we the person and the party. ra'ini. we will the person and the party. rajini. , willjust continue to watch that speech with richard parker there. his acceptance speech. you can see, though, the crowds, andy street is about to speak, so let's have a lesson in. about to speak, so let's have a lesson im— about to speak, so let's have a lesson in— about to speak, so let's have a lesson in. ~ . ., ., ., ., lesson in. we all want to go home, so let's leave _ lesson in. we all want to go home, so let's leave all _ lesson in. we all want to go home, so let's leave all of _ lesson in. we all want to go home, so let's leave all of that _ lesson in. we all want to go home, so let's leave all of that behind. . so let's leave all of that behind. madame — so let's leave all of that behind. madame returning officer, you will be relieved to know this is going to be relieved to know this is going to be a short— be relieved to know this is going to be a short speech. four thank yous, and one _ be a short speech. four thank yous, and one reflection. the first to thank— and one reflection. the first to thank you _ and one reflection. the first to thank you goes to you and all your teams _ thank you goes to you and all your teams across the region for a well conducted — teams across the region for a well conducted election, so thank you. the second — conducted election, so thank you. the second thank you of course must io the second thank you of course must go to— the second thank you of course must go to my— the second thank you of course must go to my fellow candidates. it was a very courteous campaign, and of course _ very courteous campaign, and of course i— very courteous campaign, and of course i should thank richard indeed for how— course i should thank richard indeed for how he _ course i should thank richard indeed for how he has conducted himself in the campaign and should congratulate him on _ the campaign and should congratulate him on his_ the campaign and should congratulate him on his victory, and most importantly, wish you all strength and wisdom as he takes on this role.

and then _ and wisdom as he takes on this role. and then of— and wisdom as he takes on this role. and then of course, the third thanks is to my— and then of course, the third thanks is to my conservative team across the region — is to my conservative team across the region. it has been my honour to lead you _ the region. it has been my honour to lead you for— the region. it has been my honour to lead you for the last seven years. i'm sony— lead you for the last seven years. i'm sorry we _ lead you for the last seven years. i'm sorry we couldn't make it that hat-trick, — i'm sorry we couldn't make it that hat—trick, but mark my words, you will be _ hat—trick, but mark my words, you will be back— hat—trick, but mark my words, you will be back for that, i'm sure. and then— will be back for that, i'm sure. and then nrost— will be back for that, i'm sure. and then most importantly, my thanks of course _ then most importantly, my thanks of course go _ then most importantly, my thanks of course go to— then most importantly, my thanks of course go to everybody who voted for me on _ course go to everybody who voted for me on thursday. and for the trust that they— me on thursday. and for the trust that they showed in me. perhaps that is the _ that they showed in me. perhaps that is the most _ that they showed in me. perhaps that is the most important word in politics— is the most important word in politics of— is the most important word in politics of all. in the end, it was not to— politics of all. in the end, it was not to be, — politics of all. in the end, it was not to be, but of course that doesn't _ not to be, but of course that doesn't mean i appreciate that trust any less. _ doesn't mean i appreciate that trust any less. so— doesn't mean i appreciate that trust any less, so thank you to the voters — any less, so thank you to the voters. and lastly, the reflection, which _ voters. and lastly, the reflection, which goes — voters. and lastly, the reflection, which goes to all citizens across the west— which goes to all citizens across the west midlands. it has of course been nry— the west midlands. it has of course been my honour to serve and to lead this place _ been my honour to serve and to lead this place for the last seven years. i this place for the last seven years. i hope _ this place for the last seven years. i hope i_ this place for the last seven years. i hope i have done it with dignity and integrity, and i hope i have

bequeathed to richard a combined authority— bequeathed to richard a combined authority and indeed a role to which young _ authority and indeed a role to which young aspiring leaders will want to aspire _ young aspiring leaders will want to aspire one — young aspiring leaders will want to aspire one day. in a sense, i can have _ aspire one day. in a sense, i can have done — aspire one day. in a sense, i can have done no— aspire one day. in a sense, i can have done no more than that. it has been _ have done no more than that. it has been a _ have done no more than that. it has been a great — have done no more than that. it has been a great privilege. but tonight, i 'ust been a great privilege. but tonight, ijust want— been a great privilege. but tonight, ijust want to say thank been a great privilege. but tonight, i just want to say thank you, been a great privilege. but tonight, ijust want to say thank you, and good _ ijust want to say thank you, and good night _ good night. applause au all right corn you just listened to both richard parker and andy street deliver their speeches. we are going to go to rajini vaidyanathan, who is in birmingham for us. now that we do have that official results declared. we heard richard parker say that he believes voters voted both for the person and the party, drawing a bigger conclusion there. your reaction to that? yes. there. your reaction to that? yes, ou there. your reaction to that? yes, you could — there. your reaction to that? yes, you could hear _ there. your reaction to that? yes, you could hear the _ there. your reaction to that? yes, you could hear the cheers - there. your reaction to that? yes, you could hear the cheers in - there. your reaction to that? us: you could hear the cheers in the room. the labour supporters here

really are very ecstatic because nobody really at the start of this day could have decisively called the result here. this really was seen as a result that could have gone either way, and actually i did my maths slightly wrong, and as brilliant as it is, it is actually 1500 votes in it is, it is actually 1500 votes in it between the two candidates, that really is close as sirjohn curtice was saying, you don't really expect margins like that in these kinds of races. but it really was a significant victory. i'mjoined races. but it really was a significant victory. i'm joined now by our midlands political editor, and we have heard the speech is there now, rob, a new mayorfor the west midlands. now we are looking towards a general election, and there will be momentum that the labour party hope to carry through. they will hope to carry through and ithink— they will hope to carry through and i think we _ they will hope to carry through and i think we should be super cautious about— i think we should be super cautious about deciding we can read anything into this _ about deciding we can read anything into this result into what might happen— into this result into what might happen in— into this result into what might happen in a general election. it is

pretty— happen in a general election. it is pretty clear that personality is a really _ pretty clear that personality is a really big — pretty clear that personality is a really big part in mayoral elections, the incumbent factor is very important as well, and we have also had _ very important as well, and we have also had the — very important as well, and we have also had the impact of the independent candidate as well here independent candidate as well here in this— independent candidate as well here in this election. but there will be momentum, it will get a lot of good headlines— momentum, it will get a lot of good headlines for labour, and they will work— headlines for labour, and they will work those — headlines for labour, and they will work those headlines no doubt. we will see _ work those headlines no doubt. we will see no— work those headlines no doubt. we will see no doubt over the coming hours. _ will see no doubt over the coming hours. and — will see no doubt over the coming hours, and a historic day for the west— hours, and a historic day for the west midlands, the first time labour have managed to win this mayoralty, and yes, _ have managed to win this mayoralty, and yes, it _ have managed to win this mayoralty, and yes, it was about 601,000 votes were cast. _ and yes, it was about 601,000 votes were cast, and 1508 is the winning margin _ were cast, and 1508 is the winning margin i— were cast, and 1508 is the winning margin. i can't do the percentages in margin. ican't do the percentages in my— margin. i can't do the percentages in my head — margin. i can't do the percentages in my head-— margin. i can't do the percentages inm head. ., , ., ., in my head. and of course that marks for now the — in my head. and of course that marks for now the end _ in my head. and of course that marks for now the end of _ in my head. and of course that marks for now the end of andy _ in my head. and of course that marks for now the end of andy street's - for now the end of andy street's political career. it for now the end of andy street's political career.— political career. it does, and he talked about _ political career. it does, and he

