fo ma rd forward but it is decent steps forward but it is early, it is 2am, we have a fair amount of information coming in but by no means is this the complete picture but based on where we are at, let's get the inside of a couple of different people, jo tanner who used to work for borisjohnson, thanks forjoining us, and shawn kemp, who was one of the liberal democrats�*s political advisers during that coalition period. sean, from what you have seen so far, do you think this is some kind of concrete return for the lib dems? it is looking that way. they came in thinking the 2019th set of results in these same wards was a great result for them. it showed inaudible was making a comeback and what happened after that. i think if they make gains again from that said the results and keep showing momentum, it's going to be great for them because what they are really looking at here is how they set up for the

next election, are they set to challenge the conservatives particularly in the seats around london and in the southeast and nights like this are one of the few nights like this are one of the few nights when the lib dems, frankly, get noticed, there are relatively small of mps, and automatic massively slow tractor inaudible to get the chance to say we are getting here and a threat to winning for the tories, they would be delighted. haw tories, they would be delighted. how miserable do — tories, they would be delighted. how miserable do you think the tories are of what they would be watching right now? are of what they would be watching riaht now? ~ �* , are of what they would be watching riuhtnow? �*, . right now? well, it's the classic thing where _ right now? well, it's the classic thing where it _ right now? well, it's the classic thing where it is _ right now? well, it's the classic thing where it is a _ right now? well, it's the classic thing where it is a bit _ right now? well, it's the classic thing where it is a bit too - right now? well, it's the classic thing where it is a bit too early| right now? well, it's the classic i thing where it is a bit too early to say but _ thing where it is a bit too early to say but it— thing where it is a bit too early to say but it does not look very good at this_ say but it does not look very good at this thing with the lib dems is always— at this thing with the lib dems is always that they are often, they are sort of _ always that they are often, they are sort of underestimated and often underestimated between elections and you kind _ underestimated between elections and you kind of— underestimated between elections and you kind of forget what they are busy _ you kind of forget what they are busy doing on the ground. in terms of making _ busy doing on the ground. in terms of making inroads, in terms of their general— of making inroads, in terms of their general campaigning. and i think

there _ general campaigning. and i think there is_ general campaigning. and i think there is that sense that this has been _ there is that sense that this has been a — there is that sense that this has been a sort of 2—party talk consistently on a national level for many, _ consistently on a national level for many, what feels like many, many months _ many, what feels like many, many months it— many, what feels like many, many months it is— many, what feels like many, many months. it is all about what care or richey— months. it is all about what care or richey is_ months. it is all about what care or richey is going to do, and i think the lib— richey is going to do, and i think the lib dems are plugging away so there _ the lib dems are plugging away so there is_ the lib dems are plugging away so there is probably a sense of how much _ there is probably a sense of how much really can the tories predict right— much really can the tories predict right now— much really can the tories predict right now mr mark have been properly sitting _ right now mr mark have been properly sitting munching on their pizzas that rishi — sitting munching on their pizzas that rishi sunak apparently bought them all_ that rishi sunak apparently bought them all out of his own pocket, they were keen _ them all out of his own pocket, they were keen to stress, i'm not sure it will give _ were keen to stress, i'm not sure it will give them great comfort at the moment _ will give them great comfort at the moment. , ., moment. the briefing from conservative _ moment. the briefing from conservative sources - moment. the briefing from conservative sources about moment. the briefing from - conservative sources about the pizzas, only ten pizzas which i wondered if that was going to keep them going throughout the whole evening but...— evening but... there is not a lot left at tory _ evening but... there is not a lot left at tory h0 _ evening but... there is not a lot left at tory hq to _ evening but... there is not a lot left at tory hq to feed. - evening but... there is not a lot left at tory hq to feed. maybe l evening but... there is not a lot. left at tory hq to feed. maybe they have all gone. _ left at tory hq to feed. maybe they have all gone, looked _ left at tory hq to feed. maybe they have all gone, looked at _ left at tory hq to feed. maybe they have all gone, looked at the - left at tory hq to feed. maybe they have all gone, looked at the pizzas| have all gone, looked at the pizzas and headed off. jo and sean, thank you forjoining us, sean with some more important commentary on the tractor. about to go to the news but before we do, let's look at the tower tally of what we're seeing far

tonight on this local election evening. it's around two o'clock in the morning. labour have gained 30 seeds at 188, the tories have lost 49, the seeds at 188, the tories have lost a9, the liberal democrats gaining 15 with 78 seats and another five for the greens. we've been talking to all of those political parties and have been out around the country here interviewing people on the ground. plenty more to come but now, then use with luxmy gopal. hello. here is your summary of the bbc news. counting is under way in the local elections in england in one of the last major tests of public opinion before next year's general election. voters have been deciding who will run services at 230 local councils with around 8,000 seats up for grabs. mayoral elections have also been taking place in bedford, leicester, mansfield and middlesbrough. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake has more. cheering and applause.

celebration in stoke—on—trent, just one counsellor of thousands finding out their fate. counting one counsellor of thousands finding out theirfate. counting has begun in more than 200 towns, cities and rural areas across england where voters have had their say on who should run local services. the tories are braced for a tough night, hoping to only limit their losses and among handle a very early results, they lost control of brentwood in essex whether nimal margaret paul lib dems picked up seats, hoping to make gains elsewhere, too, at the conservatives's expense. fantastic results for the _ conservatives's expense. fantastic results for the liberal _ conservatives's expense. fantastic results for the liberal democrats l conservatives's expense. fantastic| results for the liberal democrats in one of the safest receipts in the country and have gained three seats and are now up to 17 seats and the council moves into an overall control and it's a time of change in brentwood and we are delighted. fantastic news. labour have so far made modest progress but the party needs a strong showing to prove its

lead in opinion polls can bring in results. in a first for elections in england, photo id was required a polling stations, which left them unable to vote, it is too soon to say what impact the change has had. 0nly around one quarter of the councils holding elections are counting votes overnight, early results will not give anything like the full picture. but in the hours ahead, these local elections will be closely watched as a crucial test of the national political picture. jonathan blake, bbc news. all the local results will be available online. to see who won in your local area, you can use our postcode checker which is available on the bbc news website and on our app. in other news, ukraine's air force has shot down one of its own drones which it says had lost control above central kyiv. there were explosions for around 15—20 minutes yesterday evening as air defence tried to shoot it down in an area

near the president's office. the air force later admitted it was ukrainian and had been destroyed to avoid "undesirable circumstances". members of the biggest rail workers' union, the rmt, have voted to renew its mandate for taking strike action. it's the third such vote in a dispute over pay and conditions, which began last year. it raises the prospect of strikes continuing until nearly the end of the year. a us court has ruled that the singer ed sheeran didn't copy marvin gaye's let's get it on when composing thinking out loud. the british musician had denied stealing elements of the song for his 201a worldwide hit. heirs of marvin gaye's co—writer argued that sheeran, warner music group and sony music publishing owed them money for copyright infringement. sheeran's legal team had argued that the melodies are different and the elements used in both songs are common in pop music. with the king's coronation fast approaching, people hoping to get the best in—person view on the day are camping in central london this evening as rehearsals and final preparations take place

in and around westminster abbey. it's expected hundreds of thousands of people will line the route of the procession to and from the abbey. it's only a shortjourney down the mall and along whitehall and people are already positioning to get the best view. meanwhile, the prince and princess of wales took the new elizabeth line on the tube down to soho in central london and went to the pub. we will be back in an hour with the latest news updates but for now, it's back to our special election night coverage with laura. and just a reminder — to see who won in your local area, you can use our postcode checker, which is available on the bbc news website and on our app. very warm welcome back to 2023. it is seven minutes past too, if my eyesight serves me correctly, and we

are starting to see some results coming in from around the country, giving us an early taste of what the results will mean for the political parties. votes are still being counted. we can see people hard at work in ipswich and suffolk and some interesting races there and we may talk about those later. alton, an area that's been very closely fought over. we've heard from our reporter on the ground —— bolton. and the scene in leicestershire, looks like you hardly hear a pin drop, people standing, watching, wondering and waiting. let's have a look also at whole, where we've been talking about in the last few minutes the lib dems retaining control, taking seats where labour was hoping to take that counsel —— hull. and shove them out of office but liberal democrats very happy indeed, we were hearing from our report of their to have done well. and held on to the council. we can show you what is happening in stoke. applause, happy

labourfaces, it looks happening in stoke. applause, happy labour faces, it looks like happening in stoke. applause, happy labourfaces, it looks like it happening in stoke. applause, happy labour faces, it looks like it is the announcement of one particular the announcement of one particular the ward because these are local more general elections so you don't get the big dramatic declarations but it looks like a counsellor to me who has won his ward again, getting hugs and his friends and family, pats on the back and back to stoke later in the night because staffordshire is one part with a high exit vote, closely fought where labour wanted to be showing evidence of progress and i wanted to remind you of a couple of important things as we watch together things coming through. these seas, the last time they come up with fought in 2019, in may 2019, theresa may, jeremy corbyn, vince cable were in charge with a completely different political world, that is a baseline for the safe and they were not elections happening in every part of the uk, none in scotland, some parts of england, none in london, for example, none in wales, some in

northern ireland but not for a couple of weeks' time. public service announcements out of the way so we know what we are dealing with. chris, really interesting, just before two o'clock, we heard from sirjohn, we can say at about 2am so far it is looking like a grim night for the tories. a bit of progress for the tories. a bit of progress for labour but a step forward, not a giant stride, but the lib dems making a decisive step, maybe not a huge stride? that it's kind of where we are looking at?— we are looking at? something of a incer we are looking at? something of a pincer movement _ we are looking at? something of a pincer movement of— we are looking at? something of a pincer movement of far _ we are looking at? something of a pincer movement of far as - we are looking at? something of a pincer movement of far as the - pincer movement of far as the conservatives are concerned with labour gaining in some places and lib dem and to pick up on your reflections and the pictures from stoke, i hearfrom a labour mp that they think they could flip stoke. it's looking probable they say, such a key 0ettl ground, been reflected over the last couple of hours. some other things that have popped onto my phone in the last few minutes, laura, conservative leader of

thurrock in essex, has lost their seat to labour and a big lib dem game in windsor and maidenhead and berkshire as we've been reflect in, control looks like it may be on a knife edge and talking to my 15 minutes about tamworth in the midlands, seven gains for labour, pushing it from conservative control to no overall control labour pointing out it's been run by the conservatives since 200a so they point their to something that they suggest amounts to being significant, even though it's not somewhere they've taken control, it's flipping into... i somewhere they've taken control, it's flipping into. . ._ somewhere they've taken control, it's flipping into. . .— it's flipping into... i think we've heard already _ it's flipping into... i think we've heard already in _ it's flipping into... i think we've heard already in the _ it's flipping into... i think we've heard already in the studio - it's flipping into... i think we've i heard already in the studio tonight that labour will be very careful to be pointing out the geographical progress, notjust the overall tallies of where they take control. we may see tonight in the way these are happening not that many councils changing hands, maybe more tomorrow when there is a lot more results, that if labour were to take stoke, and i think they would need eight seats, eight new seats to do that,

that would be quite a symbol, wouldn't it?— that would be quite a symbol, wouldn't it? �* _ , ., wouldn't it? and symbols matter, es. wouldn't it? and symbols matter, yes. particularly _ wouldn't it? and symbols matter, yes. particularly in _ wouldn't it? and symbols matter, yes. particularly in this _ wouldn't it? and symbols matter, yes. particularly in this overnightl yes. particularly in this overnight section of the results coming in and so many of the councils, only one third of seats up for election, so mathematically the likelihood of a change in control is much more limited than it is when an entire council is up but as we've been reflecting you can still read a huge amount into a set of results, even in a council when nothing in headline terms is changed. but the party leaders, yes, they are looking at what we get to tomorrow and there's the predicted national show of the vote but also looking for symbolic places that point to change. not least places that can leap on the train to tomorrow or during the day in order to point to a trial. i during the day in order to point to a trial. ., , ., ., during the day in order to point to a trial. .,, ., ., _ ., during the day in order to point to a trial. .,, ., ., ., ., , a trial. i was going to say how many times have — a trial. i was going to say how many times have you _ a trial. i was going to say how many times have you been _ a trial. i was going to say how many times have you been to _ a trial. i was going to say how many times have you been to a _ a trial. i was going to say how many times have you been to a political i times have you been to a political visit in stoke and if you added to how many times i've been, we would probably be in triple figures. crosstalk.—

probably be in triple figures. crosstalk. ., ., ., crosstalk. people say not you again! but wh that crosstalk. people say not you again! but why that part _ crosstalk. people say not you again! but why that part of _ crosstalk. people say not you again! but why that part of the _ crosstalk. people say not you again! but why that part of the country? - crosstalk. people say not you again! but why that part of the country? we l but why that part of the country? we think of staffordshire. it explained it would be an important symbol but that part of the country, why is that part of the country, why is that the kind of place that labour is so keen to show progress? it’s that the kind of place that labour is so keen to show progress? it's so im ortant is so keen to show progress? it's so important because _ is so keen to show progress? it's so important because places _ is so keen to show progress? it's so important because places like - is so keen to show progress? it's so | important because places like stoke, they absolutely have to be labour securing the support of and being seen to secure the support of if keir starmer is to climb this massive electoral mountain that he faces at the next general election. they were thumped in 2019, the biggest defeat therefore labour since 1935. �* ,, , since 1935. and stoke ended up with three tory mps- _ since 1935. and stoke ended up with three tory mps. exactly, _ since 1935. and stoke ended up with three tory mps. exactly, alongside i three tory mps. exactly, alongside swathes of other _ three tory mps. exactly, alongside swathes of other seeds _ three tory mps. exactly, alongside swathes of other seeds in - three tory mps. exactly, alongside swathes of other seeds in the - swathes of other seeds in the midlands and the north of england, many of which had ever been held by the conservatives or not for a very long time. so labour have to be winning back places like that all winning back places like that all winning awards back in places like that to give the party a sense that they may be able to climb that mountain at the next general election because on the one hand we've had these massive opinion poll

leads recently but on the other, while they have got some optimism, the mountain may face is absolutely colossal, the swing that they need to creep back into westminster with a majority of one is massive, let alone enough to be able to comfortably govern with the majority of their own, so it's why places like stoke and elsewhere will be poured over in the micro detail, ward by ward almost vote by vote, see what the parties can gain from them and work out how they calibrate their campaigning and their geographicalfocus the their campaigning and their geographical focus the next year or 18 months —— deign. tote geographical focus the next year or 18 months -- deign.— 18 months -- deign. we like micro detail. i know— 18 months -- deign. we like micro detail. i know someone _ 18 months -- deign. we like micro detail. i know someone who - 18 months -- deign. we like micro detail. i know someone who has . 18 months -- deign. we like micro i detail. i know someone who has good at providing it. later, tell us! let me take you _ at providing it. later, tell us! let me take you through some micro—detail and a couple of councils where they are still counting. lincoln, flushing over there in the east, as you can see, there in the east, as you can see, there are still five seats to

declare, labour on 15, conservatives online. it is a labour council, has been labour since 2011, but the conservatives took the parliamentary seat here at the last general election so it is one of those areas where labour really wants to see an advance in its support. but look at this, it has lost two seats, and the beneficiaries are the liberal democrats, they have picked them up. then this is the change in the share of the vote on four years ago. labour up a little bit but the lib dems again are the main beneficiaries of the drop in support for the conservatives, and for the greens. so we will be watching that council as it tallies up more. now to dudley in the west midlands. you can see itjust highlighted there. still counting in dudley, still 16 seats to declare. this is a flip—flop sort of council, it has been conservative since 2021 and it was hung before then. conservatives

now and 35 and labour on 20, but, as always, it is the change in the share of the vote that is interesting. just a one seat swap there. but look at this. labour up by 15% in dudley, conservatives up by 15% in dudley, conservatives up by 5% as well, and the independence down —— the independents down. looks like a real collapse of them. at the moment labour other main beneficiaries, so we will watch that too. much more to come, laura. reeta, thank you for taking us under the bonnet and there's two different races. let's get on the ground, in west leicestershire, we were talking about conservative nerves in that part of the country, the controversy around the local mp, andrew bridgen, who is not a conservative mp anymore, but it sounds like it might notjust be the conservative at risk, there is a whisper that labour

might even win overall. what are you hearing? might even win overall. what are you hearin: ? ., might even win overall. what are you hearin: ? . , hearing? yeah, it is quite extraordinary _ hearing? yeah, it is quite extraordinary actually. i hearing? yeah, it is quite i extraordinary actually. there hearing? yeah, it is quite - extraordinary actually. there are more counts going on so i hope you can still hear me but yes, labour have just won three seats here from the tories in areas that you would not expect them to actually win seats from the tories. in ashby, it is an affluent, middle—class area, you would have thought they would support the tories. and then some of the margins are quite good in these boards. in one ward, labour won with 337 votes compared to the conservative candidate on 221. in local elections, that is quite a decent margin. interestingly, though, when you look out on the social media, the labour parliamentary candidate amanda hayek was endorsing all of the labour candidates on social media, she was out canvassing and that seems to have done the trick because those of the people that have gained from the

tories were as that was not the case for the tory candidate, could not be endorsed by andrew bridgen because he has been expelled from the party, so perhaps that is having an effect we may see that potentially labour have minority control here. we we may see that potentially labour have minority control here.- have minority control here. we can hear applause _ have minority control here. we can hear applause in — have minority control here. we can hear applause in the _ have minority control here. we can hear applause in the background i have minority control here. we can | hear applause in the background as another ward is an ounce. keep us posted as that would be a fascinating result if labour managed to take it, and also in the background all those really interesting issues around the local mp having been booted out of the conservative party, and nisha explaining why that had an interesting effect. a bit south at the bit is to andrew sinclair, he is in ipswich in suffolk for us. lots of interesting things happening in suffolk, all sorts of different races but can we start first of all on what could be a moment of history, that mid suffolk race where the green wants to be the first

majority counsel for them. what does that race look like, do you reckon? yeah, this is the result we will get tomorrow afternoon, when they count the result in mid suffolk, but yes, it is next door to us here in ipswich, and a seat the greens have been taking incredibly seriously. they were already the main ones. the conservatives have to rely on the casting vote, so the greens believe they can take that council tomorrow and they might be able to take it and they might be able to take it and become the first fully run green counsel with a full overall majority in the country, so that is one we will be watching very closely tomorrow afternoon. in will be watching very closely tomorrow afternoon. in terms of the other races — tomorrow afternoon. in terms of the other races in _ tomorrow afternoon. in terms of the other races in your _ tomorrow afternoon. in terms of the other races in your area, _ tomorrow afternoon. in terms of the other races in your area, very - tomorrow afternoon. in terms of the other races in your area, very few. other races in your area, very few numbers so farfrom other races in your area, very few numbers so far from the councils but the tories down 12, what will you be keeping a weather

eye on in the next couple of hours? well, here in ipswich, this is the one little bit of red in what is otherwise a very blue county of suffolk. the news from ipswich is that, once again, labourare suffolk. the news from ipswich is that, once again, labour are going to hold onto this council. they seem to hold onto this council. they seem to have been holding onto all their seats tonight, and they have just made another gain, so they will be very pleased with what is happening here, not least because this is a marginal conservative seat currently held by two conservative mps, and labour will say the fact they have picked up another seat here shows they are moving in the right direction. what is interesting though, it is a very mixed picture in other parts of east anglia at the moment. that labour lost a seat in harlow, and the conservatives have held onto harlow council tonight. labour also lost a seat in basildon, which has in the past been a labour run council. as crisp as saying a short while ago, we believe the

conservative leader of thurrock council could be in trouble. we're also hearing the conservatives could be in big trouble in braintree council tonight. be in big trouble in braintree counciltonight. now, braintree is interesting for a couple of reasons. one, because it is the seat of james 0ne, because it is the seat of james cleverly, the foreign secretary, and priti patel, the former home secretary. also, very interestingly, it is the place where the military air bases, and i have been told it has been playing very big on the doorstep —— the wethersfield military airbase. abs, doorstep -- the wethersfield military airbase. a fascinating patchwork _ military airbase. a fascinating patchwork of _ military airbase. a fascinating patchwork of races _ military airbase. a fascinating patchwork of races in - military airbase. a fascinating patchwork of races in that i military airbase. a fascinating | patchwork of races in that part military airbase. a fascinating i patchwork of races in that part of the country. ijust want patchwork of races in that part of the country. i just want to show you what has happened in ipswich, where labour has held the council, that is where we were speaking to andrew from, and actually they have gained one seat, tories down one, let's look at the vote share. a5% for the labour party, 35% for the conservatives. but here is an interesting thing, let's look at the

change in the vote since 2019, an increase of 2% for the labour party, increase of 2% for the labour party, increase of 2% for the labour party, increase of a% for the labour party but independents and smaller parties falling away. so that suggests something slightly different going on there in ipswich but people will, as andrew was saying, be watching it closely because it is one of those places where you have a split city, in terms of the mps that they choose to send to westminster. another place like that is plymouth. there is a prominent conservative mp, the veterans minister, johnny mercer, and then also labour representation at westminster, luke pollard, i believe if i'm getting my facts right. martin is there for us. when we talk to you an hour ago, said the tories were worried about white out. is that what it looks like? yes. tories were worried about white out. is that what it looks like?— is that what it looks like? yes. it seems that _ is that what it looks like? yes. it seems that the _ is that what it looks like? yes. it seems that the predictions i is that what it looks like? yes. itj seems that the predictions made is that what it looks like? yes. it i seems that the predictions made by figures in both parties are being

realised. —— wiped out. there has been a lot of local disagreement within the conservative council, some councillors leaving the group, interestingly a couple of the former conservative now, independents have held their seats, but we are seeing those labour advances. i also mentioned looking towards a general election, as inevitably we will do, we are seeing labour gains in the seat ofjohnny mercer, the plymouth moor view mp, and veterans minister, so labour order has one mp, the shadow defence minister, the other city mp is probably watching these results take in with some degree of anxiety. results take in with some degree of anxie . �* , ., results take in with some degree of anxie . �* i. ., results take in with some degree of anxie .�* ., , , anxiety. and you would see why if ou could anxiety. and you would see why if you could see _ anxiety. and you would see why if you could see the _ anxiety. and you would see why if you could see the share _ anxiety. and you would see why if you could see the share that i anxiety. and you would see why if you could see the share that we i anxiety. and you would see why if. you could see the share that we are showing our views of the moment, the change in share in plymouth at the moment so far, the conservatives down 16%, a very significant drop in their support there. but in your

assessment, we have talked already, there was a very vigorously discussed local issue about cutting down trees, the kind of thing, we saw the same thing happen in sheffield, that drive people round the twist and make them really angry with the local council. has it been possible there to assess tonight, talking to your contacts on the ground, the blend between those local controversies and the national picture? it local controversies and the national icture? . , ' . ., picture? it is very difficult to sa . i picture? it is very difficult to say- i mean. _ picture? it is very difficult to say. i mean, i— picture? it is very difficult to say. i mean, i have - picture? it is very difficult to say. i mean, i have to i picture? it is very difficult to say. i mean, i have to say, l picture? it is very difficult to say. i mean, i have to say, i| picture? it is very difficult to i say. i mean, i have to say, i hadn't really heard anybody really talking about the trees here in this hall, but, you know, the trees really were just the end of a long saga. it has been a very, very difficult period for the conservative group here in this city. they have been disagreements over all kinds of things. they lost their greens leader over the issues of the trees, he resigned after making the executive order of the trees being removed, but as we wind back a year, they went into the election campaign

last year, because plymouth elects in thirds, having just lost the leader then. in thirds, having just lost the leaderthen. in in thirds, having just lost the leader then. in that case, he was toppled in a vote of no—confidence. so it has an extremely full—time for the conservative group, which must have had a role, i think in tonight's events.- have had a role, i think in tonight's events. have had a role, i think in tonirht's events. . tonight's events. 0k, martin, thanks ve much tonight's events. 0k, martin, thanks very much indeed. _ tonight's events. 0k, martin, thanks very much indeed. if— tonight's events. 0k, martin, thanks very much indeed. if those _ tonight's events. 0k, martin, thanks very much indeed. if those labour. very much indeed. if those labour gains all come through, they would be very pleased to take plymouth because it is very definitively on the target list. now, bridget and munira, you're going to leave us before too long but reject you are staying with us, i'm afraid, not going to let you leave. so i'm going to talk to these two for the next five minutes. bridget, plymouth looks like a great picture for you. are you expecting to take it? it is lookin: are you expecting to take it? it is looking good _ are you expecting to take it? it 3 looking good and we have made significant gains and we are making significant gains and we are making significant gains and we are making significant gains there and why that matters is we want to secure control locally but actually what that takes us to when it comes to the general election. as you heard, we got a really key target parliamentary constituency there for the general election. that's the kind of place i

was really hoping we would make progress this evening, and judging by plymouth that's exactly what is happening. but by plymouth that's exactly what is haueninu. �* ., by plymouth that's exactly what is ha eninu. �* . ., happening. but what we were hearing earlier from john _ happening. but what we were hearing earlier from john curtis _ happening. but what we were hearing earlier from john curtis was _ earlier from john curtis was suggesting that the overall picture for labour is decent but not where it would need to be, if you are to claim that himalayan mountain to have a bigger swing than tony blair got into number ten in 1997. we know we have a big — got into number ten in 1997. we know we have a big challenge _ got into number ten in 1997. we know we have a big challenge ahead - got into number ten in 1997. we know we have a big challenge ahead of us l we have a big challenge ahead of us and we are not complacent about that one second. 0bviously and we are not complacent about that one second. obviously we will see a lot of results running into tomorrow as well, there is a lot to come, particularly in those parts of the country where we need to make progress for the general election, so we still have to keep an eye out for those but if you look at the progress we're making right across the country, whether in plymouth or in hartlepool, we came very, very close in hartlepool to taking control there which i don't think any of us really expected, and to be two votes short of taking control because of one ward, a very safe conservative ward, does show the progress we have been making since

2019. there is a long way together we are seeing some really strong and encouraging signs this evening that keir starmer has turned around the labour party. we are looking upward to the country, focusing on the issues that really matter to voters, particularly on the cost of living, the nhs and crime. and i think we are starting to see that come through in the result is that people recognise we understand the challenges they face, and in contrast with the conservatives, recognise we have a plan to tackle it. , ., , recognise we have a plan to tackle it. some people feelyou ran quite a nasty campaign _ it. some people feelyou ran quite a nasty campaign in — it. some people feelyou ran quite a nasty campaign in some _ it. some people feelyou ran quite a nasty campaign in some ways? i i it. some people feel you ran quite a l nasty campaign in some ways? i think it is perfectly — nasty campaign in some ways? i think it is perfectly legitimate _ nasty campaign in some ways? i think it is perfectly legitimate we _ nasty campaign in some ways? i think it is perfectly legitimate we should i it is perfectly legitimate we should point out exactly what this government is responsible after 13 years, and the reality is after 13 years, and the reality is after 13 years that people across the country are worse off, they feel less safe than they did, we have fewer police on our streets and we face record waits when it comes to the nhs. i think it is right and proper we make that clear and we make clear exactly who is responsible for that. that is 13 years now of conservative failure. ~ ., , ., 13 years now of conservative failure. ~ ., ., ., ., failure. munira, you are going to leave us in _ failure. munira, you are going to leave us in a _ failure. munira, you are going to leave us in a few _ failure. munira, you are going to leave us in a few minutes, i failure. munira, you are going to leave us in a few minutes, what| failure. munira, you are going to. leave us in a few minutes, what is your parting shot?— your parting shot? looking like a fantastic night _ your parting shot? looking like a fantastic night for _ your parting shot? looking like a fantastic night for the _ your parting shot? looking like a fantastic night for the lib -

your parting shot? looking like a fantastic night for the lib dems i your parting shot? looking like a i fantastic night for the lib dems was top as— fantastic night for the lib dems was top as crisp — fantastic night for the lib dems was top as crisp as saying, looks like windsor— top as crisp as saying, looks like windsor and maidenhead, theresa may's _ windsor and maidenhead, theresa may's backyard, is on a knife edge, we have _ may's backyard, is on a knife edge, we have made big gains there, gains against _ we have made big gains there, gains against labour in the mid—north of england. _ against labour in the mid—north of england. in— against labour in the mid—north of england, in hull, sunderland, newcastle. i believe so. and we have become _ newcastle. i believe so. and we have become i_ newcastle. i believe so. and we have become i believe the official opposition in sunderland now. that's correct. opposition in sunderland now. that's correct- the — opposition in sunderland now. that's correct. the point _ opposition in sunderland now. that's correct. the point is _ opposition in sunderland now. that's correct. the point is we _ opposition in sunderland now. that's correct. the point is we are - opposition in sunderland now. that's correct. the point is we are making l correct. the point is we are making rains correct. the point is we are making gains across _ correct. the point is we are making gains across the _ correct. the point is we are making gains across the country, _ correct. the point is we are making gains across the country, north i correct. the point is we are makingj gains across the country, north and south, _ gains across the country, north and south, and — gains across the country, north and south, and this is key for us towards _ south, and this is key for us towards the general election and some _ towards the general election and some of— towards the general election and some of our target seats, with a places— some of our target seats, with a places like — some of our target seats, with a places like stockport, surrey, hertfordshire, and some of those places— hertfordshire, and some of those places will be counting tomorrow but we are _ places will be counting tomorrow but we are feeling very upbeat and positive — we are feeling very upbeat and ositive. ., , ., positive. one of the things i wanted to ask ou positive. one of the things i wanted to ask you both _ positive. one of the things i wanted to ask you both about _ positive. one of the things i wanted to ask you both about before - positive. one of the things i wanted to ask you both about before you i to ask you both about before you leave, there has been some evidence in different parts of the country of one of your parties or the other just sort of holding back a bit. now, when that happens, and we have heard about it happening in bracknell, we know that some of your mps would like to do it on a more

formal basis, if your parties are informally sort of cooperating, sometimes letting people go forward, has not been a strategy this time? absolutely not, certainly not at a national — absolutely not, certainly not at a national level, there is no arrangement like that. we are a party— arrangement like that. we are a party that— arrangement like that. we are a party that would target our resources in the areas where we know we can— resources in the areas where we know we can win _ resources in the areas where we know we can win. we've got a record number— we can win. we've got a record number of— we can win. we've got a record number of candidates standing in these _ number of candidates standing in these local elections, so there is no pact— these local elections, so there is no pact there. these local elections, so there is no pact there-— these local elections, so there is no pact there. there is no formal act but no pact there. there is no formal pact but do _ no pact there. there is no formal pact but do you acknowledge i no pact there. there is no formal pact but do you acknowledge it i no pact there. there is no formal i pact but do you acknowledge it has in some parts of the country been happening a little bit?— happening a little bit? local arties happening a little bit? local parties make _ happening a little bit? local parties make their - happening a little bit? localj parties make their decisions happening a little bit? local parties make their decisions about where _ parties make their decisions about where they target the resources but i am delighted we have put up a record _ i am delighted we have put up a record number of candidates this time _ record number of candidates this time. �* ,., ., record number of candidates this time. �* ., i. time. bridget, some of your colleagues _ time. bridget, some of your colleagues would _ time. bridget, some of your colleagues would like - time. bridget, some of your colleagues would like to i time. bridget, some of yourj colleagues would like to see something formal.— colleagues would like to see something formal. colleagues would like to see somethin: formal. ~ . , ., ., something formal. what you tend to see where labour— something formal. what you tend to see where labour is _ something formal. what you tend to see where labour is doing _ something formal. what you tend to see where labour is doing better- see where labour is doing better nationally, it does tend to benefit the liberal democrats in constituencies where labour is not competitive. so i think in seats where it spills over into the general election, we've got lib dems conservative marginals, a more competitive and stronger labour party does tend to aid the liberal

democrats and the fights against the conservatives, and we are in a much stronger position than we were in 2019, that's for sure. timer;r stronger position than we were in 2019, that's for sure.— 2019, that's for sure. they are doinu 2019, that's for sure. they are doing you _ 2019, that's for sure. they are doing you a — 2019, that's for sure. they are doing you a favour, _ 2019, that's for sure. they are doing you a favour, accordingl 2019, that's for sure. they are i doing you a favour, according to bridget. doing you a favour, according to bridaet. ~ . �* ~ . bridget. what bridget i think is alludinu bridget. what bridget i think is alludin: to bridget. what bridget i think is alluding to is _ bridget. what bridget i think is alluding to is we _ bridget. what bridget i think is alluding to is we have - bridget. what bridget i think is alluding to is we have a - bridget. what bridget i think is alluding to is we have a savvy i alluding to is we have a savvy electorate who understands tactical voting _ electorate who understands tactical voting in_ electorate who understands tactical voting in the terrible voting system where _ voting in the terrible voting system where people are often voting against — where people are often voting against the party they want to come in as much— against the party they want to come in as much as they are voting for the party— in as much as they are voting for the party they want to come in. and that is— the party they want to come in. and that is key, — the party they want to come in. and that is key, if— the party they want to come in. and that is key, if we want to see the tories _ that is key, if we want to see the tories out — that is key, if we want to see the tories out of government next year, then, _ tories out of government next year, then, frankly, the liberal democrats will need _ then, frankly, the liberal democrats will need to— then, frankly, the liberal democrats will need to be picking up seats right— will need to be picking up seats right across the country, as well as the labour— right across the country, as well as the labour party. thank you indeed for being with us. you are kindly staying with us, bridget, i am you are kindly staying with us, bridget, iam not you are kindly staying with us, bridget, i am not holding you against your will but the two of you, thank you for being with us. with a savvy electorate, certainly thoroughly electorate watching us at this time of the morning, and for you savvy people watching out there, reeta can give you some more delving

into the details.— into the details. thank you. let's start with a _ into the details. thank you. let's start with a look _ into the details. thank you. let's start with a look at _ into the details. thank you. let's start with a look at where - into the details. thank you. let's start with a look at where we i into the details. thank you. let's start with a look at where we are | start with a look at where we are now and these numbers are changing all the time and as you can see the conservatives have lost 6a councillors, labour has gained a0 and the liberal democrats have gained 17. i want to show you a graph which is the projected national share. graph which is the projected nationalshare. remember, this graph which is the projected national share. remember, this is where we extrapolate how the whole country would have voted if everyone were voting in these elections. remember, london, birmingham are not voting, but if the whole country were voting, how would it look? it's based on the results we have so far and we have those results from the key wards which is where we measure how the support for each of the main parties changes over time and we've got over one third of those in so this is what the results are suggesting at the moment. this could change but at the moment, this is

