will be doing. we will continue we will be doing. we will continue to do that, and recognise and listen and learn from, in areas where we have lost support, we will work hard to rebuild trust.— to rebuild trust. isn't he boxed in because of— to rebuild trust. isn't he boxed in because of this _ to rebuild trust. isn't he boxed in because of this huge _ to rebuild trust. isn't he boxed in because of this huge battle - to rebuild trust. isn't he boxed in because of this huge battle on i because of this huge battle on anti—semitism following jeremy corbyn�*s leadership? j anti-semitism following jeremy corbyn's leadership?— anti-semitism following jeremy corbyn's leadership? i don't accept that proposition. _ corbyn's leadership? i don't accept that proposition. keir— corbyn's leadership? i don't accept that proposition. keir starmer - corbyn's leadership? i don't accept that proposition. keir starmer has| that proposition. keir starmer has taken action to tackle anti—semitism. we are a party that stands for equality, and that means taking action against racism, against islamophobia and anti—muslim hatred, hostilities towards lgbtq communities, so it is not about one of the other, it is about making sure the whole country is brought together. he has an inclusive, positive vision for the future which includes every citizen, every community and every group, not in

the way that conservatives have operated, which is the politics of hate and hostility and division. we have seen that here in london in susan hall's campaign, where she has joined facebook groups that incite against the labour candidate sadik khan, that is the politics of hate that this party, a mainstream party of government has allowed to happen, allowed to divide people in our country. that is not the politics that we want or need in our country. we need a country that has brought together, a hopeful country, where people are brought together and we work together, and that is the kind of leadership keir starmer and the labour party will practice, and we will work hard to bring people together, so that we can serve the british public�*s interest, not this narrow interest that the conservatives, the self—serving interests of the conservatives have shown in recent years. they have broken this country, our public services are broken, our nhs is broken, ourtransport

services are broken, our nhs is broken, our transport system is broken. you cannot find an example of where things haven't been destroyed by this government. people need our systems to work, our country to work for everybody. that has not happened, and that is what labour will do if we can form the next labour government with the support of the british people. just finall , ifi support of the british people. just finally, if i may, there are a lot of people in all parties have spent a lot of time campaigning on local issues for these elections right across the country. when you were out campaigning, are people talking to you about national issues, international issues, or local services? what you think has been driving people's vote, from what you have seen? ht driving people's vote, from what you have seen? , , ., driving people's vote, from what you have seen?— have seen? it depends on the area, --eole have seen? it depends on the area, peeple are — have seen? it depends on the area, people are concerned _ have seen? it depends on the area, people are concerned about - have seen? it depends on the area, | people are concerned about national issues, the nhs, things they have relied on in the past. they are concerned about the money in their household incomes, the cost of living crisis, it continues to affect people. in my constituency and in other parts of the country, people's mortgages have gone up

exponentially because liz truss crashed the economy, and the government has failed to support people. rents are very high, people's bills are high, they are struggling to keep their head above water. poverty levels have increased, child poverty has increased, child poverty has increased dramatically. it is a scandal that children are going hungry up and down the country in constituencies like mine. that is a political choice. that is what the conservatives have done to this country. conservatives have done to this count . �* , ., ., i. country. are very grateful to you for our country. are very grateful to you for your time. — country. are very grateful to you for your time, joining _ country. are very grateful to you for your time, joining us - country. are very grateful to you for your time, joining us live - country. are very grateful to you for your time, joining us live in l for your time, joining us live in east london. thank you very much indeed. in the last few hours, steve rotheram was declared the winner of the mayoral contest in liverpool. here he is speaking shortly after his victory was announced about what this result represents. today, the people in our area have not only spoken, they've hollered at the top of their voices with two simple and clear messages

to the government. enough is enough. and locally, labour is delivering in power. up and down this country, ordinary people are fed up with the chaos, mismanagement and decline the tories have presided over. despite this, though, we're getting on with the job locally. this result isn'tjust a rejection of the tories. voters in our city region aren't easily kidded. it's a ringing endorsement of what we're doing locally too. claire hamilton is our political reporter in liverpool, and she spoke to us about the result from the count. steve rotheram and his supporters are absolutely delighted. if you look at the numbers, the number of voters. it is a bit of a one where you have to do a double take, because the difference between his result and the number of votes cast for him, 183000 and the next

