this is bbc news. the headlines: counting continues as results come in from elections held across england, scotland and wales. the snp gains seats in scotland, but its hopes of securing an overall majority remain on a knife edge. the deputy first minister says they will push for another referendum. there will be a majority of members elected to the scottish parliament who will be committed to the hosting of an independence referendum. that is a fundamental democratic point. that is what the people of scotland will have voted for. labour performs strongly in wales, matching its best ever senedd election result. the conservatives continue to make significant gains in england after their by—election win in hartlepool. results of regional mayor

contests are expected today. good morning and welcome to bbc news. counting has resumed in counts across britain. in scotland, the snp are on course to win their fourth term in power. but nicola sturgeon admitted the prospect of an overall majority in holyrood is on a knife edge. the prime minister borisjohnson has repeated that he would reject any calls for a second independence referendum. let's take a look at the state of play in scotland. as we can see so far, 48 out of the

129 seats in holyrood declared so far. the snp on 39, up three. the liberal democrats are on four. the conservatives are on three, having dropped two of those to the snp. labour so far dropped two of those to the snp. labourso far on two, dropped two of those to the snp. labour so far on two, having dropped one to the snp as you can see there. as you can see there. mark drakeford's welsh labour is set to remain in power — after matching its best—ever senedd election results. let's take a look at the results in wales so far. labour are currently on 30 seats — up one. conservatives are the second largest party, up four, and plaid are on nine, down one seat. leanne wood, the former leader of plaid cymru lost her seat. and across england, the results of mayoral contests in london, greater manchester and the west midlands are expected today.

labour is hoping to win them after losing the hartlepool by—election and ceding control of councils in england. and let's see the change in councillors across england. the conservative party up 159, a good result so far for them, as the governing party. disappointing labour and governing party. disappointing labourand sir keir governing party. disappointing labour and sir keir starmer, down 192. the liberal democrats with their ed davey are down in their tally of 24 so far and the greens are up 51. tally of 24 so far and the greens are up 51. we'll have the latest from across the uk — and we'll be joined by our election analyst, professor sirjohn curtice, to take us through what to look out for during the day. but first — let's speak to our chief political correspondent adam fleming. hello to you. tell us where we are.

good morning. we are waiting for the final result from the scottish parliament and then we are waiting to see how the uk government response to that. the challenge for borisjohnson is how does he look like a prime ministerfor the borisjohnson is how does he look like a prime minister for the whole united kingdom rather thanjust the prime ministerfor united kingdom rather thanjust the prime minister for england? united kingdom rather thanjust the prime ministerfor england? and he will be thinking, how does he respond to this in a way where he can say no to a referendum was not in a way that actually gives a further boost to the cause of the snp? are not exactly sure yet how the prime minister will address all of this, whether we will hear from him or see him at all today, but we got a preview of what the government thinks it might say from the environment secretary. we will see how the results pan out later today. you know, it is questionable at the moment whether or not the snp will get a majority and we'll have to wait and see until the results come through. the uk government's position is very clear on this — we don't think there is a case

for another referendum, particularly now as we try to charter a way out of the pandemic and get our economy going again. but, you know, we will obviously deal with whatever we have to deal with once these elections are settled and once the new scottish administration decides what it wants to do. two little hints there are the government's view, calling into question the mandate the snp receives from these elections now it looks like they will not get a majority, and also just preparing for the long haul, i think, majority, and also just preparing for the long haul, ithink, because this will not be a process over today or this weekend or maybe even this year. in terms of what else we are waiting for, you set out some of the results we will get today. labour will be pinning their hopes on the inevitable victories in manchester, bristoland on the inevitable victories in manchester, bristol and london. on the inevitable victories in manchester, bristoland london. it will be interesting to see if the opposition parties will divide the labour vote in those places. but we will still have this big row in the labour party about what to do about results yesterday where labour lost councillors in also top parts of

england where, at this point in the political system, they should have been winning them. we heard from a big ally of sir keir starmer morning, the shadow home secretary. what i want to see now is the keir starmer i know. keir's not had the chance to actually speak to a room of people over the last 12 months as leader of the labour party, and i know... throughout his career, i was inspired to back him as leader of the labour party because of tackling injustice, tackling inequality. i'm looking forward to him now conducting that policy review and setting that out and trying to reconnect with people, like those in hartlepool, that we have lost touch with. confirmation labour will upload policy review. in simple terms, that is reviewing the policies they have, deciding if they are fit for purpose and then replacing with new ones. that might be a solution for labour in the long—term, but might create problems in the short—term because that can be a divisive process in

the labour party. there are plenty in the left of the party who like those jeremy corbyn in the left of the party who like thosejeremy corbyn era policies like free broadband and nationalisation. you have those in the centre who really do not like those policies at all. so the row we saw brewing yesterday after the election result could continue in labour for quite a long election result could continue in labourfor quite a long time. itrailiiiie labour for quite a long time. while there is this _ labour for quite a long time. while there is this soul-searching - labour for quite a long time. while there is this soul—searching going on within labour, your talk of the policy review announced will not feel everybody with joy, will it, in terms of dealing with the problems right now? do you think they are considering the realignments from brexit is becoming more permanent? thatis brexit is becoming more permanent? that is interesting and you will see from when you speak tojohn curtis, he has been looking at polls for the last few months and i was chatting to him, and he was saying there was no sign that labour are picking up votes among those who voted aleve, which calls into question the whole labour strategy of just zipping which calls into question the whole labour strategy ofjust zipping it when it comes to brexit. you might

get some people saying, maybe labour should take a more active stance when it comes to the fallout from the brexit trade deal, or you might get them carrying on the position of just not getting involved at all. the whole point about brexit is, we thought it was done as a process and there is a trade deal with the eu, but the after effects are lingering on. in hartlepool, one of the reasons the conservatives won was because those who voted for the brexit party last time decided to vote for the conservatives this time rather than go back to labour as they might have done historically. that is the dilemma for labour because they will have to respond to that because hartlepool has just shown that is a long—term brexit effect in british politics and that was felt in lots of other places yesterday in the english local authority results, notjust the hartlepool by—election result. lets hartlepool by-election result. lets stick with labour _ hartlepool by—election result. lets stick with labour before we talk about conservatives and the

government. this idea of labour and sir keir starmer taking responsibility for the results. we had the softening up before the polls actually closed. what are they going to do, what are the radical changes that i keep hearing from labour politicians that are going to actually going to happen? do you have any idea? i do actually going to happen? do you have any idea?— actually going to happen? do you have any idea? i do not and sir keir starmer does _ have any idea? i do not and sir keir starmer does not _ have any idea? i do not and sir keir starmer does not seem _ have any idea? i do not and sir keir starmer does not seem to - have any idea? i do not and sir keir starmer does not seem to either, l starmer does not seem to either, because he did a long interview yesterday with broadcasters and he couldn't give specifics about what he might do. there is speculation in the papers about whether they move labour's hq to a different city. i was chatting to one of the mps who proudly call themselves a socialist yesterday and they will have a meeting of the socialist campaign group of mps next week to make some radical proposals for reforming the party. one of their ideas is, do you have a fully federal labour party in england where you have people that are regional leaders were quite a lot of autonomy and then your person

at westminster is basically your candidates for prime minister and your coordinator of all of those regional labour party is? or do you have a party parties, where actually you team up with maybe the greens and you have a much broader coalition that is how you win the next election? all know there are some in the labour party that love nothing more than discussing those things, but when you hear someone say, let's look at whether we should have a fully federal labour party or not, is that going to win then the next election? i not, is that going to win then the next election?— not, is that going to win then the next election? i will let them make their own minds. _ next election? i will let them make their own minds. on _ next election? i will let them make their own minds. on the _ their own minds. on the conservatives, you will remember the 2019 election, that big majority for borisjohnson, he said that people had lent their votes and they were borrowed, if you like, from former labour strongholds and heartlands in the parts of the northeast and midlands. in order to hold onto them, this levelling up agenda, the investment that is supposedly heading to that part of the country,

a white paper is due in the autumn. voters might get tired about hearing about it but not seeing it in action. . , , about it but not seeing it in action. ., , , , , action. that is interesting because that comes _ action. that is interesting because that comes down _ action. that is interesting because that comes down to _ action. that is interesting because that comes down to how _ action. that is interesting because that comes down to how quickly i action. that is interesting because | that comes down to how quickly do people want to see action and are they prepared to give borisjohnson a couple of years, for example, before they then see concrete results in their town and their village, their suburb? so there is that. and then there is the question of the political process that goes into that white paper, because you talk to people around westminster and they are not exactly clear what levelling up is. then there is the risk it takes the government to long to decide what it is that then collides with people's view of how long they are prepared to give the government to take. that is a fascinating question and one that will dominate our politics for the next few years. then there is the whole idea of, do people see levelling up as a sort of feeling

about the country and actually they do not expect to see, i don't know, a new airport at the end of their road or a brand—new spruce top city centre in a couple of years and actually it is just tapping into a feeling of pride and optimism that, let's face it, is borisjohnson's number one skill? and it is about the feeling of levelling up rather than actually doing it?— the feeling of levelling up rather than actually doing it? thank you, adam. we will— than actually doing it? thank you, adam. we will speak _ than actually doing it? thank you, adam. we will speak to _ than actually doing it? thank you, adam. we will speak to you - than actually doing it? thank you, adam. we will speak to you later| than actually doing it? thank you, l adam. we will speak to you later on in the programme. that is a situation with boris johnson, the conservatives and the labour party. —— that is the situation. let's go to the battle in scotland. most of the seats declared are constituency seats so far. we will hear about the list results, the proportional result of the election. we're expecting another result soon, in galloway and west dumfries. let's cross to our reporter connor gilliss, who's at the count in dumfries.

what can you tell us? counting has resumed behind you.— what can you tell us? counting has resumed behind you. yes, it has, and interestin: resumed behind you. yes, it has, and interesting day _ resumed behind you. yes, it has, and interesting day ahead. _ resumed behind you. yes, it has, and interesting day ahead. then, - resumed behind you. yes, it has, and interesting day ahead. then, but - resumed behind you. yes, it has, and interesting day ahead. then, but an l interesting day ahead. then, but an interesting day ahead. then, but an interesting day ahead. then, but an interesting day here in dumfries as well. as you mention, the verification process is now under way again this morning in galloway and west dumfries constituencies. it is much slower affair across couple of days, as is the case across the uk because of covid at the moment. usually there would be more than 100 people down here counting the votes in the hole in dumfries. that is at the moment the region of 50 people. that shows you the scale of the challenge and extra length of time this is taking to get through everything that they need to do. yesterday, this part of the world, dumfriesshire, was held by the conservatives and actually, the msp elected increased his majority by a 10%. the snp also added on quite a few extra votes as well. it is a

straight fight in this constituency, as is the same across scotland, dividing along those constitutional lines. the yes and the know, and thatis lines. the yes and the know, and that is borne out by the figures that is borne out by the figures that we are seeing in this part of the world as well. this count today, galloway and western freeze, it is the southern tip of scotland and also includes port of stranraer, a key factor in the brexit process, a going across to northern ireland. the tories got 43% of the votes here in 2016, can the snp made gains? we will find out in a few hours' time. the south of scotland regional list is of course due to declare today stop the smaller parties are hoping to come into their own in that part of the voting process and we could see the likes of former mp george galloway making a breakthrough. his

all for unity party hoping to take a seat here in the south of scotland. thank you very much. we are going to talk to my colleague, lewis goodall, he is at the touch—screen with the latest results from scotland. lewis, how likely is it that the snp can get a majority from here? looking less likely. yes, the answer is it is possible _ looking less likely. yes, the answer is it is possible but _ looking less likely. yes, the answer is it is possible but not _ looking less likely. yes, the answer is it is possible but not probable. i is it is possible but not probable. what do the snp have to do? some would say that what they wanted most of all was to get the majority, they needed 65 seats in the scottish parliament to do it. they will be very close. they dominate the scottish constituencies. most of them will return snp member and they need it in terms of the marginal constituencies, but they needed to win six of these seats you can see here in order to get to 65. it started off pretty well for them.

they took place two from the conservatives, then east lothian, which used to in the east of scotland here. —— they talk ayr. we moved on to edinburgh central, a superb result for the snp. angus robertson took the seat. this was ruth davidson's seat in the old parliament and he took it by a country mile. 39% of the vote, eating into the labour share and green chair of the vote. that was crucial in order to get to 65. but then things went wrong because we got to dunbar, and this was the number one target for the snp. look what happened. the labour member increased her majority to 1483. how?

is only required a tiny swing. this is how they did it. effectively you saw a unionist tactical vote from the conservatives to the labour party, conservative voters holding their nose in order to keep the snp out and ensure they did not get to the 65. we saw a similar thing happen in dumfriesshire. a small majority was required. the same thing but in the other direction. labour voters held their nose and voted for the conservatives, straight unionist tactical voting to keep the snp out and keep them from getting to 65. this has meant there is now a narrow path because the snp did not win dumfriesshire or dumbarton, there is still a technical narrow path that might enable them to get to 65 but it would require them to win the seats

of galloway and aberdeenshire west. galloway needs a 2.3% swing from the conservatives to the snp. aberdeenshire west needs a 1.3% swing from the conservatives to the snp to win it. it sounds plausible except for what we were just hearing about. assuming that happens in the seats, aberdeenshire west and galloway, that would be a big problem. look at the swings we saw in the seats we just saw about, those held that the snp did not take. in dumfriesshire, swing of 3.3% away from the snp to the conservatives. there was a .4% swing from the conservatives of the snp. assuming something similar happens in the remaining seats of aberdeenshire west and in galloway, that would make it difficult in that case, we imagine, for them to get a 65, and even if they managed to get those seats, they would still

require an extra seat in the highlands and islands in order to get to that number. it is possible but looking unlikely or less likely thanit but looking unlikely or less likely than it did at certain points yesterday. and the snp will say that is not the only metric here. it is difficult in this system to get to 65 and the fact they are anywhere close shows that they have dominance over scottish politics and we should be looking at the members of the scottish parliament in holyrood and we expect that to expand with the greens surging. they are in favour of independence. but that is the political ardent that will be taking place between holyrood and westminster, what that mandate constitutes an what it means in terms of the composition of the parties in holyrood. that terms of the composition of the parties in holyrood.— parties in holyrood. that is all fascinating — parties in holyrood. that is all fascinating and _ parties in holyrood. that is all fascinating and i _ parties in holyrood. that is all fascinating and i think - parties in holyrood. that is all fascinating and i think it - parties in holyrood. that is all. fascinating and i think it indicates long arguments ahead over constitutional issues. we will be

hoping to speak to the snp later this morning. let's pick up on some of those issues raised by lewis there without polling expert and elections guru, professor said john curtis with all the latest results. sirjohn curtice about the latest results. is there any material difference to winning outright majority that is looking very difficult, as lewis was explaining, and having a pro—independence majority at holyrood with the greens in terms of their leveraged second independence referendum? the their leveraged second independence referendum?— referendum? the answer to that lies in the likely — referendum? the answer to that lies in the likely reaction _ referendum? the answer to that lies in the likely reaction of— referendum? the answer to that lies in the likely reaction of downing - in the likely reaction of downing street and the pressure that the snp can put on the prime minister. in 2011, the snp did get a major majority and it was because of that that david cameron accepted the snp

had secured enough votes to hold a ballot. if the snp were to get an overall majority, the question that would be posed to borisjohnson would be posed to borisjohnson would be, well, if it was good enough for david cameron, why is its not good enough for you? that, if the snp do not have the majority, that question cannot be posed to the prime minister, even though the underlying figures probably show a record snp vote. they only got 45% share of the vote in 2011. the other point is that there will be lots of people on both sides talking about what this election does and does not mean in scotland. the only way to look at this is it confirms the evidence of the opinion polls that scotland is under mentally divided

on the middle on the question of its constitutional status. —— it is fundamentally divided. we will discover it is roughly 50% for parties in favour of independence and roughly 50% for the parties in favour of the union. from the opinion polls, everybody who would vote yes in an independence referendum is going to vote for b snp and conversely, virtually everybody who would vote no in a independence referendum voted for unionist parties. neither boris johnson nor the conservatives actually clearly command the support of voters in scotland, and any referendum would be a remarkable risk for both sides and therefore perhaps, in the end, we may discover that both sides might approach this more carefully than some of the rhetoric during the campaign would have led us to believe. can

rhetoric during the campaign would have led us to believe.— have led us to believe. can we talk about this tactical _ have led us to believe. can we talk about this tactical unionist - have led us to believe. can we talk about this tactical unionist voting l about this tactical unionist voting that lewis was giving us some examples of? are you surprised by the strength of certain seats, like dumbarton, for example? ida. the strength of certain seats, like dumbarton, for example? no, there is a deep paradox — dumbarton, for example? no, there is a deep paradox behind _ dumbarton, for example? no, there is a deep paradox behind it. _ dumbarton, for example? no, there is a deep paradox behind it. we - dumbarton, for example? no, there is a deep paradox behind it. we know - a deep paradox behind it. we know from turnout, a record high for scottish parliaments, voters in scotland clearly care about the constitutional issue on both sides of the argument. in a sense, the fact that voters on the unionist side of the argument are willing to vote for whichever party is best placed to defeat the snp gives the line to the unionist campaign argument in the campaign that the key thing is recovering from the pandemic. the fact that unionist voters said that the constitutional question matters is a sign that the snp might not get a majority in the end. tactical voting seems to have occurred on a much bigger scale this

time and it reflects that scotland, for the last few years, has been engaged in a debate about whether there should be an independence referendum and it shows voters think it is an important one. in referendum and it shows voters think it is an important one.— it is an important one. in terms of the only bright — it is an important one. in terms of the only bright spot _ it is an important one. in terms of the only bright spot for _ it is an important one. in terms of the only bright spot for labour, i the only bright spot for labour, wales, let's reflect on that for a moment. how bleak is it for sir keir starmer when you take in the results so far in the english councils? we have not had the may oral contests yet. and that hartlepool by—election. yet. and that hartlepool by-election._ yet. and that hartlepool by-election. yet. and that hartlepool b -election. by-election. let me give you the silver lining _ by-election. let me give you the silver lining before _ by-election. let me give you the silver lining before the _ by-election. let me give you the silver lining before the dark- by-election. let me give you the| silver lining before the dark cloud fought labour. the silver lining is that when we reject these results —— when we project these results, the labour party are seven points behind rather than the 12 points that they were behind back in 2019. i do not think we can say in terms of their position relative to the conservatives that labour are as in a dire position as they were in

december 2019. the seven—point lead is roughly what you would expect given national opinion polls. but what we normally expect in local elections is for the opposition to do well. these are usually occasions when the public give the government are kicking and, given that labour's record in local elections under jeremy corbyn were extremely modest, it is rather embarrassing to see keir starmer and, frankly, he has just put in a performance that many of those that were put in byjeremy corbyn. second big part of the big cloud is that it is perfectly clear that labour's hopes that politics was going to return to the normality of left versus right and that neither brexit —— now that brexit was done, it was irrelevant and actually, that hope has not been substantiated. the opinion polls have been telling us for months that the labour party was not making ground among those who voted leave

and this wasn't clearly indicated in the local elections and the hartlepool by—election. not necessarily that it is doing worse with those voters, but that the results we saw yesterday were for seats last fought over in 2016 and 2017 and we are seeing it repeated. the point is, 2019 was not a one—off and brexit has reshaped our politics for the foreseeable future. {lin and brexit has reshaped our politics for the foreseeable future.- for the foreseeable future. on the basis of what _ for the foreseeable future. on the basis of what you _ for the foreseeable future. on the basis of what you have _ for the foreseeable future. on the basis of what you have just - for the foreseeable future. on the basis of what you have just said, i basis of what you have just said, and these are an indication, these elections, and perhaps the first time since 2019 and the pandemic, of how parties are doing and how people view the government and opposition, but we would normally see the opposition doing better and making better inroads. where does labour build a coalition of support that could win them a election? the first lace is to could win them a election? the first place is to deal—

could win them a election? the first place is to deal with _ could win them a election? the first place is to deal with the _ could win them a election? the first place is to deal with the brexit - place is to deal with the brexit divide. in a sense, labour had decided that the only way back is to reconnect with the pro—leave working—class voters that they lost in 2019. the reason they wanted to do that is because representing outside of society is what labour think of as their raison d'etre. but it is essentially a party backed by young voters, graduates, people liberal on issues like immigration. if you look at the old problems labour faced if you look at the old problems labourfaced in if you look at the old problems labour faced in terms of winning a general election, yes, part of it is indeed it has lost ground to leave voters, but also in scotland and it has also become open to lots of targets like london, which you would not have considered available to the party in the past. it seems the only way back is to accept brexit is with us and borisjohnson will pursue the

pro leave argument and the only way for labour to go forward is to go with a prone leave strategy. but keir starmer not accept that. it is notjust keir starmer not accept that. it is not just a left versus keir starmer not accept that. it is notjust a left versus right issue that labour is much more comfortable talking about. what is crucial and this is partly because of the pandemic, keir starmer has not made it clear what labour stands for. but we do have a labour administration very unlike anything since 1979 and the conservative administration was much more minded to meddling with the economy, levelling up and etc and in the wake of the pandemic, theseissues and in the wake of the pandemic, these issues will only be reinforced. labour's problem is therefore that a lot of its traditional territory is one that the prime minister is inclined to

occupy, with government intervention for example, but the prime minister is willing to fight the brexit battle where the labour party does not want to go on that battle at all. ~ ., , , ,., all. we mentioned the bright spot for labour all. we mentioned the bright spot for labour so _ all. we mentioned the bright spot for labour so far— all. we mentioned the bright spot for labour so far as _ all. we mentioned the bright spot for labour so far as wales - all. we mentioned the bright spot for labour so far as wales and - all. we mentioned the bright spot i for labour so far as wales and those elections to the senedd, and mark drakeford is said to remain as first minister of wales. labour has performed strongly, winning exactly half of the 60 seats in the senedd so far. our wales correspondent tomos morgan is cardiff. a particularly bleak day here. welsh labour has won _ a particularly bleak day here. welsh labour has won 30 _ a particularly bleak day here. welsh labour has won 30 of— a particularly bleak day here. welsh labour has won 30 of the _ a particularly bleak day here. welsh labour has won 30 of the seats - a particularly bleak day here. welsh labour has won 30 of the seats in i labour has won 30 of the seats in the senedd, equalling their record in wales. they have always been in power since the senedd was created.

