this is bbc news. our top stories: a boost for boris johnson: the conservatives look set to win a former labour stronghold in the first test at the ballot box since the pandemic. it is quite clear when we see the balance lying on the table that we just haven't got over the line on the day and that is clearly very disappointing. we had a good candidate and we run a decent campaign and one with integrity. the official result, when confirmed, part of a huge series of super thursday elections held across the uk — the biggest test of opinion since the uk general election of 2019. another day of record infections and deaths in india. a special report on just how badly this crisis is affecting

rural health facilities. a brazilian police operation against drug traffickers in rio ends with the deaths of 25 people. welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. the first major electoral test that boris johnson has faced since winning the general election in 2019 looks likely to receive an early boost. a parliamentary by—election in a traditional labour seat in the north—east of england town of hartlepool might well have been won. it's the first significant result from a huge day of elections across the uk.

here is the labour shadow ministerjim malm, speaking a short while ago when he was asked what had happened in hartlepool and what he thought the result would be. well, it is quite clear when we see the ballots lined up on the table we just haven't got over the line on the day. that clearly is very disappointing. we had a good candidate, we run a decent campaign, and one with integrity. now, clearly, what matters is the result on the day and we haven't been able to get over the line but i do not think it takes anything away from our volunteers, from the people who have braved all sorts of weather to make sure that we have knocked on the doors and spoken to the people throughout the course of this campaign and so i hope we can takea lot campaign and so i hope we can take a lot of positivity from that and that collective effort ultimately, the starting point was 2019 and, you know, aside from labour only attracting a third, just over, of the vote

in that election, it was also the brexit party featuring very heavily took the 10,000 votes and the question was this year well, we were those 10,000 votes transferred to? to be the tories? would people stay at home or will some of the konta labour? it is quite clear seeing the ballots land on the table today that we have not been able to attract another those numbers to get over the line today. shadow transport minister labour minister, so let's speak to les goodall of bbc newsnight, a policy editor. it is as close to a concession as you are going to get!- is as close to a concession as you are going to get! wow! it is wow! we — you are going to get! wow! it is wow! we do _ you are going to get! wow! it is wow! we do not _ you are going to get! wow! it is wow! we do not want - you are going to get! wow! it is wow! we do not want to i is wow! we do not want to completely prejudge it but it is clear from whatjim mcmahon was saying that labour has conceded this campaign and indeed speaking to people on the ground tonight they seem to think they lost by quite some margin, figures by 4000, 5000, 6000 talked about and bear in mind labour had the majority of 3000 going into this election. what would worry labour more,

and we should not underestimate the significance of this as this is a isaako —— a conservative seat since its... a labour seat?— conservative seat since its... a labour seat? sorry, i labour seat since _ a labour seat? sorry, i labour seat since the _ a labour seat? sorry, i labour seat since the 1960s, - a labour seat? sorry, i labour seat since the 1960s, it - a labour seat? sorry, i labour seat since the 1960s, it is - seat since the 1960s, it is only been conservative once before, it is in a part of the country where the labour party has historically dominated year after year after year, used to say you would weigh labour party votes in this part of the country rather than count them so you definitely should not underestimate that but there is to some extent, the labour party coming into the selections that hang on a minute, hartlepool is a bit of a unique seat, it voted for leave during referendum by an enormous margin, 70%, they had a big brexit party vote in the 2019 general election and they came a really decent third and they said look, this is quite unique, a lot of those votes are clearly going to go to the conservative party and had it not been for the brexit party in 2019 we would have lost it already. 0k, in 2019 we would have lost it already. ok, you take it on its own logic the we have not had

many other counsel results from across the country tonight but the council results we are seeing in places nearby, like sunderland, like in the west midlands like nuneaton, they are catastrophic for the labour party and you are seeing seats which are reliably labour falling to the conservative party on an enormous margin, partly because they are absorbing the old ukip road which was a brexit supporting party that lasted in the sense in 2016 -- that party that lasted in the sense in 2016 —— that last stood. some of the seats i would expect to see for a government, conservative government, for the government itself 11 years in, not for an opposition party which has been in opposition for 11 years. 50 which has been in opposition for 11 yew-— which has been in opposition for 11 years. so what does this mean for _ for 11 years. so what does this mean for keir _ for 11 years. so what does this mean for keir starmer, - for 11 years. so what does this mean for keir starmer, the i mean for keir starmer, the leader of the labour party, who took over of course from the former leader who crushed to that terrible defeat for the party back in 2019?- that terrible defeat for the party back in 2019? two things to say about — party back in 2019? two things to say about this _ party back in 2019? two things to say about this in _ party back in 2019? two things to say about this in terms - party back in 2019? two things to say about this in terms of. to say about this in terms of what it means for labour. the first is as you say directly for keir starmer. look, let's see how the results online because as i say hartlepool will get all of the headlines

