts of the country _ across to voters. what we have seen other parts of the country in - across to voters. what we have seen other parts of the country in local. other parts of the country in local elections in some areas, which have muslim population, is that some regular voters have decided not to vote for the party this time because of what they see as sir keir starmer�*s handling of the conflict in gaza. the fact that his party did

not call for an immediate ceasefire. there has been some talk. i've been speaking to people here in the past day or so. that that could also be a factor in this particular race because of the independent candidate here who campaigned very hard on the issue of gaza. here who campaigned very hard on the issue of gaza-— issue of gaza. yeah, absolutely. so we've not issue of gaza. yeah, absolutely. so we've got an _ issue of gaza. yeah, absolutely. so we've got an independent - issue of gaza. yeah, absolutely. so we've got an independent here, - issue of gaza. yeah, absolutely. so we've got an independent here, a l we've got an independent here, a tiktok— we've got an independent here, a tiktok lawyer who has made his name in tiktok _ tiktok lawyer who has made his name in tiktok he — tiktok lawyer who has made his name in tiktok. he has hundreds of thousands— in tiktok. he has hundreds of thousands of followers there. he is tapping _ thousands of followers there. he is tapping into something, though, in the birmingham inner cities, particularly. a sense of, i guess, alienation — particularly. a sense of, i guess, alienation that they felt ignored for some — alienation that they felt ignored for some time. and he has coalesced that around _ for some time. and he has coalesced that around the gaza issue. the labour — that around the gaza issue. the labour party is not sticking up for the people — labour party is not sticking up for the people in gaza, the conservatives are not either, you need _ conservatives are not either, you need to— conservatives are not either, you need to have an independent voice. that has— need to have an independent voice. that has been really fascinating. i think—

that has been really fascinating. i think it _ that has been really fascinating. i think it is — that has been really fascinating. i think it is hard to telljust yet if he is _ think it is hard to telljust yet if he is attracting by labour voters or if he _ he is attracting by labour voters or if he is _ he is attracting by labour voters or if he is bringing in a new voting electorate, younger people who he appeals _ electorate, younger people who he appeals to. that will be fascinating when _ appeals to. that will be fascinating when you _ appeals to. that will be fascinating when you break that down but absolutely, there is a perception now that — absolutely, there is a perception now that he may well see is third place. _ now that he may well see is third place. you — now that he may well see is third place, you will overtake reform, the lib place, you will overtake reform, the lib dems _ place, you will overtake reform, the lib dems and the greens. they will be lib dems and the greens. they will he nowhere — lib dems and the greens. they will be nowhere to be seen and he will be the third _ be nowhere to be seen and he will be the third candidate. gf be nowhere to be seen and he will be the third candidate.— the third candidate. of course, we still don't know, _ the third candidate. of course, we still don't know, as _ the third candidate. of course, we still don't know, as those - the third candidate. of course, we still don't know, as those that - still don't know, as those that continue to be counted, there other reasons why people look at this region. there have been some council elections of note and labour took nuneaton which is a little bit out. it is part of this wider region. what else can we draw from some of the results? dudley has gone to no overall control that it was with the conservatives before. this feature

is a very diverse one. it's got rural connecticut inner city, tell us more about what has happened overnight and some of the other votes. it overnight and some of the other votes. . . overnight and some of the other votes. ., , ., , ., . ., overnight and some of the other votes. ., , ., . ., , , votes. it has not been a clean sweep for labour votes. it has not been a clean sweep for labour by — votes. it has not been a clean sweep for labour by any — votes. it has not been a clean sweep for labour by any means. _ votes. it has not been a clean sweep for labour by any means. dudley, i for labour by any means. dudley, conservative councillor, has gone to no overall— conservative councillor, has gone to no overall control. wilson has failed — no overall control. wilson has failed well for the conservatives, though. — failed well for the conservatives, though, the traditional heartlands for labour— though, the traditional heartlands for labour camino, sandwell and wolverhampton, they have gone more labour— wolverhampton, they have gone more labour of— wolverhampton, they have gone more labour of anything so we are waiting to see _ labour of anything so we are waiting to see how— labour of anything so we are waiting to see how the mayoral vote has come across _ to see how the mayoral vote has come across in— to see how the mayoral vote has come across in those areas and it is drawing — across in those areas and it is drawing in— across in those areas and it is drawing in votes across the region and tory— drawing in votes across the region and tory heartlands, it will be