they will be in government once again. there are a number of reasons why they have done so well in wales once again. there are a couple of factors that have proven that's not to be the case. the first is that mark drakeford himself, the recognition for first minister is higher than ever before. i think the pandemic has really pushed him into the spotlight here. also, i think people in wales on the whole opinion polls suggest that he has done a betterjob than borisjohnson better job than boris johnson according betterjob than borisjohnson according to the welsh public of handling the pandemic, lockdown and restrictions. secondly, back in 2016, you keep won seven seats here. that was only eight few weeks before the referendum, and in the eu referendum wales voted to leave the eu. what has happened this time around, that you keep a vote seems

to have been split equally between labour and the conservatives, bumping up the labour seats and the conservatives picking up a couple of seats across the country, doing a little bit better. but they have not been able to make the gains that they have seen over in england in they have seen over in england in the local elections. here in wales, they were really targeting the north—east red wall seats. they have just made the one crack they are, really. plaid cymru, a bad day for them really, losing leanne wood in rhondda. a few question marks over adam price's leadership. the liberal democrats lost their only constituency seats. they were in the same position they were before. the question for mark drakeford will be what does he do in terms of forming a government. but theyjust decide to go it alone as a minority government as they are just one shy,

or will they maybe look for their one seat somewhere, perhaps the liberal democrats. as for why the tories and plaid cymru haven't been done as well as they had been expected, they say they haven't had the same airtime as mark drakeford. however, plaid cymru especially may be thinking again whether it was the right time to really be pushing independence, because it is clear from the polls at least and the results that they have not been able to get the growing sense of independent in wales onto the ballot papers on thursday. so we will see what happens with that. really, a resounding and very strong day for welsh labour and for mark drakeford. as you say, stronger than they actually thought. in terms of forming their government, as you say

they are only one seat short, what is the timeframe, do you think, before we will actually find out how they will constitute it?— they will constitute it? well, it won't be a _ they will constitute it? well, it won't be a quick— they will constitute it? well, it won't be a quick one. - they will constitute it? well, it won't be a quick one. welsh i they will constitute it? well, it - won't be a quick one. welsh policies don't quite work at the same speed as it does in london. i think the last time around it did take a week or so. last time around it did take a week orso. i last time around it did take a week or so. i would last time around it did take a week or so. iwould be last time around it did take a week or so. i would be surprised, potentially by the end of the week stop thank you very much, bringing us up—to—date on what is going on in the senedd. aha, us up-to-date on what is going on in the senedd-— us up-to-date on what is going on in the senedd. a very strong showing at therefore labour. _ the senedd. a very strong showing at therefore labour. let's _ the senedd. a very strong showing at therefore labour. let's get _ the senedd. a very strong showing at therefore labour. let's get an - therefore labour. let's get an overview of the election results overview of the election results over britain so far. in scotland, the ruling snp�*s vote share has broadly held up, but it's failed to win a handful of crucial marginals. borisjohnson has reiterated his opposition to another independence referendum —

but the snp leader, nicola sturgeon, says she will trigger one if she secures an outright victory, warning the prime minister he will have to go to court to stop her. more council election results are also due in england today, as well as mayoral contests in london, greater manchester and the west midlands. counting is also continuing in elections to the welsh senedd. with this round up, here's greg dawson. there is no doubt the snp is heading for a remarkable fourth consecutive term in power. the indications are they may fall short of the overall majority that would strengthen the argument for another independence referendum. the prime minister is not waiting for the final tally before having his say. in an interview in this morning's daily telegraph, borisjohnson says now is not the time for another vote, describing the prospect as reckless. the uk government's position is very clear for— the uk government's position is very clear for this — the uk government's position is very clear for this. we don't think there is another—

clear for this. we don't think there is another case for another referendum, particularly now as we try to _ referendum, particularly now as we try to chart— referendum, particularly now as we try to chart our way out of the pandemic— try to chart our way out of the pandemic and get our economy going again. _ pandemic and get our economy going again. but_ pandemic and get our economy going again, but we will obviously deal with whatever we have to deal with once these — with whatever we have to deal with once these elections are settled and wants— once these elections are settled and wants the _ once these elections are settled and wants the new scottish administration decides what it wants to do _ administration decides what it wants to do. ,, ., ., to do. even if the snp do fall short, a pro-independence i to do. even if the snp do fall- short, a pro-independence majority short, a pro—independence majority in holyrood is still likely once the scottish greens are allocated regional lists later today. central to our manifesto _ regional lists later today. central to our manifesto commitment i regional lists later today. central. to our manifesto commitment was regional lists later today. central- to our manifesto commitment was the proposition— to our manifesto commitment was the proposition of there being a referendum on independence during this parliamentary term. i am confident— this parliamentary term. i am confident there will be a majority for such— confident there will be a majority for such a — confident there will be a majority for such a proposition in the scottish— for such a proposition in the scottish parliament after the election. in scottish parliament after the election. ~ . . . scottish parliament after the election. , ., ., . scottish parliament after the election. , ., ., election. in wales, a touch of relief for _ election. in wales, a touch of relief for labour, _ election. in wales, a touch of relief for labour, who - election. in wales, a touch of relief for labour, who defied | election. in wales, a touch of. relief for labour, who defied the opinion polls and look set to stay in power after matching its best ever senedd result. the tories are in second place ahead of plaid cymru. theirformer

in second place ahead of plaid cymru. their former leader lost her seat. forthe cymru. their former leader lost her seat. for the labour party in england, the mood is more reflective.— england, the mood is more reflective. ~ ., ., ., ., , , reflective. we have to ask ourselves wh it is reflective. we have to ask ourselves why it is that — reflective. we have to ask ourselves why it is that the _ reflective. we have to ask ourselves why it is that the people _ reflective. we have to ask ourselves why it is that the people have - reflective. we have to ask ourselves why it is that the people have not i why it is that the people have not seen _ why it is that the people have not seen labour— why it is that the people have not seen labouras_ why it is that the people have not seen labour as the _ why it is that the people have not seen labour as the answer- why it is that the people have not seen labour as the answer to - why it is that the people have not seen labour as the answer to the j seen labour as the answer to the problems— seen labour as the answer to the problems they _ seen labour as the answer to the problems they face _ seen labour as the answer to the problems they face in _ seen labour as the answer to the problems they face in their- seen labour as the answer to the i problems they face in their everyday lives and _ problems they face in their everyday lives and the — problems they face in their everyday lives and the injustices _ problems they face in their everyday lives and the injustices we _ problems they face in their everyday lives and the injustices we see, - problems they face in their everyday lives and the injustices we see, andi lives and the injustices we see, and that is— lives and the injustices we see, and that is my— lives and the injustices we see, and that is my point _ lives and the injustices we see, and that is my point about _ lives and the injustices we see, and that is my point about what - lives and the injustices we see, and that is my point about what has - that is my point about what has happened — that is my point about what has happened over— that is my point about what has happened over the _ that is my point about what has happened over the past - that is my point about what has happened over the past four. that is my point about what has - happened over the past four defeats in general— happened over the past four defeats in general elections, _ happened over the past four defeats in general elections, whether- happened over the past four defeats in general elections, whether it - happened over the past four defeats in general elections, whether it is i in general elections, whether it is in general elections, whether it is in hartlepool. _ in general elections, whether it is in hartlepool, other— in general elections, whether it is in hartlepool, other places - in general elections, whether it is in hartlepool, other places as i in general elections, whether it is i in hartlepool, other places as well, where _ in hartlepool, other places as well, where people — in hartlepool, other places as well, where people do— in hartlepool, other places as well, where people do not— in hartlepool, other places as well, where people do not now— in hartlepool, other places as well, where people do not now see - in hartlepool, other places as well, i where people do not now see labour as answering — where people do not now see labour as answering those _ where people do not now see labour as answering those concerns. - where people do not now see labour as answering those concerns. therel as answering those concerns. there is the prospect _ as answering those concerns. there is the prospect of— as answering those concerns. there is the prospect of some _ as answering those concerns. there is the prospect of some relief i as answering those concerns. is the prospect of some relief later for keir starmer with the results that the london, greater manchester and may oral is set to go labour's way. let's return to the contest in scotland and speak to our correspondent,

alexandra mackenzie, at holyrood. tell us what is going on today. i think the big question today is going — think the big question today is going to — think the big question today is going to be can nicola sturgeon, can the snp _ going to be can nicola sturgeon, can the snp get that overall majority. it is looking very difficult but at this stage probably not impossible, and we _ this stage probably not impossible, and we will know more later today. not quite _ and we will know more later today. not quite sure if we have got a time on that— not quite sure if we have got a time on that yet — not quite sure if we have got a time on that yet. what we do know, what we are _ on that yet. what we do know, what we are expecting, is the snp to be the largest— we are expecting, is the snp to be the largest party in holyrood just behind _ the largest party in holyrood just behind me. and for nicola sturgeon to come _ behind me. and for nicola sturgeon to come back and beat scotland's first minister. this would be their fourth _ first minister. this would be their fourth term in government. we are also expecting the green party to have enough votes in the scottish parliament for there to be a pro—independence majority. the snp would _ pro—independence majority. the snp would say— pro—independence majority. the snp would say that that would be enough of a mandate to push for a second independence referendum. obviously,

if they— independence referendum. obviously, if they did _ independence referendum. obviously, if they did have an overall majority as they— if they did have an overall majority as they did — if they did have an overall majority as they did in 2011, that would possibly— as they did in 2011, that would possibly give them more bargaining power— possibly give them more bargaining power with borisjohnson. there was obviously— power with borisjohnson. there was obviously a _ power with borisjohnson. there was obviously a referendum in 2014 when they did _ obviously a referendum in 2014 when they did have that overall majority, but boris _ they did have that overall majority, but borisjohnson has said in the telegraph— but borisjohnson has said in the telegraph today as he has said time and time _ telegraph today as he has said time and time again that he has no appetite — and time again that he has no appetite for a second independence referendum. he has said it would be irresponsible and reckless. and said. _ irresponsible and reckless. and said. "let— irresponsible and reckless. and said, "let me leave it at that." but you can _ said, "let me leave it at that." but you can bet — said, "let me leave it at that." but you can bet your bottom dollar that the snp _ you can bet your bottom dollar that the snp will not leave it at that. john swinney said that the people of scotland _ john swinney said that the people of scotland have given emphatic support for another— scotland have given emphatic support for another referendum and that boris _ for another referendum and that borisjohnson should for another referendum and that boris johnson should just accept democracy. john swinney has said that they— democracy. john swinney has said that they will push ahead with legislation for that second referendum so this isjust

legislation for that second referendum so this is just the beginning of a new chapter of these discussions stop there is definitely going _ discussions stop there is definitely going to _ discussions stop there is definitely going to be political battles ahead, and possibly legal battles ahead, too. . .. and possibly legal battles ahead, too. ., ,, , ., and possibly legal battles ahead, too. . ~' , ., , and possibly legal battles ahead, too. ., ,, , . and possibly legal battles ahead, too. . , . ., and possibly legal battles ahead, too. ., , . ., ., too. thank you very much for that u date. too. thank you very much for that update- we _ too. thank you very much for that update. we are _ too. thank you very much for that update. we are actually _ too. thank you very much for that j update. we are actually expecting the result from the county and aberdeenshire east at some point in the next half an hour or so. let's take a closer look at the results in scotland so far. the snp are up three on 39. as we have been hearing from our guests, it is not completely impossible but it is not completely impossible but it is not completely impossible but it is looking unlikely that they will get an outright majority on their own, but there would be a pro—independence majority with the greens at holyrood by the time all the votes are counted, and then of course we will get the big

constitutional question. the liberal democrats are on four. the conservatives are on three seats so far. of course, we have not had any of the regional list seats declared. they will be coming later on today. that is the proportional part of these holyrood elections after the constituency once, but they are down to, the conservatives. the snp have taken those. labour are on to and they have lost one. as i say, we are 48 of the 129 declared so far. 65 of course were to give an outright majority, this is for the snp, but thatis majority, this is for the snp, but that is looking less likely. let's talk to the co—leader of the scottish greens, lorna slater. we have been discussing these constitutional questions. you have heard from borisjohnson already, rejecting any cause for another independence referendum. what is your answer? independence referendum. what is youranswer? oh, a race of

independence referendum. what is your answer? oh, a race of the eyebrows. your answer? oh, a race of the eyebrows-— your answer? oh, a race of the eyebrows. boris johnson calling other people — eyebrows. boris johnson calling other people reckless _ eyebrows. boris johnson calling other people reckless is - eyebrows. boris johnson calling other people reckless is sort i eyebrows. boris johnson calling other people reckless is sort of| other people reckless is sort of hilarious — other people reckless is sort of hilarious. the results are looking what _ hilarious. the results are looking what we — hilarious. the results are looking what we thought, that with the scottish— what we thought, that with the scottish greens they will be a pro—independence majority in the scottish— pro—independence majority in the scottish parliament, and we take that as _ scottish parliament, and we take that as a — scottish parliament, and we take that as a clear mandate from the scottish — that as a clear mandate from the scottish people to hold another referendum.— scottish people to hold another referendum. you say it is a clear mandate- _ referendum. you say it is a clear mandate- it _ referendum. you say it is a clear mandate. it is _ referendum. you say it is a clear mandate. it is not _ referendum. you say it is a clear mandate. it is not a _ referendum. you say it is a clear mandate. it is not a devolved i referendum. you say it is a clear i mandate. it is not a devolved issue. it is something that the uk government have two grant in the way that they did in 2014. do you accept that they did in 2014. do you accept that if it ends up in the courts, borisjohnson is likely that if it ends up in the courts, boris johnson is likely to that if it ends up in the courts, borisjohnson is likely to win? i don't know about the court process there _ don't know about the court process there we — don't know about the court process there. we are looking at it as a democratic— there. we are looking at it as a democratic process. the referendum we had _ democratic process. the referendum we had in _ democratic process. the referendum we had in 2014 was granted by david cameron— we had in 2014 was granted by david cameron because he saw that there was a _ cameron because he saw that there was a clear— cameron because he saw that there was a clear democratic end date for it. was a clear democratic end date for it and _ was a clear democratic end date for it. and there will be another clear democratic— it. and there will be another clear democratic mandate this time. what kind of— democratic mandate this time. what kind of country are we if we ignore that kind _ kind of country are we if we ignore that kind of— kind of country are we if we ignore that kind of democratic mandate anyway? — that kind of democratic mandate anyway? we that kind of democratic mandate an a ? ~ . that kind of democratic mandate an a ? . ., ., ., anyway? we have heard from john curtis, anyway? we have heard from john curtis. who _ anyway? we have heard from john curtis. who is _ anyway? we have heard from john curtis, who is our _ anyway? we have heard from john

curtis, who is our elections - anyway? we have heard from john curtis, who is our elections and i curtis, who is our elections and polling expert, saying that support is broadly split, that scotland is a divided country when it comes to the constitutional issue. are you sure 50% of the people in scotland will thank you for wanting to embark on more arguments about the constitution when we are still not do this pandemic? i constitution when we are still not do this pandemic?— constitution when we are still not do this pandemic? i think we want to have that discussion _ do this pandemic? i think we want to have that discussion about _ do this pandemic? i think we want to have that discussion about who i do this pandemic? i think we want to have that discussion about who is i have that discussion about who is making _ have that discussion about who is making the decisions, about how we recover— making the decisions, about how we recover from this pandemic. do we want _ recover from this pandemic. do we want to— recover from this pandemic. do we want to be — recover from this pandemic. do we want to be borisjohnson's brexit in london. _ want to be borisjohnson's brexit in london. or— want to be borisjohnson's brexit in london, or do we want it to be a scottish— london, or do we want it to be a scottish government that we elected here? _ scottish government that we elected here? and _ scottish government that we elected here? and i think it is absolutely worth— here? and i think it is absolutely worth going back to the people to ask the _ worth going back to the people to ask the question. during the last independence referendum, we managed to drive _ independence referendum, we managed to drive support for independence from _ to drive support for independence from 27% — to drive support for independence from 27% of the weighty 45%. you are exactly _ from 27% of the weighty 45%. you are exactly right, it is drifted up to about— exactly right, it is drifted up to about 50% now. with campaigning and laying _ about 50% now. with campaigning and laying out _ about 50% now. with campaigning and laying out a _ about 50% now. with campaigning and laying out a clear vision for how an independent scotland can work, we can definitely drive that higher. i think— can definitely drive that higher. i think boris does not want a referendum because he knows he is

going _ referendum because he knows he is going to _ referendum because he knows he is going to lose. for referendum because he knows he is going to lose-— going to lose. for you, are there more important _ going to lose. for you, are there more important issues _ going to lose. for you, are there more important issues for i going to lose. for you, are there more important issues for those | more important issues for those people supporting you on things like climate change and the environment ahead of the constitutional issue? of ahead of the constitutional issue? of course the climate emergency has .ot of course the climate emergency has got to— of course the climate emergency has got to be _ of course the climate emergency has got to be everyone's number one priority. — got to be everyone's number one priority, but this is not an either or question. _ priority, but this is not an either or question. scottish independence would _ or question. scottish independence would give us more tools, at the moment— would give us more tools, at the moment we do not have the devolved powers _ moment we do not have the devolved powers to _ moment we do not have the devolved powers to do everything we can about climate _ powers to do everything we can about climate change. we don't have powers to lay _ climate change. we don't have powers to lay subsea cables, to stop subsidies— to lay subsea cables, to stop subsidies to oil and gas industry, and even — subsidies to oil and gas industry, and even to manage our own taxation system _ and even to manage our own taxation system properly. those are the tools we need _ system properly. those are the tools we need to— system properly. those are the tools we need to deal with climate change and to— we need to deal with climate change and to tackle the climate emergency, and to tackle the climate emergency, and i frankly do not trust westminster to use those wisely. what _ westminster to use those wisely. what about the timing? when would you like that referendum? if it does ever come about. in you like that referendum? if it does ever come about.— ever come about. in our manifesto, we have called _ ever come about. in our manifesto, we have called for— ever come about. in our manifesto, we have called for it _ ever come about. in our manifesto, we have called for it during - ever come about. in our manifesto, we have called for it during this i we have called for it during this term _ we have called for it during this term of—

we have called for it during this term of parliament. for myself, i think— term of parliament. for myself, i think that — term of parliament. for myself, i think that needs to be once we're past the — think that needs to be once we're past the covid pandemic. obviously, we cannot— past the covid pandemic. obviously, we cannot put anyone danger, but we do want _ we cannot put anyone danger, but we do want to— we cannot put anyone danger, but we do want to campaign properly. we want _ do want to campaign properly. we want to— do want to campaign properly. we want to have a national conversation about _ want to have a national conversation about what _ want to have a national conversation about what kind of scotland we want to build. _ about what kind of scotland we want to build. ., _ , to build. you say it will be during the first term, _ to build. you say it will be during the first term, but _ to build. you say it will be during the first term, but the _ to build. you say it will be during the first term, but the pandemic| the first term, but the pandemic could go on for years. the long tail of this pandemic, even if the restrictions are basically lifted, you do accept that this could go on for a very long time? we you do accept that this could go on for a very long time?— you do accept that this could go on for a very long time? we have had a very successful _ for a very long time? we have had a very successful election _ for a very long time? we have had a very successful election campaign i very successful election campaign 'ust very successful election campaign just now. — very successful election campaign just now. we were not able to do the full campaigning we would have liked to have _ full campaigning we would have liked to have done. with the vaccination programme and people getting used to social distancing, i think we probably— social distancing, i think we probably can't run a successful campaign _ probably can't run a successful campaign for independence. we just have to _ campaign for independence. we just have to find the right timing so we can get— have to find the right timing so we can get that balance right. and have to find the right timing so we can get that balance right.- can get that balance right. and it would be again... _ can get that balance right. and it would be again... i _ can get that balance right. and it would be again... i know- can get that balance right. and it would be again... i know all- can get that balance right. and it would be again... i know all thel would be again... i know all the results are not in, and you cannot predict the future, but when would you start talks with the snp, with nicola sturgeon, in terms of that

pro—independence majority, very much like the last parliament? flit pro-independence majority, very much like the last parliament?— like the last parliament? of course, we are expecting — like the last parliament? of course, we are expecting the _ like the last parliament? of course, we are expecting the snp _ like the last parliament? of course, we are expecting the snp to - like the last parliament? of course, we are expecting the snp to be i like the last parliament? of course, we are expecting the snp to be the | we are expecting the snp to be the largest— we are expecting the snp to be the largest party in scottish parliament, so it would be up to them _ parliament, so it would be up to them to— parliament, so it would be up to them to initiate that sort of discussion because they will be running — discussion because they will be running all of the committees and business — running all of the committees and business of parliament. so we will see when— business of parliament. so we will see when they want to start it. it will certainly be on our agenda, but it is only— will certainly be on our agenda, but it is only part of what we are looking _ it is only part of what we are looking at. we feel there are urgent issues _ looking at. we feel there are urgent issues around investment, renewable energy. _ issues around investment, renewable energy, investment in upgrading our railroads _ energy, investment in upgrading our railroads to — energy, investment in upgrading our railroads to deal with the climate emergency. so we will be focusing on those _ emergency. so we will be focusing on those issues. is emergency. so we will be focusing on those issues-— those issues. is that what you are auoin to those issues. is that what you are going to try _ those issues. is that what you are going to try to — those issues. is that what you are going to try to extract _ those issues. is that what you are going to try to extract from i those issues. is that what you are going to try to extract from the i those issues. is that what you are i going to try to extract from the snp government, as the largest party? the sort of priorities that you want to pursue?— to pursue? absolutely. we would alwa st to pursue? absolutely. we would always try to _ to pursue? absolutely. we would always try to push _ to pursue? absolutely. we would always try to push the _ to pursue? absolutely. we would always try to push the snp i always try to push the snp government to be greener and fairer, more _ government to be greener and fairer, more progressive policies, the kinds of things— more progressive policies, the kinds of things we are particularly concerned about our fair funding for

councils. _ concerned about our fair funding for councils, transition away from oil and gas. — councils, transition away from oil and gas, land reform, better protections for wildlife. these are the kinds — protections for wildlife. these are the kinds of things we will be working — the kinds of things we will be working for. the kinds of things we will be working for-— the kinds of things we will be workin: for. ., ., ., , working for. co-leader of the green pa in working for. co-leader of the green party in scotland, _ working for. co-leader of the green party in scotland, thank _ working for. co-leader of the green party in scotland, thank you - working for. co-leader of the green party in scotland, thank you very i party in scotland, thank you very much forjoining us outside holyrood. labour will also be hoping to win the mayoral contests in london, greater manchester and the west midlands today — after losing the hartlepool by—election and ceding control of several councils in england. the party's leader, sir keir starmer, has said the defeats are "bitterly" disappointing and show he has to set out a stronger case to the country. our political correspondent, iain watson, is in westminster. what are those discussions going to look like? ida what are those discussions going to look like? ., , , , , ., look like? no surprise there is a lot of internal _ look like? no surprise there is a lot of internal wrangling - look like? no surprise there is a lot of internal wrangling in i look like? no surprise there is a l lot of internal wrangling in labour. we have already had one of the candidates, somebody on the left,