candidate, the conservatives, 27,000, is absolutely huge. so of course, there's delight there. he's increased his vote share, 67% of the vote here. so there is delight. it is a safe mayoralty for labour in liverpool. but i think there is disappointment from all the parties in the low turnout that the people who did turn out turned out in big numbers for labour and for steve rotherham. but in total across the city region, 23% of people took part in this election and in st helens, which is one of the borough council's which makes up the liverpool city region, just 19% of people felt engaged enough tojoin in. so i think there's a question there that steve rotherham will be answering in the coming days about the engagement with the role. but obviously today he's absolutely delighted with the resounding victory he's won here in liverpool today. elsewhere, labour's 0liver coppard has been re—elected for a second term as mayor of south yorkshire.

here he is speaking sortly after the result was confirmed. more than anything, with 51% of the vote, _ more than anything, with 51% of the vote, you _ more than anything, with 51% of the vote, you have given me a mandate to continue _ vote, you have given me a mandate to continue the _ vote, you have given me a mandate to continue the work we have started in earnest _ continue the work we have started in earnest as_ continue the work we have started in earnest as two years ago. elections are the vehicle, not the destination. and today you've offered me not just your consent, but your blessing to continue on the journey we started to pursue the change we so desperately need across south yorkshire, wherever it may be, to give every single person across barnsley, rotherham, doncaster and sheffield the chance to stay near and go far. and tojoin millions of people across the north in calling out this government for their failure to level up our country, to do what is right for the whole of our country. the south yorkshire mayor there. nick eardley has been tracking the results. the bbc is calling london for sadik khan, but there was a flutter of uncertainty about the outcome here, partly down to ulez

stop how has significant has that been? ts stop how has significant has that been? , , ., ., stop how has significant has that been? , , , ., , been? is very good question, is because one — been? is very good question, is because one of _ been? is very good question, is because one of the _ been? is very good question, is because one of the things - been? is very good question, is because one of the things the l because one of the things the conservatives were hoping, if you remember the uxbridge by—election, all the money was on labour winning, and they didn't. the conservatives held on, and they thought that by—election almost solely based on opposition to the low emissions scheme. ijust had a resulting from outer london, which i can assure you. this is bexley and bromley. it is pretty safe conservative territory. you can see there that susan hall has won comfortably by 62,000 votes, the question is whether the opposition in areas like this, which has been a very big issue, would be enough to dent sadiq khan's vote and help susan hall, and the answer, you will not see this very often, not up. 0% swing. they

are both in exactly the same percentages that they were on in 2021, the conservatives and labour. that's just to me that even in those parts of london where ulez was really controversial, it was a big political issue, they are not moving the dial in this mayoral election. the reason the bbc is calling it is partly best, partly look out for sadiq khan is ahead, with six of 1a constituencies counted, but it is more this. it is a swing. it has gone down a bit. 3.7% at the moment from conservatives to labour. the thing that is crucial is, apart from bexley and bromley, everywhere else has had a swing from the conservatives to labour. given that it was already a labour mayor incumbent, i had to go the other way. it is going this way by a noticeable amount, meaning the bbc and labourare noticeable amount, meaning the bbc and labour are both confident that this race is done, sadiq khan has

one. ~ ., , ., one. when we get the final result on london? 4:30 _ one. when we get the final result on london? 4:30 pm _ one. when we get the final result on london? 4:30 pm 5pm _ one. when we get the final result on london? 4:30 pm 5pm is _ one. when we get the final result on london? 4:30 pm 5pm is the - one. when we get the final result on london? 4:30 pm 5pm is the latestl london? 4:30 pm 5pm is the latest estimate i've _ london? 4:30 pm 5pm is the latest estimate i've heard. _ london? 4:30 pm 5pm is the latest estimate i've heard. that _ london? 4:30 pm 5pm is the latest estimate i've heard. that could - estimate i've heard. that could slip. how many times have we thought a result was an imminent? i would say 4:30pm is the time to set your alarm if you want to come back for that one, but i don't think is really up for grabs any more. find really up for grabs any more. and we're looking _ really up for grabs any more. and we're looking at _ really up for grabs any more. and we're looking at local elections in england. obviously people watch for for the national implications. we are in a general election year. what are in a general election year. what are you hearing about the mood of the parties today? it is are you hearing about the mood of the parties today?— the parties today? it is quite simle, the parties today? it is quite simple. and _ the parties today? it is quite simple, and it _ the parties today? it is quite simple, and it is _ the parties today? it is quite simple, and it is based - the parties today? it is quite simple, and it is based on i the parties today? it is quite i simple, and it is based on this. labour are happy. that number, up 185 is good. it is not wow amazing, because the book now, i will be a labour majority, but it is good. what you hear when you chat to people in the labour party about