interesting to see if andy street has managed to get his voters out and it— has managed to get his voters out and if the — has managed to get his voters out and if the difference between that turnout _ and if the difference between that turnout and the labour turnout is so significant _ turnout and the labour turnout is so significant that he walks back into power~ _ significant that he walks back into power. certainly, the labour camps here in— power. certainly, the labour camps here in birmingham are very nervous. they did _ here in birmingham are very nervous. they did a _ herein birmingham are very nervous. they did a lot— here in birmingham are very nervous. they did a lot of sampling yesterday for the _ they did a lot of sampling yesterday for the verifications of the different boxes that they opened. there _ different boxes that they opened. there are — different boxes that they opened. there are some parts of the city that were — there are some parts of the city that were really down. traditional labour— that were really down. traditional labour heartlands, you talked about the gaza _ labour heartlands, you talked about the gaza vote and i think some of that will— the gaza vote and i think some of that will really start to play on the minds of the labour mps of the city as— the minds of the labour mps of the city as we _ the minds of the labour mps of the city as we start to look towards a general— city as we start to look towards a general election. you city as we start to look towards a general election.— city as we start to look towards a general election. you talk about a reneral general election. you talk about a general election _ general election. you talk about a general election and _ general election. you talk about a general election and some - general election. you talk about a general election and some of - general election. you talk about a general election and some of the | general election and some of the cto, tell us about the political landscape in parliamentary terms here. ., ~ , here. eight of the mps in birmingham, _ here. eight of the mps in birmingham, in - here. eight of the mps in birmingham, in the - here. eight of the mps in - birmingham, in the birmingham here. eight of the mps in _ birmingham, in the birmingham area, are labour— birmingham, in the birmingham area, are labourmps. you've birmingham, in the birmingham area, are labour mps. you've got people like the _ are labour mps. you've got people like the justice secretary, the shadow— like the justice secretary, the shadowjustice secretary and jess

shadow justice secretary and jess phillips— shadowjustice secretary and jess phillips extremely well known to pretty— phillips extremely well known to pretty much everybody these days. this is _ pretty much everybody these days. this is a _ pretty much everybody these days. this is a real heartland for labour but there — this is a real heartland for labour but there is— this is a real heartland for labour but there is a sense, i feel, that the city— but there is a sense, i feel, that the city council is not done particularly well here and the past year or— particularly well here and the past year or so. — particularly well here and the past year or so, it is in financial crisis _ year or so, it is in financial crisis. , ., . crisis. the city council went bankrupt — crisis. the city council went bankrupt and _ crisis. the city council went bankrupt and council - crisis. the city council went bankrupt and council tax . crisis. the city council went | bankrupt and council tax has crisis. the city council went - bankrupt and council tax has gone up through the roof now, now they were specific issues that are put down for this including a lot of equal pay cases and large payouts the council ended up paying out according to that. but you've got both parties playing in different ways, haven't you? you have got to the conservative saying this was a labour—run council, this is how they manage funds, locally, you have got the labour party saying the conservative central government is not funding local councils and public services. 50 not funding local councils and public services.— not funding local councils and public services. so that it be a big issue here — public services. so that it be a big issue here hasn't _ public services. so that it be a big issue here hasn't it? _ public services. so that it be a big issue here hasn't it? absolutely i public services. so that it be a big i issue here hasn't it? absolutely put up issue here hasn't it? absolutely put up you've _ issue here hasn't it? absolutely put up you've got all of these stereotypes come into place. andy