talked about his _ political career. it does, and he talked about his victory - political career. it does, and he talked about his victory there, l talked about his victory there, sorry, — talked about his victory there, sorry, in— talked about his victory there, sorry, in his losing speech, he talked — sorry, in his losing speech, he talked about building up the combined authority, and actually richard — combined authority, and actually richard parker praised him for that in his— richard parker praised him for that in his victory speech, he said, yes, you have _ in his victory speech, he said, yes, you have built this up and you have built up— you have built this up and you have built up the — you have built this up and you have built up the role as well, and it will be — built up the role as well, and it will be interesting to see what richard — will be interesting to see what richard parker goes on to do. andy street— richard parker goes on to do. andy street used — richard parker goes on to do. andy street used to runjohn lewis, and i'm street used to runjohn lewis, and i'm sure _ street used to runjohn lewis, and i'm sure there will be plenty ofjob offers— i'm sure there will be plenty ofjob offers for— i'm sure there will be plenty ofjob offers for him. there has been talk about— offers for him. there has been talk about whether he might want to become — about whether he might want to become an mp, or perhaps maybe there is something _ become an mp, or perhaps maybe there is something in the house of lords well down — is something in the house of lords well down the line. none of this comes— well down the line. none of this comes from him, it is what people say when — comes from him, it is what people say when they talk about what he might _ say when they talk about what he might do— say when they talk about what he might do next. i'm sure he won't be short— might do next. i'm sure he won't be short of— might do next. i'm sure he won't be short of offers. he is supposed to be running — short of offers. he is supposed to be running the great birmingham run tomorrow— be running the great birmingham run tomorrow morning, so he has 13 miles tomorrow morning, so he has 13 miles to do— tomorrow morning, so he has 13 miles to do around _ tomorrow morning, so he has 13 miles to do around the streets of birmingham tomorrow, and i suppose he might— birmingham tomorrow, and i suppose he might put his feet up for a while and consider what to do next. and richard and consider what to do next. jinn. richard parker says and consider what to do next. fific richard parker says this is and consider what to do next. el"ic richard parker says this is the most importantjob he could ever do. it

is a huge responsibility. just remind our viewers, because of this have different roles. a lot of that is about transport, for example, it is about transport, for example, it is about transport, for example, it is about being a figurehead for the region, attracting culture and investment, butjust remind our viewers, what is the significance of thejob? it viewers, what is the significance of the 'ob? , ., , .,, viewers, what is the significance of the 'ob? _, , the job? it is a big 'ob, you represent h the job? it is a big 'ob, you represent seven _ the job? it is a big job, you represent seven council- the job? it is a big job, you . represent seven council areas, the job? it is a big job, you - represent seven council areas, and there _ represent seven council areas, and there are _ represent seven council areas, and there are some other areas around it that are _ there are some other areas around it that are not — there are some other areas around it that are not quite members but you have influence there. a lot of the rollers _ have influence there. a lot of the rollers about soft power, about attracting investment, getting attention for the region, attracting investment, getting attention forthe region, being attracting investment, getting attention for the region, being a figurehead for the region as well, a region— figurehead for the region as well, a region with — figurehead for the region as well, a region with 3 million people in it. they— region with 3 million people in it. they are — region with 3 million people in it. they are also responsible for transport, as you say, how is it, the skills— transport, as you say, how is it, the skills agenda as well, and we are seeing — the skills agenda as well, and we are seeing more and more powers coming _ are seeing more and more powers coming along as well with further devolution deals, and the west midlands has been at the forefront of those _ midlands has been at the forefront of those. it is a big job, and the

ambassadorial role is really important, and i think that could be a challenge — important, and i think that could be a challenge for richard parker. he has not _ a challenge for richard parker. he has not been a politician before, and that— has not been a politician before, and that is— has not been a politician before, and that is part of the role he will have _ and that is part of the role he will have to _ and that is part of the role he will have to grow into.— have to grow into. thank you so much, have to grow into. thank you so much. rob. _ have to grow into. thank you so much, rob, for— have to grow into. thank you so much, rob, for the _ have to grow into. thank you so much, rob, for the moment. i have to grow into. thank you so i much, rob, for the moment. that result hasjust come much, rob, for the moment. that result has just come into us, really stunning victory for the labour party. they will be of course disappointed in the conservative ranks herecheering 0h, more cheering, because i think the new mayor is walking through the crowds there. oh, i'm told it is sir keir starmer! no, iapologise, but is richard parker, as i thought. i was given the wrong information. a lap of honour amongst his supporters, and we have seen andy street walk past us as well, perhaps we will speak to him shortly, and of course to the victorious richard parker. forthe

course to the victorious richard parker. for the moment, though, course to the victorious richard parker. forthe moment, though, our coverage here in birmingham wraps up, but we will be back with you shortly. up, but we will be back with you shortl . ., ., up, but we will be back with you shortl . ., ,, i. ., shortly. thank you, ra'ini vaidyanathan. �* let's shortly. thank you, ra'ini tensed shortly. thank you, ra'ini let-squad shortly. thank you, ra'ini let's go to nicki shortly. thank you, rajini let's go to nick eardley i shortly. thank you, rajini| let's go to nick eardley in shortly. thank you, rajini - let's go to nick eardley in the newsroom. i'm sure you heard the cheering behind rajini, you said this was the silver lined the conservatives were hoping for. it didn't happen, though, did it? no, it is another dark cloud over downing street this evening. it is a really bad result for the conservatives, but let me just talk you through what it looked like, because it is so close. more than half a million votes, and just 1500 in it. you can see the numbers there, andy street on two to and look how close the percentages are. 37.8, 37.5. ithought look how close the percentages are. 37.8, 37.5. i thought we were going to be done with this result a few hours ago, but it is that the fact that it hours ago, but it is that the fact thatitis hours ago, but it is that the fact that it is so close that has led to

it taking so long. but as conservative candidate who is critical of labour policy, some feared that this would stop this happening, but not quite. still enough of richard parker to get over the line. here is what has changed, and the big story is the conservative vote is down significantly, down 11. labour is down by 2%. thank you, nick, we are going to go straight to rajini, because she is with someone we want to hear from. yes, i am with someone we want to hear from. yes, iamjoined now with someone we want to hear from. yes, i am joined now by the newly elected mayor of the west midlands, richard parker. congratulations. thank you very much. it has been a tough _ thank you very much. it has been a tough campaign and we are pleased with the _ tough campaign and we are pleased with the result.— with the result. when he woke up this morning. _ with the result. when he woke up

this morning, did _ with the result. when he woke up this morning, did you _ with the result. when he woke up this morning, did you believe - with the result. when he woke up this morning, did you believe you| this morning, did you believe you might do it? i this morning, did you believe you might do it?— might do it? i knew it would be close, might do it? i knew it would be close. but _ might do it? i knew it would be close. but i _ might do it? i knew it would be close, but i was _ might do it? i knew it would be close, but i was making - might do it? i knew it would be close, but i was making no - close, but i was making no assumptions. it was a long day, and there _ assumptions. it was a long day, and there were — assumptions. it was a long day, and there were times where we thought it might— there were times where we thought it might be _ there were times where we thought it might be more difficult, but we were delighted _ might be more difficult, but we were delighted. the mps on the councillors have worked terrifically hard, _ councillors have worked terrifically hard. and — councillors have worked terrifically hard. and i— councillors have worked terrifically hard, and i have a lot to thank them for. hard, and i have a lot to thank them for we _ hard, and i have a lot to thank them for we have — hard, and i have a lot to thank them for. we have campaigned in difficult areas. _ for. we have campaigned in difficult areas. and — for. we have campaigned in difficult areas. and i— for. we have campaigned in difficult areas, and i think it is a terrific amount— areas, and i think it is a terrific amount of— areas, and i think it is a terrific amount of hard work. but also the fantastic— amount of hard work. but also the fantastic platform the party have given _ fantastic platform the party have given us — fantastic platform the party have given us nationally. it fantastic platform the party have given us nationally.— given us nationally. it was an incredibly _ given us nationally. it was an incredibly close _ given us nationally. it was an incredibly close result, - given us nationally. it was an incredibly close result, 1508| given us nationally. it was an - incredibly close result, 1508 votes incredibly close result, 1508 votes in it, a sliver of a margin. incredibly close result, 1508 votes in it, a sliver ofa margin. i incredibly close result, 1508 votes in it, a sliver of a margin. i spoke to your colleaguejess phillips earlier. there was an independent candidate here, akhmed yakoob, who got more than 42,000 votes, and jess certainly believes that sir keir starmer�*s stance on gaza, refusing to call for a ceasefire earlier, cost the party votes. do you think you could have got a greater margin?