of course over the next couple of course over the next couple of hours and we are expecting that result in the next 90 minutes or so and it will dominate over the course of the morning but there are many, many more results to come in and i suspect for the reasons that i have described that actually all of the focus will end up on those results and to some extent because the hartlepool defeat had been priced in, and i think clearly it is going to be very, very difficult for the moment for him and as you said this is the first parliamentary showdown between borisjohnson and keir starmer and my word he has come off worse, always likely to come off worse, very unusual for governments to lose, to win by elections of an opposition party, it is only happened i will only have happened three times since 1982 assuming it happens tonight and there are going to be very profound questions for keir starmer. remember keir starmer and for the lead that leadership is the man thing i am the man who could stop the rot. i can stop the bleeding. i will be taken seriously in the north of england, i will be taken seriously in the midlands in a way thatjeremy corbyn never was. all my word, this was a seat that albeit with the circumstances i have described with the brexit party, jeremy

corbyn won twice in 2017 and in 2019 and you are seeing this whole slew of these other results. . ., ., , results. reduced ma'ority in the majority h results. reduced ma'ority in the majority of h results. reduced majority in the majority of course - results. reduced majority in the majority of course but . results. reduced majority in| the majority of course but of course, keir starmer partly said i can stop this bleeding and it doesn't appear like he is going to and of course the labour party will not have the solace of saying oh, it's just jeremy corbyn and if we get rid ofjeremy corbyn the problem will be solved and tonight it seems that is not the case. they with us so let's speak to mo hussein. let's get more on the elections taking place here in the uk and i'm joined by mo hussein. hejoins us from he joins us from london. hejoins us from london. can you believe this?— you believe this? there has definitely — you believe this? there has definitely been a lot of- definitely been a lot of expectation management but both from the _ expectation management but both from the conservative side and the labour side. ithink from the conservative side and the labour side. i think the fact— the labour side. i think the fact that _ the labour side. i think the fact that hartlepool, you know, we still — fact that hartlepool, you know, we still have not got the result _ we still have not got the result yet, as we know, but the fact that — result yet, as we know, but the fact that it— result yet, as we know, but the fact that it didn't turn at the last— fact that it didn't turn at the last election where you did see the crumbling of the redwall, it may — the crumbling of the redwall, it may people question what was actually— it may people question what was actually going to happen later on today. it seems to me that

the arguments around yes, it is a very— the arguments around yes, it is a very high— the arguments around yes, it is a very high brexit— voting part of the — a very high brexit— voting part of the country which does make one question why labour chose the campaign they did in some ways, — the campaign they did in some ways, it — the campaign they did in some ways, it is _ the campaign they did in some ways, it is a part of it but i think the _ ways, it is a part of it but i think the argument has people moving — think the argument has people moving on from it and people want to see what is coming next and it— want to see what is coming next and it seems the government offer— and it seems the government offer of— and it seems the government offer of levelling up, which we did see — offer of levelling up, which we did see turn heads at the last election. _ did see turn heads at the last election, is having some sort of impact _ election, is having some sort of impact which means the government will now have to do deliver— government will now have to do deliver this and deliver for its wider— deliver this and deliver for its wider voter base that i do think— its wider voter base that i do think it — its wider voter base that i do think it is _ its wider voter base that i do think it is the bread and butter— think it is the bread and butter day—to—day issues that people — butter day—to—day issues that people are voting on and maybe not what — people are voting on and maybe not what has been dominating the news _ not what has been dominating the news cycle and what labour have _ the news cycle and what labour have been— the news cycle and what labour have been trying to really go be gone _ have been trying to really go be gone over the last few weeks _ be gone over the last few weeks. ., ., ., ~ ., weeks. you are talking about the allegations _ weeks. you are talking about the allegations of _ weeks. you are talking about the allegations of sleaze - weeks. you are talking about. the allegations of sleaze which keir starmer has been using prime questions, and it has been very much the mechanism for attacking the tories —— prime minister's question. when you look at the polling, it doesn't seem to have cut

