at six — a tough night for the tories. big losses for the conservatives at council elections in england, wales and scotland. labour win the tory flagship councils of wandsworth, barnet and westminster after decades in conservative hands — but struggle outside london. we've had a tough night in some parts of the country, but on the other hand in other parts of the country you'll still see conservatives going forward and making quite remarkable gains. believe you me, this is a big turning point for us. from the depths of 2019, that general election, back on track. a big night for the liberal

democrats as they gain more seats than any other party in england — the greens are also doing well. have you heard from durham police? but labour's gains are marred by the news that sir keir starmer will now be investigated by durham police amid allegations he broke lockdown rules last year. meanwhile all eyes on northern ireland — will the nationalist party sinn fein make history by winning the most votes at stormont? we'll have the full details on results from scotland and wales too. also on the programme. more than 120 years since it was founded, the convenience store mccoll�*s has gone into administration — putting 16,000 jobs at risk. prince harry and meghan say they will attend the platinum jubilee celebrations — but the queen says they won't be appearing on the buckingham palace balcony for trooping the colour. coming up on the bbc news channel, rangers make plans for seville. it's the first european final in m years for a team that's come a long way since.

good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. the prime minister says it's been a tough night for the conservatives — as the party lost hundreds of seats. labour took some of the tories' flagship seats in london — but failed to make significant gains further north. but it was a good night all round for the liberal democrats and the green party. in scotland, the snp are on course for another election victory. labour have also made gains, but the conservatives suffered heavy losses. it's not looking good for the conservatives in wales either where counting continues — as labour and plaid cymru make gains. we'll have more on that in a moment — and the latest from northern ireland — where the result could be

historic and bring seismic change if sinn fein win the most votes. but first let's look at the results in england. as you can see, the conservatives are down by nearly 300 seats, but they've not all been picked up by labour — in fact it's the liberal democrats who have won the most new councillors. if there had been a election across the whole country, this is the bbc�*s estimate of what the result would have been — labour as the largest party on 35% and the conservatives on 30%. 0ur political editor laura kuenssberg reports — and a warning there are some flashing images in this report. 0k, ok, this is going well. trademark optimism. _ ok, this is going well. trademark optimism, despite _ ok, this is going well. trademark optimism, despite shedding - ok, this is going well. trademark i optimism, despite shedding councils aren't losing nearly 400 counsellors too. from the safety of a primary school in his constituency, the prime minister didn't seem downcast. that's a very good, there. he prime minister didn't seem downcast. that's a very good, there.—

that's a very good, there. he lost iconic london _ that's a very good, there. he lost iconic london councils, _ that's a very good, there. he lost iconic london councils, giving - that's a very good, there. he lost. iconic london councils, giving away comfortable conservative ground. yet anger at downing street parties and his fine for breaking the law. there ou co. his fine for breaking the law. there you 90- did — his fine for breaking the law. there you 90- did not— his fine for breaking the law. there you go. did not translate _ his fine for breaking the law. there you go. did not translate to - his fine for breaking the law. there you go. did not translate to the - you go. did not translate to the catastmphe _ you go. did not translate to the catastrophe some _ you go. did not translate to the| catastrophe some conservatives you go. did not translate to the - catastrophe some conservatives had feared. its catastrophe some conservatives had feared. , ., �* , feared. its mid-term and it's certainly _ feared. its mid-term and it's certainly a — feared. its mid-term and it's certainly a mixed _ feared. its mid-term and it's certainly a mixed set - feared. its mid-term and it's certainly a mixed set of- feared. its mid-term and it's i certainly a mixed set of results. and we've had a tough night in some parts of the country, but on the other hand in other parts you'll still seeing conservatives going forward and making quite remarkable gains. in places that haven't voted conservative for a long time if ever. ., conservative for a long time if ever, ., ., ., conservative for a long time if ever. ., ., ., , ever. not in london, where his labour rival— ever. not in london, where his labour rival had _ ever. not in london, where his labour rival had big _ ever. not in london, where his labour rival had big reasons i ever. not in london, where his labour rival had big reasons to| labour rival had big reasons to smile. winning over territory held ijy smile. winning over territory held by the tories for decades. we've 'ust done by the tories for decades. we've just done it! _ by the tories for decades. we've just done it! westminster! - just done it! westminster! wandsworth!— just done it! westminster! wandsworth! ,, ,, ., ., �* wandsworth! steps forward. but outside london, _ wandsworth! steps forward. but outside london, perhaps- wandsworth! steps forward. but outside london, perhaps not - wandsworth! steps forward. buti outside london, perhaps not the wandsworth! steps forward. but - outside london, perhaps not the big bold strides labour needs. this outside london, perhaps not the big bold strides labour needs.— bold strides labour needs. this is a massive turning _