where they are putting on those councillors, they think it is on the part of the country that they need to win well to win a general election. they are really pleased. the conservatives, that is a really bad results. they are not going to quite make the 500 losses that would be seen as a catastrophic result, but they're not going to be far off it. they have lostjust under half of all the seats they are defending. it is good for labour, really badly conservatives, and that lib dems result is worth flagging. they are second, they have put on 105 councillors. the lib dems, for anybody that watches politics, will know they like to focus their attention in areas where they think they have got a good chance, and they have got a good chance, and they are pretty happy with that 105. i know i said that the last thing, but one more before i go. the green party, up 73. it is always tricky for them at a general election, because it is first past the post. they will be looking at parts of the country where their supporters like bristol and brighton and think,

maybe we are onto something. fascinating, thank you. let us cross now to birmingham. let's now cross over to my colleague rajini vaidyanathan who is at the count in birmingham. a potential glimmer of hope for rishi sunak in andy street? weill. rishi sunak in andy street? well, the counting _ rishi sunak in andy street? well, the counting here _ rishi sunak in andy street? well, the counting here in _ rishi sunak in andy street? ii the counting here in birmingham has now finished, and on the other regional centres we are waiting for results to come in. we are told we could get the result in the next hour, even, perhaps. this is one of the most anticipated results of this recent election cycle, as you say. you conservative incumbent mayor andy street looking for a third term. in many ways, he has distanced himself in the national conservative party. you barely saw any reference to the party on his campaign literature. he has been all about his personal brand, brand andy, as he puts it. you also have the labour party candidate here, richard parker, really putting on a strong

and hoping that they can take the seat from the conservatives. so far, speaking to both the conservatives and the labour party here, they think it is going to be a very tight race. the conservatives are telling me they think it is genuinely too close to call, labour describing this race at the moment as neck and neck. i am joined this race at the moment as neck and neck. iam joined now this race at the moment as neck and neck. i am joined now by the midlands political editor, robert mair, a very apt name for today! we have had one result in, breaking news? ~ ., have had one result in, breaking news? ~ . ., ., , have had one result in, breaking news? . . ., ., , , news? we have had a result up in solihull, which _ news? we have had a result up in solihull, which would _ news? we have had a result up in solihull, which would be - news? we have had a result up in solihull, which would be a - news? we have had a result up in solihull, which would be a big - news? we have had a result up in| solihull, which would be a big tory target, _ solihull, which would be a big tory target, a _ solihull, which would be a big tory target, a heartland for the conservatives, andy street with a 24.000 _ conservatives, andy street with a 24,000 roughly vote lead. that is down _ 24,000 roughly vote lead. that is down a _ 24,000 roughly vote lead. that is down a little bit on where he was in 2021 on— down a little bit on where he was in 2021 on the — down a little bit on where he was in 2021 on the first preference votes, so there _ 2021 on the first preference votes, so there was a different voting system — so there was a different voting s stem. , , , so there was a different voting sstem. , , , system. yes, it is first past the ost system. yes, it is first past the post now- _ system. yes, it is first past the post now- on _