saying that labour at the moment is no longer talking to workers, it needs more socialism, more policies, and it also needs to step up its attack on the government. but others attack on the government. but others at this stage, many of them beneath the surface, suggesting that the party has to move even further away from the corbin era. that keir starmer has to take sides, that he should not be pursuing unity, he should not be pursuing unity, he should be making it very clear that labour has changed. pieters mandelson said much the same thing on the record yesterday as well. he pointed out that tony blair was the only person he was able to have three successive labour victories. we would suspect a better result for labour later on today, in greater manchester for example. nonetheless, in terms of where they need to be, they are a long way off and the results were even worse than they were predicting, worse than their internal polling was telling them. this morning, the conservatives for the first time are getting seeds on

rotherham council in yorkshire. so the scale of labour's challenge is huge. in terms of responding to it, there is going to be a review of their policies. what is going to be interesting, i think, their policies. what is going to be interesting, ithink, the their policies. what is going to be interesting, i think, the details will emerge in the next few weeks, what is interesting is that it will give keir starmer the ability to move away from the 2019 manifesto which labour lost very badly at the general election, but also some of the pledges that he made when he was studying to be a labour leader which were designed to appeal to the left of the party. and i'm also told they will be major organisational changes in the labour party. they are going to be moving more stuff out of london, into the regions where they have been losing seats, and they are going to be reviewing their data and polling organisations as well. some --eole, polling organisations as well. some people. they _ polling organisations as well. some people. they are- — joining me now from norwich is the labour, mp clive lewis. what's gone wrong? how long have you

not? i'm what's gone wrong? how long have you got? i'm listening _ what's gone wrong? how long have you got? i'm listening to _ what's gone wrong? how long have you got? i'm listening to ian _ what's gone wrong? how long have you got? i'm listening to ian there - what's gone wrong? how long have you got? i'm listening to ian there and i got? i'm listening to ian there and i'm listening to the sound of deck chairs being scraped of the titanic. project 2019, moved to the right. let's just take that, for example. let's just take that, for example. let's move back to the centre ground of british politics. where is the centre ground? we of british politics. where is the centre ground?— of british politics. where is the centre ground? we are going to aberdeenshire _ centre ground? we are going to aberdeenshire east _ centre ground? we are going to aberdeenshire east for - centre ground? we are going to aberdeenshire east for a - centre ground? we are going to aberdeenshire east for a count | aberdeenshire east for a count result. ., , aberdeenshire east for a count result. , ., ., ., ., , result. scottish national party, snp, result. scottish national party, snp. 18.307. _ result. scottish national party, snp, 18,307. stewart - result. scottish national party, snp, 18,307. stewart white, | result. scottish national party, i snp, 18,307. stewart white, scottish conservative and unionist party, 16.000 — conservative and unionist party, 16,000 400 and 18. konrad james wood. _ 16,000 400 and 18. konrad james wood, scottish liberal democrats, 3396. _ wood, scottish liberal democrats, 3396. give — wood, scottish liberal democrats, 3396. give a total number of valid votes _ 3396. give a total number of valid votes at _ 3396. give a total number of valid votes at 41,155. we had hundred and

34 votes _ votes at 41,155. we had hundred and 34 votes rejected. one for a lack of identifying — 34 votes rejected. one for a lack of identifying mark. 13 were voting for more _ identifying mark. 13 were voting for more than — identifying mark. 13 were voting for more than one candidate. one for mark— more than one candidate. one for mark by— more than one candidate. one for mark by which the voter could be identified. — mark by which the voter could be identified. and 119 or voided for uncertainty. the following candidate is duly— uncertainty. the following candidate is duly elected to serve as a member of the _ is duly elected to serve as a member of the scottish parliament for the aberdeenshire east constituency, that is— aberdeenshire east constituency, that is gillian martin for the scottish— that is gillian martin for the scottish national party. i now invite — scottish national party. i now invite her— scottish national party. i now invite her to come and make some comments — invite her to come and make some comments. 50 invite her to come and make some comments-— invite her to come and make some comments. ., , , ., comments. so that is the result from the count there _ comments. so that is the result from the count there for _ comments. so that is the result from the count there for the _ comments. so that is the result from the count there for the scottish i the count there for the scottish parliament of aberdeenshire east, and you will have heard there and now you can see that the snp candidate returned for that constituency, it is an snp hold. there she was on 18,307. let's just go back and see if we can catch a little bit of her speech. aha,

go back and see if we can catch a little bit of her speech.— little bit of her speech. a very important _ little bit of her speech. a very important time. _ little bit of her speech. a very important time. for _ little bit of her speech. a very important time. for the i little bit of her speech. a very l important time. for the people little bit of her speech. a very i important time. for the people of aberdeenshire _ important time. for the people of aberdeenshire who _ important time. for the people of aberdeenshire who face - important time. for the people of aberdeenshire who face the - important time. for the people of aberdeenshire who face the crisisj important time. for the people of. aberdeenshire who face the crisis of the pandemic. — aberdeenshire who face the crisis of the pandemic, the _ aberdeenshire who face the crisis of the pandemic, the situation- aberdeenshire who face the crisis of the pandemic, the situation with i aberdeenshire who face the crisis of the pandemic, the situation with oil| the pandemic, the situation with oil and gas _ the pandemic, the situation with oil and gas and — the pandemic, the situation with oil and gas and the _ the pandemic, the situation with oil and gas and the situation _ the pandemic, the situation with oil and gas and the situation that - the pandemic, the situation with oil and gas and the situation that we i and gas and the situation that we have _ and gas and the situation that we have found — and gas and the situation that we have found ourselves _ and gas and the situation that we have found ourselves in - and gas and the situation that we have found ourselves in where i and gas and the situation that we i have found ourselves in where young people _ have found ourselves in where young people need — have found ourselves in where young people need our— have found ourselves in where young people need our help _ have found ourselves in where young people need our help more - have found ourselves in where young people need our help more than i have found ourselves in where young i people need our help more than ever. i am people need our help more than ever. i am there _ people need our help more than ever. i am there for— people need our help more than ever. i am there for you, _ people need our help more than ever. i am there for you, i'm _ people need our help more than ever. i am there for you, i'm going - people need our help more than ever. i am there for you, i'm going to- i am there for you, i'm going to work— i am there for you, i'm going to work hard— i am there for you, i'm going to work hard for— i am there for you, i'm going to work hard for you, _ i am there for you, i'm going to work hard for you, and - i am there for you, i'm going to work hard for you, and i'm i i am there for you, i'm going tol work hard for you, and i'm going i am there for you, i'm going to- work hard for you, and i'm going to make _ work hard for you, and i'm going to make sure — work hard for you, and i'm going to make sure that _ work hard for you, and i'm going to make sure that when _ work hard for you, and i'm going to make sure that when we _ work hard for you, and i'm going to make sure that when we transitionl work hard for you, and i'm going to i make sure that when we transition to net a _ make sure that when we transition to net a zero _ make sure that when we transition to net a zero as— make sure that when we transition to net a zero as we _ make sure that when we transition to net a zero as we have _ make sure that when we transition to net a zero as we have to _ make sure that when we transition to net a zero as we have to do _ make sure that when we transition to net a zero as we have to do that i net a zero as we have to do that aberdeenshire _ net a zero as we have to do that aberdeenshire east— net a zero as we have to do that aberdeenshire east and - net a zero as we have to do that aberdeenshire east and the i aberdeenshire east and the north-east _ aberdeenshire east and the north—east is _ aberdeenshire east and the north—east is at _ aberdeenshire east and the north—east is at the - aberdeenshire east and the north—east is at the very. aberdeenshire east and the i north—east is at the very heart of all those — north—east is at the very heart of all those plans. _ north—east is at the very heart of all those plans. i've _ north—east is at the very heart of all those plans. i've got- north—east is at the very heart of all those plans. i've got summer| all those plans. i've got summer thanks— all those plans. i've got summer thanks to — all those plans. i've got summer thanks to say. _ all those plans. i've got summer thanks to say. i_ all those plans. i've got summer thanks to say. i want _ all those plans. i've got summer thanks to say. i want to - all those plans. i've got summer thanks to say. i want to thank i all those plans. i've got summerl thanks to say. i want to thank the accounting — thanks to say. i want to thank the accounting staff— thanks to say. i want to thank the accounting staff and _ thanks to say. i want to thank the i accounting staff and aberdeenshire council— accounting staff and aberdeenshire council for— accounting staff and aberdeenshire council for everything _ accounting staff and aberdeenshire council for everything that - accounting staff and aberdeenshire council for everything that they i council for everything that they have _ council for everything that they have done _ council for everything that they have done the _ council for everything that they have done the past— council for everything that they have done the past couple i council for everything that they have done the past couple of. council for everything that they i have done the past couple of days. they are _ have done the past couple of days. they are all — have done the past couple of days. they are all a — have done the past couple of days. they are all a wee _ have done the past couple of days. they are all a wee bit _ have done the past couple of days. they are all a wee bit tired - have done the past couple of days. they are all a wee bit tired last i they are all a wee bit tired last night — they are all a wee bit tired last night last_ they are all a wee bit tired last night. last night— they are all a wee bit tired last night. last night was _ they are all a wee bit tired last night. last night was not- they are all a wee bit tired last night. last night was not one l they are all a wee bit tired last| night. last night was not one in which _ night. last night was not one in which i — night. last night was not one in which i slept _ night. last night was not one in which i slept. thank— night. last night was not one in which i slept. thank you - night. last night was not one in which i slept. thank you to - night. last night was not one in which i slept. thank you tojimi night. last night was not one in i which i slept. thank you tojim and martin— which i slept. thank you tojim and martin and — which i slept. thank you tojim and martin and the _ which i slept. thank you tojim and martin and the police _ which i slept. thank you tojim and martin and the police and - which i slept. thank you tojim and martin and the police and all- which i slept. thank you tojim and martin and the police and all the l martin and the police and all the counting — martin and the police and all the counting staff. _ martin and the police and all the counting staff. my— martin and the police and all the counting staff. my election - martin and the police and all the| counting staff. my election agent .ets

counting staff. my election agent gets special— counting staff. my election agent gets special thanks. _ counting staff. my election agent gets special thanks. he - counting staff. my election agent gets special thanks. he has - counting staff. my election agent . gets special thanks. he has worked his socks _ gets special thanks. he has worked his socks off, — gets special thanks. he has worked his socks off, not _ gets special thanks. he has worked his socks off, not just _ gets special thanks. he has worked his socks off, not just as _ gets special thanks. he has worked his socks off, not just as my - his socks off, not just as my eiection— his socks off, not just as my election agent _ his socks off, not just as my election agent but _ his socks off, not just as my election agent but as - his socks off, not just as my election agent but as my - his socks off, not just as my i election agent but as my case his socks off, not just as my - election agent but as my case worker for the _ election agent but as my case worker for the last_ election agent but as my case worker for the last five _ election agent but as my case worker for the last five years. _ election agent but as my case worker for the last five years. and _ election agent but as my case worker for the last five years. and i- election agent but as my case worker for the last five years. and i want - for the last five years. and i want also to— for the last five years. and i want also to thank— for the last five years. and i want also to thank my _ for the last five years. and i want also to thank my constituency - for the last five years. and i want. also to thank my constituency staff, who work _ also to thank my constituency staff, who work so — also to thank my constituency staff, who work so hard _ also to thank my constituency staff, who work so hard behind _ also to thank my constituency staff, who work so hard behind the - also to thank my constituency staff, i who work so hard behind the scenes. this wih _ who work so hard behind the scenes. this win is _ who work so hard behind the scenes. this win is hot — who work so hard behind the scenes. this win is not just _ who work so hard behind the scenes. this win is notjust gillian— who work so hard behind the scenes. this win is notjust gillian martin, - this win is notjust gillian martin, it is the _ this win is notjust gillian martin, it is the constituency— this win is notjust gillian martin, it is the constituency staff - this win is notjust gillian martin, it is the constituency staff of - it is the constituency staff of aberdeenshire _ it is the constituency staff of aberdeenshire east, - it is the constituency staff of l aberdeenshire east, gwyneth, it is the constituency staff of - aberdeenshire east, gwyneth, kenny, duncah— aberdeenshire east, gwyneth, kenny, duncan and _ aberdeenshire east, gwyneth, kenny, duncan and niamh. _ aberdeenshire east, gwyneth, kenny, duncan and niamh. my— aberdeenshire east, gwyneth, kenny, duncan and niamh. my family, - aberdeenshire east, gwyneth, kenny, duncan and niamh. my family, i- aberdeenshire east, gwyneth, kenny, duncan and niamh. my family, i want| duncan and niamh. my family, iwant to thank— duncan and niamh. my family, iwant to thank them — duncan and niamh. my family, iwant to thank them. we _ duncan and niamh. my family, iwant to thank them. we have _ duncan and niamh. my family, i want to thank them. we have had - duncan and niamh. my family, iwant to thank them. we have had a - duncan and niamh. my family, i want to thank them. we have had a pretty| to thank them. we have had a pretty tough _ to thank them. we have had a pretty tough yeah — to thank them. we have had a pretty tough yeah and _ to thank them. we have had a pretty tough year. and they— to thank them. we have had a pretty tough year. and they are _ to thank them. we have had a pretty tough year. and they are the - to thank them. we have had a pretty tough year. and they are the most . tough year. and they are the most amazing _ tough year. and they are the most amazing people _ tough year. and they are the most amazing people i— tough year. and they are the most amazing people i know. _ tough year. and they are the most amazing people i know. they- tough year. and they are the most amazing people i know. they havej amazing people i know. they have sopported — amazing people i know. they have sopported me _ amazing people i know. they have supported me and _ amazing people i know. they have supported me and we _ amazing people i know. they have supported me and we have - amazing people i know. they have supported me and we have all- supported me and we have all sopported _ supported me and we have all supported each— supported me and we have all supported each other- supported me and we have all supported each other to - supported me and we have all supported each other to this i supported me and we have all. supported each other to this very tough _ supported each other to this very tough time _ supported each other to this very toughtime i_ supported each other to this very tough time. i would _ supported each other to this very tough time. i would not- supported each other to this very tough time. i would not be - supported each other to this very tough time. i would not be herei tough time. i would not be here without— tough time. i would not be here without any— tough time. i would not be here without any of _ tough time. i would not be here without any of them. _ tough time. i would not be here without any of them. and - tough time. i would not be here without any of them. and my i tough time. i would not be here. without any of them. and my dad tough time. i would not be here - without any of them. and my dad is here today— without any of them. and my dad is here today at — without any of them. and my dad is here today at the _ without any of them. and my dad is here today at the count. _ without any of them. and my dad is here today at the count. and - without any of them. and my dad is here today at the count. and i- here today at the count. and i certainty — here today at the count. and i certainly would _ here today at the count. and i certainly would not _ here today at the count. and i certainly would not be - here today at the count. and i certainly would not be here i here today at the count. and i- certainly would not be here without him. certainly would not be here without him we _ certainly would not be here without him we in — certainly would not be here without him we in our— certainly would not be here without him. we in our movement - certainly would not be here without him. we in our movement talk- certainly would not be here without. him. we in our movement talk about the giants _ him. we in our movement talk about the giants on — him. we in our movement talk about the giants on whose _ him. we in our movement talk about the giants on whose shoulders - him. we in our movement talk about the giants on whose shoulders we i the giants on whose shoulders we stand _ the giants on whose shoulders we stand people _ the giants on whose shoulders we stand. people like _ the giants on whose shoulders we stand. people like me _ the giants on whose shoulders we stand. people like me winning - stand. people like me winning etections. _ stand. people like me winning etections. it— stand. people like me winning elections, it is— stand. people like me winning elections, it is because - stand. people like me winning elections, it is because of- stand. people like me winning elections, it is because of the| elections, it is because of the peoptem _

elections, it is because of the peeple- - -_ elections, it is because of the --eole... ~ ., t, ., . elections, it is because of the --eole... ~ . ., ., . . people... we are going to leave that the are. people... we are going to leave that they are- that _ people... we are going to leave that they are. that is _ people... we are going to leave that they are. that is the _ people... we are going to leave that they are. that is the victory - people... we are going to leave that they are. that is the victory speech i they are. that is the victory speech from the snp candidate, now retired as msp. quite an emotional speech. thank you to her staff and her family. let's return to clive lewis, the labour mp, just as he is sipping his cup of tea or coffee. you were in the middle of a flourish, there. i'm sorry about that. if you can return us to that point. i i'm sorry about that. if you can return us to that point.- return us to that point. i think, listenin: return us to that point. i think, listening to _ return us to that point. i think, listening to your— return us to that point. i think, listening to your corresponding before talking about what is coming out from his sources, this moving away from the 2019 manifesto, what are we going to go back to? the 2017 manifesto where arguably our vote picked up in hartlepool and other seats across the north? we aren't even that which had been achieved under ed miliband and gordon brown. i think this notion of the middle ground, that if we shift to the right, what is the middle ground? the middle ground of british politics doesn't exist, it is

created. borisjohnson's party is spending billions of pounds on green infrastructure. where is the central ground of british politics? that's what i think here and the team need to do, put out that vision, look at the problem is, the country's problems, and then produce policy from that. it’s problems, and then produce policy from that. �* . ., problems, and then produce policy from that. �* , ., ., ~' problems, and then produce policy from that. �* , ., ., ,, . from that. it's not working at the moment, certainly _ from that. it's not working at the moment, certainly in _ from that. it's not working at the moment, certainly in parts- from that. it's not working at the moment, certainly in parts of. from that. it's not working at the| moment, certainly in parts of the red wall, formerly known as the red wall strongholds of labour. in no doubt there will be a lot of discussion about it. is keir starmer in trouble? in discussion about it. is keir starmer in trouble? . discussion about it. is keir starmer in trouble?— discussion about it. is keir starmer in trouble? , ., ,, . in trouble? in terms of keir starmer himself, personally, _ in trouble? in terms of keir starmer himself, personally, that _ in trouble? in terms of keir starmer himself, personally, that is - in trouble? in terms of keir starmer himself, personally, that is for - himself, personally, that is for keir starmer to answer. i don't know anything that is going on. he is in trouble, we are all in trouble, and actually, it is notjust the labour party that is in trouble. progressives across non—tory political parties are in trouble because, if you look at the electoral system, we are fragmented. if you look at the way the vote is

split and we are fragmented. ultimately, the tories are a hegemonic force in british politics. we have to sort that out. facing up to the realities of the electoral system, as the realignment of british politics that some saw as temporary when it came to brexit and then the 2019 election, where you lost so many seats, do you think that realignment of british politics is now permanent, that it is fractured in a way that is going to for these foreseeable future keep disadvantaging labour? the tories are auoin disadvantaging labour? the tories are going to _ disadvantaging labour? the tories are going to do — disadvantaging labour? the tories are going to do their _ disadvantaging labour? the tories are going to do their best... - disadvantaging labour? the tories are going to do their best... is - disadvantaging labour? the toriesj are going to do their best... is not 'ust are going to do their best... is not just about — are going to do their best... is not just about what _ are going to do their best... is not just about what the _ are going to do their best... is not just about what the tories - are going to do their best... is not just about what the tories are - just about what the tories are doing. just about what the tories are doinu. , ., , , just about what the tories are doinu. . ., _ ., , just about what the tories are doinu. , ., _ ., ,. doing. obviously the tories are auoin doing. obviously the tories are oaian to doing. obviously the tories are going to do _ doing. obviously the tories are going to do the _ doing. obviously the tories are going to do the best _ doing. obviously the tories are going to do the best to - doing. obviously the tories are going to do the best to make i doing. obviously the tories are i going to do the best to make sure that happens. it's possible. i can't predict the future. what i can say is that there has been a long—term trend that has been happening, not just in 201917, it goes back further than that. it has been happening for decades. ultimately, post—2000 and

eight, the tory party has been the first in this post new liberal consensus period, the first to reorganise itself and capitalise on the changes to demographics and the voting system we have. they are smashing us. voting system we have. they are smashing us— voting system we have. they are smashina us. , ., , . , , ., smashing us. they are smashing you. do ou smashing us. they are smashing you. do you think. — smashing us. they are smashing you. do you think, strategically, _ smashing us. they are smashing you. do you think, strategically, it - smashing us. they are smashing you. do you think, strategically, it was - do you think, strategically, it was wrong to assume that brexit was done and that actually the labour party needed to embrace brexit for these elections, say not only do we accept the result, but we need to embrace it. be the result, but we need to embrace it. �* . . �* the result, but we need to embrace it. be authentic. i can't say any more than _ it. be authentic. i can't say any more than that. _ it. be authentic. i can't say any more than that. be _ it. be authentic. i can't say any more than that. be authentic. l it. be authentic. i can't say any| more than that. be authentic. if it. be authentic. i can't say any i more than that. be authentic. if it is what you believe, then say it. ultimately, make the case. make the case that is what needs to happen and explain why you are it, and then go out and set out your vision. brexit has happened and we are now outside of the european union. there are problems with being outside of the european union which this

country are failing on, economically and politically, and we should make sure that we talk about theirs and we hammer them where we can on them, because they are weaknesses for the conservatives. rather than ignore the because they are not politically convenient, this section that we have, i think we just have to be authentic and say what we think. say what we believe is happening. why these things are happening. it's not just about saying, "do they want to hear this?" this politics by focus group, go out and make the argument. stand by your principles and your vision and your values for the world, and go out there and argue them. ~ �* ., , ., . ., them. we've only got a minute or so left. them. we've only got a minute or so left- pieters — them. we've only got a minute or so left. pieters mandelson _ them. we've only got a minute or so left. pieters mandelson said - them. we've only got a minute or so left. pieters mandelson said it - them. we've only got a minute or so left. pieters mandelson said it is - left. pieters mandelson said it is the long shadow of corbyn that has cast doubt over the labour party. is he right? ithink cast doubt over the labour party. is he right? i think he cast doubt over the labour party. is

he right? ithink he is cast doubt over the labour party. is he right? i think he is part of the problem. if his answer is that we now lurch to the right, it is the man who could not tell mushy peas from guacamole. he has got something to contribute in no doubt to the labour party. if it is constructive, i listen to it. if it is simply about kicking the left to show the country that we are serious about power, i mean, please, no. i have not got time that.— not got time that. that is clive lewis there. _ not got time that. that is clive lewis there. good _ not got time that. that is clive lewis there. good to - not got time that. that is clive lewis there. good to talk - not got time that. that is clive lewis there. good to talk to i not got time that. that is clive i lewis there. good to talk to you. that is the reaction from the labour party of the results so far. we are hoping to have some of the many oral results later today, —— mayoral. now it's time for a look at the weather with 0wain. drying up much milder air. an

unsettled, wet and windy story wherever we are over the next couple of days. you can see many of us experiencing heavy rain. continuing over south wales, where we have a weather warning. and we are cranking up weather warning. and we are cranking up those temperatures. we get to 18 or19 up those temperatures. we get to 18 or 19 celsius today. still cooler to the north. we must also mention the strength of the wind. wind gusts reaching 35, maybe even a0 mph. maybe even more than that along coastal parts. unsettled overnight. tomorrow, a brighter story for most of us, but we will see some heavy showers over the next couple of days. stay safe, see you soon.