suggesting that the labour party is actually not put on any support from 2022, from last year. it's actually just flatlining. the conservatives have lost five percentage points on where they were 12 months ago. the lib dems have picked up 1% and others, which will include the greens, are up by a%. now, that's an interesting graph, isn't it? labour is clearly doing rather better than it was doing in 2019, which was the last time these seats were fought. the conservatives are not, on this projection. and labour will be heartened by the fact that there is the 5% gap between it and the conservatives, at the same time they would also like to see more of a surge in their own support and not simply have to rely on that gap. as

i say, this is how it looks at the moment. it will change, it can change, as more results coming but as early indicator, that is where we are. . . ~' as early indicator, that is where we are. . ., ~ i. as early indicator, that is where we are. . . ~' , as early indicator, that is where we are. . ., ~ , . are. reeta, thank you very much. very interesting _ are. reeta, thank you very much. very interesting projections i are. reeta, thank you very much. very interesting projections at i are. reeta, thank you very much. | very interesting projections at this stage, as they are. at this stage at about 2:30 am. we are joined stage, as they are. at this stage at about 2:30 am. we arejoined by stage, as they are. at this stage at about 2:30 am. we are joined by a couple of new gas, baroness kramer, susan kramerfor the liberal susan kramer for the liberal democrats, susan kramerfor the liberal democrats, senior switchover, and bridget phillipson becomejonathan bridget phillipson become jonathan ashworth, bridget phillipson becomejonathan ashworth, the labour shadow work and pensions secretary. welcome to you both and we will get stuck into a bit of conversation in a few minutes' time. remember, a conversation is going on online as well as there is in the studio. if you are the kind of person who likes to do things on your phone while watching the tv, you can do it here, the live page, with all of the information from the counting tonight is streaming in. lots of

tips and intelligence from our teams on the ground. you can find it on the app or bbc.co.uk/news. as it werejust hearing from the app or bbc.co.uk/news. as it were just hearing from reeta, if things carry on on this current trend, the conservatives may end up with a share from john curtice's dried calculator of about 25% —— giant. that would be worse than when borisjohnson was in office this time last year, already in a lot of trouble already with a very unhappy party, and 25% as a projected national share, that figure, if the whole country had been voting, that would be one of the worst local election results for a conservative party ever, wouldn't it? it election results for a conservative party ever, wouldn't it?— party ever, wouldn't it? it would, and it would _ party ever, wouldn't it? it would, and it would cause _ party ever, wouldn't it? it would, and it would cause real— party ever, wouldn't it? it would, | and it would cause real inaudible for that reason. there are reasons

to use the counter, if we go back four years, the conservatives have a rough night in the set of seats that we are seeing fought again today and there are two points worth making. 0ne there are two points worth making. one is falls tonight after all is furtherfrom big falls, the big conservative work conserve —— that the conservatives were subjected to last time and in 2019 after the rough night at the local elections and even more desperate night for the conservatives at the european elections are followed and then they want a general election six months later so when we do these bits of extrapolation there are these different lines down which we can point to... different lines down which we can point to- - -— different lines down which we can point to. . .- but _ different lines down which we can point to. . .- but as _ different lines down which we can point to. . .- but as you i different lines down which we can point to... sure. but as you say those numbers _ point to... sure. but as you say those numbers would _ point to... sure. but as you say those numbers would be - point to... sure. but as you say those numbers would be quite. those numbers would be quite something and it would prompt real nerves and jitters, i think. after a period where they have managed to, at westminster, settle things done internally after all of the fireworks and turbulence we witnessed last year. but fireworks and turbulence we witnessed last year.- fireworks and turbulence we witnessed last year. but do you think if it was _ witnessed last year. but do you think if it was not _ witnessed last year. but do you think if it was not --do - witnessed last year. but do you think if it was not --do you i witnessed last year. but do you i think if it was not --do you think think if it was not ——do you think it has knocked zhi soon a golf course? we've wondered if he's been

trying to pretend the elections were not happening? there was the odd picture of him looking at a pothole and we will see through the coronation he will be eager to be seen with world leaders and doing all sorts of official things and we did not see any pick is of him on the campaign trail today. he was busyin the campaign trail today. he was busy in downing street. do you think there will be blinkers or will it change something? it’s there will be blinkers or will it change something?— there will be blinkers or will it chante somethin: ? v , , ~ change something? it's been striking how little we've _ change something? it's been striking how little we've seen _ change something? it's been striking how little we've seen of _ change something? it's been striking how little we've seen of rishi - how little we've seen of rishi sunak. he has been out and about but not often. striking on the last day of campaigning on wednesday as we saw various political leaders out and about, from memory keir starmer i was in midway in kent, rishi sunak was in amersham in bucks, where there are not any elections. thtnd there are not any elections. and here he is _ there are not any elections. and here he is today, _ there are not any elections. and here he is today, the _ there are not any elections. and here he is today, the group and grins and the rest of it. any prime minister, i would grins and the rest of it. any prime minister, iwould make grins and the rest of it. any prime minister, i would make the most of the diplomatic opportunity as a leader is coming and going and do the world stage the prime minister

can do —— grip and grins. it is can do -- grip and grins. it is strikin: can do -- grip and grins. it is striking he — can do -- grip and grins. it is striking he has _ can do -- grip and grins. it is striking he has not _ striking he has not been particularly visible. i think it will be driven by hq with him to get on as being prime minister. there is such turbulence last year, so volcanic where the rows, the party conference in particular, this public civil war being played out to the country, that when i speak to conservative mps from the most senior to the mostjunior, they formed themselves out with internal conflict and i think there is a sense, really, that however bad things turn out to be, they have pitched before hitched their wagon to rishi sunak between here and the general election, but when mps return to westminster next week, especially in the areas where in local authority terms but party has done poorly, of course they are going to be thinking my goodness, these are notjust opinion polls, these are notjust opinion polls, these are notjust opinion polls, these are key votes in key areas and will income the general election i will income the general election i will be done for? it shift their

reality and outlook and mentality and how it manifests itself will be fascinating. and how it manifests itself will be fascinatint. ., , and how it manifests itself will be fascinating-— and how it manifests itself will be fascinatint. ,, , ., fascinating. surely you would never su: est fascinating. surely you would never suggest that _ fascinating. surely you would never suggest that an _ fascinating. surely you would never suggest that an mp _ fascinating. surely you would never suggest that an mp may _ fascinating. surely you would never suggest that an mp may think i fascinating. surely you would never| suggest that an mp may think about their own welfare when they look at results across the country. crosstalk. let's talk to one of those conservative politicians around the country who has lost his seat, and there are big consequences for them, too, seat, and there are big consequences forthem, too, in seat, and there are big consequences for them, too, in worcester. with 0rocobre numbers first before we talk to the former leader. —— let's look at the numbers first. let's look, labour has 13, the greens have ten, the conservatives in third place with eight. what's the change? look at this. greens take for ——, labour only take one, even though they were hoping to look competitive there and conservatives have lost seven —— greens take four.. greens with the highest vote share there.

the all—important change of the share, the greens are up 10% and the conservatives down 11%. let's speak then to chris mitchell who was the leader of worcester council. thank you very much indeed forjoining us. the tories did not win a single seat. you've lost your seat to the greens. what do you think led to that result? tbs, greens. what do you think led to that result?— greens. what do you think led to that result? �* , ., ., ,., , that result? a number of reasons, i tuess. that result? a number of reasons, i guess- the — that result? a number of reasons, i guess. the political _ that result? a number of reasons, i guess. the political backdrop i that result? a number of reasons, i guess. the political backdrop of - guess. the political backdrop of westminster, and is a key factor which is — we heard on the doorstep but i think also it goes down to the way the opposition ganged up is the wrong word, there was a clear strategy of if you want the tories

out, then you need to vote for, in my ward it was the greens because the labour and liberal democrats literally did not campaign, and it was similar in other wards so yeah, a key factor, though, was i think some residents showed unhappiness with recent performances in westminster.— with recent performances in westminster. . . ., westminster. and which particular as - ects? westminster. and which particular aspects? frustration _ westminster. and which particular aspects? frustration at _ westminster. and which particular aspects? frustration at all- westminster. and which particular aspects? frustration at all of- westminster. and which particular aspects? frustration at all of the l aspects? frustration at all of the turmoil or the conservative drama or were you picking up a sense of anger about the fact that things are hard for a lot of people right now? was it the political soap opera or the practicalities of life right now? in truth, residents are not normally that specific on the doorstep, or rarely, anyway. the general annexed was that i think people >> i think things have gone well in the last 12 months and have not seen a significant improvement in the last four orfive months —— general angst. in many ways they therefore said to us this is a protest vote.

it rishi sunak then has not been able to make a difference? they are not impressed with him? m0. able to make a difference? they are not impressed with him?— able to make a difference? they are not impressed with him? no, i didn't sa that. i not impressed with him? no, i didn't say that- i said _ not impressed with him? no, i didn't say that. i said some _ not impressed with him? no, i didn't say that. i said some residents - not impressed with him? no, i didn't say that. i said some residents had l say that. i said some residents had said they were not impressed with the performance of late. personally, i think the prime minister has steady the ship but he has only had a few months to really make an impact or a difference and the turmoil where in is a big tanker to turn around and you cannot do with that quickly but i think there are seats of growth whether we're going the right direction and unfortunately the residents did not see that. ~ , �* , , ., see that. why didn't they see that? we tried to — see that. why didn't they see that? we tried to speak— see that. why didn't they see that? we tried to speak to _ see that. why didn't they see that? we tried to speak to them - see that. why didn't they see that? we tried to speak to them on - see that. why didn't they see that? we tried to speak to them on the l we tried to speak to them on the doorstep. in truth, we tried to keep the discussions about local politics because that's what we are, local politicians. we don't influence what goes on in the nhs or, well, foreign office or anything like that. but residentsjust office or anything like that. but

residents just kept going back to national issues. find residentsjust kept going back to national issues.— residentsjust kept going back to national issues. and what do you think it could _ national issues. and what do you think it could mean _ national issues. and what do you think it could mean then - national issues. and what do you think it could mean then for - national issues. and what do you think it could mean then for the l think it could mean then for the important westminster seat in that part of the country, and there is a local curiosity that robin walker who has been the mp there is standing down, with what you've picked up from people in the town in this election, do you think there will be consequences for the conservatives in the general election there? do you think you risk losing the seat? the worcester ci seat risk losing the seat? the worcester city seat has _ risk losing the seat? the worcester city seat has never _ risk losing the seat? the worcester city seat has never been _ risk losing the seat? the worcester city seat has never been a - risk losing the seat? the worcester city seat has never been a safe - city seat has never been a safe seat. it's also been relatively marginal anyway. seat. it's also been relatively marginalanyway. it's seat. it's also been relatively marginal anyway. it's always at risk. howeverthe marginal anyway. it's always at risk. however the next candidate will be risk. however the next candidate will he knows they have a tough job on their hands. will be knows they have a tough 'ob on their hands.�* will be knows they have a tough 'ob on their hands. thank you very much indeed, on their hands. thank you very much indeed. chris — on their hands. thank you very much indeed, chris mitchell, _ on their hands. thank you very much indeed, chris mitchell, the _ on their hands. thank you very much indeed, chris mitchell, the former i indeed, chris mitchell, the former conservative leader of worcester council. thank you for giving us your thoughts there. richard, as you were listening to chris, did not quite have your head in your hands that you're looking pretty club, he said general annexed crucially, he

said, residents he spoke to have not seen any improvements since rishi sunak has been in charge —— angst. i sunak has been in charge —— angst. i think when he went into the inner little more depth i think was reflecting on the fact that we've seen the turbulent i2 reflecting on the fact that we've seen the turbulent 12 months and we've only seen a few months of things starting to be turned around and i think generally, i agree with him on that point and i can understand where some of his residence come from.- understand where some of his residence come from. hang on, he said they have _ residence come from. hang on, he said they have not _ residence come from. hang on, he said they have not seen _ residence come from. hang on, he said they have not seen any - said they have not seen any improvement. generalannexed said they have not seen any improvement. general annexed but they have not seen any improvement. —— angst. you could tell that what he was saying that over the last year or so there's been tough times in westminster and is reflected at a local level and while things started to stabilise about not seeing the improvement they would like to see so far into the extent of their they would to. and if we look at the projection of what deny�*s results, if they carry on current trends, would mean, it will for the conservatives on 25%. it's 5% worse than last year when boris johnson was still in charge, things were

already turbulent then and he had had a very turbulent time for all sorts of different reasons. but if after seven months of rishi sunak in charge you end up with what is probably could be on course to be the worst local election performance for the tories in recent memory, how will people like mr mitchell have any confidence that you will be able to turn it around before a general election? ., ., ~' to turn it around before a general election? ., ., ~ ., to turn it around before a general election? ., ., election? looking at some of the other results _ election? looking at some of the other results coming _ election? looking at some of the other results coming through, i election? looking at some of the . other results coming through, essex has been quite a mixed picture, a lot of results there so you can actually look at some compare and contrast, basildon, tories gain, in 2019, - contrast, basildon, tories gain, in 2019, — gaining seats against labour. harlow, another crucial seat if labour were to form a government, the tories gaining seats. but if labour were to form a government, the tories gaining seats.— the tories gaining seats. but i'm askin: the tories gaining seats. but i'm asking about _ the tories gaining seats. but i'm asking about the _ the tories gaining seats. but i'm asking about the overall - the tories gaining seats. but i'm asking about the overall picture. j asking about the overall picture. but our viewers can see and john curtice has identified as developing. the question is if you end up with 25% of the share of the vote, if the whole country were

voting, that would be one of the worst local election performances for the conservatives in recent memory. seven months after rishi sunak came in as the person to turn it around. and if you're on 25%, how can you look people in the eye and say i know it has been tough but we are turning it around. you say i know it has been tough but we are turning it around.— are turning it around. you need to look at the _ are turning it around. you need to look at the areas _ are turning it around. you need to look at the areas and _ are turning it around. you need to look at the areas and this - are turning it around. you need to look at the areas and this is - are turning it around. you need to look at the areas and this is whatl look at the areas and this is what bridget was saying before, look, look at the areas that labour are targeting and need to gain and that the guppy what i'm trying to do now. you are trying to avoid my question about what 25% would mean if that was your share of the vote. ii about what 25% would mean if that was your share of the vote.- was your share of the vote. if you don't look — was your share of the vote. if you don't look at _ was your share of the vote. if you don't look at individual _ was your share of the vote. if you don't look at individual areas - was your share of the vote. if you | don't look at individual areas then it is sort of meaningless, if you don't look at basildon, what is happening in peterborough where i have just seen happening in peterborough where i havejust seen one happening in peterborough where i have just seen one of my conservatives have gained a council seat there are flavour, those are marginal seats. but

seat there are flavour, those are marginal seats.— seat there are flavour, those are marginal seats. but they need to be held by your — marginal seats. but they need to be held by your party- _ marginal seats. but they need to be held by your party. ended _ marginal seats. but they need to be held by your party. ended and - marginal seats. but they need to be held by your party. ended and that i held by your party. ended and that is exactly what _ held by your party. ended and that is exactly what has _ held by your party. ended and that is exactly what has happened - held by your party. ended and that is exactly what has happened in i held by your party. ended and that. is exactly what has happened in and in basildon, and if the green vote share goes up several percent, then what impact has that on a general election? marc we shall have to see but i don't think we are going to see national vote share swings like we have just seen see national vote share swings like we havejust seen in see national vote share swings like we have just seen in worcester in a general election.— we have just seen in worcester in a general election. robot minister, if ou end general election. robot minister, if you end up — general election. robot minister, if you end up with _ general election. robot minister, if you end up with 25% _ general election. robot minister, if you end up with 25% as _ general election. robot minister, if you end up with 25% as a _ general election. robot minister, if you end up with 25% as a share - general election. robot minister, if you end up with 25% as a share of. you end up with 25% as a share of the vote, if you have lost 1000 councillors, —— but to minister, how can you let chris mitchell, who has just lost a seat in worcester, how can you look in the eye and say you know what, we've got this, rishi sunak whiley is the man to turn it round? when the performance is worse thanit round? when the performance is worse than it was under borisjohnson. this will be counselled by council. some areas are doing better than others. �* , , ., ., others. but this is the overall

icture. others. but this is the overall picture- you _ others. but this is the overall picture. you are _ others. but this is the overall picture. you are cherry - others. but this is the overall l picture. you are cherry picking. others. but this is the overall - picture. you are cherry picking. i'm t in: to picture. you are cherry picking. in trying to look at the seats you need to win to win a general election. the fact that in worcester, the numbers aren't as good as in other areas, absolutely right and that would be cherry picking. but the truth is that the seats that we need to win a general election right across the country, you just not seeing those labour gains they would need to do in order to form a government at a general election at the stage. yeah picking up on that, richard, laboursources the stage. yeah picking up on that, richard, labour sources claiming on the ., , , ., , ., the votes they have seen so far, the votes they have seen so far, they could _ the votes they have seen so far, they could have _ the votes they have seen so far, they could have won _ the votes they have seen so far, they could have won the - they could have won the constituencies of hartlepool, dudley. _ constituencies of hartlepool, dudley, west bromwich east, great grimsby— dudley, west bromwich east, great grimsby and aldershot, aldershot has been heard _ grimsby and aldershot, aldershot has been heard by the conservatives for years _ been heard by the conservatives for years and _ been heard by the conservatives for years and years. obviously we await, results _ years and years. obviously we await, results trickling through. what would — results trickling through. what would it — results trickling through. what would it mean if these results continue _ would it mean if these results continue in the way they appear to be, what _ continue in the way they appear to be, what would this mean for the

government's direction? do you change — government's direction? do you change tack or carry on regardless? you are _ change tack or carry on regardless? you are seeing different results in different parts of the country. obviously people have said they have had a difficult time with living costs, energy bills, the government set up at a huge package and thereby people are still feeling it, i feel it when i do weekly shop as much as, and other people will feel it even more actually, particularly if they are on tight budgets, so people are feeling at right across the country but what i would say is you have to look in different areas, and if labour are going to win the next election, they would have to take some of those towns in essex, seats like peterborough as well, and you look at north east lincolnshire, conservatives held that council, us to hold great grimsby in a general election scenario as well.- election scenario as well. sure, i 'ust election scenario as well. sure, i just wonder _ election scenario as well. sure, i just wonder that _ election scenario as well. sure, i just wonder that anything - election scenario as well. sure, i | just wonder that anything change though. — just wonder that anything change though, because if voters have sent a message — though, because if voters have sent a message to the conservatives, and it appears— a message to the conservatives, and it appears they have, let's see the results _ it appears they have, let's see the results of— it appears they have, let's see the results of the end of friday, how does _ results of the end of friday, how does the —

results of the end of friday, how does the government at westminster respond _ does the government at westminster respond to— does the government at westminster respond to that, does it change tack or carry— respond to that, does it change tack or carry on _ respond to that, does it change tack or carry on regardless?— or carry on regardless? you're makin: or carry on regardless? you're making an _ or carry on regardless? you're making an important - or carry on regardless? you're making an important point, i or carry on regardless? you're| making an important point, we or carry on regardless? you're - making an important point, we have seen the premise to set out his five key priorities a couple of months ago, people want to see him delivering on them, getting inflation halved by the end of the year, starting to move in the right direction but a long way to go, it is not the recession people predicted but it is not where we want to be. cutting hospital waiting lists down, we saw that huge rise during the pandemic, a lot of work to do that we have started to make some progress with helping with doctor's pensions and things like that and stopping the boats will stop that legislation is going through parliament. we will have to deliver on those things for parliament for people to stop believing in us, and richey has set out there priorities, we are moving in the right direction —— rishi sunak has set out those priorities. people will also start to look at the difference between him and sir keir starmer in a general election rather than on some of those more local factors you get in a local election too.— local factors you get in a local election too. ., ~ , ., ., , election too. thank you for being with us, election too. thank you for being with us. we _ election too. thank you for being with us, we have _

election too. thank you for being with us, we have to _ election too. thank you for being with us, we have to let _ election too. thank you for being with us, we have to let you - election too. thank you for being with us, we have to let you go, l election too. thank you for being i with us, we have to let you go, you have put in a long shift. thank you forjoining us. jonathan and for joining us. jonathan and baroness forjoining us. jonathan and baroness kramer we will talk to you very shortly. as richard was saying, defending rishi sunak�*s record and ambition but underlining there are lots of local factors here, of course there are. it should also be remembered it is still quite early in the night. well, not early in the night actually but it is early in the overall stream of results, because there are plenty of results that will be coming through tomorrow as well. so, a latke change. that projected national share at this point is very much a projected national share, whatjohn curtice's numbers are suggesting right now, roughly 21%, that would be one of the worst conservative local election performances, but the numbers are still being sketched out. they are not firmly in black—and—white. sojust out. they are not firmly in black—and—white. so just a out. they are not firmly in black—and—white. sojust a reminder for everybody there. another reminder that these elections are not happening everywhere, they are

not happening everywhere, they are not happening everywhere, they are not happening in scotland, not in northern ireland, for another couple of weeks, they are not happening in wales and there are no elections in london for example. so a couple of the very important caveats we have to bear in mind, while still delving under the bonnet to try to work out what these numbers can tell us, because they can give us and politicians and new most importantly, the members of the public, a good flavour of where politics is right now, a year or maybe a little more than a year away from the next general election. reeta, give some of that, delving into the detail. i reeta, give some of that, delving into the detail.— into the detail. i feel like a car mechanic _ into the detail. i feel like a car mechanic here, _ into the detail. i feel like a car mechanic here, laura! - into the detail. i feel like a car mechanic here, laura! you - into the detail. i feel like a car i mechanic here, laura! you were talking to the minister about worcester a little bit earlier, we have the result, it was hung before and it remains hung but a lot has changed behind the scenes, because the greens are now in second place. labour is the largest party but the greens have overtaken the conservatives in second place, and if we have a look at what has happened to the seats, the

conservatives lost every single seat that they had up for election this evening. labour gained one, greens gained four and the lib dems gained two. we can see the change in the share of the vote, always so fascinating. conservatives plummeting, losing 11%, greens the main beneficiaries but so are the lib dems and labour, and that is the situation in worcester. i also want to show you plymouth, where they are still counting. we don't yet have an overall result but still really interesting to see plymouth down there in devon of course. so this is a council that has been hung since 2021. it was labour before that. and with nine seats still to declare, lay bets on 2a, the conservatives on 17, and the winning post is 29 seats. let's have a look and see because this is a top target for

labour. they were taking an aggressive fight to the conservatives and the conservatives have lost five, and independents have lost five, and independents have gained two. let's see if we can have gained two. let's see if we can have a look at the change in the share. conservatives again down 12 percentage points and it is labour and the greens who have benefited. we don't yet know the result here but it is looking bright for labour. we will of course bring it to you as soon as we have it.— we will of course bring it to you as soon as we have it. thank you very much indeed- _ soon as we have it. thank you very much indeed. just _ soon as we have it. thank you very much indeed. just a _ soon as we have it. thank you very much indeed. just a reminder - soon as we have it. thank you very much indeed. just a reminder that| soon as we have it. thank you very l much indeed. just a reminder that it is often those changes that don't necessarily result in a change of counsel, but those changes still tell us a lot. all these individual jigsaw pieces emerging to build the picture. let's look at the pieces totted up so far. look at our big tally of the result so far. we have labour gaining 44 seats, 289, the conservatives losing 67, the liberal democrats gaining 18. and they have

just hit a century, there we are, the lib dems have got 100 seat so far tonight. interestingly, underneath, the greens gaining ten, and the residents association, a wonderfulfactor in and the residents association, a wonderful factor in local elections, residents association stand around the country and in some parts of the countries they do very well, gaining one seat in the —— so far tonight. in staffordshire, stoke—on—trent, let's go back to lizzie, we were talking about, chris had some intelligence suggesting labour feeling really chipper about what might happen there. what is your latest? i might happen there. what is your latest? ., _ might happen there. what is your latest? ., ., latest? i would say the labour supporters _ latest? i would say the labour supporters in _ latest? i would say the labour supporters in the _ latest? i would say the labour supporters in the room - latest? i would say the labour i supporters in the room definitely have a spring in their step now. six gains for labour so far and interestingly four of those have come from the conservatives, but two of them have come from the independents and that is significant because we were saying that actually it might be difficult for labour to

take this council, to actually get control of the council, because of the success of the independents but they have taken two seats from the independents as well, which the labour people here think it's a really good sign. much more confident. if we had nervous faces at the beginning of the evening we now are definitely seeing confidence among the labour supporters. increasing numbers of conservatives actually leaving the hall. the leader of the conservative group, formerly of the leader of the council be formerly of the leader of the council he think, has actually already left the council that perhaps gives you a bit of a sense of how the conservatives are thinking this evening. we are just about have another declaration behind me i think. i will keep going but you can keep an eye on that behind me. now looking good for the labour party here. in other parts of the midlands and staffordshire looking good. just the midlands and staffordshire looking good-— looking good. just while that

declaration _ looking good. just while that declaration happens - looking good. just while thatj declaration happens because looking good. just while that i declaration happens because we looking good. just while that - declaration happens because we can't really hear you, let's look at the councils around that region and the west midlands. we can see some pictures of that declaration, not a traditional declaration with cheers and then face and the screaming lord sutch characters, it is a bit drier than that on the council elections but while that is taking place, very good signs for labour from stoke, just around the west midlands, labour have gained 16 councillors, the tories have lost 17. that is interesting, almost a straight swap so far in the numbers. the more individual races are more conjugated than that but another ward taken for the ward in stoke. i can see the two former labour mps. giving the victorious council, new councillor there, a hug. two labour mps in stoke, both of whom lost their seats last time round. all these individual stories that make up our

politics, and you see these faces, years later. lizzie should be up to hear it again now. and more importantly we can hear you. so labour look really happy. we saw big smiles on the faces, but happy that they might actually take the council, because if the local tory leader is gone, he wouldn't have done that unless he thought he had lost? or would he? done that unless he thought he had lost? orwould he? it is done that unless he thought he had lost? or would he?— lost? or would he? it is still early da s but lost? or would he? it is still early days but that _ lost? or would he? it is still early days but that is _ lost? or would he? it is still early days but that is definitely - lost? or would he? it is still early days but that is definitely the - lost? or would he? it is still early i days but that is definitely the mood music on the ground, you mentioned ruth smeeth, the former labour mp for stoke on and north, she lost her seat of course in 2019. ruth has been bouncing around this sports hall this evening, she is absolutely thrilled to bits and i don't know if you remember those pictures of ruth backin you remember those pictures of ruth back in 2019. this might be a slightly cathartic moment for her and many labour members in stoke—on—trent. we started to mention some of the other parts of this region, other parts of staffordshire. tamworth really interesting, it has gone from

conservative control, held by the conservatives since 2004, it has gone to no overall control, and that is an interesting one because of course that is the parliamentary seat of chris pincher, another former conservative mp. he lost the whip, lost hisjob as former conservative mp. he lost the whip, lost his job as deputy chief whip, lost his job as deputy chief whip, following a scandal at a london members club. of course that precipitated the fall of the prime minister borisjohnson. so that potentially a bit has had an impact in tamworth, because it actually caused a split within the local conservative in tamworth, six local conservative in tamworth, six local conservative councillors. interesting seeing that having an impact. in worcester and other parts of the region we are seeing labour making gains, if not taking councils than making gains, and that is something the people here are feeling is very positive. i(eep

something the people here are feeling is very positive. keep us osted feeling is very positive. keep us posted because _ feeling is very positive. keep us posted because that _ feeling is very positive. keep us posted because that is - feeling is very positive. keep us posted because that is a - feeling is very positive. keep us posted because that is a really, | posted because that is a really, really interesting thing that is happening in stoke and we have been hearing from chris about why that kind of part of a country matter so much notjust of course importantly to the people who live in that part of the world. but for a quick moment let's ponder what we have seen so far might mean for the way that politics evolve. we can talk to say obtain, very well connected in conservative circles. now the director of onward, a centre—right think tank i think had rishi sunak at their bash last night. and a writerfor at their bash last night. and a writer for the northern at their bash last night. and a writerfor the northern echo, a paper that the conservative party care about these days. they want to keep hold of the northern part of england. the question to both of you, are you surprised by what you have seen so far and what might it change? chris? i have seen so far and what might it change? chris?— change? chris? i am not surprised what i am seeing _ change? chris? i am not surprised what i am seeing so _ change? chris? i am not surprised what i am seeing so far. _ change? chris? i am not surprised what i am seeing so far. up - change? chris? i am not surprised what i am seeing so far. up in - change? chris? i am not surprised

what i am seeing so far. up in the| what i am seeing so far. up in the north—east, we seem to have various things going through the electoral digestive tract at the moment. we've got brexit coming through. so in 2019, in my neck of the woods, in the tees valley, labour did catastrophically. it lost control of four out of the five councils, including hartlepool that you've been talking about, and brexit was a big part of that. jeremy corbyn was a big part of that. this area seems to have sneaked him out quite early doors, and so now we are seeing that working through the digestive tract. we're also seeing i think the kind of allure of borisjohnson disappearing from our politics appear in the north—east, because after that council results, he really pushed these seats in parliamentary terms, so that richard holden, he could win his seat for the first time in 100 years for the tories. but now that mystical, magical allure of mrjohnson has disappeared, and does rishi sunak

cut it in the same way? now we are also getting a referendum appear i think on levelling up as well, and so there are going to be some really interesting results, particularly tomorrow from my area, darlington is going to be as key as any of the stoke councils you are looking at, because that has had a real boost of levelling up money. it is almost the de facto capital of britain now, with the treasury up here and rishi sunak working from darlington. but labour really should be taking that council back because they lost it in 2019 for the first time in 22 years. and a fine place it is, where rishi sunak peered into a pothole, trying to look interested in what happened in local politics there. he is over in local politics there. he is over in the richmond constituency, north yorkshire, a different demographic but certainly not1 million miles ago. the question will be well rishi

sunak shift anything as a result of these outcomes, if indeed the shares are going to be hovering around the 25% stage. $5 are going to be hovering around the 25% stare. a if are going to be hovering around the 25% stare. a y.,�* , are going to be hovering around the 25%staae. r �* , . 25% stage. as you've been hearing, an awful lot — 25% stage. as you've been hearing, an awful lot of— 25% stage. as you've been hearing, an awful lot of expectations - an awful lot of expectations management going on notjust tonight and this— management going on notjust tonight and this morning but four weeks and months _ and this morning but four weeks and months about these elections and i think the _ months about these elections and i think the most interesting thing is how things have been sliced and diced _ how things have been sliced and diced between labour and the liberal democrats _ diced between labour and the liberal democrats here. at this early stage of the _ democrats here. at this early stage of the results, it is not clear that bil of the results, it is not clear that big momentum particularly the high labour— big momentum particularly the high labour at _ big momentum particularly the high labour at the moment, big momentum particularly the high labourat the moment, something many conservatives will try and seize on but i _ conservatives will try and seize on but i think— conservatives will try and seize on but i think element we've heard, the importance _ but i think element we've heard, the importance of levelling up, while we think that _ importance of levelling up, while we think that is keen to the next general— think that is keen to the next general election but also key is this post—brexit realignment we've seen because after 2016 referenda we've _ seen because after 2016 referenda we've seen the kind of traditional voting _ we've seen the kind of traditional voting tribes moving different directions the country and for

example _ directions the country and for example the conservatives, dudley, an example of this kind of realignment happening and obviously you cannot get away from the national— you cannot get away from the national nature and the turbulence on the _ national nature and the turbulence on the national scene, it will overwhelm some of those different trends _ overwhelm some of those different trends that have been moving around there but— trends that have been moving around there but so— trends that have been moving around there but so far, it sort of strikes me that — there but so far, it sort of strikes me that it's— there but so far, it sort of strikes me that it's holding and i think the strategy— me that it's holding and i think the strategy of— me that it's holding and i think the strategy of trying to keep on delivering and get things done but trying _ delivering and get things done but trying to— delivering and get things done but trying to look for the more grand messages — trying to look for the more grand messages going to have to be the key focus at _ messages going to have to be the key focus at the _ messages going to have to be the key focus at the moment so as chris was saying. _ focus at the moment so as chris was saying. the — focus at the moment so as chris was saying, the last time we had a look at some _ saying, the last time we had a look at some of— saying, the last time we had a look at some of these elections and looking — at some of these elections and looking where things were with johnson — looking where things were with johnson last year, there was the big optimistic— johnson last year, there was the big optimistic national drive with a different— optimistic national drive with a different era now and the economy is in a different era and there needs to be _ in a different era and there needs to be a— in a different era and there needs to be a bit— in a different era and there needs to be a bit more of the vision behind — to be a bit more of the vision behind this to say to people yes, maybe _ behind this to say to people yes, maybe rishi sunak's government is trying _ maybe rishi sunak's government is trying to— maybe rishi sunak's government is trying to do well on fixing potholes and get _ trying to do well on fixing potholes and get things better on a national stage _ and get things better on a national stage but— and get things better on a national stage but you still have to give people — stage but you still have to give people a — stage but you still have to give people a nice big jolt of enthusiasm. i think that is where a

lot of— enthusiasm. i think that is where a lot of the _ enthusiasm. i think that is where a lot of the pressure will come out of these _ lot of the pressure will come out of these results.— these results. thank you indeed, said and chris. _ these results. thank you indeed, said and chris. a _ these results. thank you indeed, said and chris. a gateshead - these results. thank you indeed, said and chris. a gateshead boy| these results. thank you indeed, l said and chris. a gateshead boy in the northern eco writer. great to hear from you both. the northern eco writer. great to hearfrom you both. this he hearfrom you both. this be interesting to hear whether that pushed gives people more than said pain was suggesting that becomes part of the discussion. —— seb payne. in a few minutes, we will hear from susan payne. in a few minutes, we will hearfrom susan kramer and jonathan hear from susan kramer and jonathan ashworth. hearfrom susan kramer and jonathan ashworth. the tally before we take you to the news so far, labour gaining seats, on 45, on 314. the conservatives losing 69. liberal democrats on 100, gaining 18. lots more to come on election 2023 but that's take you to check in with the news with luxmy. hello. here's your summary of the bbc news. counting is under way in the local elections in england in one of the last major tests of public opinion before next year's general election.