through. how much do you think the vaccination rollout programme has played into this, or is it more fundamental? i think the vaccine rollout will have — think the vaccine rollout will have had _ think the vaccine rollout will have had some part in this, as will the — have had some part in this, as will the idea of unlocking the country — will the idea of unlocking the country and going back to some sense _ country and going back to some sense of— country and going back to some sense of normality that everybody is so desperate to see but— everybody is so desperate to see but equally, i think in elections people to vote on longer— elections people to vote on longer term issues as well. and the everyday things, what are the everyday things, what are the things that really keep people awake at night, whether it is public services, whether it is public services, whether it is— it is public services, whether it is education for the kids, i think— it is education for the kids, i think those are the things that will really matter and particularly passed the country they feel they have been neglect did all that behind —— parts of the country. —— neglected or left behind. i think— neglected or left behind. i think that has not gone away and yes, _ think that has not gone away and yes, there was the brexit question— and yes, there was the brexit question then which i think was more _ question then which i think was more prevalent but i think it is those _ more prevalent but i think it is those kinds of issues the

people _ is those kinds of issues the people will look at rather than maybe — people will look at rather than maybe just the temporal what is happening now. it feels that labour— happening now. it feels that labour may be didn't really present— labour may be didn't really present this vision for the country— present this vision for the country in that way, it was not clear— country in that way, it was not clear what _ country in that way, it was not clear what they stood for beyond _ clear what they stood for beyond seizing some of the things— beyond seizing some of the things that were happening and, of course, — things that were happening and, of course, they are being investigated and it is right that— investigated and it is right that questions are asked about that questions are asked about that but— that questions are asked about that but i'm not sure that is really— that but i'm not sure that is really what people vote for. people _ really what people vote for. people still see that as a very westminster bubble type of issue — westminster bubble type of issue. and what does it matter to them? — to them? what is the impact on their lives? _ to them? what is the impact on their lives? i think that is what _ their lives? i think that is what people are really looking for when — what people are really looking for when they choose their elected _ for when they choose their elected leaders.— for when they choose their elected leaders. mo, stay with us, that elected leaders. mo, stay with us. that was— elected leaders. mo, stay with us, that was good _ elected leaders. mo, stay with us, that was good will - elected leaders. mo, stay with us, that was good will is - elected leaders. mo, stay with us, that was good will is with i us, that was good will is with us, that was good will is with us in the studio. policy at for newsnight. before i go back to lewis, let's go to siena rogers, labour editor, editor of labour list. who do you blame for this, siena? of labour list. who do you blame forthis, siena? it of labour list. who do you