i do, actually, and what i'm committed to do is to be mayor for all of— committed to do is to be mayor for all of our— committed to do is to be mayor for all of our communities, and i spent all of our communities, and i spent a lot— all of our communities, and i spent a lot of— all of our communities, and i spent a lot of time — all of our communities, and i spent a lot of time listening to concerns of the _ a lot of time listening to concerns of the muslim community, and i'm committed — of the muslim community, and i'm committed to working hard and spending — committed to working hard and spending some more time and doing all i spending some more time and doing all i can— spending some more time and doing all i can to _ spending some more time and doing all i can to talk about the difference we have and to build a better— difference we have and to build a better relationship with them, because — better relationship with them, because one of my priorities is to help parts— because one of my priorities is to help parts of this region that have been _ help parts of this region that have been overlooked and left behind for too long. _ been overlooked and left behind for too long, and that includes large parts _ too long, and that includes large parts of— too long, and that includes large parts of the black country your priorities. _ parts of the black country your priorities, you talked about public transport — priorities, you talked about public transport. it is difficult to sum everything up but you want to do, but if— everything up but you want to do, but if you — everything up but you want to do, but if you had to talk about some of the things— but if you had to talk about some of the things you are going to do when you get— the things you are going to do when you get behind your desk... i want to take _ you get behind your desk... i want to take the — you get behind your desk... i want to take the first steps on bringing the buses— to take the first steps on bringing the buses back under public control, that is— the buses back under public control, that is a _ the buses back under public control, that is a franchising system so we will kick— that is a franchising system so we will kick that off with immediate effect _ will kick that off with immediate effect i— will kick that off with immediate effect. i want to start to overhaul the skill—

effect. i want to start to overhaul the skill system, too many young people _ the skill system, too many young people who don't have the skills they need to get better paid jobs, and that— they need to get better paid jobs, and that is— they need to get better paid jobs, and that is a disadvantage to young people _ and that is a disadvantage to young people so— and that is a disadvantage to young people so we will overhaul the skills— people so we will overhaul the skills system. and i want to use the resources _ skills system. and i want to use the resources that the man has not used for housing _ resources that the man has not used for housing to pump those resources into new— for housing to pump those resources into new social housing programmes because _ into new social housing programmes because i_ into new social housing programmes because i want to deliver the biggest — because i want to deliver the biggest programme of social housing we have _ biggest programme of social housing we have seen in more than 40 years. some _ we have seen in more than 40 years. some people — we have seen in more than 40 years. some people will be watching this in political circles who will be looking at this razor—thin victory and wanting to know if this is something you think you did that helped you swing it, because it was incredibly tight. you are up against someone who had huge name recognition and had already served twice and was well known. the question is, what do you think you did that swung it? irate question is, what do you think you did that swung it?— did that swung it? we had a policy latform did that swung it? we had a policy platform and _ did that swung it? we had a policy platform and a _ did that swung it? we had a policy platform and a set _ did that swung it? we had a policy platform and a set of— did that swung it? we had a policy platform and a set of priorities - platform and a set of priorities that address the needs of working people _ that address the needs of working people in— that address the needs of working people in the west midlands. 0ur people in the west midlands. our focus _ people in the west midlands. our focus was — people in the west midlands. our focus was how can we help those communities who are suffering so badly— communities who are suffering so badly from the cost of living

crisis. — badly from the cost of living crisis, lack of access to housing and too — crisis, lack of access to housing and too many people who can't get to the high _ and too many people who can't get to the high streets, to work or college because _ the high streets, to work or college because of— the high streets, to work or college because of the failures of the public— because of the failures of the public transport system, and we wanted — public transport system, and we wanted to— public transport system, and we wanted to reach out to more people in this— wanted to reach out to more people in this region and the conservative candidates~ — in this region and the conservative candidates. ., in this region and the conservative candidates-— candidates. one more question i would like _ candidates. one more question i would like to _ candidates. one more question i would like to ask. _ candidates. one more question i would like to ask. a _ candidates. one more question i would like to ask. a lot - candidates. one more question i would like to ask. a lot of- candidates. one more question i| would like to ask. a lot of people are now drawing on what has happened in the last couple of days, looking ahead to the general election, and a mayoral race is slightly different, but what lessons would you say can be learned, good and bad, for your party going head to that election? i think we have a great platform for victory _ think we have a great platform for victory in — think we have a great platform for victory in the next general election. _ victory in the next general election, the results in the last few days — election, the results in the last few days have demonstrated that, but there is _ few days have demonstrated that, but there is work to do with our muslim community— there is work to do with our muslim community and inner—city communities and we _ community and inner—city communities and we need _ community and inner—city communities and we need to work on that and if we do _ and we need to work on that and if we do that— and we need to work on that and if we do that i— and we need to work on that and if we do that i think we can deliver the general election result we want and also _ the general election result we want and also start to build the relationship and the trust back with a very— relationship and the trust back with a very important muslim community. richard _ a very important muslim community. richard parker, the west midlands' brand—new mayor, thank you for

joining us on the bbc news channel. knows to be here, thank you. there ou have knows to be here, thank you. there you have it. — knows to be here, thank you. there you have it. the _ knows to be here, thank you. there you have it, the first _ knows to be here, thank you. there you have it, the first interview- you have it, the first interview moments after he was confirmed as the mayor of the west midlands. we are here in birmingham of course, and he has set out his priorities as you were there. he also conceded that the party did have work to do when it comes to reaching particularly muslim communities over some of those issues which seemed to be divisive among some of the core labour base. so that's it for the moment after a very, very intense day, you could say, here in birmingham. the result ended up as i say it being incredibly close, but in the end we now have a new mayor here in the west midlands, and that is richard parker. mil here in the west midlands, and that is richard parker.— is richard parker. all right, ra'ini , thank is richard parker. all right, ra'ini . thenkyeu d is richard parker. all right, ra'ini . thenkyeu very d is richard parker. all right, ra'ini , thank you very much i is richard parker. all right, ra'ini , thank you very much for i is richard parker. all right, rajini , thank you very much for that. i is richard parker. all right, rajini i , thank you very much for that. and i want to update you with some reaction from labour leader sir keir starmer. he says the party's victory is a phenomenal result and beyond labour's expectations. he also says people across the country have had enough of conservative chaos and decline and have voted for change.

he says richard parker stands ready to deliver a fresh start for the midlands, and he adds, may change labour party is back in the service of working people and stands ready to govern. as we heard, sadiq khan has also claimed victory in the london mayoral race. here's his reaction to the result. it has been a difficult few months. we faced a campaign of nonstop negativity. but i couldn't be more proud that we answered fear—mongering with facts, hate with hope, and attempts to divide with efforts to unite. we ran a campaign that was in keeping with the spirit and values of this great city. let's speak now to tony travers, professor in the department of government at the london school of economics. he has been at city hall today.