voters have been deciding who will run services at 230 local councils with around 8,000 seats up for grabs. mayoral elections have also been taking place in bedford, leicester, mansfield and middlesbrough. our political correspondent jonathan blake has more. cheering and applause. celebration in stoke—on—trent — just one councillor of thousands finding out their fate. counting has begun in more than 200 towns, cities and rural areas across england, where voters have had their say on who should run local services. the tories are braced for a tough night, hoping to only limit their losses and among a handle of very early results, they lost control of brentwood in essex, with the liberal democrats picking up seats, hoping to make gains elsewhere, too, at the conservatives' expense. fantastic result for the liberal democrats in one

of the safest tory seats in the country. we've gained three seats. we're now up to 17 seats and the council moves and it's a time of change in brentwood and we're really delighted. it's fantastic news. labour are looking for a strong showing to prove their lead in the opinion polls can bring ringing revolving results. tamworth in the west midlands and the places where labour has so far made gains, also taking council seats from the tories. in a first for elections in england, photo id was required a polling stations, which left some unable to vote. it's too soon to say what impact the changes had. only around a quarter of the councils holding elections are counting votes overnight, so early results won't give anything like the full picture. but in the hours ahead, these local elections will be closely watched as a crucial test of the national political picture. jonathan blake, bbc news.

all the local results will be available online. to see who won in your local area, you can use our postcode checker which is available on the bbc news website and on our app. ukraine's air force has shot down one of its own drones which it says had lost control above central kyiv. there were explosions yesterday evening, as air defence tried to shoot it down in an area near the president's office. the air force later admitted it was ukrainian and was destroyed to avoid "undesirable circumstances". members of the biggest rail workers union, the rmt, have voted to renew its mandate for taking strike action. it's the third such vote in a dispute over pay and conditions, which began last year. it raises the prospect of strikes continuing until nearly the end of the year. a us court has ruled that the singer ed sheeran didn't copy marvin gaye's let's get it on when composing thinking out loud. the british musician had denied

stealing elements of the song for his 2014 worldwide hit. heirs of marvin gaye's co—writer argued that sheeran, warner music group and sony music publishing owed them money for copyright infringement. sheeran's legal team had argued that the melodies are different and the elements used in both songs are common in pop music. with the king's coronation fast approaching, people hoping to get the best in—person view on the day are camping in central london tonight as rehearsals and final preparations take place in and around westminster abbey. it's expected hundreds of thousands of people will line the route of the procession to and from the abbey. it's only a shortjourney down the mall and along whitehall and people are already positioning to get the best view. we will be back in an hour with the latest news updates but for now, it's back to our special election night coverage with laura. and just a reminder — to see who won in your local area, you can use our postcode checker, which is available on the bbc news website and on our app.

a warm welcome back to the election 2023 studio, where we are watching as results come in from 8000 individual councils he places across the country, 230 councils for grabs in england. let's have a look at the numbers so far. the conservatives have been losing support, losing 69 seats so far. labour up by 45, the liberal democrats also up by 18. it gives you a bit of a hint of the overall picture, which based on where these things are changing hands, at this stage, it looks like a pretty grim night for the conservatives, potentially losing thousands seats or more and we can see the scene in plymouth where labour has been doing well.

stoke—on—trent, we can show you images there and we've heard from our reporter there, labour hopeful of making gains. the conservative leaders apparently left the building which normally suggests in political terms that something has gone badly wrong. we can show you the scene in leicestershire, where counting is under way. and bolton, too, which has been keenly fought by the political parties, you can see some smiling labourfaces political parties, you can see some smiling labour faces there. political parties, you can see some smiling labourfaces there. but political parties, you can see some smiling labour faces there. but to underline at the moment the sort of sketch of where things are going, a difficult month for the conservatives with heavy losses, a step forward but we are not sure whether or not a significant stride forward for the labour party is on the current trends, it looks like a significant moment for the labour party but maybe not but really decisive thing they wanted to see but the liberal democrats doing well. ten past three in the morning so enough for us to be talking about these general trends but a reminder

not enough to be reaching final conclusions on this but let's talk to our guests, jonathan ashworth has been waiting patiently for the labour party, liberal democrats's baroness kramer and joined by nikki aitken, the deputy chairman of the conservative party. if you end up losing a thousand seats as it seems that you are likely to do, why? 13 years into power, i was a local councillor for 16 years at westminster and i can tell you into thousand six and 2010, i had no issues with getting elected under a labour government and in 2014 it was the first time we've been told people not voting for me because they did not like the government —— nickie they did not like the government -- nickie aiken-— nickie aiken. you see that often in local elections, _ nickie aiken. you see that often in local elections, people _ nickie aiken. you see that often in local elections, people can - nickie aiken. you see that often in local elections, people can swap . local elections, people can swap because they don't like what is going on nationally.— because they don't like what is going on nationally. they don't like votin: for going on nationally. they don't like voting for conservative _ going on nationally. they don't like voting for conservative councils i voting for conservative councils because they don't like the government?— because they don't like the government? because they don't like the rovernment? ~ , government? whether they were in the ower government? whether they were in the power conservative _ government? whether they were in the power conservative party, _ government? whether they were in the power conservative party, i _ government? whether they were in the power conservative party, i think- government? whether they were in the power conservative party, i think is -

power conservative party, i think is important is what happens overnight and into tomorrow morning, we do expect that the independent analysis is we will lose 1000 seats and we are, you know, we are not thinking that it's going to be a great night for us, of course, but sadly, there will be some amazing councillors who worked very hard over the last four years will lose their seat and pay tribute to them. that years will lose their seat and pay tribute to them.— years will lose their seat and pay tribute to them. at the beginning of the programme _ tribute to them. at the beginning of the programme and _ tribute to them. at the beginning of the programme and in _ tribute to them. at the beginning of the programme and in the - tribute to them. at the beginning of the programme and in the last - tribute to them. at the beginning of the programme and in the last few. the programme and in the last few days, when lots of different experts, including john curtice, and conservative politicians have said privately that actually, 1000 losses is really out the worst end of expectation. are you now as the deputy chair saying that's what you expect from what you've seen? $5 expect from what you've seen? as we've expect from what you've seen? is we've said from the start from the analysis, independent people like john curtice have said we are expecting about 1000. he john curtice have said we are expecting about 1000. he did not say that but what — expecting about 1000. he did not say that but what you've _ expecting about 1000. he did not say that but what you've seen _ expecting about 1000. he did not say that but what you've seen tonight, i that but what you've seen tonight, from actual results, the trends that

are developing suggest, are you officially as a party expecting, are you saying to us you will lose 1000? i will not predict law up, you can't. —— laura. walses will be declared tomorrow. but we are under no illusion it will be a tough night and understand that for 13 years. no government, after 13 years, we saw it under the last labour administration losing, labour councillors losing in their hundreds if not thousands. it's part of the, sadly, part of the political roller—coaster. sadly, part of the political roller-coaster.— sadly, part of the political roller-coaster. ., ., , ., roller-coaster. have all been on that plenty _ roller-coaster. have all been on that plenty in — roller-coaster. have all been on that plenty in the _ roller-coaster. have all been on that plenty in the last _ roller-coaster. have all been on that plenty in the last few- roller-coaster. have all been on| that plenty in the last few years, haven't we? jonathan ashworth, the conservatives seem to be losing a lot and are on course to lose a lot but the story so far is of tory slump, not necessarily of labour's huge strides, the kind of strides you need to make if you are to get to number 10? it’s

you need to make if you are to get to number10?_ to number 10? it's obviously early da s in to number 10? it's obviously early days in the — to number 10? it's obviously early days in the election _ to number 10? it's obviously early days in the election count, - to number 10? it's obviously early days in the election count, even i days in the election count, even though— days in the election count, even though it's _ days in the election count, even though it's late at night, does look promising — though it's late at night, does look promising so far for labour but i agree _ promising so far for labour but i agree with — promising so far for labour but i agree with nickie, i think people are expressing a verdict on 13 years of tory— are expressing a verdict on 13 years of tory government and of tory economic— of tory government and of tory economic failure, given the risen collapse — economic failure, given the risen collapse in — economic failure, given the risen collapse in living standards, high taxes _ collapse in living standards, high taxes and — collapse in living standards, high taxes and people cannot get a gp appointment. but the key thing for labour— appointment. but the key thing for labour is _ appointment. but the key thing for labour is where are we winning? i've heard _ labour is where are we winning? i've heard we've — labour is where are we winning? i've heard we've won a seat in bolton north— heard we've won a seat in bolton north east, a key marginal constituency in the next election, very good — constituency in the next election, very good results so far in stoke which, _ very good results so far in stoke which, as— very good results so far in stoke which, as you know, we have to win at the _ which, as you know, we have to win at the next — which, as you know, we have to win at the next general election. gains in hartlepool. we would have one that if— in hartlepool. we would have one that if this — in hartlepool. we would have one that if this was a general election. and a _ that if this was a general election. and a remarkable game across the midlands _ and a remarkable game across the midlands in the seats which are the traditional— midlands in the seats which are the traditional marginals, tamworth, redditch. — traditional marginals, tamworth, redditch, ashby della zouch in north west leicestershire, i think, we would _ west leicestershire, i think, we would have won one of the doubly

seats _ would have won one of the doubly seats tonight, rowley regis would have fallen to labour in the general election— have fallen to labour in the general election tonight. these are the seats— election tonight. these are the seats that will decide the next general— seats that will decide the next general election, notjust seats that will decide the next general election, not just the seats that will decide the next general election, notjust the red wall and — general election, notjust the red wall and all of that, we are making gains _ wall and all of that, we are making gains in— wall and all of that, we are making gains in the — wall and all of that, we are making gains in the urban seats including the urban— gains in the urban seats including the urban self like aldershot, it's never— the urban self like aldershot, it's never been a labour constituency and we would _ never been a labour constituency and we would have one tonight. you mention parts — we would have one tonight. you mention parts of— we would have one tonight. m. mention parts of the country where there have been strong local fat is, tamworth and —— factors, north west leicestershire and tamworth, controversy around mps and local factors on the ground and we all know there are important local factors always at play but our data suggests that since last year, has not been any progress in your overall vote share and you know that that matters as well as the individual since you've talked about. letsie where we get to in terms of overall vote chair. but letsie where we get to in terms of overall vote chair.— overall vote chair. but so far you have seen _ overall vote chair. but so far you have seen the _ overall vote chair. but so far you have seen the overall _ overall vote chair. but so far you| have seen the overall suggestion overall vote chair. but so far you - have seen the overall suggestion you would like to see that would make

you feel comfortable — we are on our way. you feel comfortable - we are on our wa . ~ . you feel comfortable - we are on our wa . . ., , ., , way. we are winning in the seats that decide _ way. we are winning in the seats that decide elections _ way. we are winning in the seats that decide elections like - way. we are winning in the seats| that decide elections like dudley, stevenage, ipswich — these would return labour mps, labour gains of the conservatives if this was a general election night and these are the seats that will decide the country in the next general election. country in the next general election-— country in the next general election. �* , ., ., ., election. but it is not a general election- -- _ election. but it is not a general election... it _ election. but it is not a general election... it is _ election. but it is not a general election... it is about - election. but it is not a general election... it is about parties i election... it is about parties makin: election... it is about parties making progress, _ election. .. it is about parties making progress, isn't- election... it is about parties making progress, isn't it? it| election... it is about parties i making progress, isn't it? it will be interesting _ making progress, isn't it? it will be interesting to _ making progress, isn't it? it will be interesting to see _ making progress, isn't it? it will be interesting to see after - making progress, isn't it? it will be interesting to see after the i be interesting to see after the votes — be interesting to see after the votes are _ be interesting to see after the votes are counted what happened with the share _ votes are counted what happened with the share of vote. i think westminster, my council, we lost last year. — westminster, my council, we lost last year, not because labour were taking _ last year, not because labour were taking a _ last year, not because labour were taking a vote because albert stayed at home _ taking a vote because albert stayed at home to send a clear message... is it going _ at home to send a clear message... is it going to — at home to send a clear message... is it going to be up? who at home to send a clear message... is it going to be up?— at home to send a clear message... is it going to be up? who knows what is auoin to is it going to be up? who knows what is going to be — is it going to be up? who knows what is going to be happening _ is it going to be up? who knows what is going to be happening but - is it going to be up? who knows what is going to be happening but i - is it going to be up? who knows what is going to be happening but i have i is going to be happening but i have knocked _ is going to be happening but i have knocked on a lot of doors and made a lot of— knocked on a lot of doors and made a lot of calls _ knocked on a lot of doors and made a lot of calls and the vote is not switching _ lot of calls and the vote is not switching to you all the lib dems. the vote — switching to you all the lib dems. the vote is— switching to you all the lib dems. the vote is they are coming to vote for us _ the vote is they are coming to vote for us or— the vote is they are coming to vote for us or they are staying at home. they— for us or they are staying at home. they must— for us or they are staying at home. they must be switching because we are winning in places all over the

place. we havejust one in southport so there must be switches. taste place. we have just one in southport so there must be switches.- so there must be switches. we don't et have so there must be switches. we don't yet have accurate _ so there must be switches. we don't yet have accurate figures _ so there must be switches. we don't yet have accurate figures on - so there must be switches. we don't yet have accurate figures on turnout| yet have accurate figures on turnout because it is 3:16am but they were early suggestions it might be slightly down but we can't give an accurate picture of that at this stage. baroness kramer, it was suggested that voters are not going to the lib dems but they are staying at home? we to the lib dems but they are staying at home? ~ ., _ . ., , at home? we had three by-elections, the [arrest at home? we had three by-elections, the largest swing _ at home? we had three by-elections, the largest swing from _ at home? we had three by-elections, the largest swing from conservativesl the largest swing from conservatives to liberal democrats on record, basically, in at least two of those seats. huge swings. and i think — i understand why nikki make that claim, but i don't think it is a valid one. i think we are genuinely seeing switches. it is harder to tell because of the lower turnout you get in local elections. i mean, we will know more when the blue wall seats start to come in, so that won't be until later today or perhaps even not until tomorrow with

some of them. i am hearing very good news, for example, for windsor where i understand the conservative leader looks on track to lose a seat. what looks on track to lose a seat. what about dacorum? _ looks on track to lose a seat. what about dacorum? ed _ looks on track to lose a seat. what about dacorum? ed davey - looks on track to lose a seat. what about dacorum? ed davey and his tractor — we have talked about the tractor. we don't have to talk about it, do we? he launched his campaign in dacorum. that is a hertfordshire seat. commuter belts, loss of young families and people who can't afford to live in london but moving there. have you got any information about that? i don't have any update on dacorum but it is an area where we certainly have had very good feedback when we have been out there on the doorstep. it would be pretty striking if we were to take dacorum and i think have some serious consequences because of the change in the boundaries of the parliamentary seats. ed davey looks like he is enjoying this campaign. he has done the tractor, the pulling

clients. he has certainly tried very hard visibly to be very present and to try to grab attention in a way that has been hard for the lib dems in the last few years.— that has been hard for the lib dems in the last few years. remember that ed loves campaigning _ in the last few years. remember that ed loves campaigning and _ in the last few years. remember that ed loves campaigning and he - in the last few years. remember that ed loves campaigning and he is - in the last few years. remember that ed loves campaigning and he is a - ed loves campaigning and he is a great communicator and someone who is always in conversation, always on the doorsteps and he really does connect with people but i have to say i think the party is in there as well because when i look at why we are doing so much better now i look at the local parties. the level of activists and the level of activism within the local parties has gone up very significantly. it is a loss of new blood. it is people coming in with some real enthusiasm and that in the end is infectious and it makes a difference and it is people in this local election, campaigning in this local election, campaigning in their own community, i think there are a lot of local issues actually that are in play. they are melding with national issues into a general sense of incompetence on pretty much every front, whether it

is local or whether it is national, and that is beginning to have a real impact i think on the way that people are making their voting decisions. , , ., people are making their voting decisions. , ., . , ., decisions. just to chip in with a little bit of _ decisions. just to chip in with a little bit of intelligence - decisions. just to chip in with a little bit of intelligence from i decisions. just to chip in with a i little bit of intelligence from john curtis— little bit of intelligence from john curtis and his team, just picking up on the _ curtis and his team, just picking up on the conversation we had been happening — this is where sirjohn is looking — happening — this is where sirjohn is looking at these keyboards that the bbc_ is looking at these keyboards that the bbc keeps an eye on and therefore can compare results coming into night— therefore can compare results coming into night with previous elections into night with previous elections in those — into night with previous elections in those exact same wards in previous— in those exact same wards in previous rounds of election so in comparison _ previous rounds of election so in comparison with 2012, a rather wholesome comparison going back over a decade. _ wholesome comparison going back over a decade, suggesting these key wards encounters— a decade, suggesting these key wards encounters have been looked at, labour _ encounters have been looked at, labour share of the vote is down by six points— labour share of the vote is down by six points compared to 2012, sojust a straw— six points compared to 2012, sojust a straw in _ six points compared to 2012, sojust a straw in the wind that suggest that on— a straw in the wind that suggest that on share of the vote at least labour— that on share of the vote at least labour may be well short of where ed miliband _ labour may be well short of where ed miliband was 11 years ago and we know— miliband was 11 years ago and we know what happened to ed miliband, the general election which was, what - triggers _ the general election which was, what — triggers later? the general election which was, what - triggers later?—

- triggers later? jonathan, what do ou sa to - triggers later? jonathan, what do you say to that? — - triggers later? jonathan, what do you say to that? it _ - triggers later? jonathan, what do you say to that? it is _ - triggers later? jonathan, what do you say to that? it is early - - triggers later? jonathan, what do you say to that? it is early days i - triggers later? jonathan, what do you say to that? it is early days in l you say to that? it is early days in the election _ you say to that? it is early days in the election county _ you say to that? it is early days in the election county but _ you say to that? it is early days in the election county but i - you say to that? it is early days in the election county but i would i the election county but i would return to the point that we need to focus on where we will decide the next general election and in the areas that will decide the next general election the results so far are promising. in places like plymouth, stevenage, dudley, aldershot — it could be a new target for labour at the next general election — were making significant progress so we are notjust winning in the so—called redwall. we are winning in the marginals of the midlands and the urban south. a, midlands and the urban south. a suggestion forjonathan ashworth, and our viewers know this — it is a hugely disgusting in the country when it comes to keir starmer where labour is at. given the scale of the conservative majority in 2019, you don'tjust have to win the seats you can list content of your fingers. inaudible... i can list content of your fingers. inaudible. . ._

can list content of your fingers. inaudible... , ., ., ., inaudible... i should not have said that. we inaudible... i should not have said that- we will _ inaudible... i should not have said that. we will be _ inaudible... i should not have said that. we will be here _ inaudible... i should not have said that. we will be here all— inaudible... i should not have said that. we will be here all night. - inaudible... i should not have said that. we will be here all night. we i that. we will be here all night. we could all list constituencies, but the point is you have to do something sort of herculean, not to say, "here and here we have made some significant gains." and i suppose the question that i hear often from your colleagues, privately, and also from some on the left of your party publicly offered, is that keir starmer, for all that he has got the party on a steady keel he has got the party on a steady keel, he has made lots of changes, but people say when they have been on the doorstep, a of your colleagues say to me — there is no surge in enthusiasm for him. he is not the kind of leader who could really get people motivated and get people out there in the way that would allow you to scale the himalayas to get to that swing that would get you into number ten. i disagree with you. there is no question... disagree with you. there is no question- - -— disagree with you. there is no question... disagree with you. there is no uestion... ., ., ., question... your colleagues say that rivatel . question. .. your colleagues say that privately- i— question... your colleagues say that privately. i disagree _ question... your colleagues say that privately. i disagree with _ question... your colleagues say that privately. i disagree with my - privately. i disagree with my colleagues- _ privately. i disagree with my colleagues. there _ privately. i disagree with my colleagues. there is - privately. i disagree with my colleagues. there is no - privately. i disagree with my - colleagues. there is no question the labour party has a mountain to climb

at the next general election. we did get a complete shellacing at the general election. find get a complete shellacing at the general election.— get a complete shellacing at the general election. and can you see that on the _ general election. and can you see that on the basis _ general election. and can you see that on the basis of— general election. and can you see that on the basis of tonight? - general election. and can you see that on the basis of tonight? yes | that on the basis of tonight? yes because we _ that on the basis of tonight? yes because we are _ that on the basis of tonight? jezs because we are making significant areas of progress. we are making progress tonight in hartlepool and stoke. we made seven gains in tamworth. i rememberthe stoke. we made seven gains in tamworth. i remember the tamworth by—election when we took it off the tories. that is how much of a politicaljinh i am. i have been around a lot. when it was jackie's mitch seat. ashbury in north west leicestershire, a 2010 gain. these are key marginals across a swathe of the midlands that we are picking up seats into night so early days with a long way to go until 6pm tomorrow when nearly all the results are in but so far this is looking promising and i do say it is a wholesale rejection of 13 years of economic failure. . ~' , .,

rejection of 13 years of economic failure. ., ,, , ., ., rejection of 13 years of economic failure. ., ., , , failure. thank you and stick with us because we're _ failure. thank you and stick with us because we're going _ failure. thank you and stick with us because we're going to _ failure. thank you and stick with us because we're going to look- failure. thank you and stick with us because we're going to look into i because we're going to look into more detail on some of those seats — exactly the ones jonathan has just talking about. yes exactly the ones jonathan has 'ust talking aboutfi talking about. yes indeed. let's take a look— talking about. yes indeed. let's take a look at _ talking about. yes indeed. let's take a look at a _ talking about. yes indeed. let's take a look at a couple - talking about. yes indeed. let's take a look at a couple of- talking about. yes indeed. let's take a look at a couple of the i take a look at a couple of the councils where the conservatives have held on, but we have detected differences in the way in which the labour party is picking up support. so, yet you can see the conservatives on 39% in basildon and labour on 29% and the conservatives in fact picked up a ct tonight. labour has improved on its performance from last year and the year before, but it is still quite some way behind the conservative — ten percentage points. so, still some way to go in an area where they would really needed to be competitive in order to be saying that they are going to be back in power nationally. but i want to compare basildon to read it in the west midlands — also a conservative

poll, as i said, but look at the difference in the graph you. labour has a higher share of the vote than the conservative — labour on 44 and the conservative — labour on 44 and the conservatives on 39%. you might be asking yourself how is it that is still a conservative council, and this is because the seats are only up this is because the seats are only up in thirds so it is only a third of the council seats that are being voted on, that have been voted on. so, it is quite difficult actually for the council to change hands, but if you compare labor's performance tonight in redditch with what they did in 2019 you can see the red lodgejust down there. did in 2019 you can see the red lodge just down there. well, i did in 2019 you can see the red lodgejust down there. well, i can tell you there are 16 percentage points between the performance four years ago and now. so, that is the direction of travel that the labour party would want to see. laura? rita, thank you very much indeed. well, a couple of things to bring you. in the last couple of minutes

someone in the lib dems have told me they are confident they had taken control of windsor and maidenhead. that is where theresa may's constituencies, as well as of course windsor castle. very timely to be talking about things that happen in windsor at the moment with the coronation of coming but the lib dems are confident they had taken control of windsor and maidenhead. we don't have official figures or confirmation of that yet, but that is something they would be very gleeful about. is something they would be very gleefulabout. it is something they would be very gleeful about. it has been conservative since 2007 and the lib dems did hold it in 2003, but that would be an achievement for them that they would be delighted, i am sure, to talk about. let's show you though a result that we can confirm — plymouth, the city in the south—west, and we talked a lot about plymouth. we have heard from our reporter martin oakes on the ground and we can say now that labour has gained plymouth council will stop there are still two seats to declare. they are still counting there, but labour is 29 so far. the

conservatives have 18. independents and smaller parties — oh, they have just disappeared. i think that was on fire. we have gone straight onto the seachange, so look at this — labour gaining four but the conservatives losing seven. now, thatis conservatives losing seven. now, that is another one of those changes, those shapes of things that we have seen, tory losses being a bigger move than labour gains, but thatis bigger move than labour gains, but that is significant nonetheless and labour will be very pleased to gain plymouth. let's look at the vote share. labour, 44%. the tories way behind on 25%. independents on 16. the greens on mine. and let's look at the all change since 2019, the last time these seats were fought in may 2019. labour up the seven but the conservatives down 11. now, that results will make labour very happy. martin oakes, chris, on the ground, we were told it was going to be a

wipeout and labour have gained it and they will be very pleased. why in a seat like that? for and they will be very pleased. why in a seat like that?— in a seat like that? for two reasons- — in a seat like that? for two reasons. (1) _ in a seat like that? for two reasons. (1) the _ in a seat like that? for two reasons. (1) the margin. i in a seat like that? for two l reasons. (1) the margin. we in a seat like that? for two - reasons. (1) the margin. we were exploring on the graph just the scale, and to my pet word of the night of extent because it points to an extent of gain as far as labour is concerned and then secondly because of the overlaying of maps thatis because of the overlaying of maps that is happening and all day on friday where the parties are comparing their performance in local governments with key electoral battlegrounds as far as westminster constituencies are concerned and thatis constituencies are concerned and that is absolutely the case there, and, so, that is why you will hear labour being pretty excited about it. �* ., labour being pretty excited about it. ~ ., . , ., , ., it. and that the city has right now a conservative _ it. and that the city has right now a conservative mp, _ it. and that the city has right now a conservative mp, a _ it. and that the city has right now a conservative mp, a prominent l a conservative mp, a prominent conservative mp, the veterans minister, and labour mps, and that, whether it is plymouth or there is a similar sort of pattern in portsmouth, ipswich also is the same — where you have a split city — this

is where the council elections will be looked at, and may mps feel nervous on the conservative benches? split cities are highly contested cities. whether it is cities, towns or most rural areas, they are the most keenly fought over that the parties so desperate to be seen to be making an impression not least because clearly they as places where they want to make gains come the general election but there are also places because of that were huge amounts of focus has been delivered by so many of them to try and ensure they can make those gains, so, in other words, they can make those gains, so, in otherwords, it they can make those gains, so, in other words, it is a test of whether the whole infrastructure is working. are they getting good bang for their buck for their investment in campaigning on the ground? so, it matters massively and from the results we see tonight there will be all sorts of decisions taken about where additional effort is put all their effort is switch to on the basis of the sentiments that were picked up. basis of the sentiments that were icked u -. basis of the sentiments that were icked u. , ., basis of the sentiments that were --ickedu. , ., picked up. so, we can show you some ictures picked up. so, we can show you some pictures there — picked up. so, we can show you some pictures there in _ picked up. so, we can show you some pictures there in plymouth. _ picked up. so, we can show you some pictures there in plymouth. activist i pictures there in plymouth. activist there. you can see smiley labour faces out the front. not much sign

of many conservatives there. let's look at stoke—on—trent. you can see, again, it is that same labour happy crowd before hugging each other a bit earlier on. they are still having a good night. let's look at bolton. i think that is one of the local mps. it is. conservatives chatting. hard to read what is really going on, but we know that is somewhere where labour will be... particularly in at the back of the head. ~ .., . particularly in at the back of the head. . . ., ., ., particularly in at the back of the head. ~ ., ., ., , . head. we can have a go, chris. we can have a — head. we can have a go, chris. we can have a go- _ head. we can have a go, chris. we can have a go. any _ head. we can have a go, chris. we can have a go. any minute - head. we can have a go, chris. we can have a go. any minute now- head. we can have a go, chris. we can have a go. any minute now we| can have a go. any minute now we will show dogs at polling stations rather than looking at the top of people said and then we can look at what is happening in leicestershire, the account they're carrying on and it looks rather like they might almost have finished but there is still some counting going on in the bottom right of the frame. going back to plymouth, we were hearing about the critical race there. it's one of those split cities and hoping that we can talk

to the minister, the conservative mp johnny mercer, we can see him and hoping he can hear us. thanks indeed forjoining us. what went wrong? look, it's been a really terrible night for us here in plymouth. i think there's a number of factors at play, locally it's been very difficult, the conservative inaudible has been a difficult time, within that reflected on the doors in the campaign and with the results tonight but we take it on the chin and we keep going forward inaudible redouble our efforts and make sure that we continue to work hard here in plymouth. that we continue to work hard here in plymouth-— in plymouth. thank you for contending _ in plymouth. thank you for contending with _ in plymouth. thank you for contending with the - in plymouth. thank you for contending with the huge l in plymouth. thank you for - contending with the huge cheer that i cannot see but i assume is going up i cannot see but i assume is going up for labour activist in the room. you said it's been a really terrible night in plymouth. is it also, at

this stage, been a terrible night from what you've seen for the conservatives nationally? look, i don't know— conservatives nationally? look, i don't know about _ conservatives nationally? look, i don't know about that. _ conservatives nationally? look, i don't know about that. i - conservatives nationally? look, i don't know about that. i think i conservatives nationally? look, i don't know about that. i think we were expecting pretty heavy losses, you know. no government at this time years in has had more local councillors to lose. i think it was always going to be difficult. the prime minister said himself yesterday it was going to be difficult and we all know that. in some ways, some of that is to be expected but here in plymouth, it's been bad. first and foremost, inaudible areas we are from and proud to represent in my area tonight it's been a bad night and we need to take it on the chin and come back stronger. need to take it on the chin and come back stronger-— back stronger. when you, as a local mp in the city _ back stronger. when you, as a local mp in the city that _ back stronger. when you, as a local mp in the city that is _ back stronger. when you, as a local mp in the city that is to _ back stronger. when you, as a local mp in the city that is to be - back stronger. when you, as a local mp in the city that is to be closely l mp in the city that is to be closely fought, see conservative support dropping by 11%, that must make you nervous. i’m

dropping by 11%, that must make you nervous. �* . , ., , dropping by 11%, that must make you nervous. �* ., ., , ., nervous. i'm always nervous down here! i nervous. i'm always nervous down here! ithink— nervous. i'm always nervous down here! i think that's _ nervous. i'm always nervous down here! i think that's what _ nervous. i'm always nervous down here! i think that's what we - nervous. i'm always nervous down here! i think that's what we see i here! i think that's what we see here, i'm from here, i'm proud of it, i like the fight, i'm up for it, it, i like the fight, i'm up for it, it will be a fight next year and i'm happy with that. it's not a question of self—preservation, it's about getting out there and listening to people and delivering for them and i still believe the conservative clearly are the best party to do that nationally and locally but we have democracy tonight and we take it on the chin and we go again tomorrow. it on the chin and we go again tomorrow-— it on the chin and we go again tomorrow. . ., , ., _, ., it on the chin and we go again tomorrow. , ., , ., u, . , tomorrow. johnny, our colleague is -robabl tomorrow. johnny, our colleague is probably loitering _ tomorrow. johnny, our colleague is probably loitering in _ tomorrow. johnny, our colleague is probably loitering in their - tomorrow. johnny, our colleague is probably loitering in their in - tomorrow. johnny, our colleague is probably loitering in their in the i probably loitering in their in the same room as you, they've tweeted, saying the conservative candidate told him they've been drawing trees on the ballot papers which makes a change from for luck symbols. a spot of humour at 3:33 in the morning. give us a sense about this trees in limits —— about how this trees in plymouth situation has been

happening? it’s plymouth situation has been happening?— plymouth situation has been hautenin? ,�* happening? it's a disaster, isn't it? the whole _ happening? it's a disaster, isn't it? the whole escapade, - happening? it's a disaster, isn't it? the whole escapade, if - happening? it's a disaster, isn't it? the whole escapade, if you| happening? it's a disaster, isn't - it? the whole escapade, if you like, maybe have benefited from this, inaudible conservative council did it particularly overnight, i would have done it differently. i think conservative leaders in —— four conservative leaders in —— four conservative leaders in two years not changed and i think that's the lesson from tonight, that people don't vote for divided parties and we obviously have had a very challenging 2022 at a national level as well and we need to learn from that, altogether might pull hard. we have a good message to get out there but we have to get out there and win places like here in plymouth at next year's general election. it places like here in plymouth at next year's general election.— year's general election. it does sound like _ year's general election. it does sound like you _ year's general election. it does sound like you want _ year's general election. it does sound like you want zhi - year's general election. it does sound like you want zhi soon i year's general election. it does i sound like you want zhi soon back year's general election. it does - sound like you want zhi soon back to step things up. —— rishi sunak. i’are step things up. -- rishi sunak. i've been in and — step things up. —— rishi sunak. i�*e: been in and out of step things up. —— rishi sunak. i"e: been in and out of government, in and out of different prime ministers and out of different prime ministers and rishi sunak is a different

class, his capable, smart, professional, empathetic, a strong leader and the sort of strongly that the country needs. it's down to people like me and got an advocate and people need to see that and understand that through his policies and our policies of the conservative team and prove their lives at the moment are not —— and show that we are up for the challenge and if it was easy everyone could do it but we are up for the fight, we will take tonight on the chin and get on with it. it is a new day tomorrow and we will get on with it. what do you think it will take four people in plymouth to feel the benefit of what you back as rishi sunak's plan? clearly in plymouth tonight people are not feeling it, they are feeling the opposite, that they do not want any more conservatives in their city. any more conservatives in their ci . , , ~ city. firstly, ithink there is really strong _ city. firstly, ithink there is really strong local - city. firstly, ithink there is really strong local issues i

city. firstly, i think there is i really strong local issues down city. firstly, i think there is - really strong local issues down here that we fight on already but secondly, inflation predicted to be at 2.9% by the end of the year is a big deal, but�*s people's mortgages and things going on, car loan payments on things that really affect people here in plymouth so people will feel the benefit of getting a grip on inflation and feel the benefit of better public services. we have seen huge improvements in public services here in the last four or five months after a very difficult post covid recovery so i think these things are gradual, we need to keep going, pull together and keep going and is what we need to do. we need drastic change, of course. i've found a very warm recession —— reception for richie down here and i've called it straight, whoever is the prime minister here, have a warm reception and people want him to do well and what else to do well and keir starmer, they don't want to vote for him, they don't see what it stands

for or have any idea what he does or who are years so you know, i can understand why they are cross with us. the difficult 2022 nationally. we need to give people something to vote for and when i was first elected in 2015, we need to have the argument and the fight and give people something to vote for and i'm confident we can do it in the year ahead. . , , confident we can do it in the year ahead. ., , , ., ahead. veterans minister and plymouth _ ahead. veterans minister and plymouth mp _ ahead. veterans minister and plymouth mp johnny - ahead. veterans minister and plymouth mp johnny mercer, | ahead. veterans minister and - plymouth mp johnny mercer, thank you plymouth mpjohnny mercer, thank you forjoining us live in plymouth. a big result for labour there? yeah, very pleased _ big result for labour there? yeah, very pleased with _ big result for labour there? yeah, very pleased with that _ big result for labour there? yeah, very pleased with that result. - big result for labour there? yeah, very pleased with that result. it i big result for labour there? yeah, very pleased with that result. it is| very pleased with that result. it is not only that we hold one of the parliamentary seats but it's a marginal seat and, of course, we are targeting the other parliamentary seatin targeting the other parliamentary seat in plymouth, johnny mercer's seat, so i've not seen how the gains distributed across the whole of the two constituencies but taking that council is a very significant result for us tonight and we are very pleased. for us tonight and we are very leased. ~ .., for us tonight and we are very leased. ~ . . , for us tonight and we are very leased. . , ., , _ pleased. we can see their happy labour pleased. we can see their happy labour faces _ pleased. we can see their happy labour faces in _ pleased. we can see their happy