blame for this, siena? it seems as if labour really has conceded?— as if labour really has conceded? , ., , , ., , conceded? yes, it does seem as if labour conceded? yes, it does seem as if labour has _ conceded? yes, it does seem as if labour has conceded - conceded? yes, it does seem as if labour has conceded and - if labour has conceded and obviously. _ if labour has conceded and obviously. i— if labour has conceded and obviously, i mean - if labour has conceded and obviously, i mean people l if labour has conceded and - obviously, i mean people close to the — obviously, i mean people close to the leadership _ obviously, i mean people close to the leadership have - obviously, i mean people close to the leadership have actually| to the leadership have actually been _ to the leadership have actually been briefing _ to the leadership have actually been briefing for— to the leadership have actually been briefing for months - to the leadership have actually been briefing for months thatl been briefing for months that they— been briefing for months that they expected _ been briefing for months that they expected bad _ been briefing for months that they expected bad results. i. they expected bad results. i think— they expected bad results. i think a _ they expected bad results. i think a briefing _ they expected bad results. i think a briefing has - they expected bad results. i think a briefing has becomej think a briefing has become more — think a briefing has become more and _ think a briefing has become more and more _ think a briefing has become more and more intense - think a briefing has become more and more intense as. think a briefing has become l more and more intense as we have — more and more intense as we have come _ more and more intense as we have come up— more and more intense as we have come up to _ more and more intense as we have come up to polling - more and more intense as we have come up to polling day. more and more intense as we i have come up to polling day and certainly. — have come up to polling day and certainly, when _ have come up to polling day and certainly, when i _ have come up to polling day and certainly, when i went— have come up to polling day and certainly, when i went to - certainly, when i went to hartlepool _ certainly, when i went to hartlepool last _ certainly, when i went to| hartlepool last weekend, i mean. _ hartlepool last weekend, i mean, there _ hartlepool last weekend, i mean, there is— hartlepool last weekend, i mean, there is only- hartlepool last weekend, i mean, there is only so - hartlepool last weekend, i . mean, there is only so much information— mean, there is only so much information you _ information you can glean from being there for a _ information you can glean from being there for a day— information you can glean from being there for a day trip - being there for a day trip but it was very clear that the - it was very clear that the seat was _ it was very clear that the seat was going to go _ was going to go tory, . basically. it didn't seem as if there were people who - basically. it didn't seem as if there were people who were| there were people who were going — there were people who were going to _ there were people who were going to be _ there were people who were going to be hostile - there were people who were going to be hostile to - there were people who were| going to be hostile to labour in the — going to be hostile to labour in the same _ going to be hostile to labour in the same way— going to be hostile to labour in the same way that - going to be hostile to labour in the same way that they i going to be hostile to labour. in the same way that they were in the same way that they were in the _ in the same way that they were in the run-up— in the same way that they were in the run—up to _ in the same way that they were in the run—up to the _ in the same way that they were in the run—up to the 2019 - in the run—up to the 2019 general— in the run—up to the 2019 general election. - in the run—up to the 2019 general election. it - in the run—up to the 2019 general election. it was i in the run—up to the 2019 . general election. it was not that— general election. it was not that kind _ general election. it was not that kind of— general election. it was not that kind of anger, - general election. it was not that kind of anger, as - general election. it was not that kind of anger, as i i general election. it was not| that kind of anger, as i saw. it that kind of anger, as i saw. it sort — that kind of anger, as i saw. it sort of— that kind of anger, as i saw. it sort of dissipated - that kind of anger, as i saw. it sort of dissipated but i that kind of anger, as i saw. it sort of dissipated but it i it sort of dissipated but it had — it sort of dissipated but it had been _ it sort of dissipated but it had been replaced - it sort of dissipated but it had been replaced by- it sort of dissipated but it i had been replaced by apathy it sort of dissipated but it - had been replaced by apathy and 'ust had been replaced by apathy and just deep— had been replaced by apathy and just deep cynicism _ had been replaced by apathy and just deep cynicism towards - had been replaced by apathy and just deep cynicism towards all i just deep cynicism towards all politicians _ just deep cynicism towards all politicians and _ just deep cynicism towards all politicians and it _ just deep cynicism towards all politicians and it seems - just deep cynicism towards all politicians and it seems like . politicians and it seems like this— politicians and it seems like this kind _ politicians and it seems like this kind of— politicians and it seems like this kind of tories _ politicians and it seems like this kind of tories sleaze i this kind of tories sleaze story— story that labour has been pushing over several- story that labour has beenl pushing over several weeks really— pushing over several weeks really was _ pushing over several weeks really was reflecting - pushing over several weeks really was reflecting badly. pushing over several weeks i really was reflecting badly on all of— really was reflecting badly on all of westminster, - really was reflecting badly on all of westminster, rather. really was reflecting badly on l