bold strides labour needs. this is a massive turning point _ bold strides labour needs. this is a massive turning point for _ bold strides labour needs. this is a massive turning point for the - bold strides labour needs. this is a| massive turning point for the labour party _ massive turning point for the labour party from — massive turning point for the labour party. from the depths of 2019, we are back— party. from the depths of 2019, we are back on — party. from the depths of 2019, we are back on track for the general election. — are back on track for the general election, showing the hard change we've _ election, showing the hard change we've done in the last two years, what _ we've done in the last two years, what a _ we've done in the last two years, what a difference it has made. any comment on _ what a difference it has made. any comment on the police investigation? but as_ comment on the police investigation? but as he _ comment on the police investigation? but as he travelled _ comment on the police investigation? but as he travelled to _ comment on the police investigation? but as he travelled to celebrate - but as he travelled to celebrate success elsewhere, allegations over and chased the labour leader. durham police will now investigate claims keir starmer broke the rules, having beer and curry with colleagues during lockdown.— beer and curry with colleagues during lockdown. anything to say about the investigation? - during lockdown. anything to say about the investigation? have i during lockdown. anything to say| about the investigation? have you heard _ about the investigation? have you heard from — about the investigation? have you heard from durham _ about the investigation? have you heard from durham police? - heard from durham police? he's alwa s heard from durham police? he's always said _ heard from durham police? he's always said nothing _ heard from durham police? always said nothing went heard from durham police?- always said nothing went wrong, but they are questions keir starmer will have to answer. voters response to the lib dems was warm in many places, grabbing seats from labour in the northern city of hull, from the tories in tunbridge wells, somerset and pockets of affluent london. the message to the tories from some green suburbs will cause

tory nerves. from some green suburbs will cause tory nerves-— from some green suburbs will cause tory nerves. they are saying they've had enough — tory nerves. they are saying they've had enough of _ tory nerves. they are saying they've had enough of this _ tory nerves. they are saying they've had enough of this prime _ tory nerves. they are saying they've had enough of this prime minister. i had enough of this prime minister. and i think the tectonic plates of british politics are shifting. now it's up to conservative mps to shove the prime minister into the abyss. remember, your votes stitched together a giant patchwork. not a picture that's the same in every corner of the country. cheering there was a striking labour success in london. it will hurt the tories, who broadly fell back further in the south than in the north of england. their coalition fraying more at its traditional end. but labour's jubilation in the capital wasn't always matched by enthusiasm elsewhere. the greens picking up pace too, with dozens of gains. but while results in england perhaps confirmed much of the status quo, at

the scene is set for a genuine moment of change in northern ireland. applause look at this, for the first time voters seem poised to make sinn fein the biggest party. that would be a moment of history and a moment of challenge and uncertainty for the uk. �* , ., challenge and uncertainty for the uk. �* y a, ., a, ., uk. i'm very grateful for all of those people _ uk. i'm very grateful for all of those people who _ uk. i'm very grateful for all of those people who have - uk. i'm very grateful for all of. those people who have engaged uk. i'm very grateful for all of- those people who have engaged in a very positive campaign.— very positive campaign. leaders whose dream — very positive campaign. leaders whose dream is _ very positive campaign. leaders whose dream is leaving - very positive campaign. leaders whose dream is leaving the - very positive campaign. leaders. whose dream is leaving the union very positive campaign. leaders - whose dream is leaving the union for a united ireland would be in charge. that could also shift the political conversation in scotland, where the snp, who also want to leave the uk, continue their years of dominance. crucially, labour moved up into second place. the scottish tories in a slump. and grew in wales too, the biggest party profiting at the expense of the tories. yet go back a few weeks, many tories fear to