labour faces in stoke. _ pleased. we can see their happy labour faces in stoke. the - pleased. we can see their happy labour faces in stoke. the two l pleased. we can see their happy - labour faces in stoke. the two stoke mps who lost in 2019 there, one has the clipboard there, handily, everyone has clipboard but labour looking very happy about what is happening in stoke so we will check with lizzie in a few minutes to see if there is confirmation of what is happening on the ground there. in terms of bbc, there was a strong local problem that caused huge problems across the conservatives and johnny mercer said people did not do this because they were hacked off with the tories?— not do this because they were hacked off with the tories? inaudible wrong about that because _ off with the tories? inaudible wrong about that because if _ off with the tories? inaudible wrong about that because if that _ off with the tories? inaudible wrong about that because if that was - off with the tories? inaudible wrong about that because if that was the i about that because if that was the case labour would not have made these gains?— case labour would not have made these gains?- it _ case labour would not have made these gains?- it did - case labour would not have made these gains?- it did not i case labour would not have made i these gains?- it did not help these gains? nickie? it did not help that they failed _ these gains? nickie? it did not help that they failed under _ these gains? nickie? it did not help that they failed under inaudible i these gains? nickie? it did not help that they failed under inaudible in | that they failed under inaudible in march _ that they failed under inaudible in march and plymouth, corbyn won plymouth — march and plymouth, corbyn won plymouth in 2018 when he was not winning _ plymouth in 2018 when he was not winning very much so plymouth is one of those _ winning very much so plymouth is one of those swing councils but definitely, the trees will have played — definitely, the trees will have

played a _ definitely, the trees will have played a massive part in today's collection — played a massive part in today's collection. it played a massive part in today's collection-— played a massive part in today's collection. ., , , ., collection. it was interesting what johnny mercer _ collection. it was interesting what johnny mercer was _ collection. it was interesting what johnny mercer was saying, - collection. it was interesting what | johnny mercer was saying, making clear his own personal support for rishi sunak but he said people are not feeling it. we have to work hard for people to feel the benefit of what he believes is the right thing. what do you think is not translating into support? it is translating into a decline? ~ �* , ., a decline? we've been in power for 13 ears a decline? we've been in power for 13 years and _ a decline? we've been in power for 13 years and it _ a decline? we've been in power for 13 years and it will _ a decline? we've been in power for 13 years and it will be _ a decline? we've been in power for 13 years and it will be a _ a decline? we've been in power for 13 years and it will be a difficult - 13 years and it will be a difficult time _ 13 years and it will be a difficult time for— 13 years and it will be a difficult time for local elections when the government has been in power for that longm — government has been in power for that long- - -_ government has been in power for that lona... ,, ,, �* , ., that long... crosstalk. is that too lona ? that long... crosstalk. is that too long? what — that long... crosstalk. is that too long? what we've _ that long... crosstalk. is that too long? what we've been _ that long... crosstalk. is that too long? what we've been through - that long... crosstalk. is that too l long? what we've been through over the past four— long? what we've been through over the past four years _ long? what we've been through over the past four years with _ long? what we've been through over the past four years with the - long? what we've been through over the past four years with the covid i the past four years with the covid pandemic— the past four years with the covid pandemic and war in ukraine which has had _ pandemic and war in ukraine which has had a— pandemic and war in ukraine which has had a major effect on energy prices _ has had a major effect on energy prices and — has had a major effect on energy prices and also, the psychodrama that was— prices and also, the psychodrama that was going on in the conservative party has not helped and our _ conservative party has not helped and our voters have told me that. i do think— and our voters have told me that. i do think we — and our voters have told me that. i do think we now have got, under rishi _ do think we now have got, under rishi sunak, and interestingly on the doorsteps, people are saying to me we're _ the doorsteps, people are saying to me we're not voting for you this time _ me we're not voting for you this time and — me we're not voting for you this time and i— me we're not voting for you this time and i say what the prime

minister? _ time and i say what the prime minister? how do you feel? they rate him. minister? how do you feel? they rate him its— minister? how do you feel? they rate him. it's about his priorities, halving — him. it's about his priorities, halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting the waiting _ economy, reducing debt, cutting the waiting lists and stopping the boats — waiting lists and stopping the boats. those are five clear priorities _ boats. those are five clear priorities-— boats. those are five clear riorities. ., . , , priorities. can you say credibly that voters _ priorities. can you say credibly that voters are _ priorities. can you say credibly that voters are won _ priorities. can you say credibly that voters are won over - priorities. can you say credibly that voters are won over by i priorities. can you say credibly i that voters are won over by rishi sunak if, as things stand, you are on course to have one of your worst performances? can you say that credibly? performances? can you say that credibl ? ., ., ., ,. , credibly? the national picture is different and _ credibly? the national picture is different and we _ credibly? the national picture is different and we are _ credibly? the national picture is different and we are on - credibly? the national picture is different and we are on track i credibly? the national picture is i different and we are on track with rishi. _ different and we are on track with rishi. as — different and we are on track with rishi. as i — different and we are on track with rishi, as i say, his top five priorities, _ rishi, as i say, his top five priorities, so that the public can benchmark what we're saying by we deliver~ _ benchmark what we're saying by we deliver. �* , ., deliver. and when will you then think we can — deliver. and when will you then think we can see _ deliver. and when will you then think we can see now _ deliver. and when will you then think we can see now that - deliver. and when will you then think we can see now that the i deliver. and when will you then - think we can see now that the public is on board because the national opinion must put you miles behind, real votes tonight are putting you behind. taste real votes tonight are putting you behind. ~ . , real votes tonight are putting you behind. ~ ., , ., ,, ., , behind. we are still making gains, in harlow, the _ behind. we are still making gains, in harlow, the labour— behind. we are still making gains, in harlow, the labour party - behind. we are still making gains, in harlow, the labour party are i behind. we are still making gains, | in harlow, the labour party are not making _ in harlow, the labour party are not making the — in harlow, the labour party are not making the gains they should be making — making the gains they should be making it— making the gains they should be making if they are going to take the general— making if they are going to take the general election next year and look at what _ general election next year and look at what happened, they are nowhere near at _ at what happened, they are nowhere near at the _ at what happened, they are nowhere near at the moment and it is early inthem _ near at the moment and it is early

in the... ,,,, �* near at the moment and it is early in the... ,,,, ~ , :: ., in the... crosstalk. it is 20 to four but plenty— in the. . . crosstalk. it is 20 to four but plenty result _ in the. . . crosstalk. it is 20 to four but plenty result still - in the... crosstalk. it is 20 to four but plenty result still to i four but plenty result still to come. it four but plenty result still to come. , , ., , come. it feels very late, believe me! they _ come. it feels very late, believe me! they are — come. it feels very late, believe me! they are not _ come. it feels very late, believe me! they are not at _ come. it feels very late, believe me! they are not at the - come. it feels very late, believe| me! they are not at the moment making _ me! they are not at the moment making the — me! they are not at the moment making the gains they did in 1995 making the gains they did in1995 under— making the gains they did in 1995 under blair. i�*m making the gains they did in 1995 under istair-— making the gains they did in 1995 under blair. i'm calling this is the middle of the _ under blair. i'm calling this is the middle of the night, _ under blair. i'm calling this is the middle of the night, not - under blair. i'm calling this is the middle of the night, not late - under blair. i'm calling this is the middle of the night, not late or i middle of the night, not late or early. are you effectively saying, nickie, this is borisjohnson and liz truss's fault? i nickie, this is boris johnson and liz truss's fault?— liz truss's fault? i think it is the fact that we _ liz truss's fault? i think it is the fact that we did _ liz truss's fault? i think it is the fact that we did not _ liz truss's fault? i think it is the fact that we did not have - liz truss's fault? i think it is the fact that we did not have a - liz truss's fault? i think it is the | fact that we did not have a great year _ fact that we did not have a great year last — fact that we did not have a great year last year, i thinkjohnny said that _ year last year, i thinkjohnny said that 2022 — year last year, i thinkjohnny said that. 2022 was not a great year for the conservative party but put it behind — the conservative party but put it behind us — the conservative party but put it behind us and have to look to the future _ behind us and have to look to the future the — behind us and have to look to the future. the public deserve to allow, to have _ future. the public deserve to allow, to have a _ future. the public deserve to allow, to have a government that gets on with the _ to have a government that gets on with the job and that's what this year has — with the job and that's what this year has done. the progress he has made _ year has done. the progress he has made in _ year has done. the progress he has made in such— year has done. the progress he has made in such a short time with the belfast _ made in such a short time with the belfast agreement, a much better productive constructive relationship now with _ productive constructive relationship now with the eu and the french and the agreements he's had with macron over the _ the agreements he's had with macron over the small boats, what we've got

crosstalk. if if over the small boats, what we've got crosstalk. , ., over the small boats, what we've got crosstalk— crosstalk. if it turns out we've got a really rough _ crosstalk. if it turns out we've got a really rough 24 — crosstalk. if it turns out we've got a really rough 24 hours _ crosstalk. if it turns out we've got a really rough 24 hours for - crosstalk. if it turns out we've got a really rough 24 hours for you, - a really rough 24 hours for you, would voters expect you to carry on regardless? are they not sending you a message that they want change? i think under rishi sunak, and if you look at _ think under rishi sunak, and if you look at the — think under rishi sunak, and if you look at the poles, which she's out polling _ look at the poles, which she's out polling keir starmer. people do not believe~ _ polling keir starmer. people do not believe... ,, ,, �* polling keir starmer. people do not believe... ,, ,, ~ ,, ., believe... crosstalk. keir starmer is often ahead _ believe... crosstalk. keir starmer is often ahead and _ believe... crosstalk. keir starmer is often ahead and sometimes - is often ahead and sometimes occasionally rishi sunak is a little ahead but it is not the case that rishi sunak is always ahead, let's make that clear. it's not what the numbers say. we make that clear. it's not what the numbers say-— make that clear. it's not what the numbers say. make that clear. it's not what the numbers sa . ~ ., ., ., , ., ., numbers say. we made an awful lot of rouress numbers say. we made an awful lot of progress under — numbers say. we made an awful lot of progress under rishi _ numbers say. we made an awful lot of progress under rishi sunak _ numbers say. we made an awful lot of progress under rishi sunak in - numbers say. we made an awful lot of progress under rishi sunak in the - progress under rishi sunak in the last six— progress under rishi sunak in the last six months and he is delivering what he _ last six months and he is delivering what he has — last six months and he is delivering what he has promised so far with the belfast _ what he has promised so far with the belfast agreement, the trade agreements we are doing outside the eu, and _ agreements we are doing outside the eu, and the _ agreements we are doing outside the eu, and the much more constructive relationship — eu, and the much more constructive relationship we now have with our eu partners _ relationship we now have with our eu artners. ,, , ., , partners. susan, listening to these two auoin partners. susan, listening to these two going up _ partners. susan, listening to these two going up hammer— partners. susan, listening to these two going up hammer and - partners. susan, listening to these two going up hammer and tongs i two going up hammer and tongs because the labour versus tory debate tends to dominate but the lib

dems, do you think, if the results trend tonight continues tomorrow, do you think actually, it could translate into a much more significant performance at the next general election? i significant performance at the next general election?— general election? i think it could. the pattern _ general election? i think it could. the pattern we — general election? i think it could. the pattern we saw _ general election? i think it could. the pattern we saw with - general election? i think it could. the pattern we saw with the - the pattern we saw with the by-eiections. _ the pattern we saw with the by—elections, but _ the pattern we saw with the by—elections, but i- the pattern we saw with the by—elections, but i have - the pattern we saw with the by—elections, but i have to. the pattern we saw with the i by—elections, but i have to say looking — by—elections, but i have to say looking at _ by—elections, but i have to say looking at my _ by—elections, but i have to say looking at my own _ by—elections, but i have to say looking at my own briefing, i by—elections, but i have to say looking at my own briefing, ifi by—elections, but i have to say. looking at my own briefing, if we take windsor— looking at my own briefing, if we take windsor and _ looking at my own briefing, if we take windsor and maidenhead, i looking at my own briefing, if we - take windsor and maidenhead, that's beyond _ take windsor and maidenhead, that's beyond expectations— take windsor and maidenhead, that's beyond expectations that _ take windsor and maidenhead, that's beyond expectations that we - take windsor and maidenhead, that's beyond expectations that we had - take windsor and maidenhead, that's beyond expectations that we had in i beyond expectations that we had in the beginning — beyond expectations that we had in the beginning of— beyond expectations that we had in the beginning of the _ beyond expectations that we had in the beginning of the evening, - beyond expectations that we had in the beginning of the evening, you i the beginning of the evening, you have to _ the beginning of the evening, you have to understand, _ the beginning of the evening, you have to understand, the - have to understand, the conservatives _ have to understand, the conservatives have - have to understand, the| conservatives have twice have to understand, the - conservatives have twice the have to understand, the _ conservatives have twice the number of councillors — conservatives have twice the number of councillors that _ conservatives have twice the number of councillors that we _ conservatives have twice the number of councillors that we did _ conservatives have twice the number of councillors that we did and - conservatives have twice the number of councillors that we did and not - of councillors that we did and not make _ of councillors that we did and not make crosstalk. _ of councillors that we did and not make crosstalk.— of councillors that we did and not make crosstalk. they are confident the have make crosstalk. they are confident they have taken... _ make crosstalk. they are confident they have taken... that's _ make crosstalk. they are confident they have taken... that's what - make crosstalk. they are confident they have taken... that's what i - they have taken... that's what i understand- _ they have taken... that's what i understand. we _ they have taken... that's what i understand. we will _ they have taken... that's what i understand. we will see - they have taken... that's what i understand. we will see when i they have taken... that's what i - understand. we will see when those other— understand. we will see when those other seats — understand. we will see when those other seats come _ understand. we will see when those other seats come in. _ understand. we will see when those other seats come in. we _ understand. we will see when those other seats come in. we just - understand. we will see when those other seats come in. we just had i understand. we will see when those other seats come in. we just had a. other seats come in. we just had a governor— other seats come in. we just had a governor of— other seats come in. we just had a governor of the _ other seats come in. we just had a governor of the bank _ other seats come in. we just had a governor of the bank of _ other seats come in. we just had a governor of the bank of england i other seats come in. we just had a. governor of the bank of england tell people _ governor of the bank of england tell pe0ple they— governor of the bank of england tell pe0ple they need _ governor of the bank of england tell people they need to _ governor of the bank of england tell people they need to get _ governor of the bank of england tell people they need to get used - governor of the bank of england tell people they need to get used to - people they need to get used to being _ people they need to get used to being poorer _ people they need to get used to being poorer. that's— people they need to get used to being poorer. that's what - people they need to get used to being poorer. that's what the i being poorer. that's what the government— being poorer. that's what the government has— being poorer. that's what the government has managed - being poorer. that's what the government has managed to| being poorer. that's what the - government has managed to deliver, thers— government has managed to deliver, that's the _ government has managed to deliver, that's the experience _ government has managed to deliver, that's the experience that _ government has managed to deliver, that's the experience that people - that's the experience that people actually— that's the experience that people actually have _ that's the experience that people actually have on _ that's the experience that people actually have on a _ that's the experience that people actually have on a day—to—day . that's the experience that people i actually have on a day—to—day basis. as liberal— actually have on a day—to—day basis. as liberal democrats, _ actually have on a day—to—day basis. as liberal democrats, we're - actually have on a day—to—day basis. as liberal democrats, we're not - as liberal democrats, we're not going _ as liberal democrats, we're not going to — as liberal democrats, we're not going to there _ as liberal democrats, we're not going to there passively - as liberal democrats, we're not going to there passively and - as liberal democrats, we're not going to there passively and let| as liberal democrats, we're not. going to there passively and let the either— going to there passively and let the either future — going to there passively and let the either future that— going to there passively and let the either future that the _ going to there passively and let the either future that the country- going to there passively and let the either future that the country is - either future that the country is facing — either future that the country is

facing -- — either future that the country is facing~ -- let— either future that the country is facing. —— let that— either future that the country is facing. —— let that be _ either future that the country is facing. —— let that be the - either future that the country is| facing. —— let that be the future. it's important _ facing. —— let that be the future. it's important that _ facing. —— let that be the future. it's important that we _ facing. —— let that be the future. it's important that we get - facing. —— let that be the future. it's important that we get our. it's important that we get our messages _ it's important that we get our messages across— it's important that we get our messages across that - it's important that we get our messages across that we - it's important that we get our messages across that we can| it's important that we get our- messages across that we can make movement— messages across that we can make movement the _ messages across that we can make movement the economy, _ messages across that we can make movement the economy, sure - messages across that we can make movement the economy, sure it i messages across that we can make i movement the economy, sure it up, -et movement the economy, sure it up, get closer— movement the economy, sure it up, get closer to — movement the economy, sure it up, get closer to europe _ movement the economy, sure it up, get closer to europe in— movement the economy, sure it up, get closer to europe in some - movement the economy, sure it up, get closer to europe in some ways, i get closer to europe in some ways, but we _ get closer to europe in some ways, but we can— get closer to europe in some ways, but we can make _ get closer to europe in some ways, but we can make those _ get closer to europe in some ways, but we can make those kinds - get closer to europe in some ways, but we can make those kinds of - but we can make those kinds of international— but we can make those kinds of international differences - but we can make those kinds of international differences that i but we can make those kinds of . international differences that give us new— international differences that give us new opportunity— international differences that give us new opportunity —— _ international differences that give us new opportunity —— shore - international differences that give us new opportunity —— shore it. international differences that give | us new opportunity —— shore it up. we can— us new opportunity —— shore it up. we can tackle _ us new opportunity —— shore it up. we can tackle the _ us new opportunity —— shore it up. we can tackle the problems - us new opportunity —— shore it up. we can tackle the problems in- us new opportunity —— shore it up. we can tackle the problems in the| we can tackle the problems in the health— we can tackle the problems in the health service. _ we can tackle the problems in the health service. we _ we can tackle the problems in the health service. we won _ we can tackle the problems in the health service. we won north- health service. we won north shropshire _ health service. we won north shropshire because _ health service. we won north shropshire because we - health service. we won north shropshire because we finally health service. we won north- shropshire because we finally got an mp candidate — shropshire because we finally got an mp candidate who _ shropshire because we finally got an mp candidate who spoke _ shropshire because we finally got an mp candidate who spoke about - shropshire because we finally got an mp candidate who spoke about the i mp candidate who spoke about the problem _ mp candidate who spoke about the problem with— mp candidate who spoke about the problem with ambulance _ mp candidate who spoke about the problem with ambulance waiting. problem with ambulance waiting times _ problem with ambulance waiting times nothing _ problem with ambulance waiting times. nothing was _ problem with ambulance waiting times. nothing was being - problem with ambulance waiting times. nothing was being done. problem with ambulance waiting i times. nothing was being done to deal with— times. nothing was being done to deal with that _ times. nothing was being done to deal with that problem _ times. nothing was being done to deal with that problem until- times. nothing was being done to deal with that problem until she l times. nothing was being done to . deal with that problem until she got out there _ deal with that problem until she got out there and — deal with that problem until she got out there and began _ deal with that problem until she got out there and began campaigning i deal with that problem until she got i out there and began campaigning and repeating _ out there and began campaigning and repeating it— out there and began campaigning and repeating it over _ out there and began campaigning and repeating it over and _ out there and began campaigning and repeating it over and over— out there and began campaigning and repeating it over and over again - out there and began campaigning and repeating it over and over again in - repeating it over and over again in parliament — repeating it over and over again in parliament. we _ repeating it over and over again in parliament. we will— repeating it over and over again in parliament. we will campaign - repeating it over and over again in parliament. we will campaign on. parliament. we will campaign on those _ parliament. we will campaign on those key— parliament. we will campaign on those key issues _ parliament. we will campaign on those key issues that _ parliament. we will campaign on those key issues that are - parliament. we will campaign on i those key issues that are absolutely critical _ those key issues that are absolutely critical to _ those key issues that are absolutely critical to people's _ those key issues that are absolutely critical to people's everyday - those key issues that are absolutely critical to people's everyday lives. . critical to people's everyday lives. one of— critical to people's everyday lives. one of your — critical to people's everyday lives. one of your colleagues _ critical to people's everyday lives. one of your colleagues just - critical to people's everyday lives. | one of your colleagues just tested me, i covid texted me, saying we will exceed the expectations of all of the pollsters and this is a great night for us and i wonder what you are down to, lib dem progress so far and how much it is about policy and

issues where we find ourselves economically and how much it is about organisation because i hear from a lot of your colleagues there is a shift in the organisation, geographical concentration on areas where you are competitive and not spreading yourself too thinly and we see the product of that shift in strategy or is frankly, i think it is both. you have to organise yourself well, particularly when you are a small party and you don't have close to the financial resources of the other parties and also you can't get airtime. somebody said the reason people get on a tractor is because otherwise the media won't cover it. but we had huge gains of that in the last lot of local elections we want to hundred seats, more than anyone else, i think anyone watching the media that they not at that point

out and never even heard it, so we have to make our own climate, if you like. we have to make our own weather. i think the party is becoming much more effectively organise. and it is also very much the sort of feeding for the grassroots. i talked about the activists who really have the pulse of the communities they live in both the local international issues and i can see that coming through any sort of fight that we are having in parliament, the issues on which we are standing strong, whether it is everything from trying to get control back over the financial system, whether it is trying to make sure that we don't turn into an authoritarian state with some of the public orders. authoritarian state with some of the public orders— public orders. could you double the number of seats _ public orders. could you double the number of seats you _ public orders. could you double the number of seats you have - public orders. could you double the number of seats you have got? - public orders. could you double the number of seats you have got? i i number of seats you have got? i don't have the — i am not a psychologist so i don't have my finger on the pulse. i suspect also the focus — one of the things we

have done is focus on the next step and the nextep has been the local elections, backing up the activists in the places where they are, where we know that we are able to get our message out and then it looked to see what responses come.- message out and then it looked to see what responses come. thank you ve much see what responses come. thank you very much for— see what responses come. thank you very much for now. _ see what responses come. thank you very much for now. glad _ see what responses come. thank you very much for now. glad to _ see what responses come. thank you very much for now. glad to have - see what responses come. thank you very much for now. glad to have you | very much for now. glad to have you here in the studio on what looks like it could be a very healthy not indeed for the liberal democrats. they have certainly got a lot to cheer about at the —— so let's look at some battleground seats were decisive results could come in. rita, what can we expect? laura, let me ou rita, what can we expect? laura, let me you where _ rita, what can we expect? laura, let me you where the _ rita, what can we expect? laura, let me you where the party _ rita, what can we expect? laura, let me you where the party stand - rita, what can we expect? laura, let me you where the party stand at - rita, what can we expect? laura, let me you where the party stand at the | me you where the party stand at the moment in terms of counsellors. conservatives down 701c labour op 49 and the liberal democrats up 20. in answer to laura's question, this is how our councils to watch overnight - lb how our councils to watch overnight — lb screen looks now. so, as those

of you who have been following us through the hours will know, brentwood is a conservative loss. they had a majority of three before the night started and they have lost that. they have also lost tamworth in staffordshire and as laura reminded you earlier, during the programme, this is where chris pincher is an mp. he was a competitive. he is now an independent and he has played a role independent and he has played a role in a sequence of events that eventually triggered boris johnson's resignation. we can't know how much of a rolled up late, but it may well have done. by contrast, over here, in the hunga section, plymouth, which was under no overall control. that is now a labour game. you can see that flashing red and in the red column here, all those councils which started the night as a labour.

there is a whole lot of red that which indicates labour holds, and fought the councils that are in white and grey, they are still counting. underthe white and grey, they are still counting. under the liberal democrat column, hull is a labour old and they have consolidated their position so they are terribly pleased about that, of course, it's just one word about these councils here at the bottom under the hunga section. remember i told you at the beginning of the evening that rochford in essex, west lindsey in boston, both of them in lincolnshire, although they are all in the whole section they were conservative councils four years ago and they became hung through defection so we wanted to see if they could take them back and rochford has a saida hung. so, that is how it is looking at 3:50am in the morning. i will update you again soon. ., ~'

the morning. i will update you again soon. . ~ the morning. i will update you again soon. ., ~ y the morning. i will update you again soon. . ~ , . soon. thank you very much indeed, retail. soon. thank you very much indeed, retail- let's — soon. thank you very much indeed, retail- let's go _ soon. thank you very much indeed, retail. let's go straight _ soon. thank you very much indeed, retail. let's go straight to - soon. thank you very much indeed, retail. let's go straight to the - retail. let's go straight to the councils we talked about a bit. we have heard from our report on the ground in a north west leicestershire and that is somewhere where the tories are doing worse than they expected, we think. we don't have final numbers there, but let's speak to the former chairman of the conservative party in that part of the world. we heard earlier that the conservatives were braced to lose the seeds they had not expected to. can you tell us what you think is going on? i expected to. can you tell us what you think is going on?— expected to. can you tell us what you think is going on? i think what is happening _ you think is going on? i think what is happening now— you think is going on? i think what is happening now is _ you think is going on? i think what is happening now is national- is happening now is national politics appear to be in the minds of most voters... excuse me. we are obviously very, very disappointed. we did expect a slight change, but certainly not the well being gains that labour have made tonight. we certainly did not expect that, but the biggest problem i see is that

there is a tremendous amount of knowledge that is now being swept away by the labour group. the conservatives had been the leading group in a north west leicestershire for the past 20 odd years, and all of the counsellors have tremendous knowledge, and now they have got to start afresh, and i am afraid the officers may well be a little bit concerned that most of the new board members know absolutely nothing of how to run the council. so, it is rather unfortunate that people have voted politically, nationally, rather than a district level. we have kept the council tax. we have not increased at in 16, ill have kept the council tax. we have not increased at in 16, 14 years, but i am afraid now the labour group will be increasing council tax, so people will be paying more, i am afraid. and, yes, i people will be paying more, i am afraid. and, yes, lam disappointed. i love the area. i have loved

working for the general public, and it is a sad day for quite a lot of conservative counsellors. taste it is a sad day for quite a lot of conservative counsellors. we don't actually have _ conservative counsellors. we don't actually have confirmation - conservative counsellors. we don't actually have confirmation of - conservative counsellors. we don't actually have confirmation of the l actually have confirmation of the final results there, but are you confirming to us that the conservatives have lost control of the council? has labour actually got a majority or has it gone to nobody being in overall control but labour the biggest group?— the biggest group? well, the countin: the biggest group? well, the counting is — the biggest group? well, the counting is still _ the biggest group? well, the counting is still going - the biggest group? well, the counting is still going on, - the biggest group? well, the counting is still going on, so| the biggest group? well, the i counting is still going on, so we are not really sure whether labour will have a controlling group. we, the conservatives, certainly have not, and i suppose another governing factor is the fact that our mp has been a little bit to sort of outspoken and is not considered what he has been saying as to what the effect will have on the local electorate. so, we have not been given any favours. we have been dealt a pretty bad head to the past three, four years from boris, ms

truss and now rishi sunak, and hopefully rishi sunak will put us on the right track again, but we are really hard—working, the really ha rd—working, the conservatives really hard—working, the conservatives are, and we love our district and of course we are going to be back again before long. if you to be back again before long. if you refer to be back again before long. if you prefer there — to be back again before long. if you prefer there to _ to be back again before long. if you prefer there to the _ to be back again before long. if you prefer there to the controversy - to be back again before long. if you prefer there to the controversy over andrew bridgen who was booted out of the conservative party and is not even serving as a conservative mp on your part of the world. you say for three or four years, your part of the world. you say for three orfour years, though, you have had a pretty bad hand from the national party. how confident are you or not... national party. how confident are you or not- - -_ national party. how confident are you or not. . ._ about . you or not... absolutely. about rishi sunak's _ you or not... absolutely. about rishi sunak's ability _ you or not... absolutely. about rishi sunak's ability to - you or not... absolutely. about rishi sunak's ability to turn - rishi sunak's ability to turn around? because from what has happened tonight i think some of your colleagues might have a big question mark about that. i your colleagues might have a big question mark about that. i think to be fair, question mark about that. i think to be fair. this — question mark about that. i think to be fair, this is _ question mark about that. i think to be fair, this is a _ question mark about that. i think to be fair, this is a protest _ question mark about that. i think to be fair, this is a protest vote. - question mark about that. i think to be fair, this is a protest vote. i - be fair, this is a protest vote. i know that a lot of my electorate are very happy with the way we in the

district have run the council. we conservatives have run the council. but it is a protest on a national level, as you have obviously noticed. labourare level, as you have obviously noticed. labour are sweeping across the board all over the country, so we are taking a certain amount of satisfaction, knowing that we have done a good job. we have really looked after our electorate. we are building more and more affordable homes. we have built council houses. we are really trying to look after everyone in our district, but, unfortunately, on a national level, we have been let down. rishi sunak can turn that _ we have been let down. rishi sunak can turn that around. _ we have been let down. rishi sunak can turn that around. i _ we have been let down. rishi sunak can turn that around. i would - we have been let down. rishi sunak can turn that around. i would thinkl can turn that around. i would think so. i can turn that around. i would think so- i believe _ can turn that around. i would think so. i believe so. _ can turn that around. i would think so. i believe so. i— can turn that around. i would think so. i believe so. i think— can turn that around. i would think so. i believe so. i think he - can turn that around. i would think so. i believe so. i think he is- so. i believe so. i think he is committed to trying to get things back on course for us. we have had, as i say, three orfour bad back on course for us. we have had, as i say, three or four bad years. covid really knocked the country about. whether or not we handled it

in the right way or the wrong way, i really don't know. i am not as politically minded as an mp is, but we did the best we could under the circumstances that we had no control over, and unfortunately, i think that a lot of people now have lost that a lot of people now have lost that work ethic and are not getting back to working really hard and getting the country back on track again. we are sliding downhill, and i don't think that any government can put it right. it is up to the people of the country to set about it, put their barrow down and get on with it and get back to work and let's raise the country to the level it was ten years ago. fik. let's raise the country to the level it was ten years ago.— let's raise the country to the level it was ten years ago. 0k. the former chair of the — it was ten years ago. 0k. the former chair of the north _ it was ten years ago. 0k. the former chair of the north west _ chair of the north west leicestershire conservatives, thank you very much for giving us your time. i know it is a difficult night for you, so we appreciate you speaking to us here on bbc news. now, we are not that far away from the news at ltam, believe it or not. it is nearly 4am but we will check

in with some interesting views for two people who know the parties well. laura dunn, a special advisor to various conservative ministers, and andrew fisher, who was the former director of policy forjeremy corbyn. laura, let's start with you — listening to that local counsellor, that local activist in north west leicestershire, feeling clearly so let down by the national party? i clearly so let down by the national pa ? ~' , ., clearly so let down by the national pa ? ~' i., clearly so let down by the national pa ? ~' i. . party? i think when you look at the ast ear party? i think when you look at the past year it — party? i think when you look at the past year it has _ party? i think when you look at the past year it has definitely - party? i think when you look at the past year it has definitely been - party? i think when you look at the past year it has definitely been a i past year it has definitely been a very tumultuous time for the conservative party and that perhaps is playing _ conservative party and that perhaps is playing out now. when we look at these _ is playing out now. when we look at these results, ithink is playing out now. when we look at these results, i think it is still not a — these results, i think it is still not a clear—cut picture. even at 3:50am — not a clear—cut picture. even at 3:50am in _ not a clear—cut picture. even at 3:50am in the morning. what i have heard _ 3:50am in the morning. what i have heard from — 3:50am in the morning. what i have heard from colleagues campaigning across— heard from colleagues campaigning across the — heard from colleagues campaigning across the country is that there is still a _ across the country is that there is still a soft— across the country is that there is still a soft and decided vote and some _ still a soft and decided vote and some voters have actually felt a bit meh about — some voters have actually felt a bit

meh about things. we have seen it muddied _ meh about things. we have seen it muddied with issues around the nhs, cost of— muddied with issues around the nhs, cost of living woven into that dialogue~ _ cost of living woven into that dialogue. i think the prime cost of living woven into that dialogue. ithink the prime minister has done _ dialogue. ithink the prime minister has done a — dialogue. ithink the prime minister has done a really good job in trying to stabilise — has done a really good job in trying to stabilise the ship since he took office. _ to stabilise the ship since he took office. but— to stabilise the ship since he took office, but it is clear there is much — office, but it is clear there is much more work to be done and i think— much more work to be done and i think as _ much more work to be done and i think as soon as the ballot boxes at the polling — think as soon as the ballot boxes at the polling stations shut at ten o'clock— the polling stations shut at ten o'clock last night, the campaign for the general election next year and definitely, it is under way. and 'ust definitely, it is under way. and just chatting. _ definitely, it is under way. and just chatting. l _ definitely, it is under way. sixth. just chatting, i want to show you the results of comment. the middlesbrough man is a labour gain over the man in charge theirfood middlesbrough man is a labour gain over the man in charge their food to last figures. but is again for labour in the northeast of england, where they wanted to show evidence of progress. the middlesbrough mayor is not a powerful man like manchester or london, but of course these races still do matter and that is again the labour party. let's put that into andrew fisher he was a

critical person injeremy corbyn 's team. i mean, it is a dilemma perhaps for you on the left who want to be more radical, putting forward or sticking to some of the policies that he offered to some of his leadership campaign, you might say, yet labour is making distinct progress. it yet labour is making distinct rotress. , ., yet labour is making distinct rotress. , . yet labour is making distinct progress-— yet labour is making distinct rotress. , ., ., progress. it is a good night for labour. there _ progress. it is a good night for labour. there is _ progress. it is a good night for labour. there is no _ progress. it is a good night for labour. there is no two - progress. it is a good night for labour. there is no two ways i progress. it is a good night for- labour. there is no two ways about that and that is a good thing. we are, orat least that and that is a good thing. we are, or at least i am, a that and that is a good thing. we are, orat least i am, a labour party memberand are, orat least i am, a labour party member and have been for 26 years so i am pleased that labour is doing well. the question is, and it remains, and it is true of the national polling as well, how much of this is the collapse of the conservatives and how much is an enthusiasm for labour? i think what we see across the country and what i've heard from canvases across the country is there is definitely a suppression of the tory vote. a lot of tory voters have not turned out today. we know that. the turnout figures are quite low. there is not any sense of the great enthusiasm for labour. in some council areas