this is bbc news. i'mjo coburn. the headlines: counting continues as results come in from elections held across england, scotland and wales. the snp gains seats in scotland, but its hopes of securing an overall majority remain on a knife edge. the deputy first minister says they will push for another referendum. there will be a majority of members elected to the scottish parliament who will be committed to the hosting of an independence referendum. that's a fundamental, democratic point. that's what the people of scotland will labour performs strongly in wales, matching its best ever senedd election result. the conservatives continue to make

significant gains in england after their by—election win in hartlepool. results of regional mayor contests are expected today. good morning and welcome to bbc news. counting has resumed in counts across britain. in scotland, the snp are on course to win their fourth term in power. but nicola sturgeon admitted the prospect of an overall majority in holyrood is "on a knife edge". the prime minister borisjohnson has repeated that he would reject any calls for a second independence referendum. let's take a look at the state of play in scotland.

let's ta ke let's take a look at the results in wales so far. labour are currently up wales so far. labour are currently up one, the conservatives are the second largest party, up four, and plaid are up nine, down one suite, they lost the seat in rhondda. across england, the results of mayoral contest in london, greater manchester and the west midlands are expected today. labour expecting to win them after losing the critical hartlepool by—election and ceding

control of key councils in england. let's have a look at the changing councils across england. you can see, the four parties, boris johnson, 0p see, the four parties, boris johnson, op 159. see, the four parties, boris johnson, 0p159. kier starmer is down in terms of council seats, 197, a few more declaring while we were on air. down 26 for the liberal democrats and the greens have gained some, up 5a. counting has resumed across councils in scotland and wales. let's cross to glasgow and get the latest situation. the election is _ get the latest situation. the election is far _ get the latest situation. the election is far from - get the latest situation. tia: election is far from over in election is farfrom over in scotland, another 25 constituencies to declare today and all of the 56 regional list seats across scotland, and that could change the picture

that you've been looking at so far, there is a sea of yellow across scotland and the snp are on course another term in office, there is a question as to whether they do that and govern as a minority, as in the last parliament, with support for their key proposal of independence from a party like the greens or whether they might still be able to finish with an overall majority in the scottish parliament, boosting their mandate to call for another independence referendum. but we know that that coal in all circumstances will be resisted by the uk government with boris johnson arguing government with borisjohnson arguing in the last 2a hours government with boris johnson arguing in the last 2a hours that now is not the time to hold a vote of that sort, he thinks that would be reckless. 0n of that sort, he thinks that would be reckless. on that point, he's in agreement with the first minister nicola sturgeon, because she said

she would put tackling covid first but she doesn't want to hold that vote at some point in the course of the next five years. whether or not that will happen, we don't know but we can be fairly sure there is going to be a big constitutional clash between the scottish parliament and government and the uk parliament in the next few years.— the next few years. we've been s-eakina the next few years. we've been speaking to _ the next few years. we've been speaking to lorna _ the next few years. we've been speaking to lorna slater, - the next few years. we've been - speaking to lorna slater, co-leader speaking to lorna slater, co—leader of the greens in scotland, and got her reaction to what borisjohnson and he has outlined, has there been any snp reaction to the prime minister setting out in the telegraph today, again, that he will reject any call for a second independence referendum? the snp and greens have factored that into their calculations and expected to be resistance and much of the debate over the last few years is about what would they do in those circumstances and the snp�*s plan is to go ahead with the

referendum bill that they have already published in draft form, to introduce that in the scottish parliament and with the support of the greens, if not the other parties in the parliament, who are all opposed to another independence referendum. they would expect to get that through. what happens then? if they don't have the agreement of the uk government? at that point, it would be an option for the uk government to refer that legislation to the courts for an adjudication because the constitution of the uk is a matter reserved to the united kingdom government. they might think that holyrood had overstepped its powers in that area. the scottish government thinks it could defend that legislation in court but ultimately it might be judges who decide whether a vote of that sort goes ahead or not. john decide whether a vote of that sort goes ahead or not.— decide whether a vote of that sort goes ahead or not. john curtice, our aolalin goes ahead or not. john curtice, our polling exoert. _ goes ahead or not. john curtice, our polling exoert. has _ goes ahead or not. john curtice, our polling expert, has been _ goes ahead or not. john curtice, our polling expert, has been talking - polling expert, has been talking about the fact that voters are broadly split on the constitutional

issue. when all the votes have been counted and looking at the polls over the next few months, take us through the unionist tactical voting to keep the snp out in certain areas of scotland. to keep the snp out in certain areas of scotland-— of scotland. there has been tactical votina in of scotland. there has been tactical voting in this _ of scotland. there has been tactical voting in this election. _ of scotland. there has been tactical voting in this election. it's - of scotland. there has been tactical voting in this election. it's been - voting in this election. it's been very evident. if you take scotland's capital for instance, very evident. if you take scotland's capitalfor instance, in a very evident. if you take scotland's capital for instance, in a seat like edinburgh central where the snp�*s formerly the rat westminster angus robertson won the seat from the conservatives, the snp were the beneficiaries —— the former speaker at westminster, angus robertson. people back to labour in bigger numbers this time to strengthen their hold in that seat and it was a similar picture for the liberal democrats in edinburgh western. more

seats in scotland are polarised between two parties, the snp at the party best placed to defeat them or to challenge them. on the question of independence, the country is more or less split down the middle. thank ou for or less split down the middle. thank you forjoining _ or less split down the middle. thank you forjoining us — or less split down the middle. thank you forjoining us from _ or less split down the middle. thank you forjoining us from scotland, - you forjoining us from scotland, i'm sure we will return to you later in the programme. joining me is the conservative mp for northeast derbyshire, and deputy chairman of the party, lee rowley. it's an impressive feat in scotland, the snp are on course for another consecutive term. borisjohnson is already writing in the newspaper saying he will reject any call for a second independence referendum. how can they do that? mr; second independence referendum. how can they do that?— can they do that? my party has been clear on its — can they do that? my party has been clear on its view _ can they do that? my party has been clear on its view on _ can they do that? my party has been clear on its view on that _ can they do that? my party has been clear on its view on that and - can they do that? my party has been clear on its view on that and how - clear on its view on that and how important we think the union as nothing has changed on that. given

how successful the union has been in recent weeks and months with the vaccination roll—out, it isn't news that the conservatives are not keen on a referendum. i think in the scottish election we need to wait until all the results are in. we just had one a few minutes ago where the snp�*s majority has been cut by two thirds so it is a complicated situation and we need to wait and see where we are at the end of that but it's quite clear that my party is not in favour of a referendum, has fought hard about its position on it. �* , ., has fought hard about its position on it. �* ,, ., has fought hard about its position on it. �* y., 4' ., , has fought hard about its position on it. �* ,, ., ,, ., on it. but you know the snp, who even if they _ on it. but you know the snp, who even if they don't _ on it. but you know the snp, who even if they don't get _ on it. but you know the snp, who even if they don't get an - on it. but you know the snp, who even if they don't get an outright| even if they don't get an outright majority which is what triggered david cameron to allow and give permission for an independence referendum in 201a, they will have a pro—independence majority or they are most likely to with the greens, so it is about denying the democratic mandate as they see it when they have published very clearly in both their manifestos,

the snp and the greens, that over the snp and the greens, that over the next parliament they want to hold a second independence referendum. we know what your view is but how can you deny them that mandate? the snp were also cleared in 201a that they accepted that the referendum would be a once in a generation referendum but they continue to return to the constitutional question when the action of bread and butter issues where they should be focusing have not improved in scotland in the last ten years or so. i think what the snp say and what they do don't necessarily always match up but this is obviously a delicate and sensitive question and whilst i recognise that we are waiting for more results, i do think we need to get those results in but the conservative party has a position and we are not likely to move away from it, given that the union has been a central part for several decades.

are you saying that you will not move away from that position of denying what looks like an snp government in terms of that second independence referendum? is it forever? in independence referendum? is it forever? , ., ., �* .«r forever? in my role, i don't make aoli forever? in my role, i don't make policy about— forever? in my role, i don't make policy about scotland _ forever? in my role, i don't make policy about scotland but - forever? in my role, i don't make policy about scotland but i - forever? in my role, i don't make policy about scotland but i know. policy about scotland but i know what the prime minister has said and he has been clear about his view that another referendum would be reckless in the scottish conservative party's view that that is something that would not be advantageous to scotland as a whole and so let's just see where we are at the end of the day and tomorrow. but there is absolutely clear progress being made by the conservatives, notjust in scotland but across the country as a whole and i think we have to reflect on where we are. the conservative party is clear about the scottish referendum.— is clear about the scottish referendum. 1, _ ., ,., _ referendum. boris johnson did say

that he was _ referendum. boris johnson did say that he was ruling _ referendum. boris johnson did say that he was ruling it _ referendum. boris johnson did say that he was ruling it out, - referendum. boris johnson did say that he was ruling it out, a - referendum. boris johnson did say that he was ruling it out, a secondj that he was ruling it out, a second independence referendum, in the current context. does that mean that once the pandemic is over and i'm speaking broadly because it could have a long tail, that the government will reconsider? i can only repeat _ government will reconsider? i can only repeat what _ government will reconsider? i can only repeat what said _ government will reconsider? i can only repeat what said a _ government will reconsider? i can only repeat what said a moment ago. i don't have any particular personal insight, i don't make policy for scotland, but the prime minister has been very clear on media and on television and in writing that he is not supportive of another referendum. the snp said it would be a once in a generation referendum and in 201a they agreed and we think they should stick with it. llrrul’e’iiii and in 2014 they agreed and we think they should stick with it.— they should stick with it. we'll be talkina to they should stick with it. we'll be talking to the _ they should stick with it. we'll be talking to the snp _ they should stick with it. we'll be talking to the snp soon. - they should stick with it. we'll be talking to the snp soon. let's - they should stick with it. we'll be | talking to the snp soon. let's talk about the results in england, a victory for the conservatives in the hartlepool by—election and tees valley in terms of the mayoral contest. when are they actually going to see some tangible differences, results from this

levelling up agenda? because as i understand it, the white paper isn't going to come out on this until the autumn. why are you making people wait so long? karate autumn. why are you making people wait so long?— wait so long? we have made good araoress wait so long? we have made good progress in _ wait so long? we have made good progress in the — wait so long? we have made good progress in the last _ wait so long? we have made good progress in the last few _ wait so long? we have made good progress in the last few days - wait so long? we have made good progress in the last few days and i j progress in the last few days and i was pleased to see the votes of confidence and endorsement of the tees valley candidate who had over 70% of the vote, a fantastic response from hartlepool. but 7096 of the vote, a fantastic response from hartlepool. but that's because they — response from hartlepool. but that's because they want _ response from hartlepool. but that's because they want to _ response from hartlepool. but that's because they want to see _ response from hartlepool. but that's because they want to see those - because they want to see those promises that have been made to them turn into reality. are you going to disappoint them if you are going to wait and wait until the autumn to even publish a white paper? i think the voters of _ even publish a white paper? i think the voters of tees _ even publish a white paper? i think the voters of tees valley _ even publish a white paper? i think the voters of tees valley have - the voters of tees valley have already seen demonstrable change. i represent a red wall seat myself, north east derbyshire and in the past four years we have seen some great opportunities come to north east derbyshire. we have two town deals which we can use to regenerate our local towns which will be

transformative for the local area and have the potential to reopen another railway station, a number which have been closed for 60 years. we have real movement on congestion issues so that is reflected across the country in terms of mps trying to make the case for improvements in their constituencies and a government who is trying to make sure that we see demonstrable benefits as a result of what they are doing. benefits as a result of what they are doina. ~ , benefits as a result of what they are doina.~ , , ., ,, benefits as a result of what they are doina.~ , , .«r ., are doing. why is it taking so long to set out abroad _ are doing. why is it taking so long to set out abroad white _ are doing. why is it taking so long to set out abroad white paper? i are doing. why is it taking so long i to set out abroad white paper? the government has put in charge neil o'brien to look at this. what's he going to be doing? what is holding him back? irleiii going to be doing? what is holding him back? . going to be doing? what is holding him back? , ., going to be doing? what is holding him back? , . ., ., , . going to be doing? what is holding him back? , . . .,, . ., ,, him back? neil is a fantastic asset to the conservative _ him back? neil is a fantastic asset to the conservative party - him back? neil is a fantastic asset to the conservative party and - him back? neil is a fantastic asset to the conservative party and he i to the conservative party and he will bring some great thinking around levelling up, but that agenda is already there, it's already demonstrating. i can already show my constituents as an example what we are doing to improve their lives on are doing to improve their lives on a daily basis. in terms of seeing

the transformation on the ground, i can see it in my constituency and i can see it in my constituency and i can see it in my constituency and i can see it in other constituencies. we also want to broaden it out which neal and the government will do as a result of the white paper later in the year. 0ur political correspondent, david wallace lockhart, joins me now from glasgow. takeit take it away. here is where things are set in scotland, the snp are on a0 seats, the lib dems on four, conservatives three, labourtwo the lib dems on four, conservatives three, labour two and the greens have no seats but let's remember the majority of tory, labour and green seats will come up with the regional list results in scotland later today. here is how our results look on the constituency map. lots of snp yellow button outright snp majority

hangs in the balance. the path to that looks narrow but they made three key gains which means they are getting close. first, edinburgh central. angus robertson has been returned with quite a healthy majority. 0n the other side of the country, the snp managed to snatch the constituency of ayr from the tories, just 170 votes in it but a key gain for the snp who have unseated a conservative candidate. in east lothian, the snp secured a seat here that has been labour since devolution in 1999, another great result for them. other hopeful gains never materialised for the snp, one example is dumbarton. this was scotland's most marginal constituency, with labour holding it last time by 109 votes. labour increased their majority this time

to almost 1500 and it's interesting to almost 1500 and it's interesting to have a look at what happened with vote share. conservatives down by 6%, labour up by 6%. this isn't the only seat where it appears some tactical voting happened to keep the snp out. looking forward to results today, the snp —— if the snp is to get a majority, it is hard to see how they will do it without winning aberdeenshire west, it was a conservative majority last time but tory incumbent will be hoping to cling on against the snp. here in bbc scotland we have a map which shows every seat in scotland as being the same size. aberdeenshire west could be key. if it turns yellow, and snp majority looks probable. if it stays blue, it may fall short at the regional list

seats which will be announced later today. 56 of holyrood's129 seats are regional list seats and this is where we should see the bulk of conservative labour and green msps returned by the crux of the voting system —— quirks. lee rowley has echoed what boris johnson said about rejecting any calls for a second independence referendum. we haven't heard any official response yet from the snp but does it look as though we are going to be in legal arguments for the next few years at least? melt. the next few years at least? well, an important _ the next few years at least? well, an important thing _ the next few years at least? well, an important thing to _ the next few years at least? well, an important thing to point - the next few years at least? well, an important thing to point out. the next few years at least? well, an important thing to point out is | an important thing to point out is that we are not expecting the snp when it looks like it will form the next scottish government to immediately start asking for an independence referendum. nicola

sturgeon has been clear she wants to deal with the pandemic in scotland first and when she thinks the time is right she will ask for that. we suspect the greens will get enough seats so there will be a pro—independence majority in the scottish parliament so when that question is put to the uk government, which could be years down the line, but when that request is put for that section 30 order which would allow scotland to hold an independence referendum, if the answerfrom borisjohnson an independence referendum, if the answer from borisjohnson at that answer from boris johnson at that point is still, now is not the time, i think we can expect to see that potentially go to the courts in a legal argument to play out about who exactly has the power to hold an independence referendum in scotland? where does that power lie? is it holyrood or is it westminster? with me now is shona craven, community editor at the national. and she'sjoined by kevin hague, chairman of the pro—union think tank, these islands. welcome to both of you. starting

with you, shona, the issue of timing, as i was talking about there, do you agree that there will be a pro—independence majority at holyrood but nicola sturgeon won't rush to go for permission for that second independence referendum? karate second independence referendum? , had to bear in mind that the timescales involved are considerable from the asking point and potentially the legal wrangling that might follow until the vote is. i believe she hopes to hold the referendum until the first half of the parliamentary term. i don't thing they would necessarily be a longer period of inactivity, and it does depend on how things go with the pandemic. she won't want to be seen to be dragging herfeet the pandemic. she won't want to be seen to be dragging her feet but should also be looking closely at the polls because she doesn't want to push for a referendum that she's not confident that the yes—man chrome side would win.

not confident that the yes-man chrome side would win.- not confident that the yes-man chrome side would win. kevin, your response? — chrome side would win. kevin, your response? l — chrome side would win. kevin, your response? i agree _ chrome side would win. kevin, your response? i agree that _ chrome side would win. kevin, your response? i agree that she - chrome side would win. kevin, your response? i agree that she won't i response? i agree that she won't want a referendum _ response? i agree that she won't want a referendum that - response? i agree that she won't want a referendum that she - response? i agree that she won't| want a referendum that she won't win, so— want a referendum that she won't win, so i— want a referendum that she won't win, so i think there's going to be a bit _ win, so i think there's going to be a bit of— win, so i think there's going to be a bit ofa— win, so i think there's going to be a bit of a phoney war because that is the _ a bit of a phoney war because that is the price — a bit of a phoney war because that is the price that the snp want, because — is the price that the snp want, because nicola sturgeon will sound much _ because nicola sturgeon will sound much like _ because nicola sturgeon will sound much like theresa may in the coming months. _ much like theresa may in the coming months. i_ much like theresa may in the coming months, i would suggest, much like theresa may in the coming months, iwould suggest, by repeating that now was not the time, because _ repeating that now was not the time, because now is not the time to hold a referendum. there is in demand for a referendum. there is in demand for a referendum — a referendum. there is in demand for a referendum from the people of scotland — a referendum from the people of scotland is now. word that referendum to be held, it would be lost by— referendum to be held, it would be lost by the — referendum to be held, it would be lost by the yes side at the moment. but the _ lost by the yes side at the moment. but the interesting point is, what the pandemic is the excuse for not wanting _ the pandemic is the excuse for not wanting a — the pandemic is the excuse for not wanting a referendum now, the truth is that— wanting a referendum now, the truth is that nicola sturgeon will not want _ is that nicola sturgeon will not want a — is that nicola sturgeon will not want a referendum until she was able to answer— want a referendum until she was able to answer the questions she couldn't answer— to answer the questions she couldn't answer during this campaign, questions about borders, questions about— questions about borders, questions about currency and questions about the inevitable austerity which

follows — the inevitable austerity which follows ringing scotland out of the united _ follows ringing scotland out of the united kingdom. and until she can answer— united kingdom. and until she can answer those questions, she has no interest— answer those questions, she has no interest in— answer those questions, she has no interest in another referendum. or she's— interest in another referendum. or she's interested in is having a fight — she's interested in is having a fight with— she's interested in is having a fight with westminster over the rights _ fight with westminster over the rights to— fight with westminster over the rights to hold a referendum, because that fuels— rights to hold a referendum, because that fuels the grievance.— that fuels the grievance. china, do ou think that fuels the grievance. china, do you think that's _ that fuels the grievance. china, do you think that's true? _ that fuels the grievance. china, do you think that's true? she - that fuels the grievance. china, do you think that's true? she has - that fuels the grievance. china, do i you think that's true? she has been called cautious, you will have heard alex salmond saying there needs to be more urgency around the push for a second independence referendum. is it as kevin is suggesting, convenient to continue with a phoney war, because those issues around orders and currency are too difficult to answer? it orders and currency are too difficult to answer?- difficult to answer? it is a topsy-turvy _ difficult to answer? it is a topsy-turvy situation - difficult to answer? it is a topsy-turvy situation to l difficult to answer? it is a i topsy-turvy situation to hear difficult to answer? it is a - topsy-turvy situation to hear alex topsy—turvy situation to hear alex salmond talking points coming from kevin. these are conspiracy theories too far, some people think it is a big ruse and that nicola sturgeon's political life has been a line she doesn't want independence. we

haven't had a full debate about the independence question because that is not what we were deciding at this election, this is about having the right to say again on the independence question. there are many issues that will arise as part of the campaign and i think from now, whether the referendum is a question or not, now is the time to get into that again, which alex salmond didn't have the answers for backin salmond didn't have the answers for back in 201a. the situation has changed significantly, we are out of the eu for a start, so the whole landscape has changed. i think boris johnson has made a huge tactical error by coming out in the telegraph today and saying that this isn't the time. i assumed today and saying that this isn't the time. iassumed he today and saying that this isn't the time. i assumed he would try to misrepresent the situation that only if the snp achieved a majority would there be a mandate. we have had mandate upon mandate upon mandate, so we need to stop moving the goal coasts, but i suppose i am grateful for borisjohnson creating a default scenario where only an snp majority,