street— stereotypes come into place. andy street can — stereotypes come into place. andy street can say to voters, you cannot trust _ street can say to voters, you cannot trust labom— street can say to voters, you cannot trust labour with your money. you can trust— trust labour with your money. you can trust me. _ trust labour with your money. you can trust me, i am an exjohn lewis course _ can trust me, i am an exjohn lewis course i'm _ can trust me, i am an exjohn lewis course i'm going to look after your money _ course i'm going to look after your money he — course i'm going to look after your money. he can point to the city council— money. he can point to the city council as— money. he can point to the city council as a _ money. he can point to the city council as a failure. sort of ignoring _ council as a failure. sort of ignoring the fact that they are part of the _ ignoring the fact that they are part of the west midlands combined authority that he oversees so should he succeed _ authority that he oversees so should he succeed it today, and of the indications are that you get over the line. — indications are that you get over the line, he is going to have some uncomfortable is situation for some of those _ uncomfortable is situation for some of those cancers that he has been dissing _ of those cancers that he has been dissing to — of those cancers that he has been dissing to get voters to recognise the difficulties that they are facing _ the difficulties that they are facing. —— make some of those councils — facing. —— make some of those councils. interesting dynamics. i don't— councils. interesting dynamics. i don't think— councils. interesting dynamics. i don't think anybody is prepared to bet much — don't think anybody is prepared to bet much on the outcome just yet. here _ bet much on the outcome just yet. here in _ bet much on the outcome just yet. here in birmingham, as i say, mixed reaction _ here in birmingham, as i say, mixed reaction among labour. some are very down. _ reaction among labour. some are very down, though, think they have lost the mayoralty. down, though, think they have lost the mayoralty-— down, though, think they have lost the mayoralty. thank you very much for the moment _ the mayoralty. thank you very much for the moment and, _ the mayoralty. thank you very much for the moment and, as _ the mayoralty. thank you very much for the moment and, as we - the mayoralty. thank you very much for the moment and, as we were - for the moment and, as we were seeing there, counting continuing behind others in what looks set to

behind others in what looks set to be a very, very close race here for the west midlands may. we are expecting that result to come in for the big come in as early as about one or two but if it to be as close as people expect them could end up going towards four or five or even later. welcome another result that we are watching, we will take you to the live pictures in liverpool. they are also waiting for the mayoral result there. there is the podium there. waiting for that announcement as well. today has been a day where we are getting a lot of them cams happening and they have begun on saturday morning. we have a lot of council results thursday and friday and another big one that we are watching is the london mayor result as well. sadiq khan the incumbent mayor in london hoping for another term but we have been hearing from some sources, the conservatives, some sources, the conservatives,

some conservative sources saying they think it is going to be closer than some people might think although the labour party is still sane this morning that they believe they can win that seat. well, we will return to some of the issues in this election here because aside from the bigger picture in politics and as we look towards the general election, it is the issues that matter as well when people turn up to the ballot box and one of the overriding issues in any part of the country where people have been voting is of course the cost of living crisis. and to discuss how thatis living crisis. and to discuss how that is played into the podium in birmingham i'mjoined by lorraine mccarthy. lorraine is from the list and supports network which runs food banks and support for people who are struggling during this crisis. welcome to bbc news. just tell us, first of all, about what people been saying to you through this election period and people have term deals might come to you for support. what might come to you for support. what do they want —

might come to you for support. what do they want from _ might come to you for support. what do they want from politicians? are they people are after a clear way forward — they people are after a clear way forward in — they people are after a clear way forward in terms of their finances and how— forward in terms of their finances and how their income isn't matching up and how their income isn't matching up to— and how their income isn't matching up to what— and how their income isn't matching up to what they need for their day—to—day cost of living situation. and what _ day—to—day cost of living situation. and what do they want the politicians to do about that? itrefoil and what do they want the politicians to do about that? well i think it is getting _ politicians to do about that? well i think it is getting to _ politicians to do about that? well i think it is getting to grips - politicians to do about that? well i think it is getting to grips with - think it is getting to grips with things— think it is getting to grips with things like the cost of energy, their— things like the cost of energy, their energy bills are sky—high, things— their energy bills are sky—high, things like the increasing cost in food. _ things like the increasing cost in food. so. — things like the increasing cost in food, so, you know, it is eitheran increase _ food, so, you know, it is eitheran increase in— food, so, you know, it is eitheran increase in the income benefits or it is a _ increase in the income benefits or it is a reduction in the cost of these — it is a reduction in the cost of these day—to—day things. it has got to be _ these day—to—day things. it has got to be one _ these day—to—day things. it has got to be one or— these day—to—day things. it has got to be one or the other. and these day-to-day things. it has got to be one or the other.— to be one or the other. and people are really feeling _ to be one or the other. and people are really feeling it _ to be one or the other. and people are really feeling it at _ to be one or the other. and people are really feeling it at the - to be one or the other. and people| are really feeling it at the moment, then, it's a question of the people you are speaking to that appear from some people particularly in the comment to say, you know, things are starting to come down now, things are improving but are people feeling that? i are improving but are people feeling that? ., �* 4' are improving but are people feeling that? ., �* ~ , are improving but are people feeling that? ., that? i don't think people are feelin: that? i don't think people are feeling it- _ that? i don't think people are feeling it. and _ that? i don't think people are feeling it. and it _ that? i don't think people are feeling it. and it was - that? i don't think people are feeling it. and it was an - that? i don't think people are - feeling it. and it was an increased pressure — feeling it. and it was an increased pressure in —