there is overall not so much. so, it is a good result. it has put us on a good path. ithink is a good result. it has put us on a good path. i think a lot of what jonathan ashworth was saying earlier about if you look at the seats where the councils map onto parliamentary seats, labour is making pretty good gains in important places so it is a good night for labour. there is no problem about that. the question is when it comes to a general election you are not talking about tenets of 15, 20, 25%. you are talking about 65, 70% and then you have got to enthuse people. you have to give people a reason to vote so there needs to be more definition from keir starmer�*s labour party. i will stick to my guns on that. also, you have to meet the scale of the challenge. look at the crisis in the nhs, the pollution in the seas and rivers, look at the seat of the economy and people's wages. labour is to have answers to those in the general election, but these are very big results. general election, but these are very bi results. ~ ., general election, but these are very bi results. ~ . . . general election, but these are very big results-— big results. what about that recent ditchin: of big results. what about that recent

ditching of the _ big results. what about that recent ditching of the planet _ big results. what about that recent ditching of the planet to _ big results. what about that recent ditching of the planet to scrap - ditching of the planet to scrap tuition fees for students in england? is that the kind of thing that you would like to see keir starmer reconnect to? fit that you would like to see keir starmer reconnect to? of course. education should _ starmer reconnect to? of course. education should be _ starmer reconnect to? of course. education should be free. - starmer reconnect to? of course. education should be free. that i starmer reconnect to? of course. education should be free. that is| starmer reconnect to? of course. | education should be free. that is a principle most labour party members have, whether they are on the left or the right of the party, and it is wrong that tuition fees came in in the first place and they were troubled under the coalition government, the lib dems and tories. so they definitely should stick to that. labour brought in free tuition in scotland in 2000, winning coalition with the liberal democrats. this is something we have done before. we should do it uk wide as well. �* , done before. we should do it uk wide as well. . , . . . as well. 0k. andrew fisher and laura dunn, as well. 0k. andrew fisher and laura dunn. thank — as well. 0k. andrew fisher and laura dunn. thank you _ as well. 0k. andrew fisher and laura dunn, thank you for _ as well. 0k. andrew fisher and laura dunn, thank you forjoining _ as well. 0k. andrew fisher and laura dunn, thank you forjoining us - as well. 0k. andrew fisher and laura dunn, thank you forjoining us and i dunn, thank you forjoining us and waiting patiently until we were able to get to you. thank you both very much. it'll be interesting in the coming days, depending on the final results, of course, how much that debate about enthusiasm for the keir starmer projects come to life inside the labour party but it has certainly been plenty of life in the

conversation with jonathan ashworth and baroness kramer who have been with us for the last little while. you are going to depart. nikki, don't go anywhere. you will have comrades at the desk in a second or two. before we go to the news i will give you the tally on our giant tower. i liked doing this. labour have increased their counsel tally by 52 seats with 361 now. the tories losing 73. the liberal democrats very chipper, having gained 20 seats and the greens gaining intent. some interesting things in different parts of the city for the greens that we are keeping an eye on as well. the sketched out headline — bad night for the tories. heavy losses. steps forward for labour but not the significant strides they need to get to number ten. a good night so farfor the need to get to number ten. a good night so far for the lib dems. need to get to number ten. a good night so farfor the lib dems. these are the early headlines. dunsmore results to come. all of them after the news. hello, here's your bbc news summary. results are coming in from the local elections across large parts of england,

with the conservatives losing control of brentwood and tamworth councils. in tamworth, labour gained seven seats, while in brentwood the tories lost in three wards to the liberal democrats. the lib dems needed to win five seats there to take control of the council. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake has more. cheering and applause. celebration in stoke—on—trent — seat by seat counsellors are finding out their fate. seat by seat counsellors are finding out theirfate. ir seat by seat counsellors are finding out their fate. ir labour is having gains. counting has begun in more than 200 towns, cities and rural areas across england, where voters have had their say on who should run local services. the tories are braced for a tough night, hoping only to limit their losses. and among a handle of very early results, they lost control of brentwood in essex, with the liberal democrats picking up seats, hoping to make gains elsewhere, too, at the conservatives' expense. fantastic result for

the liberal democrats in one of the safest tory seats in the country. we've gained three seats, we're now up to 17 seats, and the council moves into an overall control, and it's a time of change in brentwood and we're really delighted. it's fantastic news. vorster is one of many places where control of the council has not changed hands but conservative saw their support slip away.— their support slip away. individual boards will be _ their support slip away. individual boards will be impacted _ their support slip away. individual boards will be impacted by - boards will be impacted by individual issues but the backdrop of westminster has not played out well on the doorstep and we are being held to account. labour are looking for a strong showing to prove their lead in the opinion polls can bring winning results. tamworth in the west midlands among the places labour has so far made gains, also taking council seats from the tories. in a first for elections in england, photo id was required at polling stations, which left some unable to vote, but it's too soon to say

what impact the change has had. only around a quarter of the councils holding elections are counting votes overnight, so early results won't give anything like the full picture. but in the hours ahead, these local elections will be closely watched as a crucial test of the national political picture. jonathan blake, bbc news. within the past hour, labour has celebrated taking control of plymouth council, after the conservatives lost eight seats. as labour cheered, the veterans ministerjohnny mercer, who's an mp in the city, expressed his disappointment. i think it has been a really terrible night. there's a number of factors at play. i think locally it has been very difficult. the conservative here has been through a difficult time and we have seen that reflected on the doors in the campaign and the results of tonight but we take it on the chin and we

keep going forward. inaudible. we need to double our efforts and make sure we continue to buy —— work hard. sure we continue to buy -- work hard. ., , . ~ g. , sure we continue to buy -- work hard. . ~ ,~. all the local results will be available online. to find out who won in your local area, you can use our postcode checker, available on the bbc news website and on ourapp. in other news. members of the biggest rail workers union, the rmt, have voted to renew its mandate for taking strike action. the air force admitting it was a ukrainian which use a drone to destroy what it called undesirable circumstances. members of the biggest rail workers union, the rmt, have voted to renew its mandate

for taking strike action. it's the third such vote in a dispute over pay and conditions which began last year. it raises the prospect of strikes continuing until nearly the end of this year. a us court has ruled that the singer ed sheeran did not copy marvin gaye's let's get it on when composing thinking out loud. the british musician had denied stealing elements of the song for his 2014 worldwide hit. heirs of marvin gaye's co—writer argued that sheeran, warner music group and sony music publishing owed them money for copyright infringement. sheeran's legal team had argued that the melodies are different and the elements used in both songs are common in pop music. with the king's coronation fast approaching, with the king's coronation fast approaching, people hoping to get a good in—person view on the day are camping in central london tonight, as rehearsals and final preparations take place in and around westminster abbey. it's expected hundreds of thousands of people will line the route of the procession to and from the abbey. it's only a shortjourney down the mall and along whitehall. and people are already positioning to get the best view.

we will be back in an hour with the latest news updates but for now it's back to our special election night coverage with laura. and just a reminder, to see who won in your local area you can use our postcode checker which is available on the bbc news website and on ourapp. a very warm welcome back to the studio. first of all, to new guests. lord fox, liberal democrat. and peter cahill, labour�*s shutter spokesperson for northern ireland. thank you for being here just after four a.m.. thank you for being here just after foura.m.. chris thank you for being here just after four a.m.. chris mason is also here.

anyone would think it is 4:06am. we know the headlines are being sketched out from what we have seen so far but health warning, health warning, health warning, plenty more results to come tonight and plenty tomorrow. so far what our numbers are suggesting is a very bad night for the conservatives, a decent note for the conservatives, a decent note for labour, with progress but maybe not huge progress, but a happy note for the liberal democrats. what will some of those projections go into history comparatively? here some of those projections go into history comparatively?— some of those projections go into history comparatively? here we have it. this is history comparatively? here we have it- this is our— history comparatively? here we have it. this is our estimate _ history comparatively? here we have it. this is our estimate but _ history comparatively? here we have it. this is our estimate but it - history comparatively? here we have it. this is our estimate but it is - it. this is our estimate but it is our projection based on the results so far of the number of counsellors that each of the main parties might expect to have at the end of this election. now, i must say, this is a projection so it is based on the

pattern of the results so far but given what we know, it is looking as if labour might be in the region of gaining around 400 counsellors, the conservatives could be looking at losses of over 1000, and the liberal democrats could be looking at picking up around 260 more seats. so if you look at the actual graft, you see we have out dotted lines projecting 2023. this is what we think will happen based on the results we have. you see the red dot is overtaking the blue dot and that would mean if this would come to pass,it would mean if this would come to pass, it would mean labour would become the largest party in a local government for the first time, if you go back to 2002. that is the last time that labour was the largest party in local government.

if the results do give this sort of scenario, it meant the conservatives are at risk of losing the sort of worse—case scenario figures that they have been giving in the run—up to the election, which is a loss of around a thousand seats. for the liberal democrats, we know they have been having a good election so far, potentially putting on around 260 counsellors, with a slight improvement on their performance last year and also on 2019, the last time the seeds were followed and they did well in 2019 so all that is very encouraging for them but we have to look back at our graft to see how well they were doing before they went into power with the conservatives in 2010, where they were scoring really rather higher. a good night for the lib dems but as

with anything in politics and life, it is all relative. it is with anything in politics and life, it is all relative.— it is all relative. it is all relative _ it is all relative. it is all relative and _ it is all relative. it is all relative and it - it is all relative. it is all relative and it is - it is all relative. it is all relative and it is also i it is all relative. it is all i relative and it is also only it is all relative. it is all - relative and it is also only in the case if the current trends of the night continue so losses for the conservatives could speed up, slow down, gains for the labour party could speed up or slow down. you get my point. that is a projection if the trends continue. bear that in mind but it does bear examination and more conversation so let's go to sirjohn who has been furiously trying to work this out. these are fascinating numbers and they put the conservatives beyond their worst expectations potentially? maybe, let's not expectations potentially? maybe, let's rrot over _ expectations potentially? maybe, let's not over bake _ expectations potentially? maybe, let's not over bake the _ expectations potentially? maybe, let's not over bake the putting... | let's not over bake the putting... we would never do that. the let's not over bake the putting... we would never do that. the point is of four o'clock _ we would never do that. the point is of four o'clock this _ we would never do that. the point is of four o'clock this morning - we would never do that. the point is of four o'clock this morning with -

of four o'clock this morning with 75% of results still to be counted, we cannot say that the conservatives are clearly not at risk of suffering are clearly not at risk of suffering a thousand seats. at the moment we cannot rule out the possibility that thatis cannot rule out the possibility that that is what might happen and certainly the rate of loss overnight at around one in three does and it take you to around the 1000 mark but let's be careful here, we're not saying that is what is going to happen but above all we are saying to those inveterate viewers who are not only with us at four o'clock in the morning but also expect to be with us at four o'clock tomorrow afternoon when we might not the answer to this that indeed they might discover if they are still watching are not followed asleep that the conservatives have lost a thousand seats. if that the conservatives have lost a thousand seats.— thousand seats. if people are watchin: thousand seats. if people are watching at — thousand seats. if people are watching at 4am, _ thousand seats. if people are watching at 4am, they - thousand seats. if people are watching at 4am, they will i watching at 4am, they will definitely be watching 4pm tomorrow afternoon. they will be watching it

under the desk. let's get you to respond to the numbers we can show our view is about what is happening in key wars. the change since 2019 that remember may 2019, not the general election — lib dems up 7%, the conservatives down 1%, lib dems up the conservatives down 1%, lib dems up 1%. changes since last year, 2022, the conservatives down 5%, labour only up 0.1% at this point in the proceedings, so the kind of increases in share that labour might expect to wake up to in the morning if things carry on like this are potentially not the persuasive kinds of things you were talking about at the beginning of the night, the double—digit kind of lead in national projection to ensure victory... national pro'ection to ensure victory...— national pro'ection to ensure victo . ., victory... that does not quite follow because _

victory... that does not quite follow because that - victory... that does not quite follow because that minus i victory... that does not quite l follow because that minus five figure four conservatives in terms of the lead means that the lead of labour would be larger than the potential share last year but it is a reminder that in the context of local elections at least, where it looks like on tonight is evidence that the liberal democrats have as dumb a bit better, and maybe put a better result than 2010. the great holding their own overall since a thousand 19 but actually increasing in wards where they were previously strongest. —— 2019. they are also taking their share of the spoils. english local government is different from westminster. westminster, in terms of mps, they are still dominated by conservative

levels, not in scotland, of course. and certainly it is much less dominated than it was in the days when tony blair was able to get something like 46% of the projected national share. these files are divided rather more evenly and as a result therefore it is rather more difficult for labour to make the kinds of scores in local government elections then we are getting in national opinion polls but it is clearly also more difficult for the conservatives to do well in the poles. on the number so far, the conservatives are doing somewhat less well than even the disaster of may 2019 under theresa may's leadership. may 2019 under theresa may's leadership-— may 2019 under theresa may's leadershi. . ~' , ., , . leadership. thank you very much indeed for _ leadership. thank you very much indeed for keeping _ leadership. thank you very much indeed for keeping us _ leadership. thank you very much indeed for keeping us right i leadership. thank you very much indeed for keeping us right and l leadership. thank you very much i indeed for keeping us right and we must not compare apples and pears stopped absolutely right. he is the man with the numbers but, overall,

the trends suggesting that there will still be pressure on keir starmer? yes, because of momentum, because of that since they were so 1 million miles ahead in the opinion polls after the tory implosion at the end of last year, yes, they have narrowed a little better, that any gap that exists at the end today when the results are in between where labour's opinion polls have been, where they may end up, if there is a gap there, that is a gap into which a frisson of nerves can settle for labour, because, we have said it before but we should underline it, the mountain they face at the next general election is absolutely colossal, so they can't just be a head or winning by a bit, they need to be winning by an awful lot. so yes, and in the meantime they are conscious, when i speak to labour people privately, they are conscious that the conservatives have managed to well, steady things at least, in terms of how government appears at westminster. it isn't the

kind of rolling chaos it was for much of last year. keir starmer made a big thing last year is portraying himself as the grown of british politics and pointing and drawing a comparison with liz truss and boris johnson. rishi sunak arrives on the stage and has a similar kind of political act. so to that extent keir starmer as well. just one little local nugget to bring you whilst we have been talking, as far as labour's performance is concerned, looking particularly good, we have talked about this already, in stoke for them, the gains they are making there, it looks like, if my maths is right, they are heading in the direction of taking control. that they are heading in the direction of taking control.— taking control. that would make sense because _ taking control. that would make sense because we _ taking control. that would make sense because we were - taking control. that would make sense because we were told i taking control. that would make sense because we were told the | taking control. that would make i sense because we were told the local conservative leader had left the building which normally when it comes to election counts means you have lost and gone away but who knows, maybe he was going out, who knows, maybe he was going out, who knows what he was doing, maybe he has come back, who knows. but we will hear from lizzie as soon as we

have any definitive news from stoke, because that would be quite a symbolic win for labour, if they do indeed manage to do that in stoke because it is one of those crucial parts of the country, where brexit was such a divide. do you think, if labour is making progress in what the dragon says is a late —— red wall, heavily brexit, said no to jeremy corbyn, do you think you are seeing signs that that brexit divide is fading a bit? i seeing signs that that brexit divide is fading a bit?— is fading a bit? i think we are crossin: is fading a bit? i think we are crossing a — is fading a bit? i think we are crossing a lot _ is fading a bit? i think we are crossing a lot of _ is fading a bit? i think we are crossing a lot of divide i is fading a bit? i think we are crossing a lot of divide is i crossing a lot of divide is actually, what we have put a lot of effort _ actually, what we have put a lot of effort into — actually, what we have put a lot of effort into are just getting the basics — effort into are just getting the basics right. we have put an offer to the _ basics right. we have put an offer to the country, which is right where the country— to the country, which is right where the country wants us to become essentially. so that means this whole — essentially. so that means this whole campaign century has been about— whole campaign century has been about the — whole campaign century has been about the cost—of—living crisis and how we _ about the cost—of—living crisis and how we can — about the cost—of—living crisis and how we can tackle that. it has been about— how we can tackle that. it has been about cutting crime, cutting the waiting — about cutting crime, cutting the waiting lists on the nhs. then we had a _ waiting lists on the nhs. then we had a very— waiting lists on the nhs. then we had a very big regional operation, and then— had a very big regional operation, and then we had a very big local operation, — and then we had a very big local operation, so we have been layering this campaign, getting it right at

the centre using keir, then right and into— the centre using keir, then right and into communities and it seems to be working _ and into communities and it seems to be working. you can see a stiff eating — be working. you can see a stiff eating tories in plymouth, it is doing — eating tories in plymouth, it is doing really well in stoke, we have 'ust doing really well in stoke, we have just taken— doing really well in stoke, we have just taken the mayoralty in middlesbrough. that was won four years— middlesbrough. that was won four years ago— middlesbrough. that was won four years ago with a 60% majority, percentage of the vote, by an independent and we have just taken that back _ independent and we have just taken that back. so you can see that we are doing — that back. so you can see that we are doing well right across the board — are doing well right across the board. we are doing well geographically, north, south and in the midlands, and also doing well at leave and _ the midlands, and also doing well at leave and remain, and we are getting these _ leave and remain, and we are getting these different basics of winning an election— these different basics of winning an election rate. these are things we are looking — election rate. these are things we are looking up. we want the overall numbers, _ are looking up. we want the overall numbers, of— are looking up. we want the overall numbers, of course we do, because when _ numbers, of course we do, because when we _ numbers, of course we do, because when we get — numbers, of course we do, because when we get hundreds of new councillors as we are likely to do this morning and tomorrow afternoon, it means _ this morning and tomorrow afternoon, it means we _ this morning and tomorrow afternoon, it means we have the ability to serve. — it means we have the ability to serve, that's what we're really in this for. — serve, that's what we're really in this for. for— serve, that's what we're really in this for, for serving communities, but then— this for, for serving communities, but then we're also looking course is a party— but then we're also looking course is a party to— but then we're also looking course is a party to how we we take steps forward _ is a party to how we we take steps forward as— is a party to how we we take steps forward as a — is a party to how we we take steps forward as a general election. we are getting all these things right. i are getting all these things right. i suppose — are getting all these things right. i suppose you are getting the basics right, i suppose that is not going to get you to number ten, are you

confident that is enough?- to get you to number ten, are you confident that is enough? listen to what i confident that is enough? listen to what i have — confident that is enough? listen to what i have just _ confident that is enough? listen to what i have just said, _ confident that is enough? listen to what i have just said, too - confident that is enough? listen to what i have just said, too often i confident that is enough? listen to what i have just said, too often in i what i have just said, too often in the past — what i have just said, too often in the past we — what i have just said, too often in the past we have lots of those elements wrong. geographically were getting _ elements wrong. geographically were getting it _ elements wrong. geographically were getting it right, taking seats of the tories in the south, and we are doing _ the tories in the south, and we are doing the _ the tories in the south, and we are doing the selfless tomorrow, tomorrow we will do a lot of seats across _ tomorrow we will do a lot of seats across the — tomorrow we will do a lot of seats across the south—east, we will be fighting _ across the south—east, we will be fighting the greens in brighton, the tories _ fighting the greens in brighton, the tories in _ fighting the greens in brighton, the tories in crawley, even having a good _ tories in crawley, even having a good old — tories in crawley, even having a good old pop in dover, and if we make _ good old pop in dover, and if we make gains in dover, these are places— make gains in dover, these are places that the labour party has done _ places that the labour party has done well— places that the labour party has done well since the 90s and early notice. _ done well since the 90s and early notice. so — done well since the 90s and early notice, so we're taking the fight right— notice, so we're taking the fight right to — notice, so we're taking the fight right to the tories across the country _ right to the tories across the country. we are doing that with a core _ country. we are doing that with a core central message, based on the priorities— core central message, based on the priorities the country as a whole, and then— priorities the country as a whole, and then we are working very, very well locally — and then we are working very, very well locally as well, tuning, playing _ well locally as well, tuning, playing in to those local authorities —— —— local issues must we have _ authorities —— —— local issues must we have not— authorities —— —— local issues must we have not had such energised activists — we have not had such energised activists were a very long time and it is working. is activists were a very long time and it is working-— activists were a very long time and it is working. is message discipline sewin: to it is working. is message discipline sewing to be _ it is working. is message discipline sewing to be proud _ it is working. is message discipline sewing to be proud of? _ it is working. is message discipline sewing to be proud of? it - it is working. is message discipline sewing to be proud of? it basically| sewing to be proud of? it basically means politicians are told what they are told to say and they say it,

doesn't it?— are told to say and they say it, doesn't it? ~ . ., , . doesn't it? we heard from chris a moment ago _ doesn't it? we heard from chris a moment ago saying _ doesn't it? we heard from chris a moment ago saying that - doesn't it? we heard from chris a moment ago saying that rishi i doesn't it? we heard from chris a i moment ago saying that rishi sunak has steadied the ship for the tories but it— has steadied the ship for the tories but it is on— has steadied the ship for the tories but it is on the bottom of the ocean floor _ but it is on the bottom of the ocean floor they— but it is on the bottom of the ocean floor. they blew a hole in the economy _ floor. they blew a hole in the economy. they've trashed their reputation, trust briton's reputation, trust briton's reputation around the world, the ship has — reputation around the world, the ship has sunk so it has been levelled _ ship has sunk so it has been levelled off right at the bottom. they— levelled off right at the bottom. they are — levelled off right at the bottom. they are about to lose perhaps a thousand — they are about to lose perhaps a thousand seats, a thousand councillors on the back of an electoral— councillors on the back of an electoral cycle when it was last fought — electoral cycle when it was last fought four years ago, when they had the worst— fought four years ago, when they had the worst ever showing in modern history— the worst ever showing in modern history and — the worst ever showing in modern history and they are still losing a thousand — history and they are still losing a thousand. this is a ship that is on the bottom — thousand. this is a ship that is on the bottom of the sea bed right now. that is _ the bottom of the sea bed right now. that is where it has its s. at the bottom of the sea bed right now. that is where it has its 5.— that is where it has its 5. at rock bottom, according _ that is where it has its 5. at rock bottom, according to _ that is where it has its 5. at rock bottom, according to peter- that is where it has its 5. at rock| bottom, according to peter kyle? that is where it has its 5. at rock i bottom, according to peter kyle? the labour party are not doing as well as they— labour party are not doing as well as they should _ labour party are not doing as well as they should but _ labour party are not doing as well as they should but they _ labour party are not doing as well as they should but they haven't i as they should but they haven't taken _ as they should but they haven't taken hull. _ as they should but they haven't taken hull, they— as they should but they haven't taken hull, they haven't- as they should but they haven't taken hull, they haven't takeni taken hull, they haven't taken wister, — taken hull, they haven't taken wister, obviously— taken hull, they haven't taken wister, obviously they- taken hull, they haven't taken wister, obviously they have i taken hull, they haven't taken i wister, obviously they have taken other— wister, obviously they have taken other councils _ wister, obviously they have taken other councils but _ wister, obviously they have taken other councils but they— wister, obviously they have taken other councils but they are - wister, obviously they have taken other councils but they are not i other councils but they are not doing — other councils but they are not doing as — other councils but they are not doing as well _ other councils but they are not doing as well as _ other councils but they are not doing as well as they - other councils but they are not doing as well as they should i other councils but they are not i doing as well as they should be, particularly _ doing as well as they should be, particularly if _ doing as well as they should be, particularly if you _ doing as well as they should be, particularly if you are _ doing as well as they should be, i particularly if you are considering what _ particularly if you are considering what tony— particularly if you are considering what tony blair— particularly if you are considering what tony blair did _ particularly if you are considering what tony blair did in _ particularly if you are considering what tony blair did in 1995. - particularly if you are considering what tony blair did in 1995. they| what tony blair did in 1995. they are a _ what tony blair did in 1995. they are a long — what tony blair did in 1995. they are a long way— what tony blair did in 1995. they are a long way from _ what tony blair did in 1995. they are a long way from that. - what tony blair did in 1995. they are a long way from that. it i what tony blair did in 1995. they are a long way from that.- are a long way from that. it was scotland in _ are a long way from that. it was scotland in 1995. _ are a long way from that. it was scotland in 1995. please - are a long way from that. it was scotland in 1995. please don't l scotland in 1995. please don't interru -t scotland in 1995. please don't interrupt me. _ scotland in 1995. please don't interrupt me, you _ scotland in 1995. please don't

interrupt me, you always - scotland in 1995. please don't - interrupt me, you always interrupt me, interrupt me, you always interrupt me. is_ interrupt me, you always interrupt me. is it _ interrupt me, you always interrupt me, is it because _ interrupt me, you always interrupt me, is it because i'm _ interrupt me, you always interrupt me, is it because i'm a _ interrupt me, you always interrupt me, is it because i'm a woman? . 13 years of being in power, people particularly want to send us a message _ particularly want to send us a message particular to what is happening the last year, but i don't accept _ happening the last year, but i don't accept about the economy. we have .one accept about the economy. we have gone through a pandemic, where we spent _ gone through a pandemic, where we spent hundreds of billions of pounds keeping _ spent hundreds of billions of pounds keeping people injobs. we have then .one keeping people injobs. we have then gone through into an energy crisis, inflation, _ gone through into an energy crisis, inflation, but it is notjust the united — inflation, but it is notjust the united kingdom, it is across the world _ united kingdom, it is across the world. . . united kingdom, it is across the world. . , ,., united kingdom, it is across the world. . , . world. there was something rather different that _ world. there was something rather different that happened _ world. there was something rather different that happened here, - world. there was something ratheri different that happened here, what didn't happen in other countries, was a market meltdown when a new prime minister came in. you can't just service the same as what has happened in other countries. but as you have been talking we can confirm that north west leicestershire is a conservative loss. you have lost that counsel there. we are talking to the very upset local conservative there, who was sharing his frustration that national turmoil had done for him and his councillors

on the doorstep. the conservatives down at 12 council seats there, increasing their share by the conservatives down by eight. when you look at a result like that, what goes through your mind? we you look at a result like that, what goes through your mind?— you look at a result like that, what goes through your mind? we had from the a-rou goes through your mind? we had from the grow) leader— goes through your mind? we had from the group leader and _ goes through your mind? we had from the group leader and it _ goes through your mind? we had from the group leader and it was _ the group leader and it was heartbreaking. _ the group leader and it was heartbreaking. we - the group leader and it was heartbreaking. we will- the group leader and it was heartbreaking. we will lose the group leader and it was - heartbreaking. we will lose many, many— heartbreaking. we will lose many, many brilliant _ heartbreaking. we will lose many, many brilliant conservative - many brilliant conservative councillors. _ many brilliant conservative councillors. all— many brilliant conservative councillors. all parties - many brilliant conservative councillors. all parties will| many brilliant conservative - councillors. all parties will lose good, — councillors. all parties will lose good, hard—working _ councillors. all parties will lose good, hard—working councillors today. — good, hard—working councillors today. and _ good, hard—working councillors today. and in— good, hard—working councillors today, and in two _ good, hard—working councillors today, and in two hours- good, hard—working councillors today, and in two hours cancer| today, and in two hours cancer tomorrow _ today, and in two hours cancer tomorrow but _ today, and in two hours cancer tomorrow but it _ today, and in two hours cancer tomorrow but it is— today, and in two hours cancer tomorrow but it is tomorrow. i today, and in two hours cancer- tomorrow but it is tomorrow. but, laura, _ tomorrow but it is tomorrow. but, laura, from — tomorrow but it is tomorrow. but, laura, from what _ tomorrow but it is tomorrow. but, laura, from what i _ tomorrow but it is tomorrow. but, laura, from what i was _ tomorrow but it is tomorrow. but, laura, from what i was being - tomorrow but it is tomorrow. but, laura, from what i was being told| tomorrow but it is tomorrow. but, . laura, from what i was being told on the doorstep, — laura, from what i was being told on the doorstep, people _ laura, from what i was being told on the doorstep, people have _ laura, from what i was being told on the doorstep, people have been - laura, from what i was being told on the doorstep, people have been fed| the doorstep, people have been fed up the doorstep, people have been fed up with— the doorstep, people have been fed up with what— the doorstep, people have been fed up with what was _ the doorstep, people have been fed up with what was going _ the doorstep, people have been fed up with what was going on - the doorstep, people have been fed up with what was going on within i the doorstep, people have been fedl up with what was going on within our party— up with what was going on within our party in _ up with what was going on within our party in them — up with what was going on within our party in the- - -— party in the... your counsel is, potentially _ party in the... your counsel is, potentially more _ party in the... your counsel is, potentially more than - party in the... your counsel is, potentially more than a - party in the... your counsel is, i potentially more than a thousand party in the... your counsel is, - potentially more than a thousand of them are paying the price because of them are paying the price because of the antics of your colleagues in westminster, and i know you spent a long time in local government as well. it long time in local government as well. . . long time in local government as well. , , ., ., , well. it was because our voters sta ed well. it was because our voters stayed away — well. it was because our voters stayed away they _ well. it was because our voters stayed away they did _ well. it was because our voters stayed away they did not - well. it was because our voters stayed away they did not vote i well. it was because our voters l stayed away they did not vote for the labour— stayed away they did not vote for the labour party, _ stayed away they did not vote for the labour party, they— stayed away they did not vote for the labour party, they didn't- stayed away they did not vote for|

the labour party, they didn't vote for liti— the labour party, they didn't vote for lib dems _ the labour party, they didn't vote for lib dems. lit— the labour party, they didn't vote for lib dems— the labour party, they didn't vote for lib dems. it sounds like you are sa in: for lib dems. it sounds like you are saying that — for lib dems. it sounds like you are saying that your _ for lib dems. it sounds like you are saying that your councillors - for lib dems. it sounds like you are saying that your councillors around | saying that your councillors around the country are paying the price for the country are paying the price for the turmoil, bad behaviour of some of your colleagues in westminster. as i have said all night, as other colleagues — as i have said all night, as other colleagues have _ as i have said all night, as other colleagues have said, _ as i have said all night, as other colleagues have said, all- as i have said all night, as other colleagues have said, all night, i as i have said all night, as other. colleagues have said, all night, we know— colleagues have said, all night, we know it _ colleagues have said, all night, we know it was — colleagues have said, all night, we know it was going _ colleagues have said, all night, we know it was going to _ colleagues have said, all night, we know it was going to be _ colleagues have said, all night, we know it was going to be a - colleagues have said, all night, we know it was going to be a tough i know it was going to be a tough night _ know it was going to be a tough night for— know it was going to be a tough night for us _ know it was going to be a tough night for us. after— know it was going to be a tough night for us. after 13 _ know it was going to be a tough night for us. after 13 years - know it was going to be a tough night for us. after 13 years in i night for us. after 13 years in power. — night for us. after 13 years in power. of— night for us. after 13 years in power, of course. _ night for us. after 13 years in power, of course. as - night for us. after 13 years in power, of course. as i- night for us. after 13 years in power, of course. as i said . night for us. after 13 years in| power, of course. as i said to night for us. after 13 years in - power, of course. as i said to you earlier— power, of course. as i said to you earlier when— power, of course. as i said to you earlier when i_ power, of course. as i said to you earlier when i was— power, of course. as i said to you earlier when i was first _ power, of course. as i said to you earlier when i was first elected i power, of course. as i said to you earlier when i was first elected in| earlier when i was first elected in 2006. _ earlier when i was first elected in 2006. 2010, _ earlier when i was first elected in 2006, 2010, and _ earlier when i was first elected in 2006, 2010, and deliver- earlier when i was first elected in - 2006, 2010, and deliver government, had no _ 2006, 2010, and deliver government, had no issues — 2006, 2010, and deliver government, had no issues it— 2006, 2010, and deliver government, had no issues. it was— 2006, 2010, and deliver government, had no issues. it was once _ 2006, 2010, and deliver government, had no issues. it was once i— 2006, 2010, and deliver government, had no issues. it was once i had - 2006, 2010, and deliver government, had no issues. it was once i had a - had no issues. it was once i had a conservative _ had no issues. it was once i had a conservative given— had no issues. it was once i had a conservative given the _ had no issues. it was once i had a conservative given the people - had no issues. it was once i had ai conservative given the people said i'm conservative given the people said im not— conservative given the people said im not going _ conservative given the people said im not going to— conservative given the people said i'm not going to be _ conservative given the people said i'm not going to be a _ conservative given the people said i'm not going to be a few- conservative given the people said i'm not going to be a few this- conservative given the people said i'm not going to be a few this time because _ i'm not going to be a few this time because i— i'm not going to be a few this time because i don't— i'm not going to be a few this time because i don't like _ i'm not going to be a few this time because i don't like your— because i don't like your government. _ because i don't like your government. so - because i don't like your government. so there i because i don't like your government. so there isj because i don't like your- government. so there is always a national— government. so there is always a national effect _ government. so there is always a national effect on _ government. so there is always a national effect on local— government. so there is always a national effect on local elections. also local— national effect on local elections. also local elections _ national effect on local elections. also local elections you _ national effect on local elections. also local elections you saw- national effect on local elections. also local elections you saw in i also local elections you saw in plymouth _ also local elections you saw in plymouth. there _ also local elections you saw in plymouth. there is _ also local elections you saw in plymouth. there is a - also local elections you saw in| plymouth. there is a particular reason — plymouth. there is a particular reason you _ plymouth. there is a particular reason you lost _ plymouth. there is a particular reason you lost enough - plymouth. there is a particular reason you lost enough —— - plymouth. there is a particular reason you lost enough —— we| plymouth. there is a particular. reason you lost enough —— we lost plymouth — reason you lost enough —— we lost plymouth to — reason you lost enough —— we lost plymouth to do _ reason you lost enough —— we lost plymouth to do with _ reason you lost enough —— we lost plymouth to do with the _ reason you lost enough —— we lost plymouth to do with the felling. reason you lost enough —— we lost plymouth to do with the felling of| reason you lost enough —— we losti plymouth to do with the felling of a hundred _ plymouth to do with the felling of a hundred trees. _ plymouth to do with the felling of a hundred trees. reasons _ plymouth to do with the felling of a hundred trees. reasons why- plymouth to do with the felling of a hundred trees. reasons why we - plymouth to do with the felling of al hundred trees. reasons why we lost seats _ hundred trees. reasons why we lost seats in _ hundred trees. reasons why we lost seats in brentford _ hundred trees. reasons why we lost seats in brentford to _ hundred trees. reasons why we lost seats in brentford to the _ hundred trees. reasons why we lost seats in brentford to the lib- hundred trees. reasons why we lost seats in brentford to the lib dems l seats in brentford to the lib dems because _ seats in brentford to the lib dems because they _ seats in brentford to the lib dems because they are _ seats in brentford to the lib dems because they are a _ seats in brentford to the lib dems because they are a particular - because they are a particular development _ because they are a particular development. so— because they are a particular development. so there - because they are a particular development. so there is - because they are a particular - development. so there is always a mixture _ development. so there is always a mixture of— development. so there is always a mixture of local— development. so there is always a mixture of local issues _ development. so there is always a mixture of local issues and - development. so there is always a mixture of local issues and then i development. so there is always a. mixture of local issues and then the national— mixture of local issues and then the national picture. _