we heard from richard parker, he said people have been calling for change. he said people have been delighted with the result. this will be deeply disappointing for the conservatives.— be deeply disappointing for the conservatives. , ., , ., conservatives. there is no question it will. yesterday _ conservatives. there is no question it will. yesterday they _ conservatives. there is no question it will. yesterday they were - it will. yesterday they were pointing very heavily to tees valley, which they did win, and that the real hope was to hold onto the west midlands as well, and the conservatives were heavily hinting yesterday they were going to run sadiq khan close in london. well, the truth is that they lost london badly, and they have lost the west midlands in a way that will undoubtedly affect the way the whole election is viewed now we have got all the results in. brute election is viewed now we have got all the results in.— all the results in. we have heard from some _ all the results in. we have heard from some conservative - all the results in. we have heard from some conservative sourcesj all the results in. we have heard - from some conservative sources and some tory rebels who have texted to our own political editors say that this was always going to end badly for andy street, that the campaigning was a mess. do you think that that is a fair assessment here? i know he was campaigning on brand

andy, but is this also just indicative of the black hole, as you put it, that the conservatives are in right now?— put it, that the conservatives are in right now? yes, the swing from conservative _ in right now? yes, the swing from conservative to _ in right now? yes, the swing from conservative to labour— in right now? yes, the swing from conservative to labour was - in right now? yes, the swing from conservative to labour was only i conservative to labour was only about 4.6%, and it does suggest that andy street's personal brand had gone a long way to protecting him, but not quite far enough. there was a big swing in tees valley yesterday, even though ben houchen held on for the conservatives, and the swing in london between labour and the conservatives was about 3.2%, but the margin of victory then for sadiq khan was actually over 11% over his conservative rival. so the picture is pretty clear that these mayoral teas, and there were several others, we haven't talked about greater manchester, liverpool, the new one in the east midlands and

yorkshire, labourwon new one in the east midlands and yorkshire, labour won all of them, andindeed yorkshire, labour won all of them, and indeed the north—east. so it is nearly a clean sweep for these mayoral teas, and i think it will change the narrative in the way it is understood by conservative mps and members, and it will be interesting to see how the media carries the story along tomorrow. i do want to bring an update, because andy street has spoken to our political editor chris mason. he has told him that he did it his way, i did it my way, and to insist that rishi sunak should lead the conservatives into the general election. he says the fact he came so close proves the value of moderate conservatism. do you believe that is a conclusion that we can draw from this result? it is generous _ can draw from this result? it is generous to — can draw from this result? it is generous to the _ can draw from this result? it 3 generous to the position the conservatives find themselves in just now, but andy street is a very moderate politician, former business person, real centrist conservative, old school. he is a polite person,

he commented in his victory speech about how nicely the campaign in the west midlands had been conducted. so it is the kind of thing you would expect him to say. i'm sure he believes it. but in a sense it is not what andy street thinks from now on, it is what conservative mps read into this pretty dismal set of council elections and mayoral elections. i council elections and mayoral elections-— council elections and mayoral elections. ., ., ., elections. i want to look at the bi rer elections. i want to look at the bigger picture _ elections. i want to look at the bigger picture a _ elections. i want to look at the bigger picture a bit, _ elections. i want to look at the bigger picture a bit, because i elections. i want to look at the | bigger picture a bit, because we keep talking about the doom and gloom here for the conservatives, how this silver lining didn't end up working at her rishi sunak, but how big conclusions can we actually draw from this. is there anything the conservatives could do to actually turn this around for the general election? . turn this around for the general election? , ., ._ , turn this around for the general election? , . ._ , ., turn this around for the general election? , . ., . ., . election? there is always a chance somethinr election? there is always a chance something will _ election? there is always a chance something will happen, _ election? there is always a chance something will happen, the - election? there is always a chance something will happen, the longer the prime minister waits until he holds the election, let's assume it is more likely to be in october or

november thenjune orjuly, there is always a chance that something will turn up all the public mood will change. but the difficulty that the conservatives currently have is that the polls have been stuck with a lead of about 20% for labour for a long time now, and these results simply confirm where the poles were last year, calculations done for the bbc by sirjohn curtice show a significant gap between labour and the conservatives. so i think there is not much choice really for the conservatives from here on. they are not going to move it would appear against rishi sunak, and that means theyjust have to hope that time will either bring better economic news that will change the public mood, orsomething news that will change the public mood, or something will turn up. there is always a chance something will happen none of us can think of. and at what point do you think that mps have to make a decision like andy street did, and think about

whether wearing their party affiliation front and centre is a good idea. it affiliation front and centre is a good idea-— affiliation front and centre is a rood idea. , ., , ., ~ good idea. it is a good question. a number of — good idea. it is a good question. a number of conservatives _ good idea. it is a good question. a number of conservatives now - good idea. it is a good question. a number of conservatives now have either dropped or are lessening their connection to the party, or indeed put the word local in front of the word conservative to try to give themselves a bit of distance. i think mps will be thinking along these lines, the more they can capitalise on their own popularity, the more they can distance themselves from the conservatives brand. it gives them a slighty greater chance, particularly in a marginal seat, greater chance, particularly in a marginalseat, but greater chance, particularly in a marginal seat, but if you look at these results across the country, there are a large number of marginal seats, and on these figures the conservative simply won't hold them. i also want to reflect on some of the speeches that we heard from richard parker and andy street. they were warm, they did congratulate each other, and i wonder how you

think that compares to some of the polarisation that we've seen when it comes to our politics.— comes to our politics. there is no ruestion comes to our politics. there is no question as _ comes to our politics. there is no question as l _ comes to our politics. there is no question as i said _ comes to our politics. there is no question as i said earlier, - comes to our politics. there is no question as i said earlier, andy i question as i said earlier, andy street is a moderate centre centrist conservative, and there is no doubt that he and others have conducted the campaign that will be seen as reasonable, classic, traditional politics. and compared with some of the dismal stuff that you see in politics, or people outside politics being excessively rude to people in politics, this was clearly handled in a more traditional and frankly better way. you and i can't disagree with the fact that both candidates made that point in the west midlands. mi made that point in the west midlands-— made that point in the west midlands. �* ., , ., , midlands. all right, tony travers, thank ou midlands. all right, tony travers, thank you for— midlands. all right, tony travers, thank you for that _ midlands. all right, tony travers, thank you for that analysis. - midlands. all right, tony travers, thank you for that analysis. we i midlands. all right, tony travers, | thank you for that analysis. we do appreciate your time, and i do want

to add one little update for our viewers, and that is from my colleague nick eardley. he says that he is told sir keir starmer was in the east midlands watching the football in a pub, and then headed to the west midlands to celebrate the result. priorities! of course, there is so so much more for you on our bbc news website and app. we do have a live page with updates from my colleague nick eardley, from rajini in birmingham and analysis from sir john curtice who has been across this all day since 7.35 this morning, i am told, but let's move on now. let's move on to the israel gaza war, as efforts to secure a deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in gaza are intensifying. the head of the us�*s cia, william burns, is in cairo to help try to mediate a ceasefire deal between israel and hamas. hamas negotiators have also arrived in egypt for talks.

and this is where things stand. foreign mediators have been waiting for a response from the group to an israeli proposal to halt the fighting for 40 days, and to exchange hostages for palestinian prisoners. unconfirmed reports in us media say israel has given hamas one week to agree to the current proposal or it will begin its offensive in rafah — an offensive that benjamin netanyahu has been threatening despite criticism from allies. there has been widespread international concern over the fate of more than one million palestinians sheltering there. a hamas official has said the group is meeting egyptian and qatari mediators and listening to their proposals in full seriousness. but taher al—nono said the group was still holding to its key demands, including a permanent ceasefire and the right of all displaced gazans to return to their homes. those demands have been a major obstacle to israel agreeing a deal, while hamas has said the israeli

government's insistence on mounting an operation in rafah, even if there is a ceasefire, stands in the way of its acceptance of a deal. our correspondent anna foster has this update from jerusalem. we're at that point in proceedings where through the afternoon i've been watching in the regional media various briefings, everything from saying that we are on the verge of an agreement of a framework of an agreement, everything through to no, israel say they will not agree to a ceasefire that will permanently end the war. i think the key thing to remember at this point in time is this is the moment where we hear these various briefings, we hear different things from different sides, but until we get some sort of official word potentially from the egyptian mediators who are actually in charge of these talks in cairo, really all of that is just background noise. what we do know is that one of the key sticking points is that idea of a permanent ceasefire. we know that is a key part