all of westminster, rather than the conservative _ all of westminster, rather than the conservative party. - all of westminster, rather than the conservative party. find i all of westminster, rather than the conservative party.- the conservative party. and i sto - the conservative party. and i stop you _ the conservative party. and i stop you on _ the conservative party. and i stop you on that. _ the conservative party. and i stop you on that. you - the conservative party. and i stop you on that. you talk i stop you on that. you talk about apathy towards all politicians but it is not apathy here, is it? they have switched from labour to the conservatives, it seems. yeah, i mean conservatives, it seems. yeah, i mean i _ conservatives, it seems. yeah, i mean i would _ conservatives, it seems. yeah, i mean i would say _ conservatives, it seems. yeah, i mean i would say that - conservatives, it seems. yeah, i mean i would say that the i i mean i would say that the kind — i mean i would say that the kind of— i mean i would say that the kind of one—time, - i mean i would say that the kind of one—time, the i i mean i would say that the kind of one—time, the onel i mean i would say that the i kind of one—time, the one thing that i_ kind of one—time, the one thing that i really— kind of one—time, the one thing that i really saw— kind of one—time, the one thing that i really saw people - kind of one—time, the one thing that i really saw people kind i that i really saw people kind of get — that i really saw people kind of get more _ that i really saw people kind of get more animated - that i really saw people kind of get more animated aboutj that i really saw people kind . of get more animated about in terms — of get more animated about in terms of— of get more animated about in terms of politics _ of get more animated about in terms of politics was - of get more animated about in terms of politics was actually. terms of politics was actually the tory _ terms of politics was actually the tory mayor, _ terms of politics was actually the tory mayor, ben - terms of politics was actually. the tory mayor, ben howatson. if the tory mayor, ben howatson. if they— the tory mayor, ben howatson. if they were — the tory mayor, ben howatson. if they were enthusiastic- the tory mayor, ben howatson. if they were enthusiastic about i if they were enthusiastic about anything. _ if they were enthusiastic about anything. it— if they were enthusiastic about anything. it was— if they were enthusiastic about anything, it was very _ if they were enthusiastic about anything, it was very much i if they were enthusiastic about. anything, it was very much him. he has— anything, it was very much him. he has personal— anything, it was very much him. he has personal popularity. i he has personal popularity. there — he has personal popularity. there are _ he has personal popularity. there are questions - he has personal popularity. there are questions now. he has personal popularity. i there are questions now about whether— there are questions now about whether labour— there are questions now about whether labour should - there are questions now about whether labour should have i whether labour should have pushed _ whether labour should have pushed for _ whether labour should have pushed for the _ whether labour should have pushed for the by—election. whether labour should have. pushed for the by—election to be held — pushed for the by—election to be held on— pushed for the by—election to be held on the _ pushed for the by—election to be held on the same - pushed for the by—election to be held on the same day- pushed for the by—election to be held on the same day as l pushed for the by—election to i be held on the same day as that mayoral— be held on the same day as that mayoral election— be held on the same day as that mayoral election because - be held on the same day as that mayoral election because he i be held on the same day as that mayoral election because he is. mayoral election because he is so popular _ mayoral election because he is so popular. in _ mayoral election because he is so popular. in terms _ mayoral election because he is so popular. in terms of- mayoral election because he is so popular. in terms of boris l so popular. in terms of boris johnson. _ so popular. in terms of boris johnson, well, _ so popular. in terms of boris johnson, well, i— so popular. in terms of boris johnson, well, i didn't- so popular. in terms of boris johnson, well, i didn't feel. johnson, well, ididn't feel that— johnson, well, i didn't feel that people _ johnson, well, i didn't feel that people loved - johnson, well, i didn't feel that people loved him i johnson, well, i didn't feel that people loved him buti that people loved him but certainly. _ that people loved him but certainly, they— that people loved him but certainly, they were - that people loved him but i certainly, they were basically just not very _ certainly, they were basically just not very angry— certainly, they were basically just not very angry about i certainly, they were basically| just not very angry about how the government— just not very angry about how the government has- just not very angry about how the government has handledl the government has handled coronavirus _ the government has handled coronavirus and _ the government has handled coronavirus and obviously, . the government has handled i coronavirus and obviously, that is partly — coronavirus and obviously, that is partly because _ coronavirus and obviously, that is partly because this _ coronavirus and obviously, that is partly because this vaccine . is partly because this vaccine balance — is partly because this vaccine balance that _ is partly because this vaccine balance that labour- is partly because this vaccine balance that labour sources. balance that labour sources have — balance that labour sources have very _ balance that labour sources have very much _ balance that labour sources have very much been - balance that labour sources - have very much been emphasising in the _ have very much been emphasising in the result— have very much been emphasising in the result of— have very much been emphasising in the result of these _ in the result of these

elections. _ in the result of these elections.— in the result of these elections. ,, ., , elections. sienna, stay with us, elections. sienna, stay with us. lewis. _ elections. sienna, stay with us, lewis, you _ elections. sienna, stay with us, lewis, you are - elections. sienna, stay with us, lewis, you are talking l us, lewis, you are talking about the pressure that keir starmer, the labour leader, will be under now. and left—wing trend union leaders will blame him perhaps for not being left winger. but is that really the issue? —— left—wing enough. the issue is being able to talk to working—class voters in a way that excites them and get them to understand this and sienna was pointing out all of these allegations against the prime minister does not make any difference. i prime minister does not make any difference.— any difference. i should say what i any difference. i should say what i think— any difference. i should say what i think a _ any difference. i should say what i think a lot _ any difference. i should say what i think a lot of - any difference. i should say what i think a lot of labour| what i think a lot of labour people really worry about, which is that, i was talking to someone before we came on air about this inbred itch, which is a place near birmingham, it has, it used to be a labour council until 20 mp —— —— reddich.. talking about some of the seats, all the people have heard from labour have lost every single hordes to the conservatives and many have been labourfor conservatives and many have been labour for many years and i was talking to him and he said what we really worry

about, we used to be able to a few years ago you could have gone around this area and knocked on door after door after door and wouldn't have been able to find a tory and now tonight suddenly we have lost the conservatives in this area. i now think one of the things that a lot of labour people worry about now is that something happened in the past few years with regards to brexit, and the cultural trends that brexit sort of brought about, which has meant that in some areas, what used to keep the labour vote aloft in a lot of these places a distaste of thatcherism of everything that happened in the 1980s, of the things that margaret thatcher was accused of doing to these places, of abandoning these places, of abandoning these places and so on and that memory, which kept the labour vote going for so long, has been displaced by memories around brexit and the sense that the labour party did not understand, did not give them what they wanted, tried to thwart what they wanted and the conservatives are benefiting from it and the fear among labour people is that once that impression has embedded in an area, it can take a very, very long time, as we thought we