complete calamity. they've had a terrible time in some parts of the country, but this hasn't been a wipe—out. and labour has moved forward but not far or fast enough to be sure of power. remember, these elections give us clues not concrete convictions of what's coming next, but it seems the two big parties are somehow locked in an uncomfortable status quo. somehow locked in an uncomfortable status ruo. ., somehow locked in an uncomfortable status ruo. . , somehow locked in an uncomfortable statusauo. . , , somehow locked in an uncomfortable statusauo. ., , , somehow locked in an uncomfortable status quo-— no - status quo. that is very good. no dramatic breakthrough _ status quo. that is very good. no dramatic breakthrough for- status quo. that is very good. no dramatic breakthrough for his - status quo. that is very good. no i dramatic breakthrough for his main rival, no total breakdown for the conservatives. borisjohnson has taken knox today, but still stands to carry on. —— has taken knocks. in a moment we'll speak to laura. but first let's go to durham now and our north of england correspondent danny savage — the news that sir keir starmer is now being investigated over allegations of breaking lockdown rules. yes, this dates back to the 30th of april last year and the question is did sir keir starmer break lockdown

rules when he was, during a visit to durham, when he drank beer in a local mp's office? the conservative press have dubbed this beer gate and is calling for more detail. labour party insists no rules were broken by circular and circular himself has made statement in the last half hour outside labour hq in london. this made statement in the last half hour outside labour hq in london.- outside labour hq in london. as i've exlained outside labour hq in london. as i've exolained a — outside labour hq in london. as i've explained a number _ outside labour hq in london. as i've explained a number of _ outside labour hq in london. as i've explained a number of times, - outside labour hq in london. as i've explained a number of times, we - outside labour hq in london. as i've i explained a number of times, we were working _ explained a number of times, we were working in_ explained a number of times, we were working in the office, we stopped for something to eat, no party, no breach— for something to eat, no party, no breach of— for something to eat, no party, no breach of the rules. the police obviously— breach of the rules. the police obviously have got theirjob to do, we should let them get on with it but i'm _ we should let them get on with it but i'm confident no rules were broken — but i'm confident no rules were broken. meanwhile, we had a really -ood broken. meanwhile, we had a really good set _ broken. meanwhile, we had a really good set of— broken. meanwhile, we had a really good set of results today. an good set of results today. in assessment by the officers good set of results today. fifty assessment by the officers at durham police earlier this year did conclude that no offences had been committed and therefore no further action was taken. but following what they described today as receipt of significant new information, they have now reopened that

investigation. what with the rules on the 30th of april last year? well, gathering indoors with people from outside your household or support group was banned under the law, but there was an exemption for work purposes. the question for police is whether labour officials eating and drinking together was legal under work purposes and was having a beer a problem when it comes to those rules? that investigation is now under way, watch this space.— 0ur political editor laura kuensberg is in westminster. clearly challenges ahead for both labour and the conservatives. clearly challenges ahead for both labour anc the conservatives. clearly challenges ahead for both labour anc the health 'vatives. clearly challenges ahead for both labour anc the health warning. right. first the health warning. local elections now, if keir

he received his fine. now, if keir starmerfinds he received his fine. now, if keir starmer finds himself he received his fine. now, if keir starmerfinds himself in he received his fine. now, if keir starmer finds himself in that position, it's really quite hard to see how he wouldn't have to follow his own advice. he says he's confident he's done nothing wrong and we've got no idea whether it investigation will lead to. there is also a risk for the conservatives.

these are a bad set of results for the governing party but not a dreadful set of results. some insiders would say actually for a party that's been in powerfor more than a decade, they aren't too shabby at all. but with all the concern among the public about making ends meet, with some anger still about what's been going on in downing street, i think there's a risk for boris johnson downing street, i think there's a risk for borisjohnson and his team about being complacent and thinking, well, it wasn't too bad, maybe we don't have to change that much at all. there are still people in his own party who really believe that borisjohnson has to shape up if he is to lead them into the next election. . ~ is to lead them into the next election. ., ,, , ., in scotland, the snp have performed well, remaining the largest party across the country, increasing the number of seats they hold. the labour party has recovered some of the ground it lost in 2017, re—taking second place from the conservatives. scottish conservative leader douglas ross blamed so—called