of what hamas is asking for out of this deal. the idea that they would be an eventual end to this war rather than just a temporary ceasefire while that exchange goes on. we know that israel equally say that without a ground offensive in rafah, which benjamin netanyahu, the israeli prime minister, has been talking about for months, they say they can't conclude their military operation, they can't deliver on that promise of fully removing hamas from gaza. in fact they are saying in the last few days that even if there is a deal, that military operation will still go ahead. so at the moment there is a lot going on behind closed doors, a lot of rumour and speculation and conjecture. but in concrete terms, right now we are no further forward. that was my colleague anna foster in jerusalem. earlier i spoke to mahjoob zweiri in doha about the latest talks. he is a professor of contemporary middle east politics at qatar university. it is obvious in the last 24—hours there is a huge confusion about the status quo. what we are gathering at the moment is the following,

that hamas is showing according to its leadership, flexibility on some matters and the discussion now about the first stage or the first phase of the ceasefire which should last 42 days and this phase basically was part of the three phases discussed a few months ago according to the paris meetings between different mediators and israel. basically now, the confusion is about whether they will go to discuss the three phases now or actually there will be a discussion on the first phase, which is basically 40 days of ceasefire, 40 do, and then release 33 israelis and a number of the palestinian prisoners, the number has not been released about how many prisoners, and allowing humanitarian aid and for some palace in years to come from the north

to the south without israeli intervention. and now, we are waiting to hear from cairo whether this will be daly i do want to go straight to my colleague rajini in birmingham because she is there with andy street. . because she is there with andy street. , . ., because she is there with andy street. , .. ., ,., street. the result came in about half an hour _ street. the result came in about half an hour or— street. the result came in about half an hour or so _ street. the result came in about half an hour or so ago _ street. the result came in about half an hour or so ago from - street. the result came in about half an hour or so ago from the l half an hour or so ago from the returning officer here confirming that andy street, the conservative mayor who served two terms here as the mayor of the west midlands had not been successful in this year's contest. it was a very close run race, something like 1500 votes in it, and labour's richard parker is now the new mayor of the west midlands. the mayor elect. i'm joined now by andy street.

commiserations, first of all. thank ou. how commiserations, first of all. thank you- how are _ commiserations, first of all. thank you- how are you _ commiserations, first of all. thank you. how are you feeling? - commiserations, first of all. thank you. how are you feeling? pretty l you. how are you feeling? pretty rutted. i you. how are you feeling? pretty gutted- i love — you. how are you feeling? pretty gutted. i love this _ you. how are you feeling? pretty gutted. i love this job, _ you. how are you feeling? pretty gutted. i love thisjob, i- you. how are you feeling? pretty gutted. i love this job, i thought| gutted. i love thisjob, i thought we were — gutted. i love thisjob, i thought we were making a difference and this is hard. _ we were making a difference and this is hard, personally, but i'm also feeling — is hard, personally, but i'm also feeling very proud, because lots of people _ feeling very proud, because lots of people said to me, you have got no chance. _ people said to me, you have got no chance. and — people said to me, you have got no chance, and we came within1500 votes _ chance, and we came within1500 votes of— chance, and we came within1500 votes of beating the labour party in an area _ votes of beating the labour party in an area that— votes of beating the labour party in an area that has long been in their back yard. — an area that has long been in their back yard, many would say, so i'm very— back yard, many would say, so i'm very proud — back yard, many would say, so i'm very proud of— back yard, many would say, so i'm very proud of what my team has done for seven— very proud of what my team has done for seven years and indeed in the result— for seven years and indeed in the result today. for seven years and indeed in the result today-— for seven years and indeed in the result today. there will be people includin: result today. there will be people including in _ result today. there will be people including in your _ result today. there will be people including in your own _ result today. there will be people including in your own campaign i result today. there will be people i including in your own campaign who will be saying, what went wrong? it is very straightforward. we did not persuade — is very straightforward. we did not persuade enough people to be confident in what i had done and i have _ confident in what i had done and i have confidence is well in what the plan was _ have confidence is well in what the plan was for the future, and i can't look for— plan was for the future, and i can't look for anything more complicated than that — look for anything more complicated than that. ultimately we didn't persuade enough people to go out and put their— persuade enough people to go out and put their cross in the right box on thursday. — put their cross in the right box on thursday, and it is my campaign, i did it—

thursday, and it is my campaign, i did it my way— thursday, and it is my campaign, i did it my way and ultimately it didn't— did it my way and ultimately it didn't quite come through. was it the campaign _ didn't quite come through. was it the campaign was _ didn't quite come through. was it the campaign was it _ didn't quite come through. was it the campaign was it your - didn't quite come through. was it the campaign was it your record? | the campaign was it your record? usually an income but has the advantage. yes, but come now, you acknowledged it in the way he went about the first question that for someone with my party colour, it was always going to be difficult, but so many people said to me, you have done a good job, so actually that is why i say i'm proud of my record, and i'm also proud of what i have bequeathed to the future labour mayor for what he will do with the west midlands. do you blame rishi sunak? i downplay anyone other than myself. it was my campaign, this time it wasn't quite good enough. campaign, this time it wasn't quite good enough-— campaign, this time it wasn't quite rood enou:h. . . ., good enough. what about the party? peole good enough. what about the party? peo - le will good enough. what about the party? people will be. _ good enough. what about the party? people will be, as _ good enough. what about the party? people will be, as they _ good enough. what about the party? people will be, as they do, _ good enough. what about the party? people will be, as they do, they i people will be, as they do, they watch these results and try to extrapolate something big up from this, what you think this means for

the conservatives? i this, what you think this means for the conservatives?— the conservatives? i hope people will be looking _ the conservatives? i hope people will be looking because _ the conservatives? i hope people will be looking because we i the conservatives? i hope people will be looking because we have i the conservatives? i hope people i will be looking because we have had relatively per results in mayoral elections around the country, apart from the result in the tees valley, if you look at the detail here, in the youngest most diverse place in britain, we came within1500 of matching the labour party and i hope people will say that is all about the type of conservative party that was offered here, moderate, inclusive, tolerant, very much focused on actions to help people and i hope people will take that message from birmingham in the west midlands tonight. the message from birmingham in the west midlands tonight.— midlands tonight. the labour party is rroin to midlands tonight. the labour party is going to be--- — midlands tonight. the labour party is going to be... i _ midlands tonight. the labour party is going to be... i think _ midlands tonight. the labour party is going to be... i think keir - is going to be... i think keir starmer is speaking now so we'll wrap up that interview but that thank you very much, andy street. the local elections in 2024, general election— the local elections in 2024, general election year... we started in blackpool— election year... we started in blackpool with a 26% swing, and we

have ended in the west midlands with our new— have ended in the west midlands with our new mayor richard parker. and plenty _ our new mayor richard parker. and plenty mayoral councils and our police _ plenty mayoral councils and our police and — plenty mayoral councils and our police and crime commissioner is of the untold _ police and crime commissioner is of the untold story of the selection so farmr _ the untold story of the selection so farm. so— the untold story of the selection so farm. so a — the untold story of the selection so farm, so a fantastic way to end this batch _ farm, so a fantastic way to end this batch of— farm, so a fantastic way to end this batch of elections. in the way we went— batch of elections. in the way we went about it here in the west midlands really, really matters because — midlands really, really matters because the government felt, the tories _ because the government felt, the tories felt that they were entitled to victory— tories felt that they were entitled to victory here, that they could use andy _ to victory here, that they could use andy street as some sort of crutch for rishi _ andy street as some sort of crutch for rishi sunak's week leadership, and that— for rishi sunak's week leadership, and that they didn't have to be in touch— and that they didn't have to be in touch with — and that they didn't have to be in touch with the priorities of the people — touch with the priorities of the people. we have had a completely different— people. we have had a completely different campaign, we were grounded inthe— different campaign, we were grounded in the priorities of the people that we now— in the priorities of the people that we now represent in the west midlands. we showed that our values are their— midlands. we showed that our values are their values and we humbly ask