system. yes, it is first past the post now. on the _ system. yes, it is first past the post now. on the face - system. yes, it is first past the post now. on the face of- system. yes, it is first past the post now. on the face of it, - system. yes, it is first past the | post now. on the face of it, that would seem _ post now. on the face of it, that would seem disappointing - post now. on the face of it, that would seem disappointing for i post now. on the face of it, that i would seem disappointing for andy street _ would seem disappointing for andy street a_ would seem disappointing for andy street. a campaigner has said it is down. _ street. a campaigner has said it is down, but — street. a campaigner has said it is down, but not back down. i've also had to— down, but not back down. i've also had to be _ down, but not back down. i've also had to be conservatives in doubly saying _ had to be conservatives in doubly saying they think they have done pretty— saying they think they have done pretty well there. the assessment of too close _ pretty well there. the assessment of too close to — pretty well there. the assessment of too close to call is pretty apt at the moment. it too close to call is pretty apt at the moment-— too close to call is pretty apt at the moment. , . the moment. it is exciting when we have an election _ the moment. it is exciting when we have an election we _ the moment. it is exciting when we have an election we don't _ the moment. it is exciting when we have an election we don't know - the moment. it is exciting when we l have an election we don't know much about. you can see piles of yellow balance in the distance behind us, it is pretty much empty here now. people have been counting. it is really, really close. if labour does manage to win this by a knife edge, it would be a stunning victory for the party after a really good set of results nationally? it the party after a really good set of results nationally?— results nationally? it would be the icin: on results nationally? it would be the icing on the _ results nationally? it would be the icing on the cake _ results nationally? it would be the icing on the cake for— results nationally? it would be the icing on the cake for them, - icing on the cake for them, absolutely. this has been something they have _ absolutely. this has been something they have been after since it was created — they have been after since it was created in — they have been after since it was created in 2018, the west midlands mayoralty. they were crushed the first time, — mayoralty. they were crushed the first time, never mind the second time _ first time, never mind the second time round, — first time, never mind the second time round, and with the state of things— time round, and with the state of things nationally, there were very

hopeful— things nationally, there were very hopeful that they can finally get one over— hopeful that they can finally get one over on andy street, who has been _ one over on andy street, who has been a _ one over on andy street, who has been a real— one over on andy street, who has been a real thorn in the side of labour— been a real thorn in the side of labour here in the west midlands. he has managed to distance himself from the conservative party. if you speak to labour— the conservative party. if you speak to labour supporters, and times they will tell— to labour supporters, and times they will tell you _ to labour supporters, and times they will tell you that he is all right for a _ will tell you that he is all right for a tory. _ will tell you that he is all right for a tory, you get that comment off them _ for a tory, you get that comment off them. labourare desperate for a tory, you get that comment off them. labour are desperate to get one over— them. labour are desperate to get one over on — them. labour are desperate to get one over on him, and as you say it has been — one over on him, and as you say it has been a — one over on him, and as you say it has been a great result here. and he miaht be has been a great result here. and he might be down _ has been a great result here. and he might be down in _ has been a great result here. and he might be down in solihull _ has been a great result here. and he might be down in solihull a - has been a great result here. and he might be down in solihull a little - might be down in solihull a little bit, but he is not out. he has a huge popular appeal here in many ways, when he came on in 2017, he was the anti—politician. this is someone who used to runjohn lewis, he has not come through the usual political route, but that was a strength. political route, but that was a strenuth. , ., political route, but that was a strenuth. , . ., , political route, but that was a strenuth. , . .,, political route, but that was a strenuth. , . ., , ., strength. yes, and he has painted a non-politician. _ strength. yes, and he has painted a non-politician. his _ strength. yes, and he has painted a non-politician. his campaign - strength. yes, and he has painted a non-politician. his campaign this i non—politician. his campaign this round _ non—politician. his campaign this round has — non—politician. his campaign this round has been about the person, not the party _ round has been about the person, not the party. like i say, successfully distancing — the party. like i say, successfully distancing himself from the conservative party. his leaflets are green. _ conservative party. his leaflets are green. he — conservative party. his leaflets are green, he doesn't mention himself as

a conservative, there are no pictures— a conservative, there are no pictures of— a conservative, there are no pictures of the prime minister, for example — pictures of the prime minister, for example. part of this role is about being _ example. part of this role is about being an _ example. part of this role is about being an ambassador for the region, and you _ being an ambassador for the region, and you will— being an ambassador for the region, and you will speak to a lot of people — and you will speak to a lot of people who say he has done a good 'ob people who say he has done a good job of— people who say he has done a good job of that — people who say he has done a good job of that. his opponents think they will— job of that. his opponents think they will do much better, and we will find — they will do much better, and we will find out in the next hour or so, i_ will find out in the next hour or so, ithink. _ will find out in the next hour or so, ithink, the prediction whether or not— so, ithink, the prediction whether or not richard parker for labour has managed _ or not richard parker for labour has managed finally to beat down might be the _ managed finally to beat down might be the third candidate that they have _ be the third candidate that they have tried here. and be the third candidate that they have tried here.— have tried here. and the conservatives _ have tried here. and the conservatives will - have tried here. and the conservatives will be - have tried here. and the - conservatives will be looking at tees valley for their future, who in some way also have distanced himself from the national party but have huge popular appeal in the region, and that is why they won there, it is his personal brand that one over. it has been a lot about brand andy, and as— it has been a lot about brand andy, and as i_ it has been a lot about brand andy, and as i say— it has been a lot about brand andy, and as i say he has played down hism _ and as i say he has played down hism he — and as i say he has played down his... he always says he is a proud