partygate leader douglas ross blamed so—called pa rtygate for leader douglas ross blamed so—called partygate for the losses it suffered. here's our scotland editorjames cook. cheering. 15 years ago this week, the snp swept to power in scotland, and nicola sturgeon's party is still going strong. it remains, by some distance, the biggest force in local government here. we've increased our share of the vote, we've increased the number of councillors that we have returned, we're the largest party in more councils i think today than we were yesterday, so this is an astonishing result for the snp and an absolutely brutal rejection of borisjohnson and the conservatives. but labour are also pretty pleased with their performance. five years ago, they were pushed into third place by the conservatives, a humiliation for a party which was once the dominant force in scottish politics. it's a good day for the scottish labour party. after almost a decade, we are seeing labour firmly back on the pitch, we are making gains across the country,

firmly in a good, strong second—place. but let me be very clear to people across scotland, i don't aspire for the labour party to be in second place. the scottish conservative leader, though, is seeking shelter from the storm. he had called for borisjohnson to resign before changing his mind when russia invaded ukraine, but he's still trying to pin the blame for poor performance on number 10. the public have been very clear, they have sent a message here in scotland and across the united kingdom that they are not happy with the prime minister, they are not happy with partygate, and as i say, many of them just stayed home on thursday. it's not that they've switched to other parties, theyjust didn't come out to vote, and we as a party across the united kingdom have to look at that. so labour have made gains in scotland, but the party remains a distant second to the snp, in a country which remains deeply divided on the question which nicola sturgeon insists remains her key aim — independence. james cook, bbc news, glasgow.

votes are still being counted for the northern ireland assembly, the elections will decide who will become the largest party at stormont. sinn fein may well make history by winning the most seats. let's go to our correspondent emma vardy. how is it looking? the big question has been whether sinn fein, the party that wants to create a united ireland can beat their bitter rivals the dup by winning more seats. at the moment sinn fein are ahead, so verso good for them but there is still away to go before we know the final results. we are seeing the dup has been losing some of its bills to the harder line to you. both parties detest the new brexit arrangements and want to scrap the new irish sea border but this has created difficulties for unionism and has split the vote. a few minutes ago we saw the leaders of sinn fein arriving here in a big press scrum to big cheers and if sinn fein were

to big cheers and if sinn fein were to win this election and become the largest party it would be a historic result and michelle o'neill would be entitled to claim the first minister row of northern ireland. went into this election there was a pretty gloomy outlook as to whether there would be a functioning government after this election and nothing has changed, voters appear to be in four months of uncertainty. thank you. in wales, labour and plaid cymru made gains at the expense of tory and independent councillors. labour have increased the number of councils under their control. they have made the biggest gains. they have made the biggest gains. the welsh conservatives have lost control of monmouthshire, the only council they held in wales. the first time since 1995 that labour will have the largest group on the welsh authority. 0ur wales correspondence how griffith has this report. steeped in labour history, the south wales valley's relationship with the party has wavered in recent years. cheering. but today, vows were renewed, voters who may have flirted

with other parties have returned to the fold. it's real and undeniable progress, and if you think about the low point that we'd reached in 2019, it often takes a long way back to regain people's trust to consider you and then to vote for you. it's about building on the progress we've made today both in wales, but in other parts of the uk too. while only a few councils have changed hands, labour has picked up the most seats, the welsh conservatives are the one who have paid the price for national issues like partygate. wherever you went, that national message was the message coming across on the doorsteps, that sadly was hitting home and less detrimental to local campaigning that was going on by our candidates. for plaid cymru, this election was a difficult path to tread, tied into a deal with labour in the senedd, some thought their message would be muted, but they've claimed an extra council and have come out of it stronger. when people are looking at the state of politics in westminster at the moment,

they see this kind of cooperative politics in wales, where, you know, a total contrast from the sort of aggressive adversarialism of westminster, as refreshingly different. while some taste success, the picture is still mixed for most of wales. here, like most councils, no one party is in overall control, so there may be weeks of negotiations before everything is settled. hywel griffiths, bbc news. well, most of the results in england, wales and scotland are in — here's reeta chakrabarti on what the numbers show so far. this is the state of the parties in the english council elections with almost all of the councils declared, and it shows what's shaped up to be a bad night for the conservatives and a particularly good night for the liberal democrats. let me show you some of the actual council results as they've come in. these are some of

the most notable ones. the two in london, westminster and wandsworth, very totemic councils in the past for the conservatives. they are very notable labour gains. these are two buroughs that have been conservative for decades and decades, so a big psychological boost for labour there in london. labour has also gained worthing in west sussex, and that is a council where they have been making advances at the conservatives expense for several years, it is a labour gain. and labour has also gained blaenau gwent in south wales, that is from independents. the conservatives, as i was saying, a bad night for them, they've lost control of west 0xfordshire, which is where david cameron had his westminster seat. they've lost control of huntingdonshire, which is wherejohn major had his westminster seat. those are now two hung councils. dundee in scotland, that is an snp gain, and the snp are on top of the poll. they remain pre—eminent in scotland.