them _ are their values and we humbly ask them to— are their values and we humbly ask them to put— are their values and we humbly ask them to put their trust and confidence in a changed labour party. — confidence in a changed labour party. and _ confidence in a changed labour party, and they did, and that is a significant — party, and they did, and that is a significant piece of political history— significant piece of political history that we have made here today — history that we have made here today. and i say to every single person — today. and i say to every single person who voted labour on thursday in these _ person who voted labour on thursday in these elections, thank you. thank you for— in these elections, thank you. thank you for putting your trust and confidence in us. i say to everybody who didn't — confidence in us. i say to everybody who didn't vote labour, who voted for other— who didn't vote labour, who voted for other parties, including the conservative party, that we will serve _ conservative party, that we will serve you. _ conservative party, that we will serve you, richard will serve you, the labour— serve you, richard will serve you, the labour party will serve you, because — the labour party will serve you, because this is a changed labour party. _ because this is a changed labour party. it — because this is a changed labour party. it is — because this is a changed labour party, it is a party of servants. and _ party, it is a party of servants. and i_ party, it is a party of servants. and i say— party, it is a party of servants. and i say directly, directly to those — and i say directly, directly to those who may have voted labour in the past _ those who may have voted labour in the past but — those who may have voted labour in the past but felt that on this occasion— the past but felt that on this occasion that they couldn't, that

across— occasion that they couldn't, that across the — occasion that they couldn't, that across the west midlands, we are a proud _ across the west midlands, we are a proud and _ across the west midlands, we are a proud and diverse community, and i have heard — proud and diverse community, and i have heard you, i have listened, and i am have heard you, i have listened, and iam determined have heard you, i have listened, and i am determined to meet your concerns— i am determined to meet your concerns and to gain your respect and trust — concerns and to gain your respect and trust again in the future. because the big story of all these elections. — because the big story of all these elections, including these elections, including these elections, is a nation that is desperate to turn the page and move on. desperate to turn the page and move on and _ desperate to turn the page and move on and this— desperate to turn the page and move on. and this is the message to the prime _ on. and this is the message to the prime minister and the government. so many— prime minister and the government. so many people have had enough of 14 years of— so many people have had enough of 14 years of decline, that has cost them their families and years of decline, that has cost them theirfamilies and their their families and their communities, theirfamilies and their communities, they are fed up with the chaos— communities, they are fed up with the chaos in— communities, they are fed up with the chaos in the division and the non—delivery, they want to turn the page. _ non—delivery, they want to turn the page, turned their back on that decline — page, turned their back on that decline and usher in national

renewable with labour, labour party with a _ renewable with labour, labour party with a plan— renewable with labour, labour party with a plan to bring the country together. — with a plan to bring the country together, with a plan to deliver on our health— together, with a plan to deliver on our health services, our infrastructure, our public services, take our— infrastructure, our public services, take our streets back, and have a plan _ take our streets back, and have a plan for— take our streets back, and have a plan for the — take our streets back, and have a plan for the future of britain. so, the message out at these elections for the _ the message out at these elections for the last election now, the last stop before we go into the general election. _ stop before we go into the general election, is the country wants change — election, is the country wants change i_ election, is the country wants change. i hope the prime minister is listening _ change. i hope the prime minister is listening and gives the opportunity to do— listening and gives the opportunity to do the _ listening and gives the opportunity to do the country to vote as a whole in a general— to do the country to vote as a whole in a general election as soon as possible — that was labour leader sir keir starmer there, that was labour leader sir keir starmerthere, he that was labour leader sir keir starmer there, he said the labour party is a changed party, a party at service, and he is there to celebrate an important when for the labour party. let's take a listen. keir starmer, what does this when

for you? 2021 was the lowest point, is this your biggest high? this for you? 2021 was the lowest point, is this your biggest high?— is this your biggest high? this is a very important — is this your biggest high? this is a very important set _ is this your biggest high? this is a very important set of— is this your biggest high? this is a very important set of election i very important set of election results — very important set of election results for me in the labour party. i results for me in the labour party. i set _ results for me in the labour party. i set out _ results for me in the labour party. i set out for— results for me in the labour party. i set out for ended eight years ago to take _ i set out for ended eight years ago to take the — i set out for ended eight years ago to take the labour party a dreadful defeat _ to take the labour party a dreadful defeat and return us to government as a changed labour party, and the labour— as a changed labour party, and the labour party back in the service of working _ labour party back in the service of working people, and this is a phenomenally important set of elections, the last set of elections before _ elections, the last set of elections before we — elections, the last set of elections before we go to that general election. we had to prove that we were _ election. we had to prove that we were making progress, we have shown that we _ were making progress, we have shown that we are _ were making progress, we have shown that we are making progress, and i am so _ that we are making progress, and i am so pleased that we have earned the trust _ am so pleased that we have earned the trust and confidence of so many voters _ the trust and confidence of so many voters across the whole of the country — voters across the whole of the country i _ voters across the whole of the count . ~ ., i. voters across the whole of the count . ~e ., ., «e ., country. i know you talked about blackool country. i know you talked about blackpool south, _ country. i know you talked about blackpool south, but _ country. i know you talked about blackpool south, but is - country. i know you talked about blackpool south, but is this i country. i know you talked about i blackpool south, but is this tonight the momentum that was missing a bit yesterday when you put on just 170 councils, you didn't when harlow, does this feel like the momentum you

are looking for to go out on? i think if you look at these election results _ think if you look at these election results as— think if you look at these election results as a result —— as a whole, that— results as a result —— as a whole, that the — results as a result —— as a whole, that the book ending is the blackpool by—election, 26% swing to the labour— blackpool by—election, 26% swing to the labour party, phenomenal result there. _ the labour party, phenomenal result there, taking the west midlands male tea at— there, taking the west midlands male tea at the _ there, taking the west midlands male tea at the end and much in between look at _ tea at the end and much in between look at the — tea at the end and much in between look at the east midlands where there _ look at the east midlands where there is— look at the east midlands where there is a — look at the east midlands where there is a time constituencies that are so— there is a time constituencies that are so important in the general election. — are so important in the general election, look at york and north yorkshire — election, look at york and north yorkshire again, traditional conservative area where we are up there _ conservative area where we are up there winning votes and many councils— there winning votes and many councils in— there winning votes and many councils in between, so this is vindication _ councils in between, so this is vindication the hard work we have done _ vindication the hard work we have done to— vindication the hard work we have done to change the labour party, but i am humble, done to change the labour party, but iam humble, and i know that every vote has— iam humble, and i know that every vote has to — iam humble, and i know that every vote has to be earned in the general election _ vote has to be earned in the general election. we have shown progress, i am pleased — election. we have shown progress, i am pleased about that, we step up again— am pleased about that, we step up again towards the general election only for— again towards the general election only for this purpose, so we can serve _ only for this purpose, so we can serve the — only for this purpose, so we can serve the working people of britain once again, as... this

serve the working people of britain once again, as...— once again, as... this was a knife edre, once again, as... this was a knife edge. when _ once again, as... this was a knife edge. when the _ once again, as... this was a knife edge, when the result _ once again, as... this was a knife edge, when the result finally i once again, as... this was a knife. edge, when the result finally came through, did you do a littlejig? how did it feel? i'm not going to talk you — how did it feel? i'm not going to talk you through exactly what happened! but i am so pleased. but i am so _ happened! but i am so pleased. but i am so pleased. i saw it as vindication of the hard work of the team _ vindication of the hard work of the team here — vindication of the hard work of the team here. this has been a labour party— team here. this has been a labour party coming together and delivering the progress that we needed to show. but our— the progress that we needed to show. but our purpose is to serve our country. — but our purpose is to serve our country, and we have taken a really bil country, and we have taken a really big step _ country, and we have taken a really big step towards the service of our country _ big step towards the service of our country i— big step towards the service of our count . ., ., ., , «e i. big step towards the service of our count . ., ., ., i. ., ., country. i want to ask you one more ruestion country. i want to ask you one more question because _ country. i want to ask you one more question because it _ country. i want to ask you one more question because it really _ country. i want to ask you one more question because it really matters, | question because it really matters, you won by 1500 votes, people are talking about in the birmingham metro area that you might have lost 30,000 votes to the independent candidate because people are really upset with labour and you about your stance on the israel hamas war. how