which is extremely difficult to achieve, it was a huge achievement when they did achieve it, that can be the only threshold or the new threshold created for this mandate for people having the right to say. this isn't about declaring independence later today if there's a majority... independence later today if there's a majority- - -_ a ma'ority... you've frozen, i will let a majority... you've frozen, i will let our a majority... you've frozen, i will let your response, _ a majority... you've frozen, i will let your response, kevin? - a majority... you've frozen, i will let your response, kevin? i - a majority... you've frozen, i will let your response, kevin? i find i a majority... you've frozen, i will| let your response, kevin? i find it very amusing _ let your response, kevin? i find it very amusing that _ let your response, kevin? i find it very amusing that we _ let your response, kevin? i find it very amusing that we hear- let your response, kevin? i find it very amusing that we hear words| very amusing that we hear words about— very amusing that we hear words about now— very amusing that we hear words about now is the time to start, we don't~~ _ about now is the time to start, we don't~~ the — about now is the time to start, we don't... the yes campaign, the snp, the nationalists forum, don't have the nationalists forum, don't have the answers which are palatable to the answers which are palatable to the scottish public when it comes to the scottish public when it comes to the questions of borders, currencies, orthe the questions of borders, currencies, or the question of austerity _ currencies, or the question of austerity. infants, what they are reduced — austerity. infants, what they are reduced to is persuading their supporters that the scottish government's official statistics aren't— government's official statistics aren't true. we did some polling on this very— aren't true. we did some polling on this very recently which showed that

the majority of supporters of independence believe that the scottish government's own national accounts _ scottish government's own national accounts are made up to disguise scotland's — accounts are made up to disguise scotland's true wealth. support for independence relies on support for that, _ independence relies on support for that, it _ independence relies on support for that, it will— independence relies on support for that, it will not survive a campaign by cannot— that, it will not survive a campaign by cannot write a credible prospectus on that basis, which is why no— prospectus on that basis, which is why no credible prospectus exists. after— why no credible prospectus exists. after 14 _ why no credible prospectus exists. after ia years of snp rule, campaigning purely for independence, nicola _ campaigning purely for independence, nicola sturgeon wakes up every day and, nicola sturgeon wakes up every day and. yes, _ nicola sturgeon wakes up every day and, yes, she cares about the pandemic— and, yes, she cares about the pandemic but she cares about it through— pandemic but she cares about it through the prism of what furthers the cause — through the prism of what furthers the cause of independence and yet, as we've _ the cause of independence and yet, as we've master in the proceeding weeks. _ as we've master in the proceeding weeks, she cannot answer the questions _ weeks, she cannot answer the questions on borders, currency or austerity — questions on borders, currency or austeri . ,, ., . questions on borders, currency or austerity-_ the - questions on borders, currency or austerity._ the figures i austerity. shona? at the figures refer to there, _ austerity. shona? at the figures refer to there, the _ austerity. shona? at the figures refer to there, the governor - refer to there, the governor expenditure and revenue statistics, are estimates for a start. so when you talk about something being true

orfalse, it is a you talk about something being true or false, it is a little simplistic to analyse the details properly and those figures tell us nothing... if you willjust let me finish. what the figures don't tell you is how an independent scotland would fair, and if, indeed, scotland is uniquely capable of being independent and running its own affairs, which we haven't heard answers from, what we haven't heard answers from, what we haven't heard answers from, what we haven't heard answers from the uk government is any case for the union. and as the polls have shown in recent times, i don't think it is a guarantee that if there was a referendum tomorrow it would be lost. this is a fluid situation, the handling of the pandemic has been a disaster internationally and scottish people are aware of that, so there are a lot of different things to weigh up here, including, yes, estimated figures, notional deficits, but there is a lot more education about these issues then there was in 201a. people are looking into this and to just dismiss the scottish public is

stupid or ill informed or implying we should have the right to choose because they'll make the wrong decision, i don't think that is democratic.— decision, i don't think that is democratic. ., ., ., ., , democratic. none of those are words that i use, democratic. none of those are words that i use. of — democratic. none of those are words that i use, of course, _ democratic. none of those are words that i use, of course, and _ democratic. none of those are words that i use, of course, and that - democratic. none of those are words that i use, of course, and that is - that i use, of course, and that is fairly— that i use, of course, and that is fairly typical of the strawman arguments from the nationalists. nuggety— arguments from the nationalists. nuggety saying... government's numbers— nuggety saying... government's numbers are estimates, of course that is— numbers are estimates, of course that is true, — numbers are estimates, of course that is true, of course that could change — that is true, of course that could change under independence. nobody is saying _ change under independence. nobody is saying that _ change under independence. nobody is saying that scotland is uniquely incapable of being independent, again. _ incapable of being independent, again, that is a national strawman. what _ again, that is a national strawman. what we _ again, that is a national strawman. what we are — again, that is a national strawman. what we are asking the nationalist to do— what we are asking the nationalist to do is— what we are asking the nationalist to do is to — what we are asking the nationalist to do is to be honest with the people — to do is to be honest with the people of— to do is to be honest with the people of scotland about the implications of scotland becoming independent. those implications are very real— independent. those implications are very real when it comes to economics, when it comes to tax and spend. _ economics, when it comes to tax and spend. when— economics, when it comes to tax and spend, when it comes to public services, — spend, when it comes to public services, and it comes to people's pensions — services, and it comes to people's pensions and mortgages. they are the questions _ pensions and mortgages. they are the questions which the nationalists have continued to avoid answering, and until— have continued to avoid answering,

and until they answer those questions, they will not be able to make _ questions, they will not be able to make a _ questions, they will not be able to make a case for independence. but if that's the case. _ make a case for independence. but if that's the case, if _ make a case for independence. but if that's the case, if you _ make a case for independence. but if that's the case, if you are _ make a case for independence. but if that's the case, if you are so - that's the case, if you are so confident about the economics, as you have clearly set out, and the big questions you say the snp and nicola sturgeon has to answer, why not have that battle? why not have that independence referendum campaign interview you're that confident they wouldn't win in the next couple of years, then throw down the gauntlet and support it and make your case for the union. to be honest, i think _ make your case for the union. to be honest, i think there _ make your case for the union. to be honest, i think there is _ make your case for the union. to be honest, i think there is a _ make your case for the union. to be honest, i think there is a case - make your case for the union. to be honest, i think there is a case for. honest, i think there is a case for doing _ honest, i think there is a case for doing that — honest, i think there is a case for doing that. the problem here, and this is— doing that. the problem here, and this is the — doing that. the problem here, and this is the one thing that both sides— this is the one thing that both sides agree on, is that now is not the time — sides agree on, is that now is not the time. the idea that, while we're dealing _ the time. the idea that, while we're dealing with brexit and the pandemic that we _ dealing with brexit and the pandemic that we should put this country through— that we should put this country through another divisive referendum, and the _ through another divisive referendum, and the amount of political energy that would be dedicated to that when this country has so many more important _ this country has so many more important issues to face, i don't think— important issues to face, i don't think either nicola sturgeon or

boris _ think either nicola sturgeon or borisjohnson thinks think either nicola sturgeon or boris johnson thinks that's a good idea _ boris johnson thinks that's a good idea so _ boris johnson thinks that's a good idea. so while there may be some political— idea. so while there may be some political game playing and saying, call the _ political game playing and saying, call the snp's bluff and have a referendum, it's on, that might be a fun thing _ referendum, it's on, that might be a fun thing to — referendum, it's on, that might be a fun thing to hypothesise about, the reality— fun thing to hypothesise about, the reality is. _ fun thing to hypothesise about, the reality is, that would drag this country— reality is, that would drag this country through another divisive referendum and itjust right political— referendum and itjust right political resources and, indeed, financial— political resources and, indeed, financial resources away from weather — financial resources away from weather should be focused right now, which _ weather should be focused right now, which is _ weather should be focused right now, which is on _ weather should be focused right now, which is on recovery. do weather should be focused right now, which is on recovery.— which is on recovery. do you agree, shona, which is on recovery. do you agree, shona. the — which is on recovery. do you agree, shona, the priority _ which is on recovery. do you agree, shona, the priority should - which is on recovery. do you agree, shona, the priority should be - shona, the priority should be elsewhere? you would know better than i about the breakdown of polls in terms of support for independence around that issue of timing which in turn talking about, i think it's only around 28% say that they would like an independence referendum but not within two years, but only 28% said within two years, everyone else is saying leave it longer so there

isn't the support is here to do it within the timescale you talked about? i within the timescale you talked about? ~ �* . ' . within the timescale you talked about? ~ �*, , . ., about? i think it's difficult to look at those _ about? i think it's difficult to look at those figures - about? i think it's difficult to look at those figures in - about? i think it's difficult to look at those figures in the i about? i think it's difficult to - look at those figures in the current climate, because obviously people are saying we don't know an immediate threat of the pandemic will be over. i think it's a difficult thing to ask people, how long is a piece of string, along with the crisis last? but i think it's important to point out that there has been a suggestion that you can either have independence or recovery as if the two things are somehow divorced. what i would say is, with a good answering questions about how things are going to be, i would like to hear some questions answered by the uk government about what austerity plans i have as part of recovery and how that is justified and whether we have to pay all the debts we have occurred from the pandemic and whether that will happen by hitting at least with the most, which is normally conservative way. so i think we need more openness from both sides about how exactly they frame a recovery and he will be the winners and losers from

the recovery and, if the pandemic has taught us anything, we know that the conservatives will be focusing on to make sure they're all right, but was a lot of people who want scottish independence want a fairer society, and while the sabena an awful year, society, and while the sabena an awfulyear, is society, and while the sabena an awful year, is an opportunity to do things differently. so the idea a recovery has to happen and we go back to the austerity uk status quo before we make a change doesn't make sense to a lot of people. so i think the polling needs to be ongoing and i think people need to keep taking the temperature, and if you take the argument that it will be divisive and messy and a waste of money, maybe we should stop having elections altogether and just have tory rule forever? elections altogether and 'ust have tory rule forefinh the closest the snp have come to being _ the closest the snp have come to being honest about the economic implications, that make clear that what _ implications, that make clear that what an— implications, that make clear that what an independent scotland would need to _ what an independent scotland would need to do is grow spending more

slowly— need to do is grow spending more slowly than gdp by shrinking the size of— slowly than gdp by shrinking the size of the state. any numbers you run and _ size of the state. any numbers you run and that— size of the state. any numbers you run and that even before the pandemic means that implies austerity and it implies austerity far, austerity and it implies austerity far. far— austerity and it implies austerity far, far deeperthan austerity and it implies austerity far, far deeper than anything we would _ far, far deeper than anything we would experience within the uk. the very reason— would experience within the uk. the very reason scotland spends more per capita _ very reason scotland spends more per capita is _ very reason scotland spends more per capita is why— very reason scotland spends more per capita is why it receives £10 billion— capita is why it receives £10 billion a _ capita is why it receives £10 billion a year in fiscal transfer. that's— billion a year in fiscal transfer. that'siust _ billion a year in fiscal transfer. that'sjust simple billion a year in fiscal transfer. that's just simple economic facts. it's that's just simple economic facts. it's not _ that's just simple economic facts. it's not what the situation tomorrow would _ it's not what the situation tomorrow would be _ it's not what the situation tomorrow would be and scotland would not receive _ would be and scotland would not receive that money tomorrow if it was independent and therefore if it was independent and therefore if it was independent and therefore if it was independent while trying to create _ was independent while trying to create its own currency while dealing — create its own currency while dealing with a trade war over its largest— dealing with a trade war over its largest export market would also need _ largest export market would also need to _ largest export market would also need to be addressing that tax and spend _ need to be addressing that tax and spend imbalance and it would mean austerity— spend imbalance and it would mean austerity on steroids.—

austerity on steroids. thank you both very much _ austerity on steroids. thank you both very much for _ austerity on steroids. thank you both very much for that - austerity on steroids. thank you i both very much for that animated discussion. of course, there are regional mayoral results still to come across england. bbc newsnight�*s policy editor lewis goodall is at the touch—screen now to take a look at them. the biggest of all those mayor contests is london. i haven't spoken much during the course of this campaign about all the key battles in london because it has been received that sadik khan would walk the contest because london very much as the red labour heartland that is dominant in the capital. we haven't had all of the results in from the first round of counting. they have two votes effectively in the first preferences are being counted now. seven counting regions have come in, seven still to come in and what's interesting about all of this as we are starting to see some swings to the conservative candidate sean bailey. lambeth is a labour

stronghold, 2% swing from labour to conservatives. north east london, 5.5% swing from labour to conservatives, in brent and harrow which sadiq khan one and 2016, sean bailey has overtaken the labour party. it's interesting to consider why that is. if we look at the changes in share, it's partly that labour are doing quite a bit worse in each of these places, down 5% in lambeth and southwark, and down on the other areas. conservatives doing a bit better apart from in lambeth and southwark, north east 1%, 3%, but the green has been underreported across the country in this campaign, greens are doing better across the country and certainly in london

against labour, up 3% and 2% in these areas. it's because the greens are doing quite well that i suspect when the second preferences are allocated and assuming sadiq khan doesn't get over 50%, he will be safely over the line because i suspect many green voters will have put sadiq khan in as their second preference, but nonetheless, the interesting element is the london assembly. no change in terms of the actual results yet but we can see in terms of the share of the vote for the london assembly, greens are doing well, labour down by —1, conservatives up by two, greens up by a% for quite a strong performance for the greens in london and i think that will body some in the labour party, we are already seeing some on the left saying we risk a splintering in the party notjust to the conservatives but in future to the conservatives but in future to the greens because when the greens get established in local areas in terms of getting a council seat here and there, they could become a problem for labour further down the

line. looking at some of the other contests, we had doncaster yesterday, and easy labour hold. liverpool was interesting, because we thought a result wouldn't be in doubt, labour dominant in liverpool of course but particular circumstances around this campaign, corruption allegations with regards to the former mayorjoe anderson. the labour candidate won the contest but the independent candidate was very strong. 59% but generally a much weaker performance for labour than we would expect in liverpool. the big contest yesterday which got the most attention was tees valley. this was a really narrow results in 2017. we can see the result here for tees valley, in 2017, 30 9% conservative, 39% labour, 51 to a9,

knife edge stuff but then you compare it to the result yesterday, what a complete transformation there has been in the labour vote and conservative vote. 73% on the first round, never mind the second preference. you don't usually get that in democratic contests never made britain or anywhere else. an enormous 23% swing from the labour party to conservatives. the huge swings we are seeing, we don't normally see swings of this size which shows politics is becoming much more forfebrile. the labour party does have some hope for this campaign. there was hopes this could become one of the few labour

pick—ups. it was narrowly fought again back in 2017, 50 2% to a8%. another big one, the west midlands contest. it was very narrowly fought between labour and conservatives. after the second preferences were reallocated, 50.a%, i don't think anybody in labour realistically expects this to be anything close to being replicated again. i think the conservatives think they will have another strong result for andy street in the west midlands and he will be comfortable or returned as labour mayor. there's the hat—trick of areas, probably the west midlands mayoralty will be happy.

the west midlands is going to be very tight between labour and tories. for now we will stick with the west of england and the mayoral contest. our correspondent is in bristol. they have been counting the votes here since nine o'clock this morning. there are about five different venues across the west of england. we expect results early this afternoon if it goes through to the second round of counting because you get two choices with the selection. this really was a target for labour. keir starmer came down here campaigning with their candidate three times. dan norris was a candidate, the former mp, he used to represent the parliamentary

seat occupied by jacob used to represent the parliamentary seat occupied byjacob rees—mogg used to represent the parliamentary seat occupied by jacob rees—mogg so labour reckoned they had a good chance here, the conservatives won it last time around which was the first time it was up for contest in 2017. the conservatives are the incumbents in essence although it was a new candidate. talking to people out there over the last day or so, talking to the parties, there is a sense that perhaps labour haven't quite done enough, haven't quite got there, which would fit in with the pattern around the rest of the country, but one of the reasons why labour have focused so hard here is because it's actually a double mayoral contest to taking part year because we've also got the city mayor for bristol and that's where labour have done well —— where labour have done well. the incumbent has been here forfive labour have done well. the incumbent has been here for five years and they are hoping he will be re—elected. we know about that until later tonight. they have to get the

west mayor done first. we expect the result around midnight. labour have the soap because they think within the soap because they think within the city of bristol where there are four labour mps, with them being encouraged to vote by lots of candidates and the mayoral candidate and council candidates, they are hoping for an extra large turnout. that may be enough to get marvin rees re—elected but not enough to see labour take the west of england mayoral crown. there are two contests going _ mayoral crown. there are two contests going on _ mayoral crown. there are two contests going on in - mayoral crown. there are two contests going on in that - mayoral crown. there are two contests going on in that part| mayoral crown. there are two i contests going on in that part of the country, the west of england mayoral contest and bristol city mayoral contest and bristol city mayoral contest. let's get an overview of the election results across britain so far. in scotland, the ruling snp's vote share has broadly held up, but it's failed to win a handful of crucial marginals. borisjohnson has reiterated his opposition to another

independence referendum, but the snp leader, nicola sturgeon, says she will trigger one if she secures an outright victory, warning the prime minister he will have to go to court to stop her. more council election results are also due in england today, as well as mayoral contests in london, greater manchester and the west midlands. counting is also continuing in elections to the welsh senedd. with this round up, here's greg dawson. the argument about the future of the union is already under way. the snp is heading for a fourth consecutive term in power about the implications are they may fall short of the overall majority which would strengthen their argument for another independence referendum. borisjohnson says now is not the time for another vote, describing the prospect as reckless. the

time for another vote, describing the prospect as reckless.- the prospect as reckless. the uk government's _ the prospect as reckless. the uk government's position _ the prospect as reckless. the uk government's position is - the prospect as reckless. the uk government's position is very . the prospect as reckless. the uk i government's position is very clear, we don't think there is a case for another referendum, particularly now as we try to get out of the pandemic and get our economy going again but we will obviously deal with whatever we will obviously deal with whatever we have to deal with once these elections are settled and once the new scottish administration decides what it wants to do. essen new scottish administration decides what it wants to do.— new scottish administration decides what it wants to do. even if the snp do fall short. _ what it wants to do. even if the snp do fall short. a _ what it wants to do. even if the snp do fall short, a pro-independence i do fall short, a pro—independence majority in holyrood is still likely once the green party are allocated regional seats.— regional seats. central to our election was _ regional seats. central to our election was there _ regional seats. central to our election was there being i regional seats. central to our election was there being an i election was there being an independence referendum during this parliamentary term. i'm confident there will be a proposition for this in the scottish parliament after the election. in in the scottish parliament after the election. ~ ., . ., in the scottish parliament after the election. , . ., . in the scottish parliament after the election. , . ., election. in wales, a touch of relief for _ election. in wales, a touch of relief for labour _ election. in wales, a touch of relief for labour who - election. in wales, a touch of relief for labour who defied i election. in wales, a touch of- relief for labour who defied opinion polls and look set to stay in power after matching its best ever senedd election results with exactly half of 60 seats in the welsh parliament. the tories are in second place ahead

of plaid cymru. theirformer leader leanne wood lost her seat. the labour party in england are more reflective after the loss in hartlepool continued the trend of being trumped by conservatives in former heartland areas. brute being trumped by conservatives in former heartland areas.— being trumped by conservatives in former heartland areas. we have to ask ourselves _ former heartland areas. we have to ask ourselves why _ former heartland areas. we have to ask ourselves why it _ former heartland areas. we have to ask ourselves why it is _ former heartland areas. we have to ask ourselves why it is that - former heartland areas. we have to ask ourselves why it is that people | ask ourselves why it is that people have not seen labour as the answer to the problems they face in their every day lives and the injustices we see and that's my point about what has happened over the last four defeats in general elections, whether it's in hartlepool, or other places as well, where people do not now see labour as answering those concerns. . now see labour as answering those concerns. , , .,, , . now see labour as answering those concerns. , , , . ., concerns. there is the prospect of some relief _ concerns. there is the prospect of some relief later _ concerns. there is the prospect of some relief later for _ concerns. there is the prospect of some relief later for keir - concerns. there is the prospect of some relief later for keir starmer| some relief later for keir starmer with results of the london, greater manchester and bristol mayoralty elections expected to go his way. let's take a look at labour's prospects. the party's suffered a bitterly disappointing by—election defeat

in hartlepool and lost a large number of council seats in england. sir keir starmer has promised to lead a fightback and set out a "bold vision" for the future of labour, but others are criticising what they see as a disappointing lack of policy joining me now to talk about this is labour mp and shadow health minister alex norris. nationalist gaby do what you think has gone _ nationalist gaby do what you think has gone wrong? this nationalist gaby do what you think has gone wrong?— has gone wrong? this has been a challenging _ has gone wrong? this has been a challenging night, _ has gone wrong? this has been a challenging night, it _ has gone wrong? this has been a challenging night, it was - has gone wrong? this has been a challenging night, it was always i challenging night, it was always going to be a challenging night. its rates are 18 months ago in our worst ever general election performance for 18 years, we are on the way back and there are signs of progress but we clearly have it made enough progress, they were talking to us and listening it but once convinced by what we have to say, so the answer to that is to accelerate our process of change and connect back to voters with a vision they want to buy into. to voters with a vision they want to bu into. a ., to voters with a vision they want to bu into. . ,,

buy into. accelerating the process of change. — buy into. accelerating the process of change, what _ buy into. accelerating the process of change, what does _ buy into. accelerating the process of change, what does that - buy into. accelerating the process| of change, what does that actually mean in real, lehmans terms, if you are a voter watching this? firstly, if you get a result as bad as we did in december 2019, you have to reflect on that and listen to what went wrong. whether that is clearing the decks with issues relating to anti—semitism or the change in leadership that people were clearly telling us they wanted, we have made steps like that along the way but what we steps like that along the way mt what we clearly haven't done is give them an attractive and policy that they can buy into. there is some criticism in your previous package about a lack of national policy, i think that is unfair. is local elections in england and in scotland and wales, so the local candidate set out bold and exciting agendas that it was for them to do that, but we will now be back into more national political space and we will see that from the leader centrally.