conservative, _ his... he always says he is a proud conservative, but it doesn't put it on the _ conservative, but it doesn't put it on the leaflets! you see some focus group _ on the leaflets! you see some focus group data. — on the leaflets! you see some focus group data, and sometimes people don't _ group data, and sometimes people don't always realise he is a politician, even. certainly even less— politician, even. certainly even less so— politician, even. certainly even less so necessarily understand that he is a _ less so necessarily understand that he is a member of the conservative party _ he is a member of the conservative party he _ he is a member of the conservative party. he has managed to do that quite _ party. he has managed to do that quite welt — party. he has managed to do that quite well. who knows whether it will be _ quite well. who knows whether it will be enough to get over the line for the _ will be enough to get over the line for the first time —— to get over the line — for the first time —— to get over the line today. for the first time -- to get over the line today.— for the first time -- to get over the line today. occurs, we never know until _ the line today. occurs, we never know until they _ the line today. occurs, we never know until they get _ the line today. occurs, we never know until they get up _ the line today. occurs, we never know until they get up on - the line today. occurs, we never know until they get up on the i the line today. occurs, we never i know until they get up on the stage and start announcing the results, but we already have the result from solihull there. it looks like andy street is in the lead there from what we heard from my colleague, robert mair, although down on the last set of election results. so, it is all to play for in a race that is still too close to call. studio:, we will be back with you in the next half an hour, and come back to you as soon as we have news on

that. so john to you as soon as we have news on that. sojohn curtice is with us. just some of the results so far. we have had a number of london figures come in, and we are hearing from our colleagues there that birmingham are still quite tight. let’s colleagues there that birmingham are still quite tight-— still quite tight. let's turn to the west midlands. _ still quite tight. let's turn to the west midlands. you _ still quite tight. let's turn to the west midlands. you have - still quite tight. let's turn to the west midlands. you have the i west midlands. you have the discussion there about the result for the solihull district within the west midlands authority that the result they are for the mayoral race has no already been published. we have calculated the swing that this means from 2021. the answer is 5% from conservative to labour. the swing that labour need across the west midlands as a whole to unseat andy street is 4.5%. in other words, solihull does underline the claim that this election looks too close to call. certainly, andy street needs to be a little bit better than he did in solihull if he is going to

hang on to his position. that is number one. the second thing that is no one saying, we just have one council left to declare in salford, it might be tomorrow, were not quite sure, there isjust one it might be tomorrow, were not quite sure, there is just one counsel left a declare. liberal democrats now have 520 counsellors, and the conservatives have 508, and it is now clear to us with just one counsel to go that the liberal democrats will have one more council seats than the conservatives in these local elections, and that is a simple headline way of underlining the way in which the results of those local elections have indeed been extremely disappointing for the conspirators. meanwhile, we have also been getting through the course of this afternoon a whole series of results that mean we are pretty confident that sadiq khan is going to become the next layer of london with something like a ten point lead over susan hall, a remarkably bigger elite than he had a few years ago.

on the liberal democrats, we haven't actually spent so much time on that. they often do well in by—elections, we have seen them do well on local elections in the past, what do you make of this fact that they have so far gotten more than the tories? is that tactical voting? is it based on local issues? how do you interpret it? , , local issues? how do you interpret it? , y , ., local issues? how do you interpret it? _ it? firstly, the liberal democrats alwa s do it? firstly, the liberal democrats always do better _ it? firstly, the liberal democrats always do better in _ it? firstly, the liberal democrats always do better in local- it? firstly, the liberal democrats| always do better in local elections than the current national poll standing. when we polish the project of national share yesterday afternoon, we had the liberal democrats on 17%. their current poll standing is around 9% or 10%. that isjust parfor the standing is around 9% or 10%. that is just par for the course. the second point i would make is the fact that the liberal democrats have won more seats than the conservatives probably says more about the problem is that the conservative party faces rather than