and the liberal democrats, as i said, a good night for them, and they have gained the newly created council of somerset. if you are wondering what's going on in your own local authority, do go to our website. you can go to our postcode checker, just put your postcode in and click on the area. you can do that, as i say, from the website or visit the bbc news app. the time is... the time is 20 past six. our top story this evening. a tough night for the tories — big losses for the conservatives at council elections in england, wales and scotland. the queen's m jubilee celebrations, prince andrew and harry and meghan markle won't appear. coming up in sportsday on the bbc news channel, named test captain last week, this week hitting a record—breaking century in his first innings since. ben stokes scores 161 offjust 88 balls for durham.

it all started more than 120 years ago in glasgow — when the legendary scottish footballer robert smyth mccoll decided to use some of his earnings to open three sweet shops in the city — they were called rs mccoll. the business took off — and expanded over the decades as mccolls became convenience stores all over the uk. but now mccolls says its appointing administrators — putting 16,000 jobs at risk. tonight there's hope of a rescue deal as our business correspondent, emma simpson, reports. from its first shop in glasgow in 1901 to a network of more than a thousand stores. mccoll�*s is a familiar name in our high streets. shopping locally has never been more popular than during the pandemic, but mccoll�*s has found the going tough. here in stevenage, shoppers say it's handy but don't buy very much. ijust get my newspapers here and ijust like them because they're available, you know, they're always regular. we're just heading in now to get a birthday card and a drink,

a quick grab and go. yes. good service. not always got what you want. even before covid, convenience stores have been a bright spot here on the high street. but mccoll�*s has been too slow to adapt and providing more of a one—stop shop. it's also had long running supply chain problems struggling to get stock, a business with too much debt, finding it harder and harder to make money. morrison's, already in a partnership with mccoll�*s, put in an offer for the chain overnight, but it's the owners of this vast petrol station group who now look set to buy the business. the underlying business at mccoll�*s is over a thousand convenience stores in pretty decent locations. and really now in the future it's just a question of getting the range right and the pricing right to see the business flourish well into the future. mccoll�*s staff were told today that going into administration would hopefully mean that the business and colleagues would transfer across to a new owner. a deal could be done by monday.

emma simpson, bbc news, stevenage. a teenager has been jailed for six and a half years for the manslaughter of dea—john reid, who was 14, in birmingham last year. the 15—year—old was cleared of murder last month. a victim impact statment read out in court on behalf of dea—john's mother said her son had been chased down by a "lynch mob" before he was stabbed in the heart. there have been further cases of salmonella poisoning in kinder products. the uk health security agency says its now investigating 101 cases — the majority in children under the age of five. shops stocking certain kinder chocolate products have been urged to remove them immediately. a kinderfactory in belgium was closed last month when it was linked to dozens of cases. the duke and duchess of sussex have announced they will be attending celebrations for the queen's platinum jubilee next month — with their children. but the queen has decided that prince harry and meghan — along with prince andrew — won't be allowed to appear on the balcony at buckingham palace

during trooping the colour. the palace also says it won't be confirmed until much nearer the time — which of the events the queen will attend. here's our royal correspondent nicholas witchell. an appearance on the palace balcony is a centrepiece of any major royal celebration, but for the platinum jubilee there are sensitivities around some family members. so, the queen has decided that only working royals willjoin her on the balcony. so, cancelled in balcony terms are the duke of york and the sussexes. harry and meghan say they are coming to thejubilee, but they won't be on the balcony. the question, of course, is how visible will the queen be throughout the four days of the jubilee celebrations. it all begins on thursday the 2nd ofjune with trooping the colour, at the culmination of which the royal family makes that balcony appearance. according to the palace, the queen plans to attend trooping — but a final decision will be taken on the day.