you said you would promote a attractive policy offer butjust on the basis of what voters have seen, they don't like it, particularly those voters in the northeast of england. you lost the hartlepool by—election, the tees valley was retained by the conservative with a huge majority. to accept emitter you have lost as former heartlands, you just don't have that connection to parts of the former rightful place? i expect we lost them but not lost them forever. from the conversations we have hand, those communities want change and don't think we are the party to get it to them. that is a big problem. so now as we emerge into this extraordinarily important national moments, as we exit from coronavirus, about what we want our country to be like, we will convince and want to convince people across the country that we have the

compelling vision for what our country needs to look like in the future, and we failed on thursday to do that but i think we will be better in the future. is do that but i think we will be better in the future.- do that but i think we will be better in the future. is one of the aroblems better in the future. is one of the problems that — better in the future. is one of the problems that sir _ better in the future. is one of the problems that sir keir _ better in the future. is one of the problems that sir keir starmer, l better in the future. is one of the i problems that sir keir starmer, the labour leader, that he and perhaps you and others in the shadow cabinet haven't really accepted the idea of brexit? we were told by the labour party that it was time to move on, that brexit had happened it was time to move on, but the areas we are talking about today, off the back of results in hartlepool and tees valley, they embrace brexit, does the labour party need to do the same? i the labour party need to do the same? ., �* ~' the labour party need to do the same? ., �* ,, ,., the labour party need to do the same? ., �* ,, ., ., same? i don't think so, i got no sense in my _ same? i don't think so, i got no sense in my constituency, i same? i don't think so, i got no| sense in my constituency, which same? i don't think so, i got no i sense in my constituency, which is a 6a% leave seats, i got no sense from all the knocking i did that people particularly want to keep re—litigating brexit and what happened. what if future now is to come out of this terrible national sacrifice we have had to made in the

last year, they want political parties to make the best of the situation we're in it to build an optimistic future. that is a reasonable request. i think it goes much further than any one individual or collections of individuals and thatis or collections of individuals and that is our challenge by looks it would be easy to stop pointing at one factor and then to try and change it, life is not that easy and certainly not easy in politics. the journey we are all in, clearly we haven't got there yet. it’s journey we are all in, clearly we haven't got there yet.— haven't got there yet. it's a question — haven't got there yet. it's a question of _ haven't got there yet. it's a question of trust, - haven't got there yet. it's a question of trust, though, i haven't got there yet. it's a - question of trust, though, because obviously, kier starmer was a renowned remainer at the time, i'm not saying we are reliving the brexit referendum argument or even the 2019 election, but perhaps they feel he is not in tune with what they think in those leave areas, that he is not really understanding their concerns and nor are you. i personally don't think that's the right analysis. there is clearly a

correlation there but i don't think there is a causation. people will make their own views on that but i don't think that there is some sort of hangover legacy based on the judgments of kier starmer, that hasn't been my experience of our collective experience.— collective experience. there have been a lot — collective experience. there have been a lot of— collective experience. there have been a lot of senior _ collective experience. there have been a lot of senior people i collective experience. there havej been a lot of senior people within the labour party offering advice, some of it, i'm sure, not wanted, but peter mandelson, former architect of new labour saying this is the long shadow ofjeremy corbyn, do you agree with him? i is the long shadow of jeremy corbyn, do you agree with him?— do you agree with him? i think that's overstating _ do you agree with him? i think that's overstating it, _ do you agree with him? i thinkj that's overstating it, whenever do you agree with him? i think i that's overstating it, whenever you have good or bad election results, what you tend to see it as they rush to cameras, i am not necessarily accusing peter of this, but generally, people trying to fit their analysis as to whatever conclusion they had already formed. it would be easy to point out someone else that is not part of the

current central team and blame them, would not be easy. that is not what kier starmer is going to do. i said before this would be a no excuses election for us, we are not hiding behind excuses other people, where owning it and changing. ltruihen behind excuses other people, where owning it and changing.— behind excuses other people, where owning it and changing. when we see those changes. _ owning it and changing. when we see those changes, what _ owning it and changing. when we see those changes, what sort _ owning it and changing. when we see those changes, what sort of- those changes, what sort of timescale are you giving? brute those changes, what sort of timescale are you giving? we haven't oat ve timescale are you giving? we haven't got very long. _ timescale are you giving? we haven't got very long, halfway? _ timescale are you giving? we haven't got very long, halfway? this - timescale are you giving? we haven't got very long, halfway? this is i timescale are you giving? we haven't got very long, halfway? this is an i got very long, halfway? this is an immediate process, it starts a root and branch reform of our policy agenda, that will start straightaway. there is no time to waste, we are right on it, the approach in many senses has begun it but clearly not gone far enough and we are getting on with it now. in terms of changes in personnel, would you want to see that and would a difference? if it you want to see that and would a difference?— difference? if it was as easy as that, if difference? if it was as easy as that. if the _ difference? if it was as easy as that, if the answer _ difference? if it was as easy as that, if the answer was - difference? if it was as easy as that, if the answer was to i difference? if it was as easy as that, if the answer was to sackj difference? if it was as easy as i that, if the answer was to sack me and we will win, i would have my resignation and in the next 30 seconds. those things will be a

matter for kia to decide as the leader, i don't think there will be any quick fixes like that. our route backis any quick fixes like that. our route back is much deeper, based on trust and value and our policy agenda rather than personality, so you will have to wait and see.— let's talk now snp's kate forbes, who has won the seat of skye, lochaber and badenoch. welcome to you and congratulations too. with an increased majority, i understand. you will know about borisjohnson already understand. you will know about boris johnson already saying he understand. you will know about borisjohnson already saying he will reject any calls for a second independence referendum, so what are you going to do?— you going to do? well, there are lots more _ you going to do? well, there are lots more seats _ you going to do? well, there are lots more seats to _ you going to do? well, there are lots more seats to be _ you going to do? well, there are lots more seats to be declared i you going to do? well, there are i lots more seats to be declared but of the i declared, the snp has won a0, taking three from pro—union parties. the conservatives have lost

two and won an overall of three. so borisjohnson can say what he likes but, ultimately, what you're seeing right now is the people of scotland is putting their trust and faith in the manifesto that the snp set out to. we will need to wait and see what the overall seats, what we in terms of votes being cast and counted over today but i think it is clear that the people of scotland know what they're voting for. journalists normally hold us to account for delivering on our manifesto and as the biggest party, clearly comic it out of the back of the selection, hopefully you will hold us to account on our manifesto, which included an independence referendum. but which included an independence referendum.— which included an independence referendum. . . referendum. but you don't want an independence _ referendum. but you don't want an independence referendum - referendum. but you don't want an independence referendum right- referendum. but you don't want an i independence referendum right now, you want to wait until the pandemic is over and the recovery has begun. so your supporters are desperate for a referendum, they will have to wait? ., �* . ~ a referendum, they will have to wait? . �* , . . a referendum, they will have to wait? . �*, . . , wait? that's right. we have set the ariori wait? that's right. we have set the priority right _ wait? that's right. we have set the priority right now— wait? that's right. we have set the priority right now is _ wait? that's right. we have set the priority right now is steering i wait? that's right. we have set the priority right now is steering the i priority right now is steering the country through the crisis and

emerging from the pandemic. we set our number one priority as soon as we get back to our desks is to continue to do that work. businesses are still in lockdown and we want to make sure we manage the crisis well. cabinets you agree with boris johnson, not now, it is irresponsible to hold a referendum in this context and you agree? i don't think that is what boris johnson is saying... he don't think that is what boris johnson is saying. . .- don't think that is what boris johnson is saying... he did say will be irresponsible _ johnson is saying... he did say will be irresponsible in _ johnson is saying... he did say will be irresponsible in the _ johnson is saying... he did say will be irresponsible in the way - johnson is saying... he did say will be irresponsible in the way you i johnson is saying... he did say will| be irresponsible in the way you just said. i be irresponsible in the way you 'ust said. ~ ., be irresponsible in the way you 'ust said. ,, . , ., be irresponsible in the way you 'ust said. ,, . , said. i think what your saying is that there _ said. i think what your saying is that there will _ said. i think what your saying is that there will be _ said. i think what your saying is that there will be no _ said. i think what your saying is i that there will be no referendum because he is scared of the results, what we are saying is that our priority is managing the crisis but it's important the people of scotland have another say over their long—term future. i think what your saying is that there will be no referendum because he is scared of the results, what we are saying is that our priority is managing the crisis but it's important the people of scotland have another say over their long—term future. are much our forte and i think that tells the story on its own. albino but do you agree with him that a second

referendum in the current contests is a responsible? no, i don't, i think the number one priority is steering the country through this crisis but when the crisis is over, and in time for the scottish parliament to be quick to all the powers it needs for recovery, we should put a question to the people of scotland. at the edge of the day, borisjohnson and i will disagree on the rights and wrongs of independence but surely we can agree on the fact that it should be a question put to the people of scotland. that is the nature of democracy and that is what we are arguing for, for a mandate for another referendum and ultimately it is for the people of scotland to disguise, not any politician. according to the institute for government, the scottish parliament is not allowed to pass legislation relating to matters reserved to westminster, that is widely interpreted to mean that any referendum relating to independence would require westminster�*s approval, so the likelihood is that this will end up in the courts. is that the right use of taxpayers'

money in scotland, to end up in a legal battle that, actually, the basis of what i term it could just read out, borisjohnson would probably win? i read out, boris johnson would probably win?— read out, boris johnson would probably win? read out, boris johnson would robabl win? ., ,. , probably win? i would sincerely hope it doesn't get — probably win? i would sincerely hope it doesn't get anywhere _ probably win? i would sincerely hope it doesn't get anywhere near- probably win? i would sincerely hope it doesn't get anywhere near that, i it doesn't get anywhere near that, because i believe in democracy, i'm a democrat. i havejust been re—elected because i am a democrat. it is unsustainable for boris johnson to keep saying no... nicola sturaeon johnson to keep saying no... nicola sturgeon said _ johnson to keep saying no... nicola sturgeon said if— johnson to keep saying no... nicola sturgeon said if it _ johnson to keep saying no... nicola sturgeon said if it was _ johnson to keep saying no... nicola sturgeon said if it was rejected, i johnson to keep saying no... nicola sturgeon said if it was rejected, it | sturgeon said if it was rejected, it would end up in the courts. to be clear to your photos, you do think it is a responsible way to spend taxpayers' money? iii it is a responsible way to spend taxpayers' money?— it is a responsible way to spend taxpayers' money? if anything ended u . taxpayers' money? if anything ended u- in taxpayers' money? if anything ended up in because — taxpayers' money? if anything ended up in because it _ taxpayers' money? if anything ended up in because it would _ taxpayers' money? if anything ended up in because it would be _ taxpayers' money? if anything ended up in because it would be because i up in because it would be because borisjohnson up in because it would be because boris johnson drives up in because it would be because borisjohnson drives us to the courts, not the other way round. we have been quite clear that we believe in democracy and right now, what we are seeing from pro—unionists is that for boris johnson to keep saying no is ultimately anti—democratic. i believe in democracy, let's see democracy take its course over today and i hope, when there is a

pro—independence group of msps and scottish parliament, we will be able to take that question back to the people. but, as you rightly said, our priority is steering the country through the pandemic. find our priority is steering the country through the pandemic.— our priority is steering the country through the pandemic. and as finance secreta , through the pandemic. and as finance secretary. you — through the pandemic. and as finance secretary. you be _ through the pandemic. and as finance secretary, you be happy _ through the pandemic. and as finance secretary, you be happy to _ through the pandemic. and as finance secretary, you be happy to spend, - through the pandemic. and as finance secretary, you be happy to spend, i. secretary, you be happy to spend, i don't how much it would cost, perhaps you could tell us, you would be have to spend that money if it came to it, because as you say, an independence referendum was in your manifesto and that is what you will falter at some point in the next parliament?— falter at some point in the next parliament? ., ., , ., , parliament? you are putting words in m mouth parliament? you are putting words in my mouth and _ parliament? you are putting words in my mouth and you — parliament? you are putting words in my mouth and you are _ parliament? you are putting words in my mouth and you are also _ parliament? you are putting words in my mouth and you are also putting i my mouth and you are also putting the responsibility for this on the scottish parliament and what we're saying is, let's honour democracy, let's ensure that the people of scotland get what they voted for. i'm just asking a question... it’s i'm 'ust asking a question... it's not i'm just asking a question... it's not very good — i'm just asking a question... it�*s not very good question right now when i'm believing in democracy. because of everything ends up in the courts, it's because borisjohnson took it there. this is a question

for the conservatives, who've just lost again in scotland quite decisively. we're saying, let's put the question to the people, let's pursue the democratic means of delivering on what people have voted for, and that is our strong preference. albino also accepted that nicola sturgeon has said she wanted to hold an independence referendum of wanted to hold an independence referendum— wanted to hold an independence referendu ., ., ., referendum of the next parliament, so a couple — referendum of the next parliament, so a couple of _ referendum of the next parliament, so a couple of years _ referendum of the next parliament, so a couple of years time, - referendum of the next parliament, so a couple of years time, but - referendum of the next parliament, so a couple of years time, but the l so a couple of years time, but the indicated there is only really support of about 20% for that? i would hope we have an independence referendum in time for the scottish government to be equipped with all the powers we need for steering the country through recovery because we ultimately face the choice where we are either lumbered with the conservatives, whose ideology, whose approach hasn't changed since for ten years of austerity. that is one alternative. the other is a recovery made in scotland and shipped in

scotland and that is what i would like to see. my scotland and that is what i would like to see-— scotland and that is what i would like to see. p ., �* ., like to see. my fault, we've run out of time, like to see. my fault, we've run out of time. thank _ like to see. my fault, we've run out of time, thank you _ like to see. my fault, we've run out of time, thank you for _ like to see. my fault, we've run out of time, thank you forjoining - like to see. my fault, we've run out of time, thank you forjoining us i of time, thank you forjoining us at. now the weather. hello, i hope you're well. we are turning a page weather—wise this weekend, all thanks to this area of low pressure off to the west, producing some weather fronts our way, but also drawing up much milder air. an unsettled, wet and windy story pretty much wherever we are over the next couple of days. looking at the finer detail, you can see many of us experiencing heavy spells of rain as we continue to push through today. i think the heaviest rain will continue in parts of south wales where we have a weather warning, and southwestern parts of england as well. cranking up those temperatures, getting to 19 celsius today, still cooler to the north. but we should also mention the strength of the wind, with gusts reaching up to aomph, potentially more than that along coastal parts. remaining unsettled overnight, tomorrow, a brighter story for some of us but some pretty heavy

showers over the the next few days but the outlook looking milder. stay safe, see you soon. you are this is bbc news i'mjo coburn. the headlines: counting continues as results come in from elections held across england, scotland and wales. the snp gains seats in scotland, but its hopes of securing an overall majority remain on a knife edge. the deputy first minister says they will push for another referendum. there will be a majority of members elected to the scottish parliament who will be committed to the hosting of an independence referendum. that's a fundamental, democratic point. that's what the people of scotland will have voted for. labour performs strongly in wales, matching its best ever senedd election result. the conservatives continue to make significant gains in england after their by—election win in hartlepool. results of regional mayor

contests are expected today. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. counting is under way in counts across britain. in scotland, the snp are on course to win their fourth term in power. but nicola sturgeon admitted the prospect of an overall majority in holyrood is "on a knife edge". the prime minister borisjohnson has repeated that he would reject any calls for a second independence let's take a look at the state of play in scotland. you can see the snp has held another

seat, bringing its tally to a0. the lib dems are on four and the conservatives and labour are still at the same places they have been this morning, 3a conservatives, they have dropped to, and labour are on to, having dropped one —— conservatives have dropped two and labour have gained two —— are still on two. mark drakeford's welsh labour is set to remain in power — after matching its best—ever senedd election results. let's take a look at the results in wales so far. labour are currently on 30 seats — up one — conservatives are the second largest party — up four — and plaid are on nine, down one seat. and across england, the results of mayoral contests in london, greater manchester and the west midlands are expected today. labour is hoping to win them after losing the hartlepool by—election and ceding control of councils in england.

england. the conservatives are up 158. labour is down by 206, a disappointing performance for sir keir starmer. the lib dems are down 25 and the greens are up 53. that's the current tally of council seats for the parties. we'll have the latest from across the uk, first let's go to westminster and speak to chief political correspondent adam fleming. what should we look forward to later on today? we've just had a result from cannock chase which has gone to tory control with labour losing nine councillors so it is repeating the pattern yesterday we saw in lots of areas of england where at this point in the cycle you would think the opposition against the government who had been

in powerfor 11 years against the government who had been in power for 11 years would be gaining seats, labour are losing them, sojust gaining seats, labour are losing them, so just compounding the gaining seats, labour are losing them, sojust compounding the misery for keir starmer. labour will hope things become less miserable through the day when they get results from places they are expected to do well in the may oral elections like manchester, bristoland in the may oral elections like manchester, bristol and london —— mayoral. the vote may have been nibbled away so the vote may be disappointing as well. and the situation in scotland made dominate the story for the next few months. i know we haven't got the full picture and we are going to get the results from the key mayoral contests which possibly will lend brighter light for labour and have done well in wales but when you look at the uk you can see that borisjohnson's conservatives are in the ascendancy so far in the english council results on the by—election in

hartlepool, labour in wales and in london and the snp certainly the largest party in scotland. it's difficult to see how any one party is prevailing over the whole of the uk. , ., ., ~ is prevailing over the whole of the uk. yes, although i think yesterday the lesson we _ uk. yes, although i think yesterday the lesson we got _ uk. yes, although i think yesterday the lesson we got from _ uk. yes, although i think yesterday the lesson we got from england - uk. yes, although i think yesterday| the lesson we got from england was that the conservatives and boris johnson have hit on a real winning formula, which they used in 2019, the combination of brexit and promises of lots of spending wrapped up promises of lots of spending wrapped up in borisjohnson's optimistic levelling up, bouncy persona and that seems to work really well in hartlepool yesterday and seems to have worked in the english council elections and other parts of the country. the fact labour are now finding themselves fighting yet again another massive internal battle about whether to go to the left, stick to the centre or tag a little bit to the right and we know that labour, one of the responses to the terrible showing yesterday was to have a policy review, our colleague ian watson is finding out thatis colleague ian watson is finding out that is going to take quite some

time and it could be quite a device or process because it is an opportunity for lots of keir starmer�*s internal critics to say, keep hold of these policies that jeremy corbyn had that you don't like and the other people saying, we need a radical overhaul of what we are offering the british public. as long as keir starmer isn't trying to win that argument internally,, it's time for him to win that argument with the rest of the country. boris johnson's government _ with the rest of the country. boris johnson's government have - with the rest of the country. boris johnson's government have got a headache with any call for another independence referendum which will be the big issue that he has to potentially deal with and you have said he has written today he will reject any call for that. alex norris from the shadow health team is saying we haven't had enough time to make the progress that we needed to make the progress that we needed to because of that shocking election result in 2019. starting with that, do you think that's fair, that they haven't had enough time yet? i’m haven't had enough time yet? i'm auoin to haven't had enough time yet? i�*m going to pick up on something else you said which is the headache, the

metaphor of a headache for boris johnson, which is being posed by the scottish parliament result and i think that's a very good metaphor. today, there will probably be a majority in the scottish parliament for another independence referendum. it will not be a majority for the snp, they will have to rely on the scottish green is probably for the majority for the cause. boris johnson can today say no, now is not the time for an independence referendum and i'm not going to let you have one. it's bad timing. that's like taking a paracetamol for the headache, but guess what? the symptoms will come back because nicola sturgeon and her manifesto says she will try to seek negotiations with the uk government for her to have the power to hold a referendum in future. borisjohnson can say no, pop another paracetamol and it will go away for a while, but then the snp say they will pass legislation at holly ridge to hold their own referendum which the uk government would probably have to challenge at the supreme court —— at

holyrood. after that, does the headache go away or does nicola sturgeon just keep finding ways to get out borisjohnson over this? i’m get out boris johnson over this? i'm lovin: get out borisjohnson over this? i'm loving the headache metaphor. thank you very much, adam and westminster, bringing us up to date with the picture on the scene across the uk. we are waiting for mayoral results, i don't think they will come today but our correspondent is in the west midlands. how tight is this going to be? , , �* be? very, very tight indeed. at the moment, labour— be? very, very tight indeed. at the moment, labour are _ be? very, very tight indeed. at the moment, labour are hoping - be? very, very tight indeed. at the moment, labour are hoping it's - be? very, very tight indeed. at the i moment, labour are hoping it's going to be tight anyway. last time, fewer than a000 votes in it. this time you can properly see behind me the count for birmingham so there's another six counts like this going on across the west midlands conurbation. they

finished first preferences here and it was such a bad day for labour yesterday in the region and not right across the black country, the same areas voting in the mayoral race, there is real concern that labour don't make it past first preferences. in the first instance, if they manage to get to second preferences in this race, they will actually be quite pleased. it's been actually be quite pleased. it's been a very unusual race here in the west midlands to begin with. andy street, the conservative candidate, distanced himself somewhat from the government in westminster, wanting to show that space between himself and them, but as the race has gone on and the conservatives pushing ahead in the polls, it's really become that messaging from andy street's team around the fact he has got contacts at number ten and can pull an investment. very similar to the arguments in the north east. that seems to have been playing very strongly here in the west midlands

and liam byrne's camp are increasingly worried, chatting to them yesterday and heads were down. they are very concerned about getting past the first preferences. a very crucial count and a very crucial may —— mayoral contest because labour had set their sights on it. how big a blow will that be, notjust to on it. how big a blow will that be, not just to the on it. how big a blow will that be, notjust to the labour team under liam byrne, former cabinet minister, but broadly tousart keir starmer? aha, but broadly tousart keir starmer? huge blow because the black country and west midlands, part of the red wall that collapsed spectacularly in 2019, it had been hoped that liam byrne, a strong candidate on paper, a former cabinet minister under gordon brown, could push back here and this could be a sign that keir starmer�*s leadership was really working and winning people around in those communities, but looking at the results of the council elections yesterday, that hasn't really come

through and a little bit of local detailfor you. the real base through and a little bit of local detail for you. the real base of the vote for labour in the west midlands now is in birmingham. metropolitan birmingham. nine of the 11 mps in the city are labour but birmingham didn't have council elections on thursday, unlike the rest of the region, so that isn't going to boost their turnout. the turnout for labour in birmingham was absolutely critical to their making headway in this race saw a real challenge for them and it will be of huge disappointment notjust to the candidate but to the labour leadership as well. keir starmer has been here on a number of occasions during this campaign and i think it was notable that on the last day of campaigning, he wasn't in the north east, he was here because there was a feeling that they could still get this one. talking to people around the team yesterday, there is now... i mean, they are not holding out much hope i think would be the way of phrasing it. much hope i think would be the way of phrasing it—

much hope i think would be the way of phrasing it. when do you think we miaht aet a of phrasing it. when do you think we might get a result? _ of phrasing it. when do you think we might get a result? as _ of phrasing it. when do you think we might get a result? as you _ of phrasing it. when do you think we might get a result? as you can - might get a result? as you can robabl might get a result? as you can probably see — might get a result? as you can probably see behind _ might get a result? as you can probably see behind me, - might get a result? as you can probably see behind me, it - might get a result? as you can l probably see behind me, it looks like they have stopped counting for the birmingham count so they have done first preferences. we are waiting for the other six boroughs to count their preferences as well. we had been expecting about 2:30pm today but given what is happening here, we think it may be slightly earlier so perhaps 1:30pm. that must be one of the — earlier so perhaps 1:30pm. that must be one of the first _ earlier so perhaps 1:30pm. that must be one of the first places _ earlier so perhaps 1:30pm. that must be one of the first places we - earlier so perhaps 1:30pm. that must be one of the first places we are - be one of the first places we are going to get an earlier result rather than a later one! i’ue going to get an earlier result rather than a later one! i've said that now so _ rather than a later one! i've said that now so that's _ rather than a later one! i've said that now so that's the _ rather than a later one! i've said that now so that's the kiss - rather than a later one! i've said that now so that's the kiss of. that now so that's the kiss of death! but we think. the mayoral contest sounds _ death! but we think. the mayoral contest sounds like _ death! but we think. the mayoral contest sounds like it's _ death! but we think. the mayoral contest sounds like it's becoming| contest sounds like it's becoming extremely interesting. labour's leader, sir keir starmer, has said the defeat in hartlepool and in some english councils are bitterly disappointing, and show he has to set out a stronger case to the country. but what can labour learn from these elections and how the future strategy should be set?