mixture of local issues and then the national picture.— national picture. lord foxconn of those local— national picture. lord foxconn of those local issues _ national picture. lord foxconn of those local issues for _ national picture. lord foxconn of those local issues for the - national picture. lord foxconn of those local issues for the liberal| those local issues for the liberal democrats often play very well, and we have seen in this campaign that the lib dems in local areas have often fought very hard against some things, fought hard against lots of housing development, where as nationally they are very fond of saying conservatives have been dreadful because they have not built enough houses so are you profiting by double standards? i enough houses so are you profiting by double standards?— enough houses so are you profiting by double standards? i think people look at the conservatives _ by double standards? i think people look at the conservatives and - by double standards? i think people look at the conservatives and they l look at the conservatives and they don't trust them when it comes to developers. they know that developers. they know that developers are backing the party centrally, and that trusted then is reflected locally, and the liberal democrats quite rightly reflect that trust. you only have to look at what michael gove are streng to do with the levelling up bill, to control things essentially come and if you ask conservative councillors, 54% of them are against what michael gove is doing so it is notjust us, it is the conservative councillors themselves who don't like what is going on about development, and the

relationship between developers, local communities and the level of power that people seem to lack, when it comes to making those decisions. isn't the bigger truth here that the country— isn't the bigger truth here that the country reguires _ isn't the bigger truth here that the country requires so _ isn't the bigger truth here that the country requires so many - isn't the bigger truth here that the country requires so many more - isn't the bigger truth here that the - country requires so many more houses than we _ country requires so many more houses than we currently— country requires so many more houses than we currently have, _ country requires so many more houses than we currently have, and _ country requires so many more houses than we currently have, and that - than we currently have, and that will involve — than we currently have, and that will involve politicians _ than we currently have, and that will involve politicians at - than we currently have, and that will involve politicians at a - will involve politicians at a national _ will involve politicians at a national and _ will involve politicians at a national and local- will involve politicians at a national and local level. will involve politicians at a - national and local level making difficult — national and local level making difficult arguments— national and local level making difficult arguments because . difficult arguments because otherwise _ difficult arguments because otherwise people _ difficult arguments because otherwise people will- difficult arguments because . otherwise people will struggle difficult arguments because - otherwise people will struggle to find the — otherwise people will struggle to find the housing _ otherwise people will struggle to find the housing they _ otherwise people will struggle to find the housing they need. - otherwise people will struggle to find the housing they need. it. otherwise people will struggle toi find the housing they need. [it will find the housing they need. it will also involve _ find the housing they need. it will also involve having _ find the housing they need. it will also involve having proper- also involve having proper conversations with communities with real decisions being made on account of what they say. there is consultation that says... saying no if they don't _ consultation that says... saying no if they don't like _ consultation that says... saying no if they don't like it. _ consultation that says... saying no if they don't like it. it _ if they don't like it. it undervalues every decision because they know they know that other forces are at play when these decisions are being made. the way to deal with it is with people, not over their heads. shill dealwith it is with people, not over their heads.— dealwith it is with people, not over their heads. all three of you, thank ou over their heads. all three of you, thank you very _ over their heads. all three of you, thank you very much _ over their heads. all three of you, thank you very much for _ over their heads. all three of you, thank you very much for now. - over their heads. all three of you, thank you very much for now. we | over their heads. all three of you, i thank you very much for now. we are saying goodbye to you, nikki. i’m saying goodbye to you, nikki. i'm auoin saying goodbye to you, nikki. i'm going to bed. are _ saying goodbye to you, nikki. i'm going to bed. are you _ saying goodbye to you, nikki. i'm going to bed. are you going - saying goodbye to you, nikki. i'm going to bed. are you going to i saying goodbye to you, nikki. i'm. going to bed. are you going to bed now? yes mr _

going to bed. are you going to bed now? yes mr were _ going to bed. are you going to bed now? yes mr were tremendous, i going to bed. are you going to bed | now? yes mr were tremendous, i'm sure ou now? yes mr were tremendous, i'm sure you will — now? yes mr were tremendous, i'm sure you will be — now? yes mr were tremendous, i'm sure you will be back— now? yes mr were tremendous, i'm sure you will be back at _ now? yes mr were tremendous, i'm sure you will be back at it _ now? yes mr were tremendous, i'm sure you will be back at it tomorrowl sure you will be back at it tomorrow because there might be some tricky conversations at conservative hq tomorrow once you had a bit of a sleep that we appreciate you giving us your time. the other two, still hard work for you ahead. and also remember, if you are that way inclined any like to look at things on your phone while you are watching tv, there so much information on the bbc website. all sorts of tips and trends, insights and bits and pieces of information from my colleagues right around the country, analysis from chris, everything you could possibly want to know about these local elections as they develop through the night, on the app on your phone. had there at any time. let's now head to medway, anna collinson is there for us. it is hours since we talked at the beginning of the night about what might happen there, and why it is an important part of the country, those medway towns in kent not that far from london, but the kind of place

currently represented by conservatives, but where labour definitely want to chip away. what's been happening? yes. definitely want to chip away. what's been happening?— been happening? yes, so there has been happening? yes, so there has been a bit of _ been happening? yes, so there has been a bit of movement _ been happening? yes, so there has been a bit of movement since - been happening? yes, so there has been a bit of movement since we i been happening? yes, so there has. been a bit of movement since we last spoke. actually, we have seen the biggest test so far this evening, tweddle, a seat of two seats in one area, has been taken by the labour party and when that was announced, there were big cheers from the corner of red supporters over there —— twydall. that is seat five. we have a total of 59 to get through. 54 have a total of 59 to get through. 5a more to go. this is a traditionally tory area but laboured very much set their sights on trying to capture it. keir starmer has been into gillingham twice in the past month. the mood here i would describe from the conservative party is pretty nervous. i asked one candidate how they thought they were doing and he pulled a face and whispered, badly, pretty badly.

councillor alan jarrett, whispered, badly, pretty badly. councillor alanjarrett, the councillor alan jarrett, the conservative councillor alanjarrett, the conservative leader of the medway council, he has told the bbc that he believes labour will secure a majority tonight. he is basically saying that voters have been let down by the conservatives nationally, and many of them are staying at home. he also says recent boundary changes that have happened in medway have had a negative impact on the conservatives, that they have broken up key conservative wards. labour would argue that actually there was a real imbalance before hands, and those boundary changes needed to happen to address that balance —— beforehand. ultimately, labour, what i'm sensing as they are feeling hopeful but anxious, but never is. there is also fair on their side of apathy, that there was a real sense of people not being represented by either party are not turning out, and we have seen that in some of the seats where they have been caught out today. some of the turnouts have been around 20%. we expect lower turnout during a local

election, but normally around 30 to 40%, election, but normally around 30 to a0%, so election, but normally around 30 to 40%, so 20% election, but normally around 30 to a0%, so 20% is particularly low. so, as i say, we have 5a more seats are still to go so it is all still to play for really.— still to go so it is all still to play for really. you said, i think ofthe play for really. you said, i think of the leader— play for really. you said, i think of the leader of _ play for really. you said, i think of the leader of the _ play for really. you said, i think of the leader of the tory - play for really. you said, i think of the leader of the tory group | play for really. you said, i think- of the leader of the tory group said that they think they are going to lose it, and that labour will knock them off. alan jarrett told the bbc after the announcement, sorry, before the announcement, sorry, before the announcement regarding twiddle is that labour will take the majority this evening. some of the labour activists are being more cautious and that it would overstep the mark before ready but clinching the first since there is a really good sign in their books. since there is a really good sign in their book-— since there is a really good sign in their books. �* ., ., ~ , ., ., their books. anna, thank you, and i think that his _ their books. anna, thank you, and i think that his ward _ their books. anna, thank you, and i think that his ward name _ their books. anna, thank you, and i think that his ward name of- their books. anna, thank you, and i think that his ward name of the - think that his ward name of the night, twiddle, but anna, thank you indeed and keep us posted if we have official confirmation of what the

labour group is predicting. they say we will win it and the activists are saying do not quite say that yet. but we will bring you confirmation, if it comes, in medway. another important count we've been speaking about, up to the north—west and kevin fitzpatrick in bolton. you explained to us earlier why this is the kind of place where party leaders fall over themselves to turn up leaders fall over themselves to turn up because there are lots of important north—west seats around their and the council itself is important so what has been happening since we last spoke? it’s important so what has been happening since we last spoke?— since we last spoke? it's been a really good _ since we last spoke? it's been a really good night _ since we last spoke? it's been a really good night for _ since we last spoke? it's been a really good night for labour - since we last spoke? it's been a really good night for labour and since we last spoke? it's been a i really good night for labour and a terrible night for the conservatives. better than labour expected, fair to say, and worse than the conservatives. we have some results coming in but latest is eight labour gains tonight, six of those directly from the conservatives. before i was telling you that the smaller hyper local

parties that are a big influence around here, labour has taken a couple from one of those but one of those small independents has taken another seat from the conservatives, so the conservatives are well down, labour well up coming into the selection we had had a couple of years since 2019 of the conservatives running a minority administration, a coalition of the smaller parties. it looks like labour will certainly now be the largest party, still waiting to see whether they can end up again in a majority. if they do end up the largest parties, its not guarantee they would be able to form a minority administration because so many of the hyper local parties were set up, came into creation in opposition to the existing labour council as it was then, so it could be the conservatives, even with a smaller number of councils, are able to hang on and lead this council but either way, to hang on and lead this council but eitherway, it's to hang on and lead this council but either way, it's a pretty grim night for them and labour are cocker hoop

down there with still more results to come in. i down there with still more results to come in— down there with still more results to come in. ., . ~ ., , to come in. i grew for cock-a-hoop. please keep — to come in. i grew for cock-a-hoop. please keep us _ to come in. i grew for cock-a-hoop. please keep us up _ to come in. i grew for cock-a-hoop. please keep us up to _ to come in. i grew for cock-a-hoop. please keep us up to date _ to come in. i grew for cock-a-hoop. please keep us up to date if- to come in. i grew for cock-a-hoop. please keep us up to date if any - please keep us up to date if any more results come through. labour wanted to show progress there and they are and they really did show progress and have some answer in stoke, from where we can be joined by the former mp ruth smith. baroness anderson, you look overjoyed, completely different when the last time we spoke on an election programme. you can't really contain your glee? telethon your mind, you look delighted. we have taken control— mind, you look delighted. we have taken control of _ mind, you look delighted. we have taken control of the _ mind, you look delighted. we have taken control of the council, - mind, you look delighted. we have taken control of the council, this i taken control of the council, this is a labour council in stoke—on—trent for the first time in eight years and this is labour back as a political force eight years and this is labour back as a politicalforce in my city eight years and this is labour back as a political force in my city and i am truly delighted. mini; as a political force in my city and i am truly delighted.— as a political force in my city and i am truly delighted. why do you think it happened? _ i am truly delighted. why do you think it happened? i— i am truly delighted. why do you think it happened? i think - i am truly delighted. why do you think it happened? i think what i think it happened? i think what we've seen _ think it happened? i think what we've seen today _ think it happened? i think what we've seen today is _ think it happened? i think what we've seen today is that -

think it happened? i think what we've seen today is that the i we've seen today is that the conservative party have been losing votes in every ward. we've seen the city independents and local independent parties completely collapse and people have come home to the labour party. i think the conservatives are going to have to reflect on places like stoke. i think the electorate are sending them a clear message but for us, there is a huge amount of work to do to make sure that we can win at the general election and we take our former seats back but this is an incredible steppingstone. from tomorrow, my city is red. [30 incredible steppingstone. from tomorrow, my city is red. do you think this — tomorrow, my city is red. do you think this means _ tomorrow, my city is red. do you think this means that _ tomorrow, my city is red. do you think this means that exit - tomorrow, my city is red. do you think this means that exit as - tomorrow, my city is red. do you think this means that exit as a i tomorrow, my city is red. do you l think this means that exit as a sort of political force that shoved people to vote one way or the other is receding because that was absolutely a really strong factor previously when labour was so damaged in stoke because you had a strong vote and labour mps who found that you were stuck in the middle, in a way. do you think that is fading? i in a way. do you think that is fadin: ? ~' h, in a way. do you think that is fadini? ~ , ., ., fading? i think some parts of it are fadin: but fading? i think some parts of it are fading but four _ fading? i think some parts of it are fading but four years _ fading? i think some parts of it are fading but four years ago _ fading? i think some parts of it are fading but four years ago we - fading? i think some parts of it are fading but four years ago we had i fading but four years ago we had jeremy corbyn and now we have keir

starmer and brexit, the world has moved on, we've had covid, the cost of living crisis and people are genuinely fearful in my city of how they are meant to pay their bills and they've seen nothing but car parks being built with the levelling up parks being built with the levelling up money. my real investment from the conservative party in stoke—on—trent, it's been smoke and mirrors. they've been promised the world and were betrayed and they've been delivered literal car parks that no—one can afford to use. what was seen going forward is hope for my city, actual aspiration for the people who live here and investment in them and tonight is the first steppingstone to take back our city. i'm sure you've been on the doors a lot this campaign. do you think people have been protesting against the conservatives or going enthusiastically to you? we still have some _ enthusiastically to you? we still have some way _ enthusiastically to you? we still have some way to _ enthusiastically to you? we still have some way to go _ enthusiastically to you? we still have some way to go to - enthusiastically to you? we still| have some way to go to convince people and i'm not underestimating

the scale of the challenge. we had an awful night last time i was in this room four years ago. you and i had a different type of conversation, but the conservative party have betrayed them, is what we are getting on the doors, and for the first time they are prepared to have conversations with us about what labour can offer and they've given us their trust in the selection and we will need to build on it to make sure we can at the next general election.— on it to make sure we can at the next general election. thank you so much forjoining _ next general election. thank you so much forjoining us. _ next general election. thank you so much forjoining us. i'm _ next general election. thank you so much forjoining us. i'm sure - next general election. thank you so much forjoining us. i'm sure you i much forjoining us. i'm sure you will go on to many other celebrations and we can confirm, as she said but by r numbers, labour has gained stoke—on—trent. there are still 14 has gained stoke—on—trent. there are still iii seats to declare but they've declare the council —— our numbers. let's look at the change. labour gaining ten seats with still 14 to labour gaining ten seats with still 1a to go. the tories are down one but what's interesting is the independent candidates, which include smaller parties, are down

nine. peter, let's get some quick reaction to the result but i must introduce the transport minister huw merryman. you are very welcome to the studio. quick reaction? over the moon, ruth and i came into parliament at the same election in 2015 and a very good friends and i was very sad is always in the labour party were when people in stoke turned their backs on us and we are really hard working to listen to people in stoke and in teesside and other parts of the country where we lost the trust of voters, we worked hard to address the concerns and what were seeing tonight is the fruition of a lot of energy we've put in right across the country, listening, responding, acting and putting our money where our mouth is. chris, you are talking at the beginning of the night about

the symbolism of something like stoke and there is back in labour hands. ,, , ~ ., ., hands. quite striking me one of the most sort of — hands. quite striking me one of the most sort of striking _ hands. quite striking me one of the most sort of striking images - hands. quite striking me one of the most sort of striking images of - hands. quite striking me one of the most sort of striking images of the | most sort of striking images of the night _ most sort of striking images of the night so _ most sort of striking images of the night so far— most sort of striking images of the night so far was the picture we showed — night so far was the picture we showed around about one hour ago before _ showed around about one hour ago before the — showed around about one hour ago before the result in stoke is 100% concerned —— confirmed, we spoke to baroness _ concerned —— confirmed, we spoke to baroness anderson and gareth smith, both fornier_ baroness anderson and gareth smith, both former labour mps in the city, embracing — both former labour mps in the city, embracing the successful councillors and you _ embracing the successful councillors and you get that sense in pictorial terms _ and you get that sense in pictorial terms of— and you get that sense in pictorial terms of what we've been talking about _ terms of what we've been talking about all — terms of what we've been talking about all night, about how party seats _ about all night, about how party seats have been rebuilding and local government and hopefully it gives them _ government and hopefully it gives them a _ government and hopefully it gives them a launchpad to make gains, a general— them a launchpad to make gains, a general election and when you look at the _ general election and when you look at the results there in stoke and you look— at the results there in stoke and you look at what looks like the beginnings of results coming from medway. — beginnings of results coming from medway, from your earlier conversation with anna collinson there. _ conversation with anna collinson there, these are crucial areas for there, these are crucial areas for the swing — there, these are crucial areas for the swing constituencies as a parliamentary level, the medway towns. _ parliamentary level, the medway towns. so — parliamentary level, the medway towns, so many of them were won by labour— towns, so many of them were won by labour in _ towns, so many of them were won by labour in labour following time in

national— labour in labour following time in national government, lost by them as they came _ national government, lost by them as they came out of national governments and the conservatives have built _ governments and the conservatives have built up considerable majorities but if labour are heading towards _ majorities but if labour are heading towards a _ majorities but if labour are heading towards a victory in medway, appointed a patch where they need to be making _ appointed a patch where they need to be making gains, looks like they are. equally, iwas be making gains, looks like they are. equally, i was struck by answer to the _ are. equally, i was struck by answer to the question about the extent to which _ to the question about the extent to which this— to the question about the extent to which this is a huge enthusiasm for labour— which this is a huge enthusiasm for labour or— which this is a huge enthusiasm for labour or not quite that. and there was a _ labour or not quite that. and there was a caveat — labour or not quite that. and there was a caveat there. i think it will be a _ was a caveat there. i think it will be a question that will be put again and again. — be a question that will be put again and again. i— be a question that will be put again and again, i suspect, over the be a question that will be put again and again, i suspect, overthe next 12 or— and again, i suspect, overthe next 12 or 14— and again, i suspect, overthe next 12 or 14 hours— and again, i suspect, overthe next 12 or 14 hours or however many it is in terms _ 12 or14 hours or however many it is in terms of— 12 or 14 hours or however many it is in terms of measuring how much or in the round, _ in terms of measuring how much or in the round, this is, about real dissolution of the conservatives versus — dissolution of the conservatives versus huge enthusiasm or not for labour~ _ versus huge enthusiasm or not for labour. tisle— versus huge enthusiasm or not for labour. ~ , ., ., labour. we should underline that althouih labour. we should underline that although we _ labour. we should underline that although we do _ labour. we should underline that although we do have _ labour. we should underline that although we do have quite - labour. we should underline that although we do have quite a - labour. we should underline that although we do have quite a lot l labour. we should underline that| although we do have quite a lot of information here now and certainly, enough to be assessing it and discussing it with our guests around the country and politicians in the studio, there are still 189 councils

to go out of a total of 230. still plenty more information to come before any kind of final assessment, if there is such a thing, in politics can be made about this set of council elections. let's ponder some of that for a few minutes with jamesjohnson who is a pollster who worked for theresa may, he saw the opportunity of her numbers to begin with and i think the horror of her numbers towards the end. thank you forjoining us tonight. from your scribblings and calculations and sense of what we are seeing, what does it add up to? i sense of what we are seeing, what does it add up to?— does it add up to? i think there is no doubt this _ does it add up to? i think there is no doubt this is _ does it add up to? i think there is no doubt this is a _ does it add up to? i think there is no doubt this is a good _ does it add up to? i think there is no doubt this is a good night - no doubt this is a good night for labour and on the one hand, they are not completely storming it with the conservatives. if you remember the predictions we had over the last few weeks and months of labour getting 100, 200, 300 weeks and months of labour getting 100,200,300 seat weeks and months of labour getting 100, 200, 300 seat majorities if it was a general election, it's clear that's not happening but it is a good result for them and they clearly are headed towards quite a

good night. it's not the 19905 style victory but it is a question of whether it will be good or very good for them and the key number to what will be all eyes onjohn curtice because the national equivalent, the predicted national share, if labour are up ten points or more ahead on that, i think it will be a good night for them indeed. to remind viewers if they — night for them indeed. to remind viewers if they did _ night for them indeed. to remind viewers if they did not _ night for them indeed. to remind viewers if they did not hear - night for them indeed. to remind viewers if they did not hear sir i viewers if they did not hear sir john's explanation, the projected national share is when all the numbers from today go into some kind of complement blikra complicated algorithm into a supercomputer. what with the national share be had everyone in the uk voting today. it is not a projection of what will actually happen in the general election but it's a very important snapshot that the parties look at very closely. what about the conservatives? what do you think is going on here? rishi sunak has had seven months in office. he may have slowed the decline, according to

lots of mps when you talk to them about what is going on, and that would be the view of many people in westminster, but if you look at the numbers we are seeing a merge, is that the case? i numbers we are seeing a merge, is that the case?— that the case? i think certainly these elections, _ that the case? i think certainly these elections, if _ that the case? i think certainly these elections, if they - that the case? i think certainly these elections, if they had i these elections, if they had happened six months ago before rishi sunak took power, they would be a lot worse than they are. he's almost half to the polling lead that labour was given by a combination of boris johnson's parties and liz truss's mini budget so i think there is a sense that he has steadied the ship. these are obviously not going to be great results for conservatives, i think that's clear. the big question is not from a positives to the conservative position but actually, to ask come a turnaround? in 1990, labour were 11 points ahead on the projected national share number you explained just now and two years later, the conservatives won an election so it is the question now and if we did a poll last year, and

indeed, i went on your show about this time of the night last year, and said i didn't think boris johnson could necessarily turn it around. when we did a poll about why people voted in those local elections, they didn't vote for the conservatives, one word that popped up conservatives, one word that popped up in the word cloud was boris. we don't see that level of personal vote to this tonight, whether it is towards rishi sunak or positivity towards rishi sunak or positivity towards keir starmer, it's despite the existence of rishi sunak and keir starmer,, general election when it is those two people in the front of people's mines about who will be the next prime minister, things may well look different indeed.— well look different indeed. james, thank you- — well look different indeed. james, thank you- i _ well look different indeed. james, thank you. i just _ well look different indeed. james, thank you. ijust noticed _ well look different indeed. james, thank you. i just noticed you - well look different indeed. james, thank you. ijust noticed you will. thank you. ijust noticed you will live with us from new york. it may be a first. live with us from new york. it may be afirst. �* live with us from new york. it may be a first. �* . live with us from new york. it may be a first. ~ ., ., ., be a first. also late at night for me! a first _ be a first. also late at night for me! a first for _ be a first. also late at night for me! a first for a _ be a first. also late at night for me! a first for a local- be a first. also late at night for me! a first for a local election | me! a first for a local election programme! _ me! a first for a local election programme! we _ me! a first for a local election programme! we are - me! a first for a local election programme! we are grateful. me! a first for a local election l programme! we are grateful for me! a first for a local election - programme! we are grateful for you giving us your time and it's always so interesting to think about the historical comparisons which are

both useful but also can lead you down the wrong path. if you are not remembering what happens in elections is a snapshot of what is happening exactly at that moment and i want to give you something interesting happening right at the moment in north norfolk, a lovely part of the world. let's look at the conservatives. they are still counting, the liberal democrats have 16 seats so far. the tories have nine but look at this. we have not seen this much tonight. the conservatives have gained 17 seats and the liberal democrats have lost six. still 12 to declare so in the end, it may flip. but something interesting going on in north norfolk where the conservatives may have reasons to have a smile. let's see what happens, it is a lib dem council at the moment. let's look at hertsmere, its leafy affluent herts,

not far from hertsmere, its leafy affluent herts, not farfrom london, lots of commuters. they are still counting but some grim news for the conservatives. you can see 14 seats for them so far, 11 for labour but look. conservatives losing ten seats. that's a part of the world commuter belts all around london, that sort of doughnut as it is sometimes called, where the conservatives may well be looking at that result and be pretty nervous about what else may be coming. but they are still counting there, we don't have a final result and as i was saying before, there are still a lot of councils, the majority of councils are still to come. at this point, for 40 5am, give us a primer on what we should expect tomorrow —— for 40 5am. i on what we should expect tomorrow -- for 40 sam-— for 40 5am. i will do that, i will start you _ for 40 5am. i will do that, i will start you off— for 40 5am. i will do that, i will start you off with _ for 40 5am. i will do that, i will start you off with the _ for 40 5am. i will do that, i will start you off with the councils l start you off with the councils we've been watching every night, just to update you really. we had about stoke—on—trent, a labour again just in the last few minutes,

plymouth happened early in the evening, the lib dems have held onto cotswold, and labour has held on to bassetlaw. but we know of course that the conservatives have lost control of brentford, north west leicestershire and tamworth. now, although this screen has changed a lot from right at the beginning of the evening, what you will notice is that not that many councils have changed hands, and that is partly because most of these councils were voting in thirds, was only a third of the seats that were up, and that makes it harder for control to change. but that is different for the councils to watch on friday. we are friday the councils that are counting during the day on friday, because let me take you through some of them under the conservative —controlled councils. north warwickshire for example, it is a really interesting area, because the conservatives have an 18,000 majority in the house of commons in north warwickshire, but they are under threat from labour at council

level. and that is true of the following four councils. air wash in derbyshire, dover, swindon, where keir starmer launched his local election campaign, labour's local election campaign, labour's local election campaign. amber valley also in derbyshire, all of these under threat from labour and the following three, stratford—upon—avon, they are under threat from the liberal democrats. it could be sealed and we will see a lot more churn in the coming hours during the day on friday. the labour column crawley at the top is a super marginal, labour only has a majority of two seats, and at the general election in 2019, crawley went conservative. so that is a council where labour are really going to want to hang on and also consolidate its support by the conservatives will be bringing the fight to them. lots of other

interesting councils in the labour column, including leeds, where there are two general election target seats for the labour party. so labour will of course want to hang on to the council with a view to perhaps targeting and gaining those seats at a general election. under the lib dems column, the party will be looking to build its support in all of these areas in the south, and particularly you can see there, there are councils that are surrounding the capital, so working in surrey, mole valley in surrey, three rivers in hertfordshire and also watford. in the hung column here, really all of these councils from derby, wrote the way through to mansfield, the labour party is wanting to take the fight there and

is looking to take control of all of these councils. we know that labour is having a good night. is it possible we will see quite a few of these councils changing hands? before we end, a word about mid suffolk and brown an unheard of, because the greens, who are having —— brighton and hove, but analysis shows that they are on a par with the performance in 2019, where they performed very strongly. mid suffolk is their strongest hope of the first council that they might be able to gain out rate. so we will be watching mid suffolk, it also brighton and hove, where the greens are leading a minority administration. so plenty of excitement for those of you who aren't seated with the over night. lots to watch.— lots to watch. thank you, reeta, never enough- — lots to watch. thank you, reeta, never enough. let's _ lots to watch. thank you, reeta, never enough. let's then - lots to watch. thank you, reeta, never enough. let's then get - lots to watch. thank you, reeta, j never enough. let's then get into those green contests. reeta was talking about two important ones, brighton and hove, where the greens are trying to keep their minority control of the local authority there

in the south coast, and then mid suffolk, on the other part of the south—east, north of it and easter bit, where they are hopeful of becoming the majority holders of the council, which would be a first for them, as we were hearing earlier from caledonia. her co—leader adrian ramsay and pleased to say is with us down line. you canjoin a stammer line. as reeta was saying, so far you appear to be pretty much matching your record performance from 2019 in the keyboards that we are collecting data for. —— the key wards. collaboration with the other parties, that might not be formal, but it definitely has been happening in some places, in mid suffolk, labour is not running a full slate of candidates, so if you make the kind of progress that you want, how much of it will be down to those informal arrangements with other parties? informal arrangements with other arties? ~ ., ., informal arrangements with other arties? ~ ., ., ., parties? well, good morning, laura, and as you —

parties? well, good morning, laura, and as you say. _ parties? well, good morning, laura, and as you say. we _ parties? well, good morning, laura, and as you say, we are _ parties? well, good morning, laura, and as you say, we are on _ parties? well, good morning, laura, and as you say, we are on track- parties? well, good morning, laura, and as you say, we are on track for. and as you say, we are on track for further gains on top of that record breakthrough we saw four years ago in 2019, where we were having green gains right across the country in rural and urban areas alike and from labour and from the conservatives, and we're already seeing that pattern not only repeated but growing it, as we expect to see continuing happening throughout the day. at a local level, greens are gaining support from all the other parties and yes, this place —— there are places like mid suffolk where you hardly ever see any labour or lib dems presence on the ground but thatis lib dems presence on the ground but that is really a reflection of the strength of those parties in that area, and in mid suffolk as in other places like north herefordshire, there are many wards where if it wasn't for the greens the conservatives would be going unchallenged, and the greens are winning seats from conservatives in ever greater numbers, as i think we will see in many parts of the country this time. of course where we have big concentrations of those gains, like in herefordshire and suffolk, that sets us up very well for challenging for those

parliamentary seats, when it comes to the general election. but parliamentary seats, when it comes to the general election.— to the general election. but do you deny though _ to the general election. but do you deny though that _ to the general election. but do you deny though that sometimes - to the general election. but do you deny though that sometimes you i to the general election. but do you i deny though that sometimes you are taking seats because the other parties have stood back, because there is this notion of a progressive coalition which some people in your party and the other smaller parties do want? istallion smaller parties do want? when greens aet elected smaller parties do want? when greens get elected on — smaller parties do want? when greens get elected on to _ smaller parties do want? when greens get elected on to councils, _ smaller parties do want? when greens get elected on to councils, we - get elected on to councils, we believe in a collaborative approach to politics. there are some where it is no overall control and where greens work collaboratively with other parties to make a real difference for their communities and i think that is what people want, for parties to come together on issues where they agree but also you willing to challenge and stand up for their communities where they disagree. so greens do believe in a collaborative, modern form of politics. but we also have something very different to offer to the electorate. greens work incredibly hard in their local communities, bring a fresh voice from the tired westminster parties, and people are

voting for fairer, westminster parties, and people are voting forfairer, greener communities because they see the policies we are offering locally, whether it is on transport, it will make a real difference to their local communities. we make a real difference to their local communities.— make a real difference to their local communities. we heard earlier from a conservative _ local communities. we heard earlier from a conservative councillor- local communities. we heard earlier from a conservative councillor who i from a conservative councillor who said he had lost his seat because labour and the lib dems stood back so that the greens had a proper great beating them, so you are reliant on other parties clearing the way for you? you reliant on other parties clearing the way for you?— reliant on other parties clearing the way for you? you could ask a iuestion the way for you? you could ask a question of— the way for you? you could ask a question of any _ the way for you? you could ask a question of any party _ the way for you? you could ask a question of any party under- the way for you? you could ask a question of any party under the l question of any party under the voting system we have come away at his first past the post. inevitably, parties will concentrate their resources in some areas more than others because you have to get the most votes in any one ward in order to win. all parties do that under the voting system that we have, and what we are seeing is increasing numbers of wards and councils around the greens are winning first place, often by some really big majorities, as people are choosing positively to vote for greens. then you have to remember that, as you say, this isn't a one—off by any means. we have had green councillors around the country for many years, many

decades in some areas, and over the last four years, the number of places with green councils has grown and what you see repeatedly around the country where we make that breakthrough is people really like what they see with having a green voice on the council and for their community, and then vote for green councillors in ever greater numbers. so this time for example where we have seen in places like worcester, where we top the poll across the whole council area, we made four gains, three gains in south tyneside, people have liked what they have seen from green councillors and are voting for it in ever greater numbers.— councillors and are voting for it in ever greater numbers. adrian ramsay, co-leader of — ever greater numbers. adrian ramsay, co-leader of the _ ever greater numbers. adrian ramsay, co-leader of the greens, _ ever greater numbers. adrian ramsay, co-leader of the greens, thank - ever greater numbers. adrian ramsay, co-leader of the greens, thank you - co—leader of the greens, thank you for giving us your time. unbelievably it is nearly five to five. time has been whizzing by because there has been so much interesting to talk about. let's talk to our panel as we run up to the news. firstly to you, lord fox. it was really interesting hearing adrian ramsay talk about these, i think he doesn't want to admit there are pacts happening on the ground, whether they are formal or not, we did, we heard it from worcester and

from the ground that the lib dems and labour stood back so that the greens could beat him in worcester. we know from hearing around the country that there have been areas where people have stood back. is that something the lib dems should do on a national level?— do on a national level? before i answer that. — do on a national level? before i answer that, can _ do on a national level? before i answer that, can i _ do on a national level? before i answer that, can i get - do on a national level? before i answer that, can i get reeta i do on a national level? before i answer that, can i get reeta onj do on a national level? before i i answer that, can i get reeta on a warning _ answer that, can i get reeta on a warning to — answer that, can i get reeta on a warning to get a yellow highlight out because we have held hinckley and bosworth, and bath north—east somerset, — and bosworth, and bath north—east somerset, which i remind you covers the rees—mogg territory. more yellow required _ the rees—mogg territory. more yellow required shortly. i was voting in windsor— required shortly. i was voting in windsor this morning, required shortly. i was voting in windsorthis morning, my required shortly. i was voting in windsor this morning, my ward, which i windsor this morning, my ward, which i have _ windsor this morning, my ward, which i have been— windsor this morning, my ward, which i have been delivering in the end a liberat— i have been delivering in the end a liberal democrat manner. there were liberal _ liberal democrat manner. there were liberal democrat manner. there were liberal democrat candidates, there were green candidates, we will win that ward _ were green candidates, we will win that ward and it will cease to be a conservative ward and we are seeing swings _ conservative ward and we are seeing swings of _ conservative ward and we are seeing swings of 26% and more across windsor~ — swings of 26% and more across windsor. that is how the election process— windsor. that is how the election process works in most seats across the country —