the liberal democrats having done particularly well. if you look at the change in vote share, the tories were down by around 11%, 12% on a sample. the liberal democrats were up sample. the liberal democrats were up on 2021, but only by around two or three points. it is the declining conservative support that has enabled the liberal democrats to pick up seats where the party was already in second place, and that takes us to the third point here, which is that it is the case that liberal democrats have done particularly well in local elections in wards where they started off second to the conservatives, and that will matter to them. their strategy for the general election is essentially that we believe the conservative fort will fall heavily, we believe that in constituencies where we start off second we have a chance of winning, even if frankly our vote doesn't go out very much, but we will be helped along the way by the willingness of people who would otherwise vote for us and help

take us over the line. —— who would otherwise vote labour to vote for us. it receives encouragement from the pattern of voting behaviour, and the pattern of voting behaviour, and the liberal democrat advance in these local elections. find the liberal democrat advance in these local elections.— the liberal democrat advance in these local elections. and to pick u . these local elections. and to pick u- of these local elections. and to pick up of what _ these local elections. and to pick up of what you — these local elections. and to pick up of what you said _ these local elections. and to pick up of what you said in _ these local elections. and to pick up of what you said in solihull, i these local elections. and to pick i up of what you said in solihull, how representative of a wider areas that? ., , , ., ., �* that? the answer is that we don't know. because _ that? the answer is that we don't know. because of— that? the answer is that we don't know. because of point _ that? the answer is that we don't know. because of point is - that? the answer is that we don't know. because of point is that i that? the answer is that we don't. know. because of point is that with the share of the vote for the two candidates, this swing of change since 2021 is of the order but only just that labour might need to get it. i'm not claiming that they were win it, i'mjust it. i'm not claiming that they were win it, i'm just underlining what we have been saying all day, this looks like a close contest, and the first piece of real evidence we have from the ballot boxes is indeed consistent with that expectation. just a step back, the overall

picture of these local elections and the mayoral seats, what is the national change we are seeing? for example, how i the concerta is doing in terms of council control over all? ., , , ., , all? to the best of my memory, the conservatives _ all? to the best of my memory, the conservatives have _ all? to the best of my memory, the conservatives have managed - all? to the best of my memory, the conservatives have managed to i all? to the best of my memory, the | conservatives have managed to lose more councils than the truck managed to hang onto. it is only about five or six they have managed to hang onto. one of the misfortunes that the conservatives will help with these local elections, for the most part they were only one third of the council up for election, and that is normal with lots of local elections in england. however, when you change the ward boundaries, you have to have an election of the whole council. all of a sudden, we get a whole council election. the conservatives are unfortunate, because the council they have control of before thursday, there is a whole council election, so to that extent at least, the control was

unusually vulnerable in a number of these councils, and that explains given how badly they were doing in general, they have ended up with so few councils left in their control as compared with where they were at the beginning of thursday morning. and obviously this has been watched for any hints of what it might do to the party's decisions and internal challenges to rishi sunak, which seem for the moment to have gone away. if you are rishi sunak, when would you advise and to call an election? mr; would you advise and to call an election? g . . ., ., , would you advise and to call an election? g . . ., ., election? my advice, and it has long been my advice. _ election? my advice, and it has long been my advice, you _ election? my advice, and it has long been my advice, you should - election? my advice, and it has long been my advice, you should bank. been my advice, you should bank further two years as prime minister that you know you can have. you will properly want to use that in order to get through the legislation that might eventually result in the elimination of tobacco smoking in the uk, and if you manage to do that then even if you lose the election, you are no longer prime minister and perhaps you no longer really have much of a career left as a

politician stop in 25 years' time, when maybe your grandchildren are being educated, they will read that their grandad was the person who has got rid of tobacco smoking for much of the country, and to be honest, i think there might be a legacy that many a prime minister would die for. thank you very much indeed, john curtice. we will be back tojohn and nick eardley. our political editor chris mason spoke to us about the tees valley and what we might see from the party, the tory party as we go into the general election sometime this year. for go into the general election sometime this year. go into the general election sometimethis ear. ., , ,, sometime this year. for rishi sunak esterda , sometime this year. for rishi sunak yesterday. with _ sometime this year. for rishi sunak yesterday. with a — sometime this year. for rishi sunak yesterday, with a sea _ sometime this year. for rishi sunak yesterday, with a sea of— sometime this year. for rishi sunak yesterday, with a sea of pretty i yesterday, with a sea of pretty bleak results, the result in tees valley was one where they were toasting a victory, and he was there in a blink of an eye, partly because he lives down the road. of course he was there in the blink of an eye, thatis was there in the blink of an eye, that is exactly what you would do. there will be a significant win for