with me is paul mason from the new statesman and john rentoul, chief political commentator at the independent. paul, it's been incredibly disappointing so far, apart from wales admittedly but incredibly disappointing for labour so far in terms of the english council results, the hartlepool by—election and in tees valley. what has gone wrong? and in tees valley. what has gone wron: ? ~ . �* , and in tees valley. what has gone wron.?. ., �*, ., and in tees valley. what has gone wronu? ., �*, ., ., and in tees valley. what has gone wront? ., �*, ., ., , ., wrong? what's gone wrong is that olitics wrong? what's gone wrong is that politics has _ wrong? what's gone wrong is that politics has become _ wrong? what's gone wrong is that politics has become about - wrong? what's gone wrong is that politics has become about values| wrong? what's gone wrong is that i politics has become about values and there is a whole bunch of people in politics, many of them in senior positions in the labour party who can't get their heads around this. jeremy corbyn had a problem getting his head around it, used to say things are the same in middlesbrough or lambeth but they are not because people have started to vote according to identity, there is no great example of that than what is happening in scotland where the

scottish greens and snp are about to form a radical independence government. the identity was a big thing in hartlepool. i'm certain it's a big thing. elizabeth was talking about the black country. evil are saying, our identities is represented by conservativism. what went wrong as labour should have understood that was the lesson of the 2019 election and put in place the 2019 election and put in place the only thing you can do when faced with diverging identities, which is a single offer, a single project that can bring everyone back around one hymn sheet. it's very clear what has gone wrong. it has been 1a months worth of time wasting for these reasons because they can't reveal what the project is. join. reveal what the pro'ect is. join, ou are reveal what the pro'ect is. join, you are looking i reveal what the project is. join, you are looking sceptical. i reveal what the project is. join, you are looking sceptical. a i reveal what the project is. join, you are looking sceptical. a bit| you are looking sceptical. a bit sce tical! you are looking sceptical. a bit sceptical! l— you are looking sceptical. a bit sceptical! i think _ you are looking sceptical. a bit sceptical! i think keir - you are looking sceptical. a bit sceptical! i think keir starmer has

done _ sceptical! i think keir starmer has done a _ sceptical! i think keir starmer has done a heroicjob in his first year as labour— done a heroicjob in his first year as labour leader in trying to get the party— as labour leader in trying to get the party back on track, but as he rightly— the party back on track, but as he rightly says, the damage suffered to its reputation is so great that it's going _ its reputation is so great that it's going to — its reputation is so great that it's going to take time out at the moment, _ going to take time out at the moment, the government is doing well with the _ moment, the government is doing well with the vaccine roll—out and so boris _ with the vaccine roll—out and so boris johnson with the vaccine roll—out and so borisjohnson is popular. i think borisjohnson is popular. i think there's— borisjohnson is popular. i think there's a — borisjohnson is popular. i think there's a bit of a myth that has already— there's a bit of a myth that has already taken hold after the hartlepool by—election that labour is going _ hartlepool by—election that labour is going backwards from its 2019 election— is going backwards from its 2019 election results. it isn't. if you look— election results. it isn't. if you look at — election results. it isn't. if you look at what the bbc, john curtice's projection— look at what the bbc, john curtice's projection was of what the vote share _ projection was of what the vote share would be from local elections, labour— share would be from local elections, labour has _ share would be from local elections, labour has closed the gap to six points — labour has closed the gap to six points it — labour has closed the gap to six points. it was 12 points behind in the general election. so that is half the — the general election. so that is half the way made already. but do ou have half the way made already. but do you have to _ half the way made already. but do you have to accept _ half the way made already. but do you have to accept that _ half the way made already. but do you have to accept that parts i half the way made already. but do you have to accept that parts of i half the way made already. but do | you have to accept that parts of the north east have they gone forever?

this sort of realignment revolvers talked about after brexit and post 2019, is that no permanent and labour needs to rethink where it gets its support from? it needs to rethink a lot of things but i don't think it's permanent, nothing is permanent in politics. the low turnout, 15,000 people voted tory, 7000 voted for labour, these are tiny figures. in lambeth, looking at my local result for the mayoral election, 19,000 people in a fairly small chunk of london... 50 fairly small chunk of london... so are they piling up votes what they already have them? this are they piling up votes what they already have them?— already have them? this is the problem. _ already have them? this is the problem. piling _ already have them? this is the problem, piling up— already have them? this is the problem, piling up votes i already have them? this is the problem, piling up votes in i already have them? this is the! problem, piling up votes in the city. but what people stayed at home

in hartlepool then bought the tory prospectus. i don't disagree with john that there have been incremental changes made by labour that will attract, will begin to attract those people back but what they will not come back to is vacuity, they will not come back to a pr, flag—waving thing with no contents. by all means, wave the flag, i am contents. by all means, wave the flag, iam not contents. by all means, wave the flag, i am not hostile to that, but let's have some content on what labour policy is. i don't think policy wins elections, stories win elections, but can't tell a story without a beginning, middle and end. absolutely, there is a realignment going _ absolutely, there is a realignment going on— absolutely, there is a realignment going on in politics and there is a huge _ going on in politics and there is a huge realignment, we've seen it in these _ huge realignment, we've seen it in these results, labour is becoming these results, labour is becoming the graduate professional party of

the graduate professional party of the southern middle class, and the tories _ the southern middle class, and the tories are — the southern middle class, and the tories are becoming the working class _ tories are becoming the working class party. it is a remarkable thing — class party. it is a remarkable thing but _ class party. it is a remarkable thing but demography is not destiny but if you _ thing but demography is not destiny but if you had to choose between those, _ but if you had to choose between those, you — but if you had to choose between those, you would say that the graduate _ those, you would say that the graduate professional classes are likely— graduate professional classes are likely to — graduate professional classes are likely to be more numerous in future, — likely to be more numerous in future, its— likely to be more numerous in future, it'sjust that borisjohnson has been — future, it'sjust that borisjohnson has been extremely effective at wetting — has been extremely effective at welting together an electoral coalition that has contradictory elements but that's politics, he's good _ elements but that's politics, he's good at _ elements but that's politics, he's good at it— elements but that's politics, he's good at it though but kier starmer isn't yet _ good at it though but kier starmer isn't yet. do good at it though but kier starmer isn't et. , ., ~ good at it though but kier starmer isn't et. i. ~ i. good at it though but kier starmer isn't et. ~ ,, ., isn't yet. do you think your starmer could win the _ isn't yet. do you think your starmer could win the next _ isn't yet. do you think your starmer could win the next general - isn't yet. do you think your starmer| could win the next general election? yes, he's got halfway there already, despite _ yes, he's got halfway there already, despite everyone talking doom and gloom _ despite everyone talking doom and gloom about how labour can never win again. _ gloom about how labour can never win again. labout— gloom about how labour can never win again, labour only has to match the tories _ again, labour only has to match the tories for— again, labour only has to match the tories for vote share in a general election— tories for vote share in a general election and getting a majority is a huge _ election and getting a majority is a huge demand, but to be prime

minister— huge demand, but to be prime minister in a hung parliament is not that difficult. to deprive the conservatives power is perfectly possible — conservatives power is perfectly possible and i can see kier starmer doing _ possible and i can see kier starmer doing that — possible and i can see kier starmer doinu that. ., , ., doing that. paul, can you? absolutely. _ doing that. paul, can you? absolutely, and _ doing that. paul, can you? absolutely, and i- doing that. paul, can you? absolutely, and i backed l doing that. paul, can you? i absolutely, and i backed him in doing that. paul, can you? - absolutely, and i backed him in the leadership election, but i'm not so complacent about this nor am i any kind of blairite! the danger is, this is not rock bottom. whatever you say about vote share and projection, there are big things happening. have been talking about one all day, the potential independence of scotland from the united kingdom, that would finish any prospect of a majority labour government. the thing is, politics doesn't stand still, johnson and the people behind him are on a roll and the offer made to them, putting it crudely, you hear it there with the west midlands race, is, my mate is the prime minister, he has some

money, if you vote for me, our town will get money. this is retail politics, the new conservatism, as long as the central bank goes on churning out money. i don't think that's easy to fight unless you have a vision of the future. we're not managing stable capitals and, where managing stable capitals and, where managing a crisis prone system where there are many losers. where i am, lambeth and southwark, which has just voted overwhelmingly for sadiq khan, is where the working class exists, this is the new working class, they're not graduates, not royal opera attendees, these are people who live on council estates and are solidly labour with the second preference green. and i would bejust second preference green. and i would be just as worried about that if i were starmer if i was about how to places like that.— were starmer if i was about how to places like that. other enough votes there, places like that. other enough votes there. though. _ places like that. other enough votes there, though, to _ places like that. other enough votes there, though, to win? _ places like that. other enough votes there, though, to win? if— places like that. other enough votes

there, though, to win? if you - places like that. other enough votes there, though, to win? if you look i there, though, to win? if you look at scotland, used to be a hotline for labour, not any more, and perhaps we could talk about about anas sarwar, the leader there and how we use doing, he seems to be doing better than its predecessor from a low bar but i don't think it will translate into seats, but can labour win with that you coalition of voters? , .., , .,, of voters? yes, it can, but losing scotland makes _ of voters? yes, it can, but losing scotland makes it _ of voters? yes, it can, but losing scotland makes it harder. - of voters? yes, it can, but losing scotland makes it harder. anas l scotland makes it harder. anas sarwar— scotland makes it harder. anas sarwar is — scotland makes it harder. anas sarwar is an impressive figure and what's _ sarwar is an impressive figure and what's remarkable about him is he's almost _ what's remarkable about him is he's almost the — what's remarkable about him is he's almost the only person you could imagine — almost the only person you could imagine doing a betterjob then kier starmer— imagine doing a betterjob then kier starmer as— imagine doing a betterjob then kier starmer as labour leader. the talents. — starmer as labour leader. the talents, i'm afraid, in the shadow cabinets. — talents, i'm afraid, in the shadow cabinets. in— talents, i'm afraid, in the shadow cabinets, in parliament, even people talking _ cabinets, in parliament, even people talking about andy burnham or sadiq khan as— talking about andy burnham or sadiq khan as possible labour leader, i'm afraid _ khan as possible labour leader, i'm afraid the _ khan as possible labour leader, i'm afraid the talent is very thin. and are sour— afraid the talent is very thin. and are sour is — afraid the talent is very thin. and are sour is probably the best labour party— are sour is probably the best labour party has— are sour is probably the best labour party has got an even he can't turn around _

party has got an even he can't turn around in _ party has got an even he can't turn around in scotland. but i wouldn't want _ around in scotland. but i wouldn't want to _ around in scotland. but i wouldn't want to go— around in scotland. but i wouldn't want to go along with paul mason's doom _ want to go along with paul mason's doom and _ want to go along with paul mason's doom and gloom about, if you can't .et doom and gloom about, if you can't get labout— doom and gloom about, if you can't get labour votes in scotland then labour _ get labour votes in scotland then labour can— get labour votes in scotland then labour can never win. tony blair win in england. — labour can never win. tony blair win in england. it— labour can never win. tony blair win in england, it can be done, itjust requires — in england, it can be done, itjust requires the _ in england, it can be done, itjust requires the right politics and assembling the right coalition. | assembling the right coalition. i know we've spoken about this before, is there any challenge from the left at some point? there will be a group of socialist mps who think, it's because kier starmer hasn't been clear about the direction he's following, would he do better if you had a clear economic prospectus that is firmly to the left, despite the fact that they tories have had the biggest state intervention because of the pandemic? i biggest state intervention because of the pandemic?— of the pandemic? i don't call joe biden left-wing _ of the pandemic? i don't call joe biden left-wing in _ of the pandemic? i don't call joe biden left-wing in any _ of the pandemic? i don't call joe biden left-wing in any way, i of the pandemic? i don't calljoe i biden left-wing in any way, shape or biden left—wing in any way, shape or form but if he simply echoed biden, he would be pledging something like 200 billion in terms of borrowing

and spending that the tories won't be, because we know what the spending plans are out to 202a. what i want him to do is not left or right, it's simply an answer big investment programme. i don't want them to wait for a policy review, to know what biden is doing, that sets the agenda for all the social democratic parties, do that. when i speak about these things, i'm not speaking conjectural, i know in an intimate way where the left is in the plp, there is no challenge coming whatsoever against under from either the left or the unions, it is totally clear. they are not united about the same things. some are pro—brexit, so my opponents. with the problem comes, if kia can make this work... he has a conference

coming up, he has to stand up and have answers. he's never even been in a meeting with the membership yet and i think he's got to get on the front foot now, not in some mythical, distant back end of this year. mythical, distant back end of this ear. ., . ., , ., mythical, distant back end of this ear. ., . ., y ., ~ year. how much time do you think he actually has? — year. how much time do you think he actually has? i _ year. how much time do you think he actually has? i spoke _ year. how much time do you think he actually has? i spoke to _ year. how much time do you think he actually has? i spoke to one - year. how much time do you think he actually has? i spoke to one of i year. how much time do you think he actually has? i spoke to one of the i actually has? i spoke to one of the shadow cabinet health team who said they would do a policy review, talking about the conference coming up, and still the party is talking to itself, isn't it? i’m up, and still the party is talking to itself, isn't it?— up, and still the party is talking to itself, isn't it? i'm afraid that is what the _ to itself, isn't it? i'm afraid that is what the labour _ to itself, isn't it? i'm afraid that is what the labour party - to itself, isn't it? i'm afraid that is what the labour party is i to itself, isn't it? i'm afraid that is what the labour party is best | to itself, isn't it? i'm afraid that i is what the labour party is best at, what _ is what the labour party is best at, what it— is what the labour party is best at, what it is— is what the labour party is best at, what it is most comfortable at doing — what it is most comfortable at doing. but as paul says, this is very— doing. but as paul says, this is very bad — doing. but as paul says, this is very bad for kier starmer, that he doesn't _ very bad for kier starmer, that he doesn't have any challenge, there isn't an— doesn't have any challenge, there isn't an obvious alternative to his leadership — isn't an obvious alternative to his leadership. anyone who thinks that rebecca _ leadership. anyone who thinks that rebecca long—bailey would have been the answer, i don't think is persisting with that view. you could think— persisting with that view. you could think that _ persisting with that view. you could think that lisa nandy might have done _ think that lisa nandy might have done better with some of those

northern— done better with some of those northern seats but i think kier starmer's _ northern seats but i think kier starmer's problem is that he doesn't feel threatened by an alternative leader— feel threatened by an alternative leader and the labour party doesn't really— leader and the labour party doesn't really feel— leader and the labour party doesn't really feel threatened by an alternative party that is seeking to take its _ alternative party that is seeking to take its place. in that sense, the labour— take its place. in that sense, the labour party could just retreat to its comfort — labour party could just retreat to its comfort zone and stay in permanent opposition, which is always— permanent opposition, which is always possible in a intruder comes along _ always possible in a intruder comes along we — always possible in a intruder comes alon. _ . always possible in a intruder comes alonu. ~ , always possible in a intruder comes alona.~ , always possible in a intruder comes alon.. , ., along. we saw this played out yesterday. — along. we saw this played out yesterday, following - along. we saw this played out yesterday, following the i along. we saw this played out i yesterday, following the hartlepool results, peter mandelson used to be the peak there and former cabinet ministers think this is the long shadow ofjeremy corbyn. then we had len mccluskey, a very big supporter ofjeremy corbyn saying pretty well the opposite. who's right, paul, in your mind? figs the opposite. who's right, paul, in your mind?— your mind? as a corbyn easter, i have been _

your mind? as a corbyn easter, i have been very _ your mind? as a corbyn easter, i have been very critical _ your mind? as a corbyn easter, i have been very critical of - your mind? as a corbyn easter, i have been very critical of the i your mind? as a corbyn easter, ii have been very critical of the last period ofjeremy�*s leadership but i don't think it is that, i think it is a deeper thing. just explain to viewers, the reason why the labour party has arguments between ourselves is we are a mass democratic party. ifeel ourselves is we are a mass democratic party. i feel utterly empowered to have my say in the future of this party and i will have it. i pay my money and intend to have my vote! the danger with the arguments is that there is an excuse machine, either it was clear from's fault or it twisty campaign coordinator or we chose the wrong day and he's these don't get to core of the issue, the solution is no longer, everyone's poor, everyone's worker, there are four we have common interest. they don't see that any more, there has to be something that cuts through and tells a narrative ., . ., . ., that cuts through and tells a

narrative ., . ., , narrative that connection were parts ofthe narrative that connection were parts of the country _ narrative that connection were parts of the country like _ narrative that connection were parts of the country like the _ narrative that connection were parts of the country like the north - narrative that connection were parts of the country like the north east, l of the country like the north east, alex norris dismissed my suggestion that they just don't see kier starmer is talking to them, is really understanding why they voted for brexit, as to why they have made the move to vote for the conservatives. do you think that is still there, that problem that kier starmer and the labour party said they accept the result but do they need to embrace it and say they really understand?— really understand? that's very difficult to! — really understand? that's very difficult to! anyone _ really understand? that's very difficult to! anyone who i really understand? that's very difficult to! anyone who really| difficult to! anyone who really cares — difficult to! anyone who really cares about brexit, for example, knows _ cares about brexit, for example, knows that — cares about brexit, for example, knows that kier starmer fought extremely hard to try and reverse the result— extremely hard to try and reverse the result of that referendum. they see him _ the result of that referendum. they see him as — the result of that referendum. they see him as a london lawyer. and that's the — see him as a london lawyer. fific that's the problem? see him as a london lawyer. and that's the problem? it _ see him as a london lawyer. and that's the problem? it is - see him as a london lawyer. and that's the problem? it is a i see him as a london lawyer. and that's the problem? it is a very l that's the problem? it is a very fundamental _ that's the problem? it is a very fundamental problem - that's the problem? it is a very fundamental problem but i that's the problem? it is a very fundamental problem but it i that's the problem? it is a very l fundamental problem but it isn't that's the problem? it is a very i fundamental problem but it isn't an absolute _ fundamental problem but it isn't an absolute bar to labour winning

elections. _ absolute bar to labour winning elections, because... but reconnecting _ elections, because... but reconnecting with - elections, because... but reconnecting with the i elections, because... emit reconnecting with the sorts of communities, because labour has repeatedly gone on and on about the connections were former strongholds, should they give that up? you connections were former strongholds, should they give that up?— should they give that up? you could sa that should they give that up? you could say that labour— should they give that up? you could say that labour should _ should they give that up? you could say that labour should just - should they give that up? you could say that labour should just abandon the leave _ say that labour should just abandon the leave of voting working class and concentrate on the votes of graduate — and concentrate on the votes of graduate professionals in urban areas — graduate professionals in urban areas. there is an off a lot of them and they could win elections on that basis _ and they could win elections on that basis but _ and they could win elections on that basis but the problem is, the labour party— basis but the problem is, the labour party thinks— basis but the problem is, the labour party thinks it's working class and needs— party thinks it's working class and needs of— party thinks it's working class and needs of the site where it stands on that _ needs of the site where it stands on that. �* , , ., , ., needs of the site where it stands on that. �* , , ., i. ., that. briefly before we let you go, paul? of course, _ that. briefly before we let you go, paul? of course, we _ that. briefly before we let you go, paul? of course, we can't - that. briefly before we let you go, | paul? of course, we can't abandon those communities _ paul? of course, we can't abandon those communities that _ paul? of course, we can't abandon those communities that have i paul? of course, we can't abandon those communities that have sunk| paul? of course, we can't abandon - those communities that have sunk 200 years of existence into building a labour movement, but that movement has always drawn from multiple communities, it is an interim invitation to stand on the site of the line and stand in solidarity

with people like you or be a tory. i think there is a moral battle to be had within those communities in i want labour to be picking mp candidates now who have that battle, with no more plants, technocratic people chosen to go up, face—to—face, toe—to—toe with right—wing populist. we've got to have the battle. right-wing populist. we've got to have the battle.— right-wing populist. we've got to have the battle. thank you, boys, for our have the battle. thank you, boys, for yourtime- _ have the battle. thank you, boys, for your time. we _ have the battle. thank you, boys, for your time. we will _ have the battle. thank you, boys, for your time. we will all - have the battle. thank you, boys, for your time. we will all speak i for your time. we will all speak again soon. counting is under way again to decide the make—up of the next scottish parliament at holyrood, with the possibility of an snp majority on a knife edge. the results of the aberdeen south and north kincardin election will be announced shortly. let's go live now to our reporter david shanks, who's at a count in aberdeen. as you say, we've had one count, aberdeenshire east expected, aberdeenshire east expected, aberdeen south are not encountered pretty soon. aberdeenshire east so

gillian martin returned to holyrood, but with a reduced majority. what we have seen in all the declaration so far, and we have had an increase in turnout, which has seen an increase for the conservatives, and where that matters is in the neighbouring seat, aberdeenshire west. that could be a key seat for the snp's hopes of a majority in this election, so there the snp are hoping to flip a majority ofjust 900 votes from the conservatives. if we see an increase in turnout, the snp really need that to swing in the opposite direction, to swing in the opposite direction, to where it has across the rest of the country. it could be a tough race, where expecting that late afternoon. more results coming on as we speak, key results as david was saying up in scotland, later on in scotland.