on friday the 3rd ofjune, there will be a service of thanksgiving at st paul's cathedral. again, all the palace will say is the queen plans to attend. on saturday the 4th ofjune, after the derby, there will be the platinum party at the palace produced by the bbc — on a stage being built right in front of the palace. will the queen be there? it will be decided on the day. and then finally, on sunday the 5th ofjune, the gold state coach will be one of the main features in a jubilee pageant on the mall — though the queen will not be riding in it. so, it is clearly the queen's intention to be at trooping the colour and the service of thanksgiving — and at the other events if she can. nicholas witchell, bbc news. back to our top story and the election results. we now have the verdict of many of the voters who cast their ballots yesterday. the conservatives have been punished in parts of england and the lib dems have had several successes. labour say their results mark

a "turning point" but what does this all mean for who will end up in downing street 0ur political correspondent ben wright has this assessment. gains outside of london have not been _ gains outside of london have not been seen _ gains outside of london have not been seen in— gains outside of london have not been seen- - -_ gains outside of london have not been seen... ,., ., ., been seen... in the south of england sins of been seen... in the south of england signs of tory — been seen... in the south of england signs of tory discomfort. _ signs of tory discomfort. southampton council has slipped back to labour control. even while stewart voted conservative yesterday there is one issue on everyone's minds. ~ ., , there is one issue on everyone's minds. ~ , there is one issue on everyone's minds. , ., minds. with the last couple of months, minds. with the last couple of months. all — minds. with the last couple of months, all the _ minds. with the last couple of months, all the energy - minds. with the last couple of months, all the energy prices| minds. with the last couple of- months, all the energy prices coming in and the bills, i think everywhere will struggle, small businesses. this is a word that now has a labour councillor for the first time in decades, a clear reverse of the conservative fortunes. because of livin: is conservative fortunes. because of living is putting — conservative fortunes. because of living is putting us _ conservative fortunes. because of living is putting us to _ conservative fortunes. because of living is putting us to the - living is putting us to the breadline. i have a business and home _ breadline. i have a business and home to — breadline. i have a business and home to support, and bills are going up home to support, and bills are going up so _ home to support, and bills are going up so i _ home to support, and bills are going up so i have — home to support, and bills are going up so i have two lots to pay, here and at _ up so i have two lots to pay, here and at home, everything is going up.

at the _ and at home, everything is going up. at the cocktail bar he runs with his wife dorothy, this man told me why he had changed his vote. brute wife dorothy, this man told me why he had changed his vote.— he had changed his vote. we need somethin: he had changed his vote. we need something to _ he had changed his vote. we need something to help _ he had changed his vote. we need something to help this _ he had changed his vote. we need something to help this industry i he had changed his vote. we need something to help this industry to | something to help this industry to survive. so something to help this industry to survive. , ., something to help this industry to survive, , ., ., something to help this industry to survive. ., , . ., survive. so you have switched to labour survive. so you have switched to labour from _ survive. so you have switched to labour from the _ survive. so you have switched to labour from the conservatives . survive. so you have switched to i labour from the conservatives in these local elections, i wonder how much the partygate saga was part of your thinking. much the partygate saga was part of yourthinking. it much the partygate saga was part of your thinking-— your thinking. it was part of it. it all added up- _ your thinking. it was part of it. it all added up. in _ your thinking. it was part of it. it all added up. in all— your thinking. it was part of it. it all added up. in all honesty - your thinking. it was part of it. it all added up. in all honesty we l your thinking. it was part of it. it i all added up. in all honesty we had to vote labour this time. southampton has always been seen as a political weather vane, a south coast battleground between labour and the tories. after only a year in charge the conservatives have been swiftly objected here and it is served starmer�*s activists who are beaming today. further east along the coast labour also took control of worthing and rowley but the biggest political ripples in this part of england were built in somerset. part of england were built in somerset-— part of england were built in i somerset._ winning part of england were built in - somerset._ winning a somerset. well done! winning a councilthat— somerset. well done! winning a council that had _ somerset. well done! winning a council that had been _ somerset. well done! winning a council that had been run - somerset. well done! winning a councilthat had been run by- somerset. well done! winning a councilthat had been run by the| council that had been run by the conservatives for the last 13 years. i think people have just had enough