feeling it. and it was an increased pressure in terms of where they are going _ pressure in terms of where they are going to _ pressure in terms of where they are going to get their next set of incomes— going to get their next set of incomes from. whether it is an additional— incomes from. whether it is an additional amount of money which the government is provided, through things— government is provided, through things like the household support fund. _ things like the household support fund, whether it is an increase in an income — fund, whether it is an increase in an income which will mean something because. _ an income which will mean something because. at— an income which will mean something because, at the moment, we have a lot of— because, at the moment, we have a lot of pensioners who are struggling, pensioners who technically they get their pension but the _ technically they get their pension but the pension is considerably less than national minimum wage so naturally— than national minimum wage so naturally they are going to struggle if they— naturally they are going to struggle if they are — naturally they are going to struggle if they are getting less the national minimum wage so it is a difficult _ national minimum wage so it is a difficult set of choices people are making _ difficult set of choices people are making with regards to what they eat, where they go to, where they -et eat, where they go to, where they get their— eat, where they go to, where they get their food from, you know, people — get their food from, you know, people are using food banks, in wolverhampton we set up a network of community— wolverhampton we set up a network of community shops to try to help people — community shops to try to help people get good quality food at reasonable prices so it is things like that — reasonable prices so it is things like that. the people are facing difficult — like that. the people are facing difficult choices in their day—to—day life. difficult choices in their day-to-day life.- difficult choices in their day-to-day life. difficult choices in their da -to-da life. �* .

day-to-day life. and when you have soken to day-to-day life. and when you have spoken to people. _ day-to-day life. and when you have spoken to people, how _ day-to-day life. and when you have spoken to people, how has - day-to-day life. and when you have spoken to people, how has this - spoken to people, how has this played into the decision they made in this west midlands mayoral election, for example? either candidates that people that you've spoken to feel they understand and are going to offer them the solution is that they want. i are going to offer them the solution is that they want.— is that they want. i don't think --eole is that they want. i don't think people are _ is that they want. i don't think people are concerned - is that they want. i don't think people are concerned about i is that they want. i don't think l people are concerned about who is that they want. i don't think - people are concerned about who is in power~ _ people are concerned about who is in power they — people are concerned about who is in power. they link their biggest concern — power. they link their biggest concern is _ power. they link their biggest concern is what the people are doing in power~ _ concern is what the people are doing in power. are they going to have a positive _ in power. are they going to have a positive impact on their day—to—day life? and _ positive impact on their day—to—day life? and i— positive impact on their day—to—day life? and i think there is a lot of complacency amongst politicians who believe _ complacency amongst politicians who believe that people will come out and vote — believe that people will come out and vote for them if they are not to commune. — and vote for them if they are not to commune, just because they are standing — commune, just because they are standing i— commune, just because they are standing. ithink commune, just because they are standing. i think they've got to really— standing. i think they've got to really understand that people are struggling. some people may not even have been— struggling. some people may not even have been able to go out and vote because _ have been able to go out and vote because of— have been able to go out and vote because of the polling station, getting — because of the polling station, getting to the station. sol because of the polling station, getting to the station. so i do think— getting to the station. so i do think that people just want clear, a clear— think that people just want clear, a clear understanding a clear direction of where the country is heading. — direction of where the country is heading, where the region is heading and how—