thatcherism, to dispel, and it doesn't matter if you change the leader and you change the policies, the vote impression is very difficult to get rid of. �* ~ ., , , ., ., , of. and mo hussein, former tory adviser, of. and mo hussein, former tory adviser. a _ of. and mo hussein, former tory adviser. a lot _ of. and mo hussein, former tory adviser, a lot of _ of. and mo hussein, former tory adviser, a lot of expectation, i adviser, a lot of expectation, adviser, a lot of expectation, a lot to live up to going forward, isn't there? on the tories who borisjohnson of course has promised to level up in the red wall and come the end of the furlough scheme and the pandemic, the real bite through in terms of unemployment and the change to society, this will be the big test for borisjohnson, do you think, overthe test for borisjohnson, do you think, over the next 6— nine months? think, over the next 6- nine months?— think, over the next 6- nine months? , ., months? the run-up to the next election, months? the run-up to the next election. the _ months? the run-up to the next election, the conservative i election, the conservative party now has a much broader motivation and i think the prime minister was very clear that we want to repay the trust of the people who almost lent us their vote in 2019 and then what we will see in the next hour or so in hartlepool as

well, so that is a real challenge being put forward for the party is how do they deliver on the promises in time for the next election while also maintaining the more traditional base in terms of the conservatives who favour a smaller state and lower taxes, for example. i think what we have seen in the response to the pandemic, which has created real challenges for labour, is that this conservative party is very willing to wear labor's clothes and crossed critical lines to do what they think is the right thing for the country which does make it harderfor labour to cover a credible position but government will continue in some ways to be quite ethically creative and ambiguous and it will actually focus now on delivering its domestic agenda and trying to retain this in the next election as well. its]!!!

the next election as well. all riiht, the next election as well. all right, please do stay with us, we are going to take a short break now but we're going be going back to what we think is a tory when, a sensational tory when in hartlepool and this first by—election, this first clash between borisjohnson and the new leader of the labour party keir starmer, that is coming up injust a few minutes time. i, nelson rolihlahla mandela, do hereby swear to be faithful to the republic of south africa. after six years of construction and numerous delays, the channel tunnel has been formally opened by the queen and president mitterrand. the tunnel is not yet ready for passengers and freight services to begin. for centuries, christianity and.

islam struggled for supremacy. now the pope's visit symbolises their willingness to coexist. i roger bannister became the first man in the world to run a mile in underfour minutes. memories of victory as the ve celebrations reach their climax. this night is dedicated i to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom. - this is bbc world news, the latest headlines: the conservatives look set to win the former labour stronghold of hartlepool in north—eastern england, in the first test at the ballot box since the pandemic. let's cross live to hartlepool,

and speak to richard moss, who's our north east political editor. still no formal concession but practically and as many words from labour in the last hour or so, richard? from labour in the last hour or so. richard?— so, richard? one of labor's front benches _ so, richard? one of labor's front benches has _ so, richard? one of labor'sl front benches has effectively admitted that the party has not got the votes to get over the line here, they don't believe they have enough to be able to say they have got any chance of winning here, this is going to be a game in their view and opinions differ on the potential majority, i've had 3000 mention, 7000 mentioned. we will have to see about half past five but there doesn't seem to be much doubt here that the conservatives, as long as the conservatives, as long as the constituents have performed since 1974, it has always been held by labour.— since 1974, it has always been held by labour. and turnout, do we have any figures _ held by labour. and turnout, do we have any figures on - held by labour. and turnout, do we have any figures on that? i we have any figures on that? because traditionally speaking, turnout would be low at this

stage of the electoral cycle but a higher turnout would suggest historically, perhaps, more support for the conservatives.- more support for the conservatives. it's a 4796 turnout. _ conservatives. it's a 4796 turnout, so, _ conservatives. it's a 4796 turnout, so, reasonablel conservatives. it's a 4796 i turnout, so, reasonable but there have been by—elections in there have been by—elections in the past where there has been higher turnout, the past where there has been higherturnout, but the past where there has been higher turnout, but not bad in terms of the turnout in places like hartlepool, you don't get huge amounts how. generally 50% - 60%. is huge amounts how. generally 50% — 60%. is a reasonable but necessarily stella. but enough, by the sound of things, for the conservatives to be reasonably confident of victory.— confident of victory. let's go back to siena _ confident of victory. let's go back to siena rogers. i confident of victory. let's go back to siena rogers. how l confident of victory. let's go l back to siena rogers. how can the tories cut through to the working—class former labour vote where labour can't? i think something that boris johnson, this magic trick that he has been able to pull off