him psychologically of andy street tolls on here. when you look at the numbers in the tees value, and this swing against ben houchen, he won by 1 million miles, he won by more than 70% of the vote, but there was a big swing against him, and that could still happen and he did so when given the margin of his victory last time. if you look at this swing last time, a lot of the conservative seats in the tees valley would be very vulnerable if anything approaching that swing. there is a degree of interpretation. but if you look eerie at the west midlands and the periphery of birmingham, there are all sorts of interesting battleground westminster seats, which inevitably politicos here will pour over the results of the mayoral contest to begin to see what it might say about the general election. i suppose the intriguing thing to tease away at, and it will be impossible to have answer, but to what extent is the party brand and the national trend significant, to

what extent in particular here is brand street, andy street's personal brand, able to break away from the national trend against the conservative.— national trend against the conservative. , ., ., ., conservative. lets have a look at the weather _ conservative. lets have a look at the weather now. _ hello, there's been a big reversal of weather fortunes. yesterday, scotland and northern ireland had lots of sunshine and warm weather, with temperatures peaking at 23 degrees celsius. not so much today, though. it's a lot cloudier, a lot cooler. and for some, that means a drop of about nine degrees celsius between yesterday's warm sun and today's rather grey and cloudy skies. the clouds extensive then for scotland and northern ireland and is also still affecting parts of northern england and north wales. best of the sunshine further southwards today where yesterday it was cloudy and wet, feels a lot warmer in today's sunshine across these more southern regions. an odd shower for south east england, some wet weather continuing to affect northern ireland. outbreaks of rain on and off.

there will be a bit of warmth across the very far north of highland scotland, where we could see temperatures into the low 20s, but otherwise it's going to be really quite a cool afternoon. now, overnight tonight, we're looking at cloud and rain continuing for a time in northern ireland, perhaps a few patches of rain running into scotland and the far north of england. drier weather with clearer skies further southwards will lead to quite a chilly night with temperatures getting down into low single figures in the coolest areas tomorrow. in the coolest areas. tomorrow, well, we've still got a lot of cloud for scotland and northern ireland with some showers in the forecast here. we'll start to see cloud thickening up in the southwest with some rain arriving here during the afternoon. in between, this should be a fine day for much of northern england, north wales, the midlands, east anglia and south east england largely dry with some pleasant spells of sunshine. and where the sunshine does bother putting in an appearance, it should feel quite pleasant. bank holiday monday — low pressure brings a weather front into southern—most areas of england, and with that there'll be cloudy skies, a bit of rain around as well.

some of it could be quite heavy for a time. showers develop across parts of northern england and eastern scotland. some of those could turn quite heavy and thundery in nature and probably quite cloudy in northern ireland. temperatures for most of us between around 16 and 19 degrees celsius in the warmest spots, but quite cool. spots, but quite cool on those north sea coasts of eastern scotland. beyond that, deeper into next week, high pressure starts to build in across the uk and that should mean the weather becomes a bit quieterfor a time. fewer showers around, a little bit more in the way of sunshine with temperatures generally running into the upper teens, perhaps low 20s in the warmest spots. to this conflict, but also to bring

peace in the region. live from london, this is bbc news. in the last hour, the breaking news — the bbc has forecast sadiq khan is on course to win an historic third term as london's mayor. the official result from london is not yet confirmed — but based on early results it's predicted sadiq khan will win by around ten percentage points. elsewhere the counting continues across england — as we await more results of mayoral elections in cities including greater manchester

and west yorkshire. good afternoon, i'm geeta guru—murthy and welcome to this bbc local election special. the bbc�*s polling expert john curtice has said he expects labour's sadiq khan to win the london mayoral election by around ten percentage points. this would give him a record third term as the mayor of london. there is speculation about a declaration from city hall in london taking place some time this afternoon. we are still awaiting results in greater manchester and the west midlands, where the conservatives will be hoping andy street can cling on. and we are also expecting results from a the remaining handful of councils yet to declare, as well as police and crime commissioners. let's get some analysis on the results that have come through overnight. our political correspondent, nick eardley, is in the newsroom. it's been a busy few hours. where

are we now?