heading, where the region is heading and how they are going to benefit from _ and how they are going to benefit from any— and how they are going to benefit from any policies. gk. and how they are going to benefit from any policies.— and how they are going to benefit from any policies. 0k. thank you so much. from any policies. 0k. thank you so much- how— from any policies. 0k. thank you so much. how people _ from any policies. 0k. thank you so much. how people are _ from any policies. 0k. thank you so much. how people are living - from any policies. 0k. thank you so much. how people are living in - from any policies. 0k. thank you so much. how people are living in this| much. how people are living in this ongoing cost of living crisis. and how that plays into this election. there than those of other issues that have really played into this vote here. transport, which the mayor has a remit over, has been a big thing here including, of course, the wider issues around the hs2 cancellation of that project or half of that project and other things like buses, and other transportation. that has been a big thing when you talk to people here. now, as i say, the counting continues on. we are expecting, as we have been saying a result of other big mayoral contest as well including liverpool and london and of course you will be back here in birmingham when we have more. i'd make thank you very much for you and the team that birmingham could have

just let me show you those count locations. keeping across their pictures in liverpool where steve rotherham is the labour mayor defending hisjob rotherham is the labour mayor defending his job there. rotherham is the labour mayor defending hisjob there. and south yorkshire, also a labour mayor described himself as the onlyjewish metro area. we have seen the impact of the israel gaza situation some of the labour votes. these numbers and results will be closely watched but were also just getting results in initially from some of the accounts initially from some of the accounts in london. nick has got all the latest. . ~ . in london. nick has got all the latest. w ., ., in london. nick has got all the latest. ., ., ~ ., latest. nick, what do we know so far? yes- — latest. nick, what do we know so far? yes- the _ latest. nick, what do we know so far? yes. the london _ latest. nick, what do we know so far? yes. the london county - latest. nick, what do we know so far? yes. the london county is i latest. nick, what do we know so - far? yes. the london county is going to take a lot of today but it could be well before that that we get a pretty good picture of how things are looking and want to bring the first result that is coming from that london mayoral race. it is merton and wandsworth. have a look. sadiq khan well ahead of the conservative there. a win for him of

about 35,000. not surprising, that siddiqui can as one merton and wandsworth but there is the percentages. a8, 29. buti wandsworth but there is the percentages. a8, 29. but i want to achieve what a change. labour's vote is up 5%, the conservative vote is down 5%. that is a swing 5.1% conservative to labour. that is good news for sadiq khan. there was a lot of speculation about what the turnout in london would mean but that starts to paint a picture, i think, of sadiq khan being in a good place would be expecting some more results from london pretty soon, actually. but that picture so far, good for sadiq khan and that is reflected in conversations i have been having this money with people in the labour party who seem confident that the london mayor will hang on to that, the labour candidate, i should say, will hand onto thejob of candidate, i should say, will hand onto the job of the london mayor. and, nick, we hearing yesterday that

things might be tighter than initially expected? where did that come from? the internet, is the short answer to that one. i think, having tried to understand some of that people were looking at turnout in st turnout is higher in those barriers that traditionally vote conservatives and a bit lower in central london which is traditionally labour territory. but i've got to say, trying to chase up some of their suggestions, speaking people and the parties, they were all saying quite quickly, actually, don't get excited by that. we don't have much of a picture yet. they were all looking for what would happen in those early results and, as i say, this swing, 5.1% conservative to labour is indicative that sadiq khan is actually doing quite well. remember you one last time and the conservatives would have needed a swing of 2.5% on the other direction in london overall to do that. actually, i've got another

result for you as we speak. greenwich and lewisham havejust result for you as we speak. greenwich and lewisham have just big win for sadiq khan there. a7,000 majority. again, greenwich and lewisham, the part of london you would expect labour to win. there is the percentages. 52% for sadiq khan put up 23% for susan hole. but again, look, picture merging here that i think we really need to identify quite early. the labour vote is up. the conservative vote is down. the swing here, a.5% conservative to labour. that is to enable row now where there has been a swing from the conservatives to labour despite the opposite needing to happen for susan hall to be in with a chance of beating sadiq khan so if i was sadiq khan and i were sitting looking at these results coming in, iwould sitting looking at these results coming in, i would feel pretty good place. coming in, i would feel pretty good lace. . ~ coming in, i would feel pretty good lace. w' �* place. 0k, well, nick, we'll obviously — place. 0k, well, nick, we'll obviously keep _ place. 0k, well, nick, we'll obviously keep across - place. 0k, well, nick, we'll obviously keep across all i place. 0k, well, nick, we'll- obviously keep across all results as they are coming in but thank you very much indeed for now. and i