which has been absolutely crucial, he has been portraying his government as entirely new and completely separate from the tories that have been running the country for the last decade. even though he was a minister in the theresa may government, he has managed to convince people that this is completely new and he has partly done that with the promise of get brexit down and then he did get brexit done. he obviously did that by ignoring some of the effects that had in northern ireland but some of the voters in england who have probably never been to northern ireland, that isn't crucial to them. so it is that kind of combination that has been absolutely pivotal in this election and places hartlepool in particular. there is also the promise of investment, making the area into a free port, not the people brought that up when they went to hartlepool. they are really aware of those promises and that money being brought into the area. ma brought into the area. mo hussein. _ brought into the area. mo hussein. i _ brought into the area. mo hussein, iwill— brought into the area. mo hussein, i will come to you in

a moment. mo hussein is a former tory advisor but let's just go back to siena. the attack campaign from keir starmer and labour in recent weeks about tory sleaze, didn't look like it had any impact at all? it look like it had any impact at all? �* �* all? it didn't. i didn't find, when i went _ all? it didn't. i didn't find, when i went to _ all? it didn't. i didn't find, | when i went to hartlepool, all? it didn't. i didn't find, - when i went to hartlepool, that anyone was particularly bothered by them. the response often was, you know, well that's what politicians are like. and even some people were saying, well, the queen might do the same and i love her copy someone elsejust do the same and i love her copy someone else just saying, well, borisjohnson has had a tough time during the pandemic, maybe he deserves some nice wallpaper. those kind of comments, itjust seems very much the fact that restrictions are lifting, the vaccine rollout is going really well and although that's the nhs, of course the prime minister has overseen all of that and they are just saying, well, overseen all of that and they arejust saying, well, the overseen all of that and they are just saying, well, the guy deserves a break and they don't seem to be that bothered by the

kind of things that westminster gets into, very much the detail of the ministerial code being broken. that's not the stuff that excites people. they are thinking, what am that excites people. they are thinking, whatam i that excites people. they are thinking, what am i going to get for my area? the tories might be my best bet. ma might be my best bet. mo hussein. _ might be my best bet. mo hussein, is _ might be my best bet. mo hussein, is this _ might be my best bet. mo hussein, is this a - might be my best bet. mo hussein, is this a lucky break for the prime minister and the conservative party or are we looking at a fundamental shift here? i looking at a fundamental shift here? .. . looking at a fundamental shift here? ~ , ., here? i think it is more the letter. here? i think it is more the letter- it — here? i think it is more the letter. it is _ here? i think it is more the letter. it is definitely i letter. it is definitely fundamental, we saw this political realignment in the 2019— political realignment in the 2019 election with the breaking of the — 2019 election with the breaking of the redwall and i think we are seeing that trend continuing, and i think, picking back up on what siena 'ust picking back up on what siena just said. _ picking back up on what siena just said, it's what people really— just said, it's what people really want, what matters on the doorstep and we constantly make _ the doorstep and we constantly make a — the doorstep and we constantly make a mistake, particularly people — make a mistake, particularly people who are based in westminster, ofjust assuming that we — westminster, ofjust assuming that we know what everybody else — that we know what everybody else really wants or what matters to us within the bubble is the _ matters to us within the bubble is the same thing across country— is the same thing across country and it really isn't.

and — country and it really isn't. and i— country and it really isn't. and i think there are some real miscalculations around the photo _ miscalculations around the photo that keir starmer took posing — photo that keir starmer took posing with lots of wallpaper. that — posing with lots of wallpaper. that got — posing with lots of wallpaper. that got plaudits within westminster and people who knew what that _ westminster and people who knew what that even was referring to may have — what that even was referring to may have got what it meant, but did it _ may have got what it meant, but did it really cut across the rest — did it really cut across the rest of _ did it really cut across the rest of the country when people have _ rest of the country when people have other priorities? i think have other priorities? ! think that— have other priorities? ! think that is— have other priorities? i think that is a _ have other priorities? i think that is a big lesson going forward _ that is a big lesson going forward as well but it seems to me. _ forward as well but it seems to me. much— forward as well but it seems to me, much more than a one off. i think it is — me, much more than a one off. i think it is much more of a seachange and it won't be just about— seachange and it won't be just about hartlepool, when we see the council coming in as well across— the council coming in as well across the areas of the country that. _ across the areas of the country that, again, have been very, very— that, again, have been very, very labour strongholds, changing hands, that will point to the — changing hands, that will point to the fact that this is much more — to the fact that this is much more widespread.— to the fact that this is much more widesread. ~ ., , , more widespread. ok, mo hussein and siena rogers, _ more widespread. ok, mo hussein and siena rogers, we _ more widespread. ok, mo hussein and siena rogers, we will- more widespread. ok, mo hussein and siena rogers, we will leave i and siena rogers, we will leave it there for the time being.