much of the problem is it? you said that you have heard them, what are you actually going to do? weill. you actually going to do? well, look, i you actually going to do? well, look. i think— you actually going to do? well, look, i think we _ you actually going to do? well, look, i think we won _ you actually going to do? well, look, i think we won very i you actually going to do? well, look, i think we won very manyj you actually going to do? well, look, i think we won very many votes here. _ look, i think we won very many votes here. it _ look, i think we won very many votes here. it was — look, i think we won very many votes here, it was always going to be tight. _ here, it was always going to be tight. you _ here, it was always going to be tight, you had an incumbent mayor who was— tight, you had an incumbent mayor who was distancing himself from the government and so this was always going _ government and so this was always going to _ government and so this was always going to be a tight fight, we have never— going to be a tight fight, we have never won— going to be a tight fight, we have never won this mayoralty before but where _ never won this mayoralty before but where we _ never won this mayoralty before but where we have not been able to persuade — where we have not been able to persuade people who might otherwise have voted labour, it is important for me _ have voted labour, it is important for me to — have voted labour, it is important for me to acknowledge that and to say i for me to acknowledge that and to say i have — for me to acknowledge that and to say i have heard, i have listened, and i_ say i have heard, i have listened, and i am — say i have heard, i have listened, and i am determined to meet the concerns— and i am determined to meet the concerns that they have, and to win back their— concerns that they have, and to win back their trust and confidence, that is— back their trust and confidence, that is really important, but nothing _ that is really important, but nothing takes away from the significance of this victory here in the west— significance of this victory here in the west midlands on top of all the other— the west midlands on top of all the other gains we have made in this set of local— other gains we have made in this set of local elections, the last local elections — of local elections, the last local elections for the last stop before that general election. cheering. that was the labour leader sir keir

starmer there. shortly after his victory in the west midlands was announced, richard parker also addressed the clouds —— crowds, take addressed the clouds —— crowds, take a listen. addressed the clouds -- crowds, take a listen. . . addressed the clouds -- crowds, take a listen. , , ., a listen. this is the most important thin iwill a listen. this is the most important thing i will ever— a listen. this is the most important thing i will ever do. _ a listen. this is the most important thing i will ever do. this _ a listen. this is the most important thing i will ever do. this week, i thing i will ever do. this week, people here voted for the person and the party. they recognised that a labour mayor can make a positive difference in this region. thank you. you have put your trust in me and i will repay that trust, i will deliver for you and your family, and i will repay that trust, i will deliverfor you and yourfamily, i promise you that i will live jobs, we will fix our public transport system, we will build the homes you need, and we will give this region the fresh start it deserves. i want to brinr the fresh start it deserves. i want to bring pp _ the fresh start it deserves. i want to bring pp our— the fresh start it deserves. i want to bring up our live _ the fresh start it deserves. i want to bring up our live page - the fresh start it deserves. i want to bring up our live page there, i the fresh start it deserves. i want to bring up our live page there, it| to bring up our live page there, it has a reaction from both labour and conservatives to what my colleague nick eardley has called one of the biggest results of these mayoral

races. now, there is reaction from sir keir starmer, of course, and there are also analysis from sir john curtice as well as the big takeaways from my colleague rajini vaidyanathan and interviews with andy street and richard parker. we will continue with analysis on the website so do go and check that life page. in brazil's southernmost state of rio grandee do sool, the death toll from floods and mudslides, triggered by days of torrential downpours, has now risen to 60. here — rescuers are breaking through the roof of a house to rescue a baby and its mother — stranded in the floodwaters. 67 people are still missing. authorities are warning that rising water levels is putting dams under strain and threatening the metropolis of porto allegre — as heavy rainfall continues to batter the region. rescuers in boats and planes have been searching the ruins of collapsed homes, bridges and roads for survivors. and the army has been drafted in to clear debris,

distribute aid and set up shelters. some residents have been able to return to their homes but found little left. translation: i need a lot of help, we have nowhere _ translation: i need a lot of help, we have nowhere to _ translation: i need a lot of help, we have nowhere to sleep - translation: i need a lot of help, we have nowhere to sleep and i translation: | need a lot of help, i we have nowhere to sleep and nothing to eat, we have nothing. it is believed _ to eat, we have nothing. it is believed 25,000 _ to eat, we have nothing. it is believed 25,000 residents have been. to leave their homes since the storms began last saturday. in mexico, three bodies have been found during a search for two australians and an american who went missing last week during a surfing trip. australian brothers jake and callum robinson — shown on the far left and far right — and their american friend jack carter were on vacation near the coastal city of en—se—nada in the northwestern state of baja california when they failed to turn up at the planned accomodation. the bodies have not yet been identified. alison piotrowski is

a correspondent for nine news australia. she's been out with police in the area where the bodies have been found — and told us more. jake, callum and their friend jack, the american national, they have not been seen since april 27th, so we are coming up to seven days since they have been heard from. they were on a boys' trip. jake had travelled over to see callum. callum, his australian brother, actually lives in san diego, so they had gone to coachella together, they were going to celebrate callum's birthday, so they came down the baja's coastline to chase waves, because these guys are surfers, and they were looking for a big birthday celebratory holiday. but they disappeared off the grid, they failed to show up to an airbnb in rosarito, which is right up towards tijuana, right up near that us—mexico border. and after they failed to show up, their mother, debra, had that gut instinct that something was wrong, so she posted on social media, she took to facebook groups on the baja coast, and said, "have you seen my sons? "they've been missing."

that sparked an enormous response from mexican officials as this post went viral, and now we are here today where we are in a situation where they have found three bodies in the search area where they have been looking. i travelled out there today with a police escort because that's what you need when you're going through that area. this place is about an hour away from the closest town. you have to go down this dirt road, it's quite treacherous, and there's a few mexican ranches there and that's about it. we got to a point at a camp ground where they had been, and it was so far from civilisation, it had me thinking, what have they been doing going this far out? it's incredibly remote. talking to officials on the ground, the local commander in ensenada told me there is no way that tourists ever venture into this area. it's not something they seek to do, it's not something they should do, and it is because there are warring cartels in this area. these are two young men,

two successful men. callum was a successful lacrosse player, he played for australia. his brotherjake is a doctor and was about to start a newjob in geelong hospital, melbourne. they are good looking young men with their whole lives ahead of them, and now australia is wondering whether their lives have been cut short. i can also tell you that debra and martin, their parents, are on a plane at the moment. they have departed perth and they are on their way to los angeles, and they will make thatjourney by car, iwould imagine, over the mexican border. they are due to meet mexican authorities tomorrow and we understand they will be providing dna samples to mexican authorities. a huge diplomatic row has erupted after spain's transport minister suggested argentina's president had used drugs. oscar puente said javier milei had ingested "substances" during his election campaign last year.

mr milei hit back condemning the "slander and insults" and attacked the policies of spain's socialist prime minister pedro sanchez. the clash comes after a cooling of relations between the two countries since the election of the argentine far—right leader. canadian police have charged three indian nationals with murder over the shooting of a prominent sikh activist last year(boxed 00v)the killing of hardeep singh nijjar sparked a major diplomatic row between the two countries after prime ministerjustin trudeau alleged india's government may have been involved. delhi strongly denied the allegation. monika gui is from citynews vancouver. she explained who the suspects are that have been arrested and charged. police have said that they weren't really known to them. we don't really know much about them.