think we can cross over tojohn curtis now, master of polling. thank you so much for being with us. i know going to be with us for the next few hours. just on those london results, what is your take on what we are seeing so far? itrier? results, what is your take on what we are seeing so far?— results, what is your take on what we are seeing so far? very much as nick was saying. — we are seeing so far? very much as nick was saying, these _ we are seeing so far? very much as nick was saying, these are - we are seeing so far? very much as nick was saying, these are good i nick was saying, these are good results — nick was saying, these are good results for— nick was saying, these are good results for sadiq khan and i think a lot of— results for sadiq khan and i think a lot of the _ results for sadiq khan and i think a lot of the speculation to which you refer is— lot of the speculation to which you refer is also emerged late last night — refer is also emerged late last night and this morning has probably proven— night and this morning has probably proven to _ night and this morning has probably proven to be misplaced. i think it was to— proven to be misplaced. i think it was to be — proven to be misplaced. i think it was to be interesting to see whether or not— was to be interesting to see whether or not sadiq khan does better on and in the _ or not sadiq khan does better on and in the constituency like merton and wandsworth as opposed to some of the more outer— wandsworth as opposed to some of the more outer rings of the city but i think— more outer rings of the city but i think we've _ more outer rings of the city but i think we've got a pretty good indication that sadiq khan is likely to be _ indication that sadiq khan is likely to be re—elected as the mayor of london~ — to be re—elected as the mayor of london. the labour party will have a

triumphant. — london. the labour party will have a triumphant, they will wish to want to counter— triumphant, they will wish to want to counter pose to the success of the conservatives in tees valley yesterday — the conservatives in tees valley yesterday and the anticipated success — yesterday and the anticipated success for the conservatives in the west— success for the conservatives in the west midlands and on that turn a story— west midlands and on that turn a story in— west midlands and on that turn a story in particular one of the things— story in particular one of the things that people start to forget is that— things that people start to forget is that the turnout is usually lower in london. — is that the turnout is usually lower in london, in inner london rather than _ in london, in inner london rather than outer— in london, in inner london rather than outer london and opposed to those _ than outer london and opposed to those that— than outer london and opposed to those that vote conservatives. if you look— those that vote conservatives. if you look at _ those that vote conservatives. if you look at the in 2021, yes, it is a bit _ you look at the in 2021, yes, it is a bit higher— you look at the in 2021, yes, it is a bit higher in labour areas. it is about— a bit higher in labour areas. it is about one — a bit higher in labour areas. it is about one point. as compared with what _ about one point. as compared with what is _ about one point. as compared with what is going on with the turnout reported — what is going on with the turnout reported for the conservative areas but even _ reported for the conservative areas but even if — reported for the conservative areas but even if you take that into account — but even if you take that into account it _ but even if you take that into account it would have done no more than knock — account it would have done no more than knock a — account it would have done no more than knock a couple of points of sadig _ than knock a couple of points of sadiq khan's majority would have we have just _ sadiq khan's majority would have we have just seen a four and a half, 5%. _ have just seen a four and a half, 5%. all— have just seen a four and a half, 5%. all of— have just seen a four and a half, 5%, all of that is frankly very academic _ 5%, all of that is frankly very academic-— 5%, all of that is frankly very academic. �* , ., ., , ., academic. i'm 'ust going to show --eole academic. i'm just going to show people pictures _ academic. i'm just going to show people pictures from _ academic. i'm just going to show people pictures from the - academic. i'm just going to show. people pictures from the liverpool mayoral contest. we saw someone coming to the podium but she is

moving away again for just coming to the podium but she is moving away again forjust keeping a close eye because we are expecting those results obviously imminently. keeping an eye across south yorkshire because we are also expecting that in the next couple of minutes. but you said, in terms of the west midlands, you expect the conservatives to hold that. that has certainly been widely reported and widely anticipated. i think, to be honest, what is perhaps less widely realised is there are two stories about the west midlands to emerge today. one is the result of the mayoral contest. the other is the result of the police and crime commissioner collection. the two of them taking place in parallel. when this happened in 2021, while andy street managed to retain his post as mayor of the west midlands, the labour party won the police and crime commissioner election and this is one of the reasons why some analysts have been saying these mayoral contests are not necessarily

a reliable indication of the support