process works in most seats across the country. everybody fields their candidates and the voters decide who to vote _ candidates and the voters decide who to vote for~ _ candidates and the voters decide who to vote for. i'm kind of old—fashioned and that's the sort of thing _ old—fashioned and that's the sort of thing that— old—fashioned and that's the sort of thing that i— old—fashioned and that's the sort of thing that i prefer. is old-fashioned and that's the sort of thing that i prefer.— thing that i prefer. is there a case, thing that i prefer. is there a case. though. _ thing that i prefer. is there a case, though, for— thing that i prefer. is there a case, though, for some i thing that i prefer. is there a j case, though, for some form thing that i prefer. is there a i case, though, for some form of progressive alliance? i mean, there is a way is a lot of chatter about this, and there are some people in westminster who would like it to happen, think it makes sense. there ma well happen, think it makes sense. there may well be. — happen, think it makes sense. there may well be. but _ happen, think it makes sense. there may well be, but i _ happen, think it makes sense. there may well be, but i think _ happen, think it makes sense. there may well be, but i think when - happen, think it makes sense. there may well be, but i think when you i may well be, but i think when you are fighting on the ground, when you are fighting on the ground, when you are out— are fighting on the ground, when you are out there, i think voters need to be _ are out there, i think voters need to be given — are out there, i think voters need to be given the information. the information needs to be correct, e>

huw merriman, transport minister, welcome-_ it _ huw merriman, transport minister, welcome._ it is - huw merriman, transport minister, welcome._ it is not i huw merriman, transport minister, welcome._ it is not a i huw merriman, transport minister, i welcome._ it is not a good welcome. thank you. it is not a good niiht, at welcome. thank you. it is not a good night. at all. — welcome. thank you. it is not a good night. at all. for— welcome. thank you. it is not a good night, at all, for your _ welcome. thank you. it is not a good night, at all, for your party. - welcome. thank you. it is not a good night, at all, for your party. we i night, at all, for your party. we have seen stoke in the last few minutes, beaming smiles from labour there, you can't afford to lose that kind of see can you?— there, you can't afford to lose that kind of see can you? difficult night and it may get _ kind of see can you? difficult night and it may get more _ kind of see can you? difficult night and it may get more difficult i kind of see can you? difficult night and it may get more difficult as i kind of see can you? difficult night| and it may get more difficult as the hours progress. i do know, looking at the data, that i think we lost one seat in stoke and the other nine were formally independents, may have gone back to labour. so it is important to actually look at the data as well. but obviously that is a disappointment. we want to hold our councils and i'm honestly very sorry, having been a conservative district council in the past myself, for all of my colleagues who will not succeed this evening. just coming back to the point that was made on pacts. i know peter will know is whether there was a pact between the lib dems and the greens in lewes and brighton as i recall at the last election, where there wasn't a standing to i'm pretty sure there was right. so we have seen it before. and what i attend to find is that in my patch, you tend to find there is the sort of

anti—housebuilding campaign that goes on, and it tends to either be the beneficiary of greens or liberal democrats, so it does tend to be a sort of mid—term protest to some of the policies that we are trying to seek to deliver. you the policies that we are trying to seek to deliver.— the policies that we are trying to seek to deliver. you raised housing, and we have — seek to deliver. you raised housing, and we have heard _ seek to deliver. you raised housing, and we have heard from _ seek to deliver. you raised housing, and we have heard from councils i and we have heard from councils around the country that voters have raised housing and they have raised their frustrations with housing, raised housing and they have raised theirfrustrations with housing, and there are people in your party who might fall under that anti—housebuilding category have just mentioned, and for many people voting, that may well have been one of the issues you have looked at. they say in 13 years we have heard conservative politician say we need to build more houses and i cannot afford to buy a house, and your party can be a prime minister dropped the targets recently that was meant to make that happen. it is interesting. — was meant to make that happen. it 3 interesting, because i welcomed rishi sunak to my constituency during the leadership. you rishi sunak to my constituency during the leadership.- rishi sunak to my constituency during the leadership. you are part of this campaign. _ during the leadership. you are part of this campaign. we _ during the leadership. you are part of this campaign. we talked - during the leadership. you are part of this campaign. we talked about| of this campaign. we talked about housini of this campaign. we talked about housing with _ of this campaign. we talked about housing with the _ of this campaign. we talked about housing with the leader _ of this campaign. we talked about housing with the leader of - of this campaign. we talked about housing with the leader of our i housing with the leader of our council and we were putting forward

proposals, where, council areas where you have granted applications that they have not turned into housing, then that would actually be a bar towards more planning applications being made, and i think we were interested in some radical reform. some of it is making its way through in terms of legislation but i think the most important part is to not force targets onto local areas but to actually have a bottom—up approach, and that is very much michael gove's plan and i look at it through my own brief with railways forced we are working with the department to say where are the railways going, that is where the house—building should go and vice versa. so that is the sort of smart government that the electors expect from us because it is thenjoined up. we have got more to develop —— deliver on that front, i readily admit that. deliver on that front, i readily admit that-— deliver on that front, i readily admit that. ~ ., ., ., ., admit that. what do you have to chan . e admit that. what do you have to change then. — admit that. what do you have to change then, if— admit that. what do you have to change then, if this _ admit that. what do you have to change then, if this is _ admit that. what do you have to change then, if this is the i admit that. what do you have to change then, if this is the scale | admit that. what do you have to i change then, if this is the scale of defeat based on the current numbers, what is to change? this defeat based on the current numbers, what is to change?— what is to change? this is the first opportunity _ what is to change? this is the first opportunity of _ what is to change? this is the first opportunity of the _ what is to change? this is the first opportunity of the electorate i what is to change? this is the first opportunity of the electorate have| opportunity of the electorate have had to give their view on what has been going on over a period of time and we have officially made a

change. we have a change in leader and prime minister.— and prime minister. looks like they don't like it — and prime minister. looks like they don't like it very _ and prime minister. looks like they don't like it very much. _ and prime minister. looks like they don't like it very much. we - and prime minister. looks like they| don't like it very much. we expected the ublic don't like it very much. we expected the public to — don't like it very much. we expected the public to actually _ don't like it very much. we expected the public to actually take _ don't like it very much. we expected the public to actually take out - the public to actually take out their frustrations on what happened last year. we have already pivoted and turned, and when i was talking to my constituents on the doorsteps yesterday, they were talking about older news, about former prime ministers, but saying you're currently there seems to have what it takes. he seems to be turning things around for us. but this is the opportunity for the electorate to give their verdict on where we have been previously. we understand that. so have been previously. we understand that. , have been previously. we understand that, , , have been previously. we understand that. , , ., ., , that. so this is the fault of boris johnson and _ that. so this is the fault of boris johnson and liz _ that. so this is the fault of boris johnson and liz truss, - that. so this is the fault of boris johnson and liz truss, then, i that. so this is the fault of boris i johnson and liz truss, then, that's what's coming through?— johnson and liz truss, then, that's what's coming through? certainly on the doorsteps. _ what's coming through? certainly on the doorsteps, the _ what's coming through? certainly on the doorsteps, the feeling _ what's coming through? certainly on the doorsteps, the feeling i - what's coming through? certainly on the doorsteps, the feeling i got i what's coming through? certainly on the doorsteps, the feeling i got was| the doorsteps, the feeling i got was that we are getting better. they respect the way that rishi sunak manages the country, and the economy as a result through that, and i think as far as i'm concerned, we are in the process now are trying to persuade the electorate that we will turn matters around, we will deliver. but it's fair to say that until we have delivered on the sort of five key pledges the prime

minister has made, we know the electorate are not going to listen to us as intently until that time, so we have to prove to them. that we can deliver what they want us to deliver, and only then will they then listen to us, and give us the opportunity to go even further, and we know that and we are humble about it, and that's why i'm sorry about the losses, because they are in the backdrop of what occurred before. we will have plenty more from you shortly. here are the headlines, i want to show you our tallies, where they are. the numbers are racking up now as we had towards our last hour together on this programme. you can see labour have gained 78 counsellors. the conservatives have lost 107, the liberal democrats have gained 30 and the greens have gained a dozen so far. i look to come as the headlines of this first cycle of

counting of the elections of 23 comes to a conclusion, the first cycle. plenty more to come tomorrow of course. it's head now, though, to the news. thank you. hello. here's your bbc news summary. they have been taking council seats in the local elections. labour have taken control of plymouth and stoke—on—trent, two of the top targets. they have also replaced the conservatives at the lightest party in hartlepool although the authority remains under no overall control. our political correspondence has more. cheering and applause. celebration in stoke—on—trent. here, it is labour that are making gains. ballots are being counted in some of the 200 or so towns, cities and rural areas across england where voters have had their say on who

should run local services. the tories have had a tough night, hoping to limited their losses, but they have seen control of several councils slip away. brentwood in essex was an early loss for the conservatives here and elsewhere. it is the lib dems who are cheering the loudest. . . , . , ., loudest. fantastic result for the liberal democrats _ loudest. fantastic result for the liberal democrats in _ loudest. fantastic result for the liberal democrats in one - loudest. fantastic result for the liberal democrats in one of- loudest. fantastic result for the liberal democrats in one of the| liberal democrats in one of the safest tory seat in the country. we have gained three seats. we are now “p have gained three seats. we are now up to 17 seats and council moves into control and it is a time of change in brentwood and we are really delighted, it is fantastic news. . really delighted, it is fantastic news, ., ., really delighted, it is fantastic news. . ., ., ~ really delighted, it is fantastic news. . ., .,~ , news. labour have taken significant ste -s news. labour have taken significant steps forward. _ news. labour have taken significant steps forward, gaining _ news. labour have taken significant steps forward, gaining dozens i news. labour have taken significant steps forward, gaining dozens of. steps forward, gaining dozens of seeds from the conservatives and winning control of plymouth council. the city's tory mp accepted his party was being punished. it has been a really — party was being punished. it has been a really terrible _ party was being punished. it has been a really terrible night i party was being punished. it has been a really terrible night here| been a really terrible night here for us in plymouth. i think there are a number of factors at play. luckily it has been very difficult, conservative group here has been

through a very difficult time, we have seen that reflected on the doors of the campaign and senate reflected in the results tonight. but we take it on the chin. in a first for elections _ but we take it on the chin. in a first for elections in _ but we take it on the chin. in a first for elections in england, photo id was required at polling stations, which left some unable to vote, but it is too soon to say what impact the change has had. only around a quarter of the councils holding elections are counting votes overnight, early results won't give anything like the full picture. in the hours ahead, these local elections will be closely watched as a crucial test of the national political picture. jonathan blake, bbc news. all local results will be available online. to find out who won in your local area, you can use our postcode checker — available on the bbc news website and on our app. in other news... in serbia, government has killed at least eight

people in the country by second mass shooting in as many days. several people were injured in the incident south of the capital, belgrade. police have set up checkpoints as they search for the shooter. ukraine's air force has shot down one of its own drones, which it says had lost control above central kyiv. there were explosions yesterday evening as air defence tried to shoot it down in an area near the president's office. the air force later admitted it was ukrainian and was destroyed to avoid what it called "undesirable circumstances". members of the biggest rail workers union, the rmt, have voted to renew its mandate for taking strike action. it's the third such vote in a dispute over pay and conditions, which began last year. it raises the prospect of strikes continuing until nearly the end of this year. a us court has ruled that the singer ed sheeran did not copy marvin gaye's let's get it on when composing thinking out loud. the british musician had denied stealing elements of the song for his 2014 worldwide hit.

heirs of marvin gaye's co—writer argued that sheeran, warner music group and sony music publishing owed them money for copyright infringement. sheeran's legal team had argued that the melodies are different and the elements used in both songs are common in pop music. we will be back in an hour with the latest news updates. but for now, it's back to our special election night coverage with laura. and just a reminder — to see who won in your local area, you can use our postcode checker, which is available on the bbc news website and on our app. welcome back to election 2023, the bbc news coverage of 230 council elections that took base in england when millions of people had the chance to go out and cast their

vote. the first vote of its kind on rishi sunak in his time in office, so let's look at what has happened so let's look at what has happened so far. not good news for the prime minister. he is 124 seats down. you can see the numbers spinning through, 126... changing as we watch. labour gaining 83 seats. we have seen plenty of labour smiles around the country tonight and the liberal democrats also very pleased with what they have seen so far. up 34. taking gains in places they thought they would do well but also doing better in some parts of the country where they were fighting and they might have expected making more games. to summarise at this stage, we can make some assessments, not firm conclusions, but some assessments, it's not look so far like very difficult night for the conservatives, potentially losing more than 1000 council seats which will be a poor, poor local election

performance, maps worse than theresa may's dark days at the end of her premiership —— perhaps. a step forward the keir starmer�*s party, where there are gains in some parts where there are gains in some parts where they want to see them but perhaps not a significant leap towards power that would have silenced perhaps some of those gravel that he is not quite radical enough. forthe gravel that he is not quite radical enough. for the liberal democrats, a healthy set of numbers at this stage. we should remember there are still the majority of results to come in so it is important not to draw concrete firm conclusions. but we can talk about the assessments that we can make so far. two final remembers, elections are not happening everywhere, there are none in scotland or wales or northern ireland until a couple of weeks in the last time these seeds were all fought within 2019, in may 2019 under theresa may, jeremy corbyn and vince cable. i completely different political universe. just pick up on one of the things that have happened

tonight. we have talked quite a bit about midway council, we have been on the ground hearing about what is going on. it looks like labour is going on. it looks like labour is going to take that from the conservatives. but i think is better than they expected. they were hoping for gains but it sounds like they were actually take the council and were actually take the council and we can talk to alan jarrett were actually take the council and we can talk to alanjarrett is conservative leader of medway council, perhaps the outgoing leader. thank you very much indeed for being with us. are you sure now of the result?— of the result? yes, pretty sure, laura, because _ of the result? yes, pretty sure, laura, because although - of the result? yes, pretty sure, laura, because although we i of the result? yes, pretty sure, i laura, because although we haven't had many seats declared, all that is declared is quite obvious from the counting that labour will form the next administration. we will bring to the end of 23 years of conservative administration in medway, which obviously we are disappointed about and sad about. why do you think that happened? i think there are two factors at play.

we had extensive boundary changes here and what we have seen is where there have been major boundary changes, labour has been the beneficiary of virtually all of those, and of course, a relative unpopularity of some government decisions. those two things have created a perfect storm here and medway and hence where we are going to be. ~ . ., medway and hence where we are going tobe. .., ., to be. which of those decisions have been unpopular— to be. which of those decisions have been unpopular for _ to be. which of those decisions have been unpopular for your _ to be. which of those decisions have been unpopular for your residence? | been unpopular for your residence? cheering back. been unpopular for your residence? cheering back-— been unpopular for your residence? cheering back. certainly the housing tariets cheering back. certainly the housing tari ets that cheering back. certainly the housing targets that we _ cheering back. certainly the housing targets that we have _ cheering back. certainly the housing targets that we have seen _ cheering back. certainly the housing targets that we have seen centrally l targets that we have seen centrally imposed has not played well. we have a unrealistic and housing targets and that has been, certainly in the past in medway, the major factor. and in terms of other things on rishi sunak's list, he came in, tried to calm things down, try to turn things around, but from voters that you spoke to through the course of the campaign, he said they are

frustrated about housing targets being imposed on the area, what else made a rishi sunak's efforts to calm things down? cheering that is a huge cheer. i do not know if that is the overall result being confirmed or if it is just another one being announced. and another chair. we are just listening to what is happening in medway council. cheering... it sounds very much like labour has taken control of medway council, thatis taken control of medway council, that is the impression we are getting and that is a prediction of alan jarrett who we can alanjarrett who we can probably hear a bit better now. rishi sunak's supporters, the minister here in the studio said he has turn things around, stopped the rot, people need more time to understand what is trying to do. do you feel optimistic that that can happen?— trying to do. do you feel optimistic

that that can happen? sorry, laura. perhas that that can happen? sorry, laura. perhaps we — that that can happen? sorry, laura. perhaps we might _ that that can happen? sorry, laura. perhaps we might come _ that that can happen? sorry, laura. perhaps we might come back - that that can happen? sorry, laura. perhaps we might come back to i that that can happen? sorry, laura. j perhaps we might come back to you that that can happen? sorry, laura. i perhaps we might come back to you in a second. shall we do that? i would just show you something that has happened in hertsmere council. this is another part council and another one that the conservatives have lost. two seats still to declare about the conservatives on 15, labour on 13, the liberal democrats on nine, let's look at why they have lost. it's new seats for labour, six new seats for the liberal democrats and the conservatives losing a dozen seats. now, hertsmere again, that is one of the parts of the country, commuter belts, people able to get in and out of london relatively easily, relatively affluent. that also is the seat of oliver dowden who is a deputy prime minister, the council of the local authority area of the second most senior conservative in the land now, the

conservatives are holding that council since 1999. they had a big majority and they might have expected to make some losses but they would not have an exacting to lose that council. so we will pick up lose that council. so we will pick up on hertsmere in perhaps a few minutes. let'sjust see if minutes. let's just see if that shearers have subsided at medway council for the labour party and therefore we can talk again to alan jarrett —— cheers. you managed to looks cheerful in these circumstances. plymouth has gone as well, stokes going as well. how bad do you think this suggests things are for your party?— are for your party? well, laura, clearl , are for your party? well, laura, clearly. it _ are for your party? well, laura, clearly. it is _ are for your party? well, laura, clearly, it is not _ are for your party? well, laura, clearly, it is not great, - are for your party? well, laura, clearly, it is not great, is - are for your party? well, laura, clearly, it is not great, is it? i clearly, it is not great, is it? very disappointing for the people in medway and we will have to see how that plays out over the next year or

18 months as we move towards a general election.— 18 months as we move towards a general election. what do you think it will mean. _ general election. what do you think it will mean, though, _ general election. what do you think it will mean, though, for _ general election. what do you think it will mean, though, for those i it will mean, though, for those conservative mps in your part of the world, three mps in medway, do you think there seeds are now at risk because of that shift away from you —— there seats? the because of that shift away from you -- there seats?— -- there seats? the problem is, laura, -- there seats? the problem is, laura. that _ -- there seats? the problem is, laura, that they _ -- there seats? the problem is, laura, that they have _ -- there seats? the problem is, laura, that they have big - -- there seats? the problem is, i laura, that they have big majorities and very popular, but of course what we have is the activists on the ground, the elected councillors are the bedrock of the support around which the campaigns are built, and any diminution of local representation has a negative effect. so we will continue to work hard to support the mp5 and expect them to continue to support us, but it is not the best grounding, is it, for the general election to come. do you think that rishi sunak has a

chance of turning it around? yes. obviously a _ chance of turning it around? yes. obviously a chance, _ chance of turning it around? yes. obviously a chance, but - chance of turning it around? yes. obviously a chance, but it is i obviously a chance, but it is looking a bit gloomy this evening, isn't it? got to stay positive, got to stay as cheerful as we can, and continue to work hard to represent the people that have elected us and do all we can for them. bic the people that have elected us and do all we can for them.— do all we can for them. ok. alan jarrett, do all we can for them. ok. alan jarrett. thank— do all we can for them. ok. alan jarrett, thank you _ do all we can for them. ok. alan jarrett, thank you very _ do all we can for them. ok. alan jarrett, thank you very much. i do all we can for them. ok. alan l jarrett, thank you very much. you have got labour activists cheering behind you. it is good of you to give us your time. hugh merryman, i mean, when you hear someone like that, clearly, who has given a huge amount to your party, given a huge amount to your party, given a huge amount to your party, given a huge amount to the public that he is laying it on the mess that has been at westminster. are you embarrassed? i feel sorry for alan and his colleagues. they have held made way for sometime and there has been a campaign, particularly around

housebuilding and you will see that our hertsmere as well. as a government we have to deliver the homes that people need and i feel passionate about that in every incoming government will have to have that policy because people don't necessarily want them in their area and that is where there has been a lot of pushback and we have suffered but i believe it is the right thing to do. pare suffered but i believe it is the right thing to do.— suffered but i believe it is the right thing to do. are you blaming them for you _ right thing to do. are you blaming them for you losing _ right thing to do. are you blaming them for you losing seats? - right thing to do. are you blaming them for you losing seats? i i right thing to do. are you blaming them for you losing seats? i am i right thing to do. are you blaming i them for you losing seats? i am not. i said them for you losing seats? i am not. i said earlier — them for you losing seats? i am not. i said earlier to _ them for you losing seats? i am not. i said earlier to you _ them for you losing seats? i am not. i said earlier to you that _ them for you losing seats? i am not. i said earlier to you that we - them for you losing seats? i am not. i said earlier to you that we have i i said earlier to you that we have to reflect on what we have delivered in terms of performance over the last year. that should be a driving force to turn things around and make things better, that we do understand what has happened and we do understand the voters have their first opportunity to judge us, and they are notjudging us particularly well so that should be our motivating force — to be humble about it and turn it around and show that we are listening but any government will have difficult choices and building becomes that people need, particularly young people, to give them the same chance all the people had like me, or had,

thatis all the people had like me, or had, that is important to ensure younger voters support us as well. i do feel for counsellors that lost their seats. if it has happened because of government failure, ifeel seats. if it has happened because of government failure, i feel even seats. if it has happened because of government failure, ifeel even more government failure, i feel even more sorry for those government failure, ifeel even more sorry for those people. i government failure, i feel even more sorry for those people.— sorry for those people. i notice you use the word _ sorry for those people. i notice you use the word reflect _ sorry for those people. i notice you use the word reflect which - sorry for those people. i notice you use the word reflect which is - sorry for those people. i notice you use the word reflect which is often | use the word reflect which is often political code for saying "we got something is wrong." i political code for saying "we got something is wrong. '— political code for saying "we got something is wrong. " i think we did aet something is wrong. " i think we did get something _ something is wrong. " i think we did get something from _ something is wrong. " i think we did get something from this _ something is wrong. " i think we did get something from this year. i - something is wrong. " i think we did i get something from this year. i was looking at don bradman�*s encouragement... looking at don bradman's encouragement. . .- looking at don bradman's encouragement... looking at don bradman's encourauement... �*, , ., ., ., encouragement... let's show that two eo - le. i encouragement... let's show that two peeple- i was — encouragement... let's show that two people. i was about _ encouragement... let's show that two people. i was about to _ encouragement... let's show that two people. i was about to do _ encouragement... let's show that two people. i was about to do that - encouragement... let's show that two people. i was about to do that but - people. i was about to do that but you have captured it off my screen. john redwood who is a long serving conservative mp on the right of the party economically, a minister sometime ago, he written on social media:

you are a conservative government with the highest tax burden that people are having to pay for many, many, many years. by some measure it is the highest it has ever been not in wartime. there is clearly frustration on the conservative ventures about that. we know that. that maybe that is also what some people on the country are looking at and thinking, "i am not having a great time andl and thinking, "i am not having a great time and i am blaming you for it."l great time and i am blaming you for it." , . ., it. " i will 'ust reflect that we did t some it. " i willjust reflect that we did try some of _ it. " i willjust reflect that we did try some of those _ it. " i willjust reflect that we did try some of those policies - it. " i willjust reflect that we did try some of those policies when l it." i willjust reflect that we did i try some of those policies when liz truss came in. we did not end well because the markets were spooked because the markets were spooked because if you look at the total level of our borrowing and our debt it is too high and we can't afford that and again the burden falls on the youngest, who ijust talked about in terms of needing homes as well. �* , ., about in terms of needing homes as well. �* ,., ~ ., about in terms of needing homes as well. �* ~ ., ., , ., well. but you know lots of your colleagues _ well. but you know lots of your colleagues would _ well. but you know lots of your colleagues would like - well. but you know lots of your colleagues would like to - well. but you know lots of your colleagues would like to see i well. but you know lots of your colleagues would like to see a | well. but you know lots of your i colleagues would like to see a tax cut and an income tax cut of one or 2p, not the hugely radical thing that liz truss tried to do at speed.

do you think you might end up having to do that? we know rishi sunak wants to do it before the election anyway. we wants to do it before the election an a . ~ . wants to do it before the election an a. . ., anyway. we have always been the -a of anyway. we have always been the party of cutting — anyway. we have always been the party of cutting taxes _ anyway. we have always been the party of cutting taxes but - anyway. we have always been the party of cutting taxes but we - anyway. we have always been the party of cutting taxes but we have also been the party that has proclaimed responsible financial management and when we are having to spend money, the covid years when we had to inject supporting, energy support still going on, we have to make choices and there are two other support people in these challenging times or to reduce taxation. we hope that once we are over the problem with energy spikes, for example, we can reduce taxes but you can only do that if you manage the economy sensibly and we have seen the sort of dash to change and we have seen what happens to the market and when the conservative party loses the market we lose the electorate so i confident about the decisions and the five priorities the prime minister has other people's priorities and we have to deliver on those. if we do, people will listen to us and that is why i hope they

will trust us again and we can deliver into the future. peter, what do ou deliver into the future. peter, what do you make _ deliver into the future. peter, what do you make on — deliver into the future. peter, what do you make on all— deliver into the future. peter, what do you make on all of _ deliver into the future. peter, what do you make on all of that? - deliver into the future. peter, what do you make on all of that? i - deliver into the future. peter, what do you make on all of that? i think| do you make on all of that? i think it is extraordinary _ do you make on all of that? i think it is extraordinary because - do you make on all of that? i think it is extraordinary because what i do you make on all of that? i think| it is extraordinary because what we see is_ it is extraordinary because what we see is an _ it is extraordinary because what we see is an unstable government. we had three _ see is an unstable government. we had three planning bills in the last five years — had three planning bills in the last five years. huw says he wants a bottom-up _ five years. huw says he wants a bottom—up approach to planning but we have _ bottom—up approach to planning but we have had a bottom—up approach, a top-down— we have had a bottom—up approach, a top—down approach and before that we had a bottom—up approach because all the different bills take different approaches. we have had targets and targets— approaches. we have had targets and targets dropped so you understand that this _ targets dropped so you understand that this - — targets dropped so you understand that this — and that isjust planning _ that this — and that isjust planning — then the whole blown in the economy from the mini budget which _ the economy from the mini budget which the — the economy from the mini budget which the public has not forgiven because — which the public has not forgiven because huw references the reputation the tories once had, or at times— reputation the tories once had, or at times are — reputation the tories once had, or at times are claimed to have, for responsible company of our finances. that has— responsible company of our finances. that has dropped two pieces at the moment— that has dropped two pieces at the moment so whether it is planning, the economy, running a public services — the economy, running a public services with people waiting for treatment on the nhs, these are things— treatment on the nhs, these are things that touch people's lives in a meaningful way. so, things that touch people's lives in a meaningfulway. so, right through this evening you have seen the two words. _ this evening you have seen the two words. the — this evening you have seen the two words, the two phrases a bad night

for the _ words, the two phrases a bad night for the tories and a good night for labour~ _ for the tories and a good night for labour. whether that is in stoke, teesside, — labour. whether that is in stoke, teesside, right down to plymouth, tomorrow— teesside, right down to plymouth, tomorrow we will get down to dover and see _ tomorrow we will get down to dover and see what is happening in brighton, hogan and crawley and the rest of— brighton, hogan and crawley and the rest of the _ brighton, hogan and crawley and the rest of the southeast and the reason is we _ rest of the southeast and the reason is we have _ rest of the southeast and the reason is we have a — rest of the southeast and the reason is we have a credible alternative because — is we have a credible alternative because there are lots of parties out there — because there are lots of parties out there that are standing and it does _ out there that are standing and it does not — out there that are standing and it does not have to be coming back to labour _ does not have to be coming back to labour. they could be going to lots of other— labour. they could be going to lots of other parties but the majority are coming back to labour as a credible — are coming back to labour as a credible alternative and that is why we are _ credible alternative and that is why we are getting it right in the south and north— we are getting it right in the south and north and in the main areas. we are uniting _ and north and in the main areas. we are uniting our country once again based _ are uniting our country once again based on — are uniting our country once again based on a — are uniting our country once again based on a positive future for a better— based on a positive future for a better britain going forward. that brings— better britain going forward. that brings hope to people. we better britain going forward. that brings hope to people.— brings hope to people. we must alwa s brings hope to people. we must always remind _ brings hope to people. we must always remind people _ brings hope to people. we must always remind people the i brings hope to people. we must always remind people the speed brings hope to people. we must i always remind people the speed might slow down in the next few hours and tomorrow. the speed of labour gains could slow down _ tomorrow. the speed of labour gains could slow down or _ tomorrow. the speed of labour gains could slow down or it _ tomorrow. the speed of labour gains could slow down or it could speed up. could slow down or it could speed ”p the _ could slow down or it could speed up. the story of the narrative could switch _ up. the story of the narrative could switch and — up. the story of the narrative could switch and quite dramatically. although from what we have seen tonight the trend is pretty clear.

chris, when you think about the results that we have seen so far and the liberal democrats progress in a lot of places, what surprised you? well, actually, you werejust talking about the hertsmere result and getting plus six there is a great result for the local campaigners there, and i am really pleased for all of our local campaigners who have really worked their socks off all over the country, up and down the country, and the point that chris mason made earlier about the results that we get today being a jumping off point for the general election is it something that we really must remember because it is notjust winning — it is where we win. and we are winning in the places we need to win and we will see later on today as the other results come through, i am absolutely confident that we will be notching not least injohn redford seat in wokingham where that went to no overall control last year and i expect further gains to move

it forward. tell and i expect further gains to move it forward. , ., ., and i expect further gains to move it forward. , . ., ., it forward. tell us than what that mi . ht it forward. tell us than what that might mean _ it forward. tell us than what that might mean that _ it forward. tell us than what that might mean that in _ it forward. tell us than what that might mean that in terms i it forward. tell us than what that might mean that in terms of i it forward. tell us than what that might mean that in terms of a i might mean that in terms of a general election, and i know you were chief executive of the party for some time, very experienced campaigner, and you mentioned there those parts of the country — some people would call it the blue wall. that gives me another excuse to imagine a davies tractor driving through but these are seeds do have hope of taking from the conservatives. from the results you have seen tonight, put a number on what that might mean.— what that might mean. well, laura, ou what that might mean. well, laura, you prejudiced _ what that might mean. well, laura, you prejudiced by — what that might mean. well, laura, you prejudiced by saying _ what that might mean. well, laura, you prejudiced by saying i _ what that might mean. well, laura, you prejudiced by saying i am i what that might mean. well, laura, you prejudiced by saying i am an i you prejudiced by saying i am an experienced campaigner. i am so experienced campaigner. i am so experienced i would not come close to answering that question. what i will say is that these are the results we needed to move from, without the jumping off point that we get, through these really excellent results tonight, it would have made ourjob a heck of a lot harder. so, those activists ijust talk about, they can have their rest and they can recharge the batteries,

but we will be out again and we will be in the places where we have shown to the local electorate that we can win. we have shown that we are the party that can take on largely be conservative, but not always, across the country in those seats and that is where we will be making our — taking ourfight — and working hard. 0k. well, let's see. let's get back around the country and i will take you back to stoke and our political editor in west midlands in front of some absolutely jubilant editor in west midlands in front of some absolutelyjubilant labour some absolutely jubilant labour people some absolutelyjubilant labour people there. we have talked a lot about stoke and we can see the celebrations going on. give us a brief word on what you think happened there. but also if you can, lizzie, i would love to know what else you are picking up from the crucial parts of the west midlands? yeah, absolutely. tribulation. they are very, very i think what has happened on the ground is the labour message they have been pushing over

the last few weeks of change, they have not been running this council now since 2015. that message that we are change it seems that you have got through to voters. i would also say that actually we think turnout has been very low here in stoke—on—trent. so, that is a kind of sobering element to it, but labour took control when they hit 23. that was seen 25 and they are saying now they think they could get to 26 or 27 which, you know, at the beginning of the night if you had said that to the labour team here, they would have not necessarily taken you that seriously. they are really thrilled and i think they have pulled resources into stoke—on—trent. there had been mps from all over the country, keir starmer, a lot of his top team here campaigning, and it seems it has paid off. they are very pleased about that. looking at the rest of the region, of course, we don't have all the accounts. the majority of

the counts are happening later on today but from what we have a limited picture of what we have now, it does look like labour have had a good night here in the midlands. so, not necessarily taking control of councils, but, you know, pushing places like gloucester, tamworth, no overall control, labour consolidating their position and doing the same in places like dudley and walsall. in dudley, rather, not in walsall. we don't know. they are counting tomorrow. but these are all things that are positive signs for the labour party as they try to rebuild in at the midlands. after the last general election in 2019, apart from the urban centres in birmingham, black country, coventry, there is hardly any red left on the map, hardly any at all. so, if it carries on tomorrow as we have seen this evening that is a very positive

sign for the labour party here in the midlands.— sign for the labour party here in the mamas.— the midlands. briefly, 'ust to go back to stoke, i the midlands. briefly, 'ust to go back to stoke, lots i the midlands. briefly, 'ust to go back to stoke, lots of i the midlands. briefly, just to go back to stoke, lots of the i the midlands. briefly, just to go | back to stoke, lots of the losses there were independents losing which is a big part of the picture. a big group of independence. quickly, what is that about? who were they and what happened?— what happened? well, it is very interesting- _ what happened? well, it is very interesting. the _ what happened? well, it is very interesting. the city _ what happened? well, it is very i interesting. the city independence have been a realforce interesting. the city independence have been a real force at stoke—on—trent and they ran in coalition with the conservatives between 2015 and 2019. i think what has happened is that some of the well—known local figures who were at leadership of that group have now kind of moved away. they have retired. there are no longer around and it seems that those —— that are left have not been able to maintain the position they have always have and they have faced a much stiffer challenge on the doorstep in places where i think some of these independence have felt for a long

time quite secure, embedded in their communities. labour have poured in at the resources, going door—to—door, leaflet drops, lots of big visits, lots of attention, and it seems that has paid off because as i said at the beginning of the night, the fearful labour here was that even if they did well it would be those independency would prevent them for getting the victory they were craving. actually, the conservatives took seats from the independents just as they took seats from the conservatives and so you would have to say that the resources they put in here, you know, it has worked out for them. fik. they put in here, you know, it has worked out for them.— they put in here, you know, it has worked out for them. 0k. thank you ve much worked out for them. 0k. thank you very much indeed. _ worked out for them. 0k. thank you very much indeed. let's _ worked out for them. 0k. thank you very much indeed. let's take - worked out for them. 0k. thank you very much indeed. let's take you i worked out for them. 0k. thank you very much indeed. let's take you a l very much indeed. let's take you a bit very much indeed. let's take you a hit up north and a bit to the right. to the east, i should say, if we are talking about the map. let's go to my colleague who knows all about the east of england. i think, tim, you are in scunthorpe for us in northeast lincolnshire. i are in scunthorpe for us in northeast lincolnshire. i am.