we do know that they are all indian nationals. all three of them have been in canada forjust a few years. two of them are 22 years old and one of them is 28 years old, and they were actually not arrested in the vancouver area or british columbia, for that matter. they were arrested in edmonton, alberta, which is about a ten—hour drive from where the killing happened. police say they believe that they drove to the area to carry out the killing. edmonton is where they reside. but as i say, other than knowing that they are three indian nationals, police say they weren't known to them and we don't know too much about them. sarbraj singh kahlon, the vice president and news director at radio punjab, told us about how the news of the arrests was receieved by the sikh community. today was a big day when the news broke out about this case. there was a press conference, and after the press conference, so the community, most of the community members, they are feeling, they have a feeling of relief, but some of the community

members, they are concerned about what the prime minister will do, set in the parliament in september 2023, and behind the assassination plot, there are allegations that indian agents are behind this plot. so most of the community members, they are concerned about this thing, and they say this is just, concerned about this thing, and they say this isjust, they concerned about this thing, and they say this is just, they have a viewpoint that this is just a start—up, and that a canadian authorities have to bring those to justice who were actually behind this plot. let's get some of the day's other news now. ukrainian firefighters in the northeastern city of kharkiv have been trying to put out a blaze caused by a russian rocket strike on what officials described as an industrial enterprise. the local governor said six people were injured in the attack. elsewhere, the regional governor of odesa says a missile hit civilian infrastructure, wounding three people. india and japan have both

criticised presidentjoe biden for adding them to a list of countries he described as xenophobic. mr biden had been trying to make a point about immigration being good for economic growth. india's foreign minister responded, saying his country was very open, and had one of the world's fastest growing economies. japan said mr biden's remarks were unfortunate and misguided. new data from vietnam reveals more than 100 weather stations have broken record temperatures in april. the country saw three waves of high temperatures that month, with the mercury peaking at 44 degrees celsius in two towns earlier this week. extreme heat has hit large parts of asia in recent weeks, triggering heatstroke deaths and school closures. scientists are collecting dna from pine martens that have mysteriously reappeared in the new forest here sticking with musical news — and preparations are under way for the eurovision song contest in sweden's third city of malmo — with festivities kicking

off this weekend. around 100—thousand people are expected to visit the south—west coast for the world's largest live music event. security is being tightened with large demonstrations planned to coincide with the event. police and organisers say they're well—prepared. the pop concert this year is shrouded by complaints from some critics over israel's participation due to the conflict in gaza. we've been speaking to pauljordan — an expert and media commentator on the eurovision song contest. he's also known as dr eurovision due to his phd in the contest. he told us more about what we can expect. i what we can expect. think we can expect some bril shows i think we can expect some brilliant shows from sweden. they are a world—class broadcaster, they've got brilliant enthusiasm for eurovision, mal morisette, we'll have great shows, and we will see brilliant performances, lots of glitter, lots of costume changes but we also see hope a lot of fun. the theme this year is united by music and it is

about bringing people together despite our differences. i worked in sweden in 2016, they worked incredibly hard but it is a massive show, 12 months is a very ambition thing to turn this around, but they are prepared for it, they know they are prepared for it, they know they are doing, there is a lot of work that goes in, lots of rehearsals, it is almost one of the most rehearsed shows in the world but there is still an element ofjeopardy because it is live television. hopefully, the music will be louder than the politics, i understand it is difficult situation but it is also difficult situation but it is also difficult for the organisers as well because they throughout russia and belarus for breaking the rules and they have been complies about israel's participation but technically the israeli broadcaster, and it is a comedy between public broadcasters, technically the rays are not broken any rules, were asked the change the lyrics of their song, it was called october rain which is a bit in connection with the terrorist attacks last year, they have changed the song, they have complied with the rules, technically israel has every right to participate but it is a difficult

thing and what is a beautiful song and what is not is also very much depending on context. a song about world peace, for example, could be seen as critical. and tens of thousands of madonna fans are set to crowd rio's copacabana beach in brazil, ahead of a free concert by the us pop star. we have a life pictures, they want a chance to watch the start rehearsed on stage. more than 1.5 million people are expected to attend. the free gig as a thank you to her fans for decades of support and she is winding up her global celebrations to which has visited 14 countries since its launch in october. let's hear from someone who is a publicist and a madonna fan who is at copacabana beach in rio where the excitement is building. he explained why brazilians have a special connection to madonna.

it's the biggest show of her career and maybe the biggest show rio has ever hosted. i'm here in front of the hotel, the copacabana palace, the most iconic hotel in the city, in front of the copacabana beach. there is a platform that can reach the stage through the sand, and she will be, she will reach the stage through this channel. 1.5 million people are expected to be here. and this is really huge, people are getting crazy. we have a special relationship with her because in 2008, she met a brazilian model who became her boyfriend, jesus luz, and he used to appear in herfamily photos. she was a common figure in brazil at the time, in the carnival, in the vip areas. and we choose to appear in photos with our politics

like the president at the time. before we go, of course we have been covering the local elections in england, there is one london mayoral candidate we haven't mentioned yet, are you familiar with count bin face? more than 24,000 londoners are because they voted for him, he came 11th this year out of 13 candidates. he campaigned on radical policies like capping the price of croissants to £1 ten and renaming london bridge after the actress phoebe waller—bridge. it wasn't enough, though, to clinch that victory. now, if you want to learn more about the results in the local elections, there are probably far more important lies that you can take a look at on our website. we have had that results coming that the conservatives have lost the west midlands mayoral ship, bleak results

for rishi sunak. we also have a round—up of the reaction from labour leader sir keir starmer, he had a parting shot there, saying britain had had enough of 14 years of decline, chaos and division and that voters want to usher in national renewal with labour. we also had reaction from andy street who did speak to the bbc as well, so stay with us on bbc news, the more to come. hello there. saturday saw much cooler weather across scotland and northern ireland. friday was a really warm and sunny day. one of the warmest we have seen actually this year with temperatures widely 23 degrees in western scotland, while temperatures are around 9 degrees lower today. the reason for that change is we had much more extensive cloud and the cloud was thick enough to bring some quite persistent rain to northern ireland, extending southwards from scotland

to the north of both england and wales. the best of the sunshine to the south of that. overnight tonight, we will keep those cloudy skies in place across scotland and northern ireland. still with a few patches of rain around, a few mist areas as well. across wales, the midlands, east anglia, southern england, dry to start off with tonight. we will probably start to see some rain arrive towards south—west england and by the end of the night and that rain is all tied in with the weather front moving up from france. through sunday, that weather front will extend northwards, bringing rain across from south—west england into southern wales, central southern england. scotland and northern ireland stay cloudy with a few patches of rain. the best of the sunshine will be across north wales, parts of northern england, the midlands, east anglia and south—east england. where the sunshine comes out, it should feel quite pleasant. heading into bank holiday monday, low—pressure to the south of the uk with this weather front still bringing the threat of some rain across southern counties of england. the rain may turn more showery in nature through the afternoon but those showers could be

heavy and thundery. further north, we are likely to see some thunderstorms break out across parts of scotland and northern england as well but that still leaves part of wales into the midlands and parts of northern england where we will have the best of the day's sunshine breaking through. temperatures not doing too badly. highs between 15 and 17 degrees but then as we look at the forecast deeper into next week, high pressure is going to start to dominate the weather picture. not the strongest high you have ever seen so there will still be some showers around. and for tuesday, those showers are most likely to form across western areas of the country. the best of the sunshine, a east anglia, southern counties of england. northern ireland not doing too badly as well. top temperatures ranging from around 16 to 19 degrees celsius, feeling pleasant in any sunshine. and the trend is for there to be quite a lot of dry weather through the rest of the week ahead with temperatures rising and the warmest spots more likely into the low 20s.

mayor for what he will do with the west midlands. nong live from london, this is bbc news. laybutt�*s richard parker has won the mayoral election and the west midlands. labour's sadiq khan has been re—elected for a record third term as london mayor,

defeating conservative susan hall. efforts are intensifying to secure a deal for the release of hostages in gaza and a ceasefire, as talks take place in egypt. a hamas delegation is attending the talks in cairo. hello. i'm azadeh moshiri. welcome to the programme. we start in england with the news that labour's richard parker has narrowly won the mayoral contest in the west midlands. the results came late in the day, and it was down to the wire. the final result was officially confirmed a little over an hour ago. overall richard parker won by just 1,508 votes. shortly after his victory in the west midlands was announced, richard parker spoke about what he viewed as his wind. this is the most important thing i will ever do. this week people here voted for the person and the party. they recognise that a labour mayor can make a positive difference in this region.