mark drakeford is set to remain as first minister of wales, where labour has performed strongly, winning half of the 60 seats in the senedd so far. bbc newsnight�*s policy editor lewis goodall is at the touch—screen now for more. let's focus on this in the sense that mark drakeford's performance has been remarkable in many senses. welsh labour's performance so different by comparison to what has happened in england, they will now have their fifth term of office in the senedd and it looks like we have already increased representation on the previous parliament. 30 seats, already at the halfway point they needin already at the halfway point they need in order to get a working majority. technically it's 31 but because of the presiding officer, all they need is 30. a good night for conservatives as well, up by four, 12 seats. a disappointing night for plaid cymru, down one

seat. i think the conservatives are going to be second in the senedd. the lib dems have one seat, they have lost their one constituency seatin have lost their one constituency seat in brecon and radnorshire. it was the welsh education secretary who was in a coalition of sorts with the labour government in wales, a bit lopsided because there was only one member. it would be sad if the party of george lloyd had no seats in the senedd but they will have one and ukip down, lost all of their seats. in terms of the constituency chair, labourand seats. in terms of the constituency chair, labour and conservatives up, plaid cymru down, abolished party down and it looks like they won't have enough. it is the welsh senedd and how did labour achieve this?

they achieved it very interestingly by keeping hold of some of the seats that welsh labour lost to the conservatives at the 2019 general election. we talk so much about the red wall in england. there was a red wall in wales as well, up in northeast wales where a whole clutch of seats went to the conservatives, some for the first time in the 2019 general election. this time it was a different story. in delyn, the member was returned with 48% of the vote. it wasn't that the conservatives did badly, they gained 9%, but labour added 8%, so more than enough to retain a healthy majority. what's really interesting is that it's the same pattern to some extent. that we have seen in england. ukip collapsed, but their vote share didn't exclusively go to

the conservative party. a lot of it did but some of it went to the labour party and welsh labour because all of these seats, as in england, where lever voting constituencies. delyn was 54% leave but a fascinating thing for the labour party to chew over is how welsh labour has managed to retain some of its lever voting support in a way that english labour simply hasn't. it's going to be a real importance conversation for the labour party. it wasn't a marginal seat but it's worth pointing out, mark drakeford's seat in cardiff west, a stonking performance by mark drakeford, 48% of the vote, up i3%, a big swing, 6.3% conservative to labour, 11,000 votes. at a time when the labour party and the rest of the country are not talking about majorities like that or the equivalent in their council seats. welsh labour thriving in parts of

wales, adding considerable numbers of votes. you could say this is about the incumbency factor. it appears to be that whether it's the conservatives in england or the snp in scotland, these figures like mark drakeford in wales have been ubiquitous presences in our lives and getting gratitude perhaps from the voters for their part in the pandemic. the other reason is that welsh labour managed to hold on to its majority or hold on to its position in wales is the performance it had against plaid cymru. plaid cymru were really hoping they would make a real advance in this selection with their leader adam price. that clearly isn't going to happen. these are some of the target seats plaid cymru had. in ronda's case, leanne wood won the seat back in 2016 but look at that huge swing.

i don't even have a swingometer big enough. plaid cymru to labour there. this was plaid cymru's target seat, 8.7% swing to labour. caerphilly may have been in danger but a swing from plaid cymru to labour of 5.9%. very interesting set of results. a lot for labour to chew on as they ponder their performance in many parts of england. very interesting for labour in wales and in lever voting areas. wales voted to leave the eu like england. —— leave voting areas. some of the plaid cymru vote might have been affected by covid. a much more successful night for the leader of

labour. one is coming out with his authority much more enhanced and it isn't keir starmer, it's mark drakeford. isn't keir starmer, it's mark drakeford-— isn't keir starmer, it's mark drakeford. ~ , ., ~ ., drakeford. we will be talking to vau . han drakeford. we will be talking to vaughan gething _ drakeford. we will be talking to vaughan gething soon. - drakeford. we will be talking to vaughan gething soon. the - drakeford. we will be talking to | vaughan gething soon. the snp drakeford. we will be talking to - vaughan gething soon. the snp have held aberdeen south and the north tyneside mayoralty has been held by the incumbent so that is labour, not entirely surprising there. so, let's take a closer look now at how voting trends are moving across britain with two experts. with me is ben page, chief executive of ipsos mori. i'm also joined by professor nicola mcewen, from the centre on constitutional change at edinburgh university. then, good impressions first of all so farfrom the then, good impressions first of all so far from the results. the elections — so far from the results. the elections have _ so far from the results. the elections have turned - so far from the results. tue elections have turned out so far from the results. he elections have turned out to so far from the results. t'te elections have turned out to be so far from the results. tte elections have turned out to be much more exciting and interesting than local elections normally are and

records are being broken. two provisos, first of all, most people in england haven't bothered voting when they have been able to but it's only in scotland we have a majority of people bothering to turn out in elections and the pandemic vaccine roll—out is definitely helping the government. events like hartlepool are unprecedented, very unusual to take a seat of a sitting government at a by—election, i think it has happened twice since the early 1980s and the size of the lead is astonishing so you are seeing this recasting of politics in britain with the conservatives, traditionally a middle—class party, doing best and working class areas, particularly among older viewers, and the labour party doing better among younger, more educated voters, confined to their urban centres. england is basically no conservative

largely, wales, labour beating the odds and in scotland it's all about the snp so the uk is divided but the big losers at the moment look to be labour. we need a pinch of salt and all of this because if these are by—elections in local elections, keir starmer is not going to be a happy man. he keir starmer is not going to be a happy man-— keir starmer is not going to be a ha-- man. , , keir starmer is not going to be a ha-- man. , happy man. he won't be happy but as we were discussing _ happy man. he won't be happy but as we were discussing before, _ happy man. he won't be happy but as we were discussing before, they - happy man. he won't be happy but as we were discussing before, they feel| we were discussing before, they feel that looking back at 2019, 2017 and 2016, it's not all doom and gloom in their minds. nicola, if we go to scotland and pick up ben's point about a divided uk, that's going to underline any efforts by nicola sturgeon to go and ask for another second independence referendum. the sto second independence referendum. tte story from scotland, second independence referendum. ttj: story from scotland, there are two things really. one is the continued dominance of the scottish national party and the other is the turnout. the town out in this election is higher than in

the town out in this election is higherthan in any the town out in this election is higher than in any scottish parliament election we have had and that surprising in a sense because it is a covid election and we thought that might depress turnout. also, the snp were certain to win, everyone expected so, even the opposition parties, and sometimes that might depress turnout, but what it tells us is that the stakes were high and i think that is in part a reflection of the successful narrative that the conservatives in particular were able to push in the campaign and that was that victory for them was to stop the snp winning a single party majority. the snp, in a single party majority. the snp, in a sense, allow that narrative to prevail to ensure that its voters would come out to the polls as well but that leaves it with a bit of a challenge. . a single party majority is still a possibility but it's looking more than likely at this stage, but votes are still being

counted of course, so that then gives rise to the question of what constitutes a mandate for a referendum? nicola sturgeon has made clear she is not in a hurry to push for that but it looks likely there will be a parliamentary majority in the scottish parliament of parties who are committed to pushing a referendum on independence. 1anthem who are committed to pushing a referendum on independence. when we look at what was _ referendum on independence. when we look at what was driving _ referendum on independence. when we look at what was driving voters' - look at what was driving voters' decisions here, we are onlyjust now coming out of a pandemic and there will be a long tail of that. being an incumbent probably has helped to some extent. we seen it in wales with the performance of the labour government there which has been very strong, the snp has been very strong, the snp has been very strong, it's not unexpected they will be the largest party again, and form the next government, and even form the next government, and even for borisjohnson, the vaccination programme, do you think those were the things that were uppermost in people's minds? the

the things that were uppermost in peeple's minds?— the things that were uppermost in people's minds? the government is certainly seen _ people's minds? the government is certainly seen as _ people's minds? the government is certainly seen as having _ people's minds? the government is certainly seen as having done - people's minds? the government is certainly seen as having done a - people's minds? the government is| certainly seen as having done a good job and the government was not position on how it has coped with the pandemic has been getting steadily better —— the government's position on how it has coped. keir starmer has narrowed the conservative lead since he became leader but in the last month or two, he slipped back, partly because of this vaccine bounce we have seen. i think it is that but underlying it all is a massive psychological problem for the labour party which is that they think if you are working class, the natural choice is the labour party. increasingly in britain that is no longer true. class is becoming less and less important and it's much more about cultural divides and people's aspirations and at the moment, the conservatives are absolutely capturing the centre—right votes. they have hoovered up formerly voters and labour is facing a split

by the greens who are picking up council seats all over the place and to a lesser extent the lib dems. the conservatives have united the lead vote and cultural divides matter more than social class now which is fascinating to people like me. t fascinating to people like me. i said we would be talking to vaughan gething and i think he is there, wales 's health minister. congratulations to you. do you accept that incumbency has really helped here?— helped here? incumbency is a challenge _ helped here? incumbency is a challenge as _ helped here? incumbency is a challenge as well, _ helped here? incumbency is a challenge as well, it's - helped here? incumbency is a challenge as well, it's a - helped here? incumbency is a i challenge as well, it's a powerful toolset changed to 22 years of welsh labour first ministers. toolset changed to 22 years of welsh labourfirst ministers. we had a mountain to climb but it's because of the clarity of leadership we have

provided this last year and the trust people have gained and placed in us, i think that's a fantastic result. leadership in the pandemic was a big issue on the doorstep, people trusted us and they voted for us. ., ., y ., people trusted us and they voted for us. ., ., i. ., ., people trusted us and they voted for us. how are you going to govern auoin us. how are you going to govern going forward? _ us. how are you going to govern going forward? is _ us. how are you going to govern going forward? is going - us. how are you going to govern going forward? is going to - us. how are you going to govern going forward? is going to be i going forward? is going to be another big — going forward? is going to be another big challenge - going forward? is going to be | another big challenge because going forward? is going to be - another big challenge because the pandemic is not quite over yet and it is a hugejob pandemic is not quite over yet and it is a huge job to do with pandemic recovery, both health terms, educational terms and the economy and we need to see what the uk government is going to do with spending plans as well. we have more tools in our armoury. we have a manifesto that is realistic and achievable and that's going to be the basis of how we are going to govern. within the fortunate position of having done so well, the top end of expectations, that we don't have to form at larger parties but we need to speak to other groups in the senedd because we don't have an absolute majority. iloathe

in the senedd because we don't have an absolute majority.— an absolute ma'ority. who will you talk to? or — an absolute ma'ority. who will you talk to? or are — an absolute majority. who will you talk to? or are you _ an absolute majority. who will you talk to? or are you likely - an absolute majority. who will you talk to? or are you likely to - an absolute majority. who will you talk to? or are you likely to talk i talk to? or are you likely to talk to about working together? win talk to? or are you likely to talk to about working together? will need to about working together? will need to see the final— to about working together? will need to see the final result _ to about working together? will need to see the final result so _ to about working together? will need to see the final result so we - to about working together? will need to see the final result so we need - to see the final result so we need to see the final result so we need to see the final result so we need to see who is left and then we will need to have conversations with progressive parties about what we are able to do. we got a really strong mandate to lead and to govern and there's no denying that, 30 seats a fantastic results. lots of commentators were saying we would have to do a deal yesterday with another large party but it doesn't look like that will be necessary. we had a really good night, much more disappointing than plaid cymru, for plaid cymru, the tories made gains so i think a lot of people didn't understand where people in wales where which isn't surprising that it was such a short and condensed campaign. was such a short and condensed cam aiun. ., was such a short and condensed campaign-— campaign. you sound surprised ourself campaign. you sound surprised yourself by _ campaign. you sound surprised yourself by the _ campaign. you sound surprised yourself by the skill _ campaign. you sound surprised yourself by the skill of - campaign. you sound surprisedj yourself by the skill of success, are you? yourself by the skill of success, are ou? �* , ,

are you? i'm delighted because we knew it was _ are you? i'm delighted because we knew it was an _ are you? i'm delighted because we knew it was an uphill— are you? i'm delighted because we knew it was an uphill battle - are you? i'm delighted because we knew it was an uphill battle but - are you? i'm delighted because we knew it was an uphill battle but in l knew it was an uphill battle but in all the seats i campaigned on and people i supported,, we have had a consistent message. we had done a full canvas and all of the constituencies like we normally would. ., ., j . constituencies like we normally would. ., . , would. that has affected everybody, ou would. that has affected everybody, you mentioned _ would. that has affected everybody, you mentioned the _ would. that has affected everybody, you mentioned the conservatives, . you mentioned the conservatives, you've been working with them during the pandemic, working with boris johnson's government. do you also accept you have benefited from the furlough scheme in the procurement of vaccinations? that that has been a huge advantage? that is the way the whole of the uk has had to work with the pandemic, thatis has had to work with the pandemic, that is a benefit to conservatives in every part of the uk. vaccinations is the best thing the government has done during the pandemic together with the furloughs scheme but delivery of the bank since has been on our shoulders here

in wales and during the first few weeks, there was criticism of the approach we are taking in wales and we are now the fastest moving vaccination programme at. that is something people mentions on the doorsteps, recognising that we had done a good job in organising that roll—out and that was a factor and while the public value of the welsh labour offer. while the public value of the welsh labour offer-— labour offer. what you think is rroin labour offer. what you think is going wrong — labour offer. what you think is going wrong for— labour offer. what you think is going wrong for kier— labour offer. what you think is going wrong for kier starmer? | labour offer. what you think is - going wrong for kier starmer? think it's difficult when _ going wrong for kier starmer? think it's difficult when you _ going wrong for kier starmer? think it's difficult when you have - going wrong for kier starmer? t't “ta; it's difficult when you have a government working through the pandemic in england and we still have a mountain to climb from 2019. we were genuinely concerned about seats that weigh loss to the conservatives less than a year ago in the december 2019 general election. we managed to win those seats by working really hard here in wales, we clearly still have more to do but i am optimistic we can get there and i am desperate to see a uk labour prime minister to take wales

and the uk forward.— and the uk forward. thank you for 'oininr and the uk forward. thank you for joining us- — we have been talking about some of the mayoral contests in england. labour's sadiq khan holding a narrow lead over his conservative rival shaun bailey in london. our correspondent adina campbell is at city hall. are you surprised it does seem to be tighter than perhaps labour had thought? tighter than perhaps labour had thourht? _, tighter than perhaps labour had thourht? , tighter than perhaps labour had thourht? _ , tighter than perhaps labour had thourht? , , �* thought? going by the result we've cat in that so _ thought? going by the result we've cat in that so far, _ thought? going by the result we've cat in that so far, this _ thought? going by the result we've cat in that so far, this is _ thought? going by the result we've cat in that so far, this is looking . cat in that so far, this is looking a lot closer than first anticipated. there was a lot of talk beforehand of sadiq khan sailing through comfortably to serve a second term as london mayor, but that isn't looking like the case going by the results so far with the conservative rival sean bailey closely following behind him. at the moment, sadiq khan has a narrow elite of about 38% , followed by the conservative challenger at 37%, so looking like a

two—man race, the other 18 candidates simply miles away from the two front runners. there is pressure on labour to maintain this position, because london is considered a labour heartland so would be a massive blow if labour were to lose this seat. we are waiting for more boroughs to declare result over the next few hours, so it is a bit too early to jump to any conclusions but at this stage, looking tighter than many were expecting. looking tighter than many were ex-rectin. . 4, looking tighter than many were ex-rectin. ., ,, i. looking tighter than many were ex-rectin. . ~j ,, ., looking tighter than many were ex-rectin. . ~j ., , expecting. thank you. that contest will probably _ expecting. thank you. that contest will probably declare _ expecting. thank you. that contest will probably declare much - expecting. thank you. that contest will probably declare much later. will probably declare much later this evening. let's return to the contest in scotland. newsnight�*s policy editor lewis goodall is at the touchscreen with a closer look. we've been talking about, can the snp still achieve a majority? i know will be snp supporters screaming at the top item that it is notjust

about a majority, and that is true, but there has been an argument through this campaign that the majority won't make it equivalent to the 2011 president which led to the referendum, clearly something the snp have been desirous of and they extremely close. we know what the result will be, that the snp would do well in these constituencies, but the problem is getting up to the magic number of 65 and there it is looking more difficult. we have seen part of the problem in a way, in aberdeen south, we see that the snp keep the seat 42% to 38% but see the snp vote not going up but with the conservative getting clear transfers from the labour vote, an attempt to get the snp out, not what in this case but tactical voting going on. another result in aberdeenshire

east, another snp hold, a majority of 1889. 45% to 40%, but a east, another snp hold, a majority of 1889. 45% to a0%, but a similar thing happening with the lib dem vote transferring it to the conservatives, more unionist tactical voting, again, doesn't work. but there are other seats which have been important in keeping the snp from getting that majority, we saw it in dumbarton, jackie baillie had been the leader before anas sarwar, the deputy leader, in the scottish parliament. this was the scottish parliament. this was the number one snp target and they haven't done it. in fact, jackie baillie's majority went up because the labour vote went up by 6%, direct transference from the conservative. as a result of missing out on dumbarton and in

dumfriesshire, there two seats the snp would have to need to win in order to potentially get to 65, aberdeenshire west and galloway. galloway, the need a swing of 2.3% on the concept is fun to it, aberdeenshire west, 1.3%. that sounds fine in theory but bearing in mind what we heard about the seats we have just seen, mind what we heard about the seats we havejust seen, tactical voting clearly going on and on the seats the snp failed to win to give them a good chance of getting to 65, there was a swing from the snp to the conservatives so there is clearly a significant tactical unionist voting going on but the unionists know doubt that this contest would be gp fought in this tiny handful of constituencies and they have voted with their feet and voted for the

unionist candidate, which everyone had the better chance of keeping the snp at bay. if there isn't a majority for the snp on their own, we potentially turn to the idea of an independent majority with the greens. we will wait for the regional list of votes throughout the day, we expect the greens to do very well on those, so look at the be that there will be a recently significant pro—independence majority with the snp and the greens taken together, but what some snp figures wanted ideally would be to have an snp majority on their own it to mirror the 2011 president. but nonetheless, the snp remains hegemonic in scotland is. whether to get an extra seat, because equivalent shall be the case of one seat to take them to 65 are not, they are heading for another term in office, nicola sturgeon will be first minister, and it seems that tension between london and edinburgh about the future of the union will endure. . 4, about the future of the union will

endure. ., ,, i. about the future of the union will endure. . ~j ,, j about the future of the union will endure. ., ,, i. j , ., endure. thank you. a little bit of breakinr endure. thank you. a little bit of breaking news, _ endure. thank you. a little bit of breaking news, labour— endure. thank you. a little bit of breaking news, labour have - endure. thank you. a little bit of| breaking news, labour have been re—elected at the liverpool regional merit. let's get an overview of the election results across britain so far. in scotland, the ruling snp's vote share has broadly held up, but it's failed to win a handful of crucial marginals. more council election results are also due in england today, as well as mayoral contests in london, greater manchester and the west midlands. counting is also continuing in elections to the welsh senedd. with this round up, here's greg dawson. the counting is far from over but the arguments about scotland and the future of the union are already under way. there is no doubt the snp is heading for a fourth—consecutive term in power. but the indications are they may fall short of the overall majority that would strengthen their argument for another independence referendum. in an interview in this morning's daily telegraph, borisjohnson says now is not the time for another vote, describing the prospect as reckless.

the uk government's position is very clear on this, we don't think there's a case for another referendum, particularly now as we try to chart a way out of the pandemic and get our economy going again. but we will deal with whatever we have to deal with once these elections are settled and once the new scottish administration decides what it wants to do. even if the snp do fall short, a pro—independence majority in holyrood is still likely once the scottish greens are allocated regional lists later today. central to our manifesto commitment was the proposition of there being a referendum on independence during this parliamentary term. i'm confident there will be a majority for such a proposition in the scottish parliament after the election. in wales, a touch of relief for labour, who defied the opinion polls look set to stay in power after matching its best—ever senedd election result, with exactly half of 60 seats in the welsh parliament.

the tories are in second place, ahead of plaid cymru, their former leader leanne wood losing her seat. for the labour party in england, the mood is more reflective after yesterday's dramatic loss in hartlepool continued the trend of being trumped by the conservatives in former heartland areas. we have to ask ourselves why it is that people have not seen labour as the answer to the problems they face in their everyday lives and the injustices we see. that's my point about what's happened over the last four defeats in general elections, whether it's in hartlepool, other places as well, where people do not now see labour as answering those concerns. there is the prospect of some relief later for kier starmer with the results of the london, greater manchester and bristol mayoralties expected to go labour's way. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben.

this weekend is bringing a couple of things we haven't seen that much lately, some warm weather and some wet weather. that is because of low pressure, and you can see that lois beautiful swell of cloud on the satellite image. the low will be sitting to the west of us for the next few days, already bringing a lot of rain for some, particular across southern parts of wales. their own will keep coming through the rest of the day, the day, the front setting in place and moving slowly. more rain pushing northwards across scotland, some snow over the highlands. something brighterfor highlands. something brighter for northern highlands. something brighterfor northern ireland in the far south of england, gusts up to 50mph for exposed coasts on the west. towards the south, these are the temperatures in the first part of the evening, up to 16 degrees, still chilly across scotland. overnight, this front will continue to provide

rain in parts of wales the north west as well, some rain in northern ireland. temperatures higher than recently, particularly in the south. overnight lows of 12 degrees in cardiff and london. tomorrow, low pressure to the west, that weather front still in place, and to the southeast of that front, we are tapping into some rather warm air, temperatures across the fire southeast of the uk tomorrow much higher than likely. the weather fronts will continue to bring cloud and patchy rain, working slowly eastwards through the day. some showers breaking out across parts of northern ireland and scotland, some sunny spells in between, and where we see sunshine across east anglia and the south east, that is the highest temperatures. a blustery day but those winds coming up from the south west, so warmer than it has been for all, but the highest values

in the far east of england, up to 21 degrees. heading through the coming week, this area of low pressure will continue to sit and spin, so further showers, perhaps longer spells of rain at times. equally, some dry and sunny spells in between the showers but one thing you will notice, not as chilly as it has been a not such as chilly as it has been a not such a risk of overnight frost. commentator: oh, it's magnificent! gundogan! great goal. _ commentator: oh, it's magnificent! gundogan! great goal. oh, _ commentator: oh, it's magnificent! gundogan! great goal. oh, it's - gundogan! great goal. oh, it's fantastic- _

good afternoon. the scottish national party remains on course for an historic fourth term in office as counting continues in the holyrood elections. nicola sturgeon's party still hopes to secure an outright majority, and, this morning, ministers insisted that they'd pursue another independence referendum if it's supported by a majority of msps. borisjohnson said such a move would be "irresponsible and reckless".