with me is lewis goodall, bbc newsnight's policy editor. just for our international viewers, they will have no idea about the wallpaper copy this is all to do with decorating the flat above number ten and allegations of corruption. what is this going to mean, though, for labour and keir starmer in particular? this is his first test as leader against boris johnson. indeed, and normally of course _ johnson. indeed, and normally of course leaders _ johnson. indeed, and normally of course leaders of _ johnson. indeed, and normally of course leaders of the i of course leaders of the opposition, opposition parties in theirfirst year of opposition do quite well in this kind of elections doesn't mean that they go on to win the general election, against tony blair, that opposition leader did quite well and then did terribly in the general election. but for someone like keir starmer to do badly, obviously that goes very badly. best case scenario is that people will be saying this is the middle of the pandemic, but if it is not, if it is part of

a wider decline, very profound questions for keir starmer and the labor party.— the labor party. ok, for now, thank you _ the labor party. ok, for now, thank you very _ the labor party. ok, for now, thank you very much - the labor party. ok, for now, thank you very much indeed. | the labor party. ok, for now, i thank you very much indeed. we expect to have the official results in about one hour's time. hello there. thursday brought another rash of showers, some significant snow to some parts of scotland. it's still cold air with us for the day ahead, so it will be a chilly start, and there will be further snow showers over the hills of scotland. but as we've gone through the evening and overnight, the showers have tended to fade away. we had a lot of hail and thunder in eastern areas, but under the starry skies once again, because it's cold air, temperatures approach freezing — a little below — and given there is some dampness on the surfaces, it could be a bit icy in a few spots. perhaps a little bit of river mist as well. but an abundance of sunshine first thing. the showers already with us in some areas, as you can see, become more widespread as the morning goes on. initially, across many parts of england and wales developing across scotland, one or two

for northern ireland, but then congregating on the east into the afternoon. hail and thunder and snow over the hills. so, again, chilly, but temperatures probably a little bit higher than yesterday, up to 15 perhaps in the south. but then, it's all change as we go through the coming night and into saturday. we've got the next weather system coming in, so the frost won't be as widespread by saturday morning. more limited to the far north—east of scotland, which is where we probably won't get the milder air in. it's this deep area of low pressure that's pulling itself in off the atlantic, giving us all, really, a spell of wetter weather. looks quite wet in western areas, and given we've got the south—westerly wind coming in off the atlantic, it is bringing much milder air in, which means a lot of rain potentially across south—west england, wales, into the north of england. you can see a wetter day for northern ireland and much of scotland. it may actually dry up and brighten up in south—eastern areas later. the rain may not actually reach the far north of scotland, and the milder air slow to arrive here, perhaps some wintriness on the hills. but we could see 16 or 17 if it brightens up in the south. through the night, that weather front's dragging its heels, really slow to move its way eastwards. we've got one band of rain moving up towards the north of scotland, showers

following in behind. still the south—westerly wind into sunday, so still mild, but with plenty of showers merging together across north and west areas near the centre of the area of low pressure. it will be windy through the weekend as well, but we could see 20—22 celsius and possibly some late afternoon thunderstorms in south—eastern areas. quite a lot of uncertainty on the detailfor sunday, but it does look a very unsettled weekend ahead. you can get more from the website.

this is bbc news. the headlines:

with votes still being counted, the conservatives look set to win a former labour stronghold in hartlepool in north—eastern england — in the first test at the ballot box since the general election of 2019. the by—election is part of a huge series of super thursday elections held across the uk. india has once again reported a record number of cases and deaths. a new variant of coronavirus discovered in india in march may be linked to the massive surge. after the big cities, rural health facilities across the country are coming under increasing pressure. police in the brazilian city of rio dejaneiro have defended their operation against drug traffickers in which at least 25 people died. 0fficers said that the action had been planned for almost a year after they had received information that criminal gangs had been recruiting children and minors.