of all the duplicity and it is about time, i am delighted. of all the duplicity and it is about time, iam delighted. i of all the duplicity and it is about time, i am delighted.— time, i am delighted. ithink it does send _ time, i am delighted. ithink it does send a — time, i am delighted. ithink it does send a message - time, i am delighted. ithink it does send a message to - time, i am delighted. i think it. does send a message to central government that people, local people want to— government that people, local people want to feel empowered and supported. want to feel empowered and supported-— want to feel empowered and su--orted. , , , ., want to feel empowered and su--orted. ,, , ., supported. the lib dems gain seat across southern _ supported. the lib dems gain seat across southern tory _ supported. the lib dems gain seat across southern tory heartlands i supported. the lib dems gain seat across southern tory heartlands as well as taking hull from labour in the north of ringwood, which is where the conservative mostly held off labour challenges in places like article, where voters didn't seem to. about downing street parties. things go on no matter what happens, people _ things go on no matter what happens, people will— things go on no matter what happens, people will do — things go on no matter what happens, people will do things _ things go on no matter what happens, people will do things i _ things go on no matter what happens, people will do things i shouldn't - people will do things i shouldn't do, people will do things i shouldn't do. but — people will do things i shouldn't do. but they— people will do things i shouldn't do, but they want _ people will do things i shouldn't do, but they want to _ people will do things i shouldn't do, but they want to put - people will do things i shouldn't do, but they want to put it - people will do things i shouldn't do, but they want to put it back| people will do things i shouldn't . do, but they want to put it back to the back— do, but they want to put it back to the back burner— do, but they want to put it back to the back burner and let's - do, but they want to put it back to the back burner and let's get - the back burner and let's get moving _ the back burner and let's get movinr. ., ,., ., moving. either labour or conservatives, _ moving. either labour or| conservatives, everybody moving. either labour or- conservatives, everybody does moving. either labour or— conservatives, everybody does silly things _ conservatives, everybody does silly thins. ., conservatives, everybody does silly thins. . ., , conservatives, everybody does silly thinus. . ., , ., conservatives, everybody does silly thins. . ., ., conservatives, everybody does silly thinus. . ., ., ., things. local elections are not a simle things. local elections are not a simple reflection _ things. local elections are not a simple reflection of _ things. local elections are not a simple reflection of national - simple reflection of national politics but bigger parties a lot of think about. labour is making progress but has a long way to go back to power. while the conservatives will be concerned their vote in parts of true blue england seems to be sinking. ben

wright, bbc news, southampton. time for a look at the weather. here's helen willets. some blue sky ahead. for some of us. not a heatwave _ some blue sky ahead. for some of us. not a heatwave but _ some blue sky ahead. for some of us. not a heatwave but some _ some blue sky ahead. for some of us. not a heatwave but some pleasant - not a heatwave but some pleasant weather and mostly dry weather. today we had blue skies across many southern areas. it wasn't as abundant today but we managed 23 celsius injust abundant today but we managed 23 celsius in just a few spots but look at the difference further north. some much—needed rainfall across parts of wales, it has been raining in northern ireland and northern ireland, cleared scotland and northern england, more recently for northern ireland and it'll push further south. weather we see any significant rain across the gardens in the south a bit of a question but enough to dampen the ground and keep it mild. in the north of scotland we might get cold enough for a touch of frost. the weekend as we were hinting at is looking mostly dry. some sunshine. still a few showers around. the remnants of that weather front hanging around across east

anglia and the south—east. maybe one or two showers and the sticker cloud for the north—east of england but the west will be best for sunshine stop we can't rule out an isolated shower tomorrow but it looks mostly dry. when the sun comes out we will see temperatures into the high teens. we might squeeze 20. it might be coolerfor the east teens. we might squeeze 20. it might be cooler for the east of scotland and north—east of england with an onshore breeze. that switches again onshore breeze. that switches again on sunday as that high pressure crosses and nudges a bit further east. it allows the progress of these weather fronts to come in off these weather fronts to come in off the atlantic. rather more cloud by the atlantic. rather more cloud by the end of play for northern ireland and for scotland but a lot of dry weather and after some messed in fog both tomorrow and sunday morning when the sun comes out we will really feel it, strong sunshine and how uv and high levels of pollen. you can see a little less cold for the north—east coast on sunday. next week looking distinctly unsettled particular in the north but we may see some rain and is out before things warm up a little later.