scunthorpe _ northeast lincolnshire. i am. scunthorpe in _ northeast lincolnshire. i am. scunthorpe in north - northeast lincolnshire. i am. i scunthorpe in north lincolnshire. there are two councils, one called north lincolnshire and one called northeast lincolnshire and it is 5:28am so forgiving me for getting them the wrong way around. what happened there? and i want you to tell us what is happening in hull because we had earlier about the lib dems holding it. qm. because we had earlier about the lib dems holding it.— dems holding it. ok, laura, the situation is _ dems holding it. ok, laura, the situation is nip _ dems holding it. ok, laura, the situation is nip and _ dems holding it. ok, laura, the situation is nip and tuck - dems holding it. ok, laura, the situation is nip and tuck at i dems holding it. ok, laura, the situation is nip and tuck at the l situation is nip and tuck at the moment. the last few council seats will be declared very shortly. labour and the conservatives are pretty much a level pegging here and that mirrors the electoral history of this council because it has flip—flopped over the years between labour and the tories. it has been conservative since 2011. a lot of people would say this is the kind of area labour needs to win if it is going to win back the redwall seats you have been talking about all night because at the heart of this council area that is the town of scunthorpe which went conservative for the first time in many many years back in 2019 but it looks like

the conservatives at this moment in time are more confident of retaining control of north lincolnshire, but it will be very close. now, across from here we had a result earlier. the lib dems held onto hull and increase majority in the city. that was a council they won last year from labour with a slim majority. i think labour will be disappointed not to make headway in hull which they have thought of as their heartland. they have thought of as their heartland-— they have thought of as their heartland. ., ,, , ., , . heartland. tim, thank you very much indeed forjoining _ heartland. tim, thank you very much indeed forjoining us. _ heartland. tim, thank you very much indeed forjoining us. so, _ heartland. tim, thank you very much indeed forjoining us. so, not - indeed forjoining us. so, not always one—way traffic. you do see trends, you do see things becoming the fashion of the night but it is absolutely not all one—way traffic in any election and a couple of people who know about that is katie bowles, the deputy political editor of the spectator and freddy heymann. welcome to both of you. katie, from what we know so far, how worried will tory hq be?

we have had lots of expectation management in advance what is worrying is if you are hearing figures such asjohn curtin saying it is not impossible the tories do lose close to 1000 seats. when the tory party chairman is saying that on the airwaves, it was largely because they did not think they would lose 1000 seats, they said if you got less than that you could then spin it is we didn't do as badly as you expected. it will be worrying that is a figure talked about still. it is still very early on in terms of the results, there is lots more to come, but the other aspect that will worry tory mps and tory counsellors is the fact that they are being squeezed from different sides here, so you have labour making gains but also the deputy prime minister, oliver dowden, and that the tories have lost control of the counsellor and is a blue wall lib dem push, look at

what is happening in windsor. where are the tories particular safe? that will cause some anxiety to the fact it is coming from different areas at the moment. it is coming from different areas at the moment-— the moment. another conservative counsel lost. _ the moment. another conservative counsel lost, this _ the moment. another conservative counsel lost, this time _ the moment. another conservative counsel lost, this time is _ the moment. another conservative | counsel lost, this time is skegness. that is a conservative loss, east lindsey. it has been tory since 2015. it will be interesting to see how that result breaks down. let us take a quick look. 26 for the conservatives, 21 independence, isn't that interesting, and the change of seats, tories losing three independence gaining three, and others in conservative counsel actually being lost to them. freddie, let us think about labour for a second. how would you predict the conversation in the party will go in the next few days if these trends continue? a good step forward but maybe not giant decisive leaps. i think what we are seeing so far is basically— i think what we are seeing so far is basically that the polls have been

broadly _ basically that the polls have been broadly correct. as katie said, we have _ broadly correct. as katie said, we have a _ broadly correct. as katie said, we have a long — broadly correct. as katie said, we have a long way to go. i think labour— have a long way to go. i think labour will be broadly happy with some _ labour will be broadly happy with some of— labour will be broadly happy with some of the gains they have made, they have _ some of the gains they have made, they have had to make gains in places— they have had to make gains in places like stoke. they need to make gains elsewhere because i need to go beyond _ gains elsewhere because i need to go beyond what they did in 2017, they can't _ beyond what they did in 2017, they can'tiust_ beyond what they did in 2017, they can'tjust regain the red wall stop they really want to get a majority of the _ they really want to get a majority of the next election, they have to make gains for the worcester is really— make gains for the worcester is really important. other interesting trends _ really important. other interesting trends as— really important. other interesting trends as labour is doing quite well in terms _ trends as labour is doing quite well in terms of— trends as labour is doing quite well in terms of brexit voters, certain leave _ in terms of brexit voters, certain leave areas— in terms of brexit voters, certain leave areas doing quite well with graduates. these are some of the key constituents _ graduates. these are some of the key constituents that propelled boris johnson — constituents that propelled boris johnson into number ten in 2019, labour— johnson into number ten in 2019, labour will— johnson into number ten in 2019, labour will be happy they are making some _ labour will be happy they are making some progress there.— some progress there. freddie and katie, some progress there. freddie and katie. thank _ some progress there. freddie and katie, thank you _ some progress there. freddie and katie, thank you both _ some progress there. freddie and katie, thank you both very - some progress there. freddie and katie, thank you both very much l some progress there. freddie and i katie, thank you both very much for joining us. let us now talk to one of the probable winners of the night, vince mabel. good evening.

good morning, vince. you are the labour leader in medway. can you confirm that you are going to become leader of the council from the results we have heard so far? good mornint , results we have heard so far? good morning. laura. — results we have heard so far? good morning, laura, from _ results we have heard so far? (13mm morning, laura, from medway. at this stage we haven't had all the results in yet, but what we have seen, we have won awards we are targeting, working hard in and we believe will have a pretty seismic result here in medway. we have never had any of medway. we have never had any of medway council a labour majority control council. we think we are on target that is best stand here but we have to wait for everybody. xyour we have to wait for everybody. your o- onent we have to wait for everybody. your opponent told _ we have to wait for everybody. your opponent told us — we have to wait for everybody. your opponent told us he _ we have to wait for everybody. your opponent told us he is _ we have to wait for everybody. your opponent told us he is pretty sure they will not be the biggest group, you are, and he told us he thought it was because of boundary changes and housing targets. is that what you think? i and housing targets. is that what ou think? ~ ., ., you think? i think we have one because we — you think? i think we have one because we had _ you think? i think we have one because we had an _ you think? i think we have one because we had an amazing i you think? i think we have one - because we had an amazing campaign actually, we have worked hard day

in, day out as opposition counsellors, brilliant candidates, we have had great support from the party both regionally, locally and nationally. keir starmer has been down twice, we had a number of frontbench people come and support us on the doorsteps and the reaction from people of the doorsteps, pleased to see those westminster individuals come down and support the team here in medway. they know when we can deliver for them and tonight it looks as if, again we don't have all the results, but it looks as if medway residents will choose change by choosing labour. what were you hearing on the doorsteps, though, councillor mabel? was it an enthusiasm for your campaign or frustration with what has happened in the last 12 months? i think a bit of both. i was speaking to people, a 90—year—old was voting conservative for 70 years, he lent us his vote this week —— maple. it is pretty humbling to

hear that. we have people voting for the very first time choosing to vital labour, and that is a combination of poor services, we know that if we do have the opportunity to serve, we are inheriting a financial mess. but also, that is not the only financial mess. it is the one we saw last year declared from liz truss, i have been speaking to homeowners in medway paying hundreds of pounds a month more on their mortgage. it is a combination of all of those things as is often the case in local elections. we put forward our pledges, they are deliverable and achievable but some people will be looking of course at the national programme, and again, when keir starmer was there, we took him out, the reaction, people were chatting to him, look and see positive change. haven't seen it here in medway since we won those three sits backin medway since we won those three sits back in 90 seven —— 1997. medway since we won those three sits back in 90 seven -- 1997.— back in 90 seven "1997. counsellor male, back in 90 seven --1997. counsellor maple. thank— back in 90 seven --1997. counsellor maple. thank you — back in 90 seven --1997. counsellor maple, thank you very _ back in 90 seven --1997. counsellor maple, thank you very much - back in 90 seven --1997. counsellor maple, thank you very much indeed. | maple, thank you very much indeed. we'll keep you posted if we get official confirmation of medway. one

official confirmation of medway. one of those names of the night, medway, plymouth, stoke, certainly still with tons more to come but still this first episode of these election results, labourfeeling this first episode of these election results, labour feeling very cheerful. results, labour feeling very cheerful-— results, labour feeling very cheerful. , ., ., ., ., cheerful. yes, we have had about a fifth now of — cheerful. yes, we have had about a fifth now of the _ cheerful. yes, we have had about a fifth now of the results _ cheerful. yes, we have had about a fifth now of the results and - cheerful. yes, we have had about a fifth now of the results and there . fifth now of the results and there is still one heck of a way to go. the night may be old but the day is young. there are plenty of places, crucial places, geographically important places that labour are able to point to where they are winning, where they absolutely have to be winning if they are going to win those seats from the general election and try to get the majority given where they started out from. loads more results still to come. it is quite striking is in the buildup to tonight, today, whatever we call it, there was a sense from some in the labour party that they may only be able to point to what they would see as significant progress, once we

got well into friday rather than at 5:30am. in other words, they had a sense, and who knows whether this turns out to be true or not, but had a sense as things started out that things might get progressively better for them as friday went on, and the conservatives might look more bleak. here we are at 5:30am and the clear thing is that the conservatives have had a pretty miserable night so far. they were doing relatively well and the liberal democrats wearing very big smiles. in liberal democrats wearing very big smiles. , ., liberal democrats wearing very big smiles. . , smiles. in terms of councils changing — smiles. in terms of councils changing hands, _ smiles. in terms of councils changing hands, the - smiles. in terms of councils i changing hands, the conservatives have lost five, labour have gained control of two.— have lost five, labour have gained control of two. haven't yet seen any direct switches _ control of two. haven't yet seen any direct switches from _ control of two. haven't yet seen any direct switches from control - control of two. haven't yet seen any direct switches from control from i direct switches from control from one party to the other. they have been going out of no control to a political party or from that to overall control. if political party or from that to overall control.— political party or from that to overall control. if the medway result comes _ overall control. if the medway result comes through, - overall control. if the medway result comes through, that i overall control. if the medway i result comes through, that might be the first one of those of the night. let us go to our panel as we are now unbelievably starting to wing our

way to the end of our time together. you merriman, i want to come back to something you said before, that you would reflect on the results. do you anticipate that you will change anything as a result of the evidence that has come from real votes, real voters, not opinion polls. do you think rishi sunak will look at these results and think, you know what? maybe i need need to tweak some of my plans. maybe i need need to tweak some of m lans. , , ., my plans. this is the... from october. _ my plans. this is the... from october, when _ my plans. this is the... from october, when we _ my plans. this is the... from october, when we had - my plans. this is the... from october, when we had a - my plans. this is the... from i october, when we had a change my plans. this is the... from - october, when we had a change of leader, i am also recognise we changed our leader and therefore the parameters of three times in a year, and this is the first opportunity the electorate have had to give their verdict on that, and it has not gone well so far. but i also believe that the policies that he has put in place other policies that the voters i speak to on the doorsteps want from their government. i think the test now is for us to be competent, for us to be united, for us to start delivering on those pledges, and then the

electorate will listen to us, they will take us seriously again and i believe they will give us a chance because i don't think they are sold on keir starmer. there are a lot of do not know out there that have perhaps fallen out of love with us but haven't fallen in love with labour, and the way we saw under tony blair in 1997. these results are going live them in some parts, independent in some parts, labour in some parts. it doesn't tell me everyone is shifting towards the labour party. it tells me that people are frustrated with our performance and i believe that we have now got it within us to turn it around. d0 have now got it within us to turn it around. ,, ., , , ., ., around. do you honestly feel more or less confident _ around. do you honestly feel more or less confident about _ around. do you honestly feel more or less confident about your _ around. do you honestly feel more or less confident about your prospects l less confident about your prospects at the _ less confident about your prospects at the general election as a result of what _ at the general election as a result of what we — at the general election as a result of what we have seen tonight? obviously this is a wake—up call, but i always affected is because this was the first opportunity electorate have had to give their verdict on our performance. we have beenin verdict on our performance. we have been in power 13 years. we had a really challenging year last year and we changed our leader three times. of course the public will give their verdict on that. rishi

sunak has _ give their verdict on that. rishi sunak has had _ give their verdict on that. rishi sunak has had six _ give their verdict on that. rishi sunak has had six or _ give their verdict on that. rishi sunak has had six or seven - give their verdict on that. rishi sunak has had six or seven months, some of the time what you are saying is if he took over last week. people have had a fair amount of time to have had a fair amount of time to have a good look at him. she hasn't just moved into number ten. you are saying, i think voters will come back and see what we are doing is the right thing. rather than you saying, maybe we should listen to them. we saying, maybe we should listen to them. ~ ., , ., ., , them. we do listen to the voters, but my point _ them. we do listen to the voters, but my point is — them. we do listen to the voters, but my point is that _ them. we do listen to the voters, but my point is that this - them. we do listen to the voters, but my point is that this is - them. we do listen to the voters, but my point is that this is the - but my point is that this is the first opportunity the electorate have had to give their verdict on our performance, we have been in power 13 years and last year with a terrible year. i do believe, though, you look at the opinion poll, they have really cut through in terms of his performance, he outperformed us all and i think he is our asset, and as far as i all and i think he is our asset, and as faras i am all and i think he is our asset, and as far as i am concerned, it is all about delivering, and to a certain extent, the public have had enough talk, they actually want delivery and they wanted to turn it around. i believe in him we will do so. keir starmer launched _ believe in him we will do so. keir starmer launched our campaign in

medway. — starmer launched our campaign in medway, keir_ starmer launched our campaign in medway, keir starmer— starmer launched our campaign in medway, keir starmer visited - starmer launched our campaign in. medway, keir starmer visited stoke twice~ _ medway, keir starmer visited stoke twice we _ medway, keir starmer visited stoke twice we won— medway, keir starmer visited stoke twice. we won stoke. _ medway, keir starmer visited stoke twice. we won stoke. keir- medway, keir starmer visited stoke twice. we won stoke. keir starmerl twice. we won stoke. keir starmer has been _ twice. we won stoke. keir starmer has been down _ twice. we won stoke. keir starmer has been down in _ twice. we won stoke. keir starmer has been down in dover— twice. we won stoke. keir starmer has been down in dover for- twice. we won stoke. keir starmer has been down in dover for the - twice. we won stoke. keir starmer has been down in dover for the cl has been down in dover for the c held _ has been down in dover for the c held over— has been down in dover for the c held over those _ has been down in dover for the c held over those tomorrow. - has been down in dover for the c held over those tomorrow. we . has been down in dover for the c. held over those tomorrow. we have gone _ held over those tomorrow. we have gone to— held over those tomorrow. we have gone to places _ held over those tomorrow. we have gone to places the _ held over those tomorrow. we have gone to places the labour— held over those tomorrow. we have gone to places the labour party- gone to places the labour party hasn't _ gone to places the labour party hasn't succeeded _ gone to places the labour party hasn't succeeded in _ gone to places the labour party hasn't succeeded in for- gone to places the labour party hasn't succeeded in for two - gone to places the labour party- hasn't succeeded in for two decades. in medway. — hasn't succeeded in for two decades. in medway. that— hasn't succeeded in for two decades. in medway, that has— hasn't succeeded in for two decades. in medway, that has been— hasn't succeeded in for two decades. in medway, that has been a - hasn't succeeded in for two decades. in medway, that has been a tory- in medway, that has been a tory counsel— in medway, that has been a tory counsel for— in medway, that has been a tory counsel for 20 _ in medway, that has been a tory counsel for 20 years, _ in medway, that has been a tory counsel for 20 years, three - counsel for 20 years, three tory mps, _ counsel for 20 years, three tory mps. stoke _ counsel for 20 years, three tory mps, stoke has— counsel for 20 years, three tory mps, stoke has three _ counsel for 20 years, three tory mps, stoke has three tory - counsel for 20 years, three tory mps, stoke has three tory mps. these are areas— mps, stoke has three tory mps. these are areas we _ mps, stoke has three tory mps. these are areas we are — mps, stoke has three tory mps. these are areas we are making _ mps, stoke has three tory mps. these are areas we are making strides - are areas we are making strides in. i noticed _ are areas we are making strides in. i noticed the — are areas we are making strides in. i noticed the chart _ are areas we are making strides in. i noticed the chart where _ are areas we are making strides in. i noticed the chart where the - i noticed the chart where the national— i noticed the chart where the national share _ i noticed the chart where the national share has— i noticed the chart where the national share has gone - i noticed the chart where the national share has gone up. national share has gone up for labour— national share has gone up for labour one _ national share has gone up for labour one percentage - national share has gone up for labour one percentage point. national share has gone up for| labour one percentage point in national share has gone up for- labour one percentage point in the last labour one percentage point in the test 45— labour one percentage point in the last 45 minutes. _ labour one percentage point in the last 45 minutes. i _ labour one percentage point in the last 45 minutes. i think— labour one percentage point in the last 45 minutes. i think you - labour one percentage point in the last 45 minutes. i think you two i last 45 minutes. i think you two need _ last 45 minutes. i think you two need to— last 45 minutes. i think you two need to stop _ last 45 minutes. i think you two need to stop using _ last 45 minutes. i think you two need to stop using the - last 45 minutes. i think you two| need to stop using the language last 45 minutes. i think you two i need to stop using the language of last 45 minutes. i think you two - need to stop using the language of a step but— need to stop using the language of a step but not— need to stop using the language of a step but not a — need to stop using the language of a step but not a leap. _ need to stop using the language of a step but not a leap. and _ need to stop using the language of a step but not a leap. and start - step but not a leap. and start moving — step but not a leap. and start moving towards _ step but not a leap. and start moving towards a _ step but not a leap. and start moving towards a leap. - step but not a leap. and start moving towards a leap. we . step but not a leap. and start i moving towards a leap. we have taken, _ moving towards a leap. we have taken, we — moving towards a leap. we have taken, we are— moving towards a leap. we have taken, we are really— moving towards a leap. we have taken, we are really moved - moving towards a leap. we have i taken, we are really moved forward tonight— taken, we are really moved forward tonight on keir— taken, we are really moved forward tonight on keir starmer's_ tonight on keir starmer's fingerprints— tonight on keir starmer's fingerprints are - tonight on keir starmer's fingerprints are all- tonight on keir starmer's fingerprints are all over. tonight on keir starmer's. fingerprints are all over the tonight on keir starmer's- fingerprints are all over the gains we have — fingerprints are all over the gains we have made _ fingerprints are all over the gains we have made. i— fingerprints are all over the gains we have made. ithink— fingerprints are all over the gains we have made. i think there - fingerprints are all over the gains we have made. ithink there is i we have made. ithink there is something _ we have made. ithink there is something happening - we have made. ithink there is something happening out- we have made. ithink there is| something happening out there we have made. ithink there is - something happening out there that has not _ something happening out there that has not been — something happening out there that has not been reflected _ something happening out there that has not been reflected in— something happening out there that has not been reflected in the - has not been reflected in the narrative _ has not been reflected in the narrative that _ has not been reflected in the narrative that is _ has not been reflected in the narrative that is emerging i has not been reflected in the - narrative that is emerging because labour— narrative that is emerging because labour is _ narrative that is emerging because labour is doing _ narrative that is emerging because labour is doing incredibly- narrative that is emerging because labour is doing incredibly well. - narrative that is emerging because l labour is doing incredibly well. one fifth of— labour is doing incredibly well. one fifth of all— labour is doing incredibly well. one fifth of all of — labour is doing incredibly well. one fifth of all of the — labour is doing incredibly well. one fifth of all of the seats _ labour is doing incredibly well. one fifth of all of the seats up _ labour is doing incredibly well. one fifth of all of the seats up for- fifth of all of the seats up for election— fifth of all of the seats up for election in— fifth of all of the seats up for election in this _ fifth of all of the seats up for election in this election - fifth of all of the seats up for election in this election havej fifth of all of the seats up for- election in this election have been called _ election in this election have been called an— election in this election have been called an item _ election in this election have been called an item labour— election in this election have been called an item labour is— election in this election have been called an item labour is 100 - election in this election have been called an item labour is 100 seatsj called an item labour is 100 seats up called an item labour is 100 seats up stop— called an item labour is 100 seats

up stop the — called an item labour is 100 seats up stop the tories _ called an item labour is 100 seats up stop the tories are _ called an item labour is 100 seats up stop the tories are already- up stop the tories are already atmost — up stop the tories are already almost 200 _ up stop the tories are already almost 200 down. _ up stop the tories are already almost 200 down. so - up stop the tories are already almost 200 down. so i- up stop the tories are already almost 200 down. so i think. up stop the tories are already. almost 200 down. so i think this up stop the tories are already- almost 200 down. so i think this is almost 200 down. so i think this is a realty— almost 200 down. so i think this is a really good — almost 200 down. so i think this is a really good solid _ almost 200 down. so i think this is a really good solid performance - almost 200 down. so i think this is. a really good solid performance from the labour— a really good solid performance from the labour party— a really good solid performance from the labour party tonight, _ a really good solid performance from the labour party tonight, it- a really good solid performance from the labour party tonight, it is- the labour party tonight, it is encouraging, _ the labour party tonight, it is encouraging, it— the labour party tonight, it is encouraging, it shows - the labour party tonight, it is encouraging, it shows we - the labour party tonight, it is encouraging, it shows we are| the labour party tonight, it is- encouraging, it shows we are getting the messaging — encouraging, it shows we are getting the messaging right _ encouraging, it shows we are getting the messaging right centrally- encouraging, it shows we are getting the messaging right centrally and - the messaging right centrally and tocatty, _ the messaging right centrally and tocatty, getting _ the messaging right centrally and locally, getting organisational- the messaging right centrally and locally, getting organisational act getting _ locally, getting organisational act getting together _ locally, getting organisational act getting together. the _ locally, getting organisational act getting together. the labour- locally, getting organisational actl getting together. the labour party is back— getting together. the labour party is back in— getting together. the labour party is back in business, _ getting together. the labour party is back in business, moving - getting together. the labour partyl is back in business, moving forward and hopefully— is back in business, moving forward and hopefully we _ is back in business, moving forward and hopefully we are _ is back in business, moving forward and hopefully we are moving - is back in business, moving forward. and hopefully we are moving towards government — and hopefully we are moving towards government 00 _ and hopefully we are moving towards government-— government. do you recognise that? is peter giving _ government. do you recognise that? is peter giving an — government. do you recognise that? is peter giving an accurate _ is peter giving an accurate reflection of what you have heard? i think we move in different circles because where i have been campaigning is where we are winning and labour generally isn't. so i know he is an honourable man and i am sure he means what he says. i am also very impressed with huw. he talks about being on a course and it is all about back on track but what are we on a course for? when the deputy governor of the bank of england tells the people of the united kingdom that they have to accept that they are poorer, and

evenif accept that they are poorer, and even if you factor in public sector pay increases, they are poorer and they will still be poorer in a year's time when we have the election. the gp queue will be longer where they are now and the river will have more storage then then they have now. what are we on course for? i think that that is what people are telling us. whether they are telling labour campaign as a liberal democrat campaigners or other campaigners, that is what, in their hearts they see, they know they are poorer, than either health services is actually against a wall and they know that mismanagement of things like the environment spell real problems for them and their children, and that is what we are seeing. children, and that is what we are seeina. . ~ children, and that is what we are seeina. ., ~' ,, , children, and that is what we are seeina. . ~ ,, , . seeing. thank you very much indeed. let us no seeing. thank you very much indeed. let us so quickly _ seeing. thank you very much indeed. let us go quickly to _ seeing. thank you very much indeed. let us go quickly to another couple i let us go quickly to another couple of keen observers of the political scene. our political correspondence from the guardian and one from the time. thank you for being with us.

if you are writing headlines for tomorrow, maybe you know what they already are headlines for today i should say. what they be? i must say, laura, iwas i must say, laura, i was really struck hearing huw describing the situation the tories have found themselves in this morning. obviously it is early for us to be drawing some big conclusions as our headline writers are desperate to at the moment, but it is as if the tories have not been in powerfor 13 years and as was rightly pointed out rishi sunak has had at least a six—month stretch to really show that he is the competent and uniting leader that the tories needed. unfortunately, throughout the night, we have heard from a lot of ousted council leaders like the one from worchester who is highlighting the fact that the drama of the tory party that is going on in westminster, the chaos of boris johnson, more chaos from from liz

truss and other leaders on the doorsteps. if we look at plymouth where other labour gains were made, we can't assume that was made because of the controversy. people are highlighting the fact that people have really struggled with a plymouth cost of living crisis that is also being felt drastically across the country, not to mention issues of photo id where people feel that the government has suppressed their right to vote and that will automatically hit a number of ethnic minorities, people of different religions and races and so forth because they simply don't have enough money to renew their id, and this is all a backdrop of a conservative government, unfortunately. conservative government, u nfortu nately. as conservative government, unfortunately. as i thinkjohnny mercer was rightly point out that the fight is on until the next

election and he seemed keen to keep a conversation ongoing with his voters and that is something he is doing way before polling day, but ultimately, i think the test is now on keir starmer and the labour party — is he giving voters enough of a chance to prove that, oh, we are not just voting labour or the lib dems or the green party, a tactical vote... �* , , ., or the green party, a tactical vote... �*, , ., ., , vote... let's put that to henry then. vote... let's put that to henry them one _ vote. .. let's put that to henry then. one of— vote... let's put that to henry then. one of the _ vote... let's put that to henry then. one of the tory - vote... let's put that to henry then. one of the tory leaders| vote... let's put that to henry - then. one of the tory leaders who lost tonight told us that he felt it was a protest vote. do you think thatis was a protest vote. do you think that is an accurate summation? it is definitely a — that is an accurate summation? it 3 definitely a protest vote. it is just a question of what they are protesting against. are they protesting against. are they protesting against. are they protesting against the last year of conservative tumult as huw merryman was arguing orare conservative tumult as huw merryman was arguing or are they protesting against the last 13 years of government and saying they want a labor government afterwards? i think there is plenty of grounds of optimism for politicians so far but

the answer is the latter and that this is a precursor to labour getting into government in a year or 18 months or so time. i think we were expecting the better results for the labour party to come round about midday today, a bit later today from the councils that come later but what seems to have happened is the labour party did better than they expected to overnight, and i think fundamentally you can get complicated about these things but fundamentally a terrible night for the conservatives which this is shaping out to be is a good night for the labour party because in the 2—party system that we have it westminster or 2.5 parties, or however you want to put it, if the conservatives are losing support to the lib dems in the south and committed belt territory and labour notjust in south—west plymouth but stokes, midlands and other parts of the country, well, that is only going to benefit the other party

that can form a government or lead a government in westminster which is of course the labour party.- of course the labour party. henry thessman — of course the labour party. henry thessman and _ of course the labour party. henry thessman and aletha _ of course the labour party. henry thessman and aletha adu, - of course the labour party. henry thessman and aletha adu, thank| of course the labour party. henry thessman and aletha adu, thank you for waiting patiently and talking to us as we come to nearly 5:10am —— 5:50am. time to go to rita on something we have been talking about all through the programme, how the numbers from today and tomorrow will be fed into a huge, big projection of something important, the projected national share. take us through what you are saying. this is the bow chair— through what you are saying. this is the bow chair over _ through what you are saying. this is the bow chair over time. _ through what you are saying. this is the bow chair over time. a - the bow chair over time. a projection based on the results that we have in it now of how the parties are doing overall. it is, i hasten to say, a projection, but this is if the direction of travel continues as it has done this is where we estimate the parties land. so, labour compared to last year, really pretty much the same actually. just a fraction of a percentage point up.

the conservatives down sharply, —5%. the conservatives down sharply, —5%. the lib dems up 1% and others up 4%. you might look at this and think, "how is it then that the labour party has been picking up seats tonight?" that is because we have to compare the performance to the performance four years ago which was the last time these seats were fought over, so it is that and also the fact that the conservatives have dipped and where the conservatives dipped and where the conservatives dipped the labour party is able to pick up more seats, but there is food for thought here for the labour party two. not advancing madonna last year is perhaps not an ideal scenario for them, and if you go back to 2012 you will see here when labour was led by ed miliband, actually they picked up a higher — they were higher up in the projected national share then they are now. let's take one final look at the councils to watch. we started off

with a very different screen, didn't we? but look at all the changes that have happened. the conservatives have happened. the conservatives have lost brentwood, north west leicestershire, east lindsey and hertsmere as well. that is the deputy prime minister, oliver dowd's constituency there. labour have hung on to all of these councils here. the one or two that you see in grey or white have still not declared. the lib dems also have hung on to all of those councils. north devon they are still counting and to gains among those that are hung. for labour, plymouth and stoke—on—trent. more red. quite a bit more read on this screen than blue and quite a bit of yellow as well. will that change in the hours to come? we shall see. . ~ change in the hours to come? we shall see. ., ,, , ., change in the hours to come? we shall see. . ~' , ., . . shall see. thank you, rita. a reminder— shall see. thank you, rita. a reminder that _ shall see. thank you, rita. a reminder that losses - shall see. thank you, rita. a reminder that losses for - shall see. thank you, rita. a reminder that losses for the | shall see. thank you, rita. a - reminder that losses for the tories could slow down or speed up and the gains for the labour party could slow down or speed up and the lib dems tally could go up and down at a

rate of knots. we will see what the next few hours bring. let's check in for a final time let sirjohn curtis has been working on these numbers. john, what are your closing thoughts towards the end of episode one of quite the box set? ~ ~ box set? well, i think if conservatives _ box set? well, i think if conservatives were - box set? well, i think if. conservatives were hoping box set? well, i think if- conservatives were hoping that box set? well, i think if— conservatives were hoping that the message from the ballot boxes was that the party was not perhaps seeing quite so much of actual trouble, not quite so much in the slough of intellectual despond as the opinion balls had been selecting that i think those hopes are not going to be realised. we look at the moment, looking at the conservatives recording pure — a lower share of the vote — in our key councils than they did four years ago, and four years ago, it was already pretty bad. what is a little less clear is how much we should say that it is going to labour and how much should

going to labour and how much should go to the liberal democrats into the greens and it certainly when it comes to see gains it is definitely labour you have made the biggest advance, but i think labour will just be a little bit niggled about the fact that when we add up the votes the party does not seem to have made, at least in this local government elections, much of an advance on last year. i think it would have liked to have gone up a point or two. in contrast, the democrats are up a point or so and in the end if the conservatives do as they still seem to be at risk of being, 1000 seats down on where they were at 7am yesterday morning, then it may well be the losses that the conservatives suffered it to the liberal democrats that will be a crucial part of that equation, and we make find that it is not great progress, it is slow progress, but the liberal democrats may help recorded their best performance since 2010. the greens pretty much

hold onto the support they had in 2019 which is a record level. they have done particularly well in the wards where they best had a chance. there are two ways to look at this. one is to say english local government is not like westminster�*s. it is more variegated and don't be surprised that voters have sometimes used the liberal democrats and the greens to express their dissatisfaction in notjust labour. the alternative way of looking at it is perhaps there is a message here that voters are not yet necessarily fully enthused about the labour alternative, even if they are clearly disenchanted about the current conservative government. fiiq current conservative government. ok, sirjohn, current conservative government. ok, sirjohn. we _ current conservative government. ok, sirjohn. we are — current conservative government. ok, sirjohn, we are always enthused by guilt wisdom and insight. thank you for that. we are running short of time but a final world— time but a final world word to -anel time but a final world word to panel- sir _ time but a final world word to panel. sirjohn _ time but a final world word to panel. sirjohn suggesting - time but a final world word to | panel. sirjohn suggesting this could be the _ panel. sirjohn suggesting this could be the best _ panel. sirjohn suggesting thisj could be the best performance panel. sirjohn suggesting this i could be the best performance in panel. sirjohn suggesting this - could be the best performance in a long time at local elections? ianthem

could be the best performance in a long time at local elections? when i left in windsor _ long time at local elections? when i left in windsor it _ long time at local elections? when i left in windsor it was _ long time at local elections? when i left in windsor it was represented i left in windsor it was represented by three conservatives and when i get home it will be represented by three brilliant liberal democrats and that is happening all over the country, north, south, east and west. that is great. 5ir country, north, south, east and west. that is great.— country, north, south, east and west. that is great. sirjohn said ou west. that is great. sirjohn said you might _ west. that is great. sirjohn said you might be — west. that is great. sirjohn said you might be niggled, _ west. that is great. sirjohn said you might be niggled, peter- west. that is great. sirjohn said - you might be niggled, peter callan? i am ecstatic about the progress we haven't made tonight. it is not the right thing to do to compare last years local elections to this year's local elections. this years isjust in england and it is not including london. it is not including most of manchester. these are parts the country that are challenging for the labour party. it shows we are reconnecting to parts of the country, places we have lost too... let's not have a row about statistics but the point he is making that i am asking for your comment on is whether or not there is a bit weak you would like to be a bit for the foreword to be most decisive? i bit for the foreword to be most decisive? ~ ., ., ~ decisive? i think we are making solid progress _ decisive? i think we are making solid progress today. _ decisive? i think we are making solid progress today. we - decisive? i think we are making| solid progress today. we should decisive? i think we are making - solid progress today. we should not equivocate about this. the tories have lost — are on course to losing

almost one third of all of their seats that were available to win. the ones they already hold tonight. we gaining really substantially tonight and let's see what happens throughout the day because there are really important ones throughout the rest of the day but we are happy tonight. brute rest of the day but we are happy toniaht. ~ ., . ., tonight. we will watch that carefully- _ tonight. we will watch that carefully. huw, _ tonight. we will watch that carefully. huw, are - tonight. we will watch that carefully. huw, are you - tonight. we will watch that carefully. huw, are you in| tonight. we will watch that - carefully. huw, are you in despair as sirjohn suggested? the reality is this is the _ as sirjohn suggested? the reality is this is the voters _ as sirjohn suggested? the reality is this is the voters sending - as sirjohn suggested? the reality is this is the voters sending a - is this is the voters sending a message _ is this is the voters sending a message to us and we need to listen but next _ message to us and we need to listen but next time they vote for a general— but next time they vote for a general election it will be which of these _ general election it will be which of these people do you want to run the country? _ these people do you want to run the country? that has not been the case for the _ country? that has not been the case for the elections so i think we have -ot for the elections so i think we have got it— for the elections so i think we have got it all— for the elections so i think we have got it all to — for the elections so i think we have got it all to turn it around but we need _ got it all to turn it around but we need to— got it all to turn it around but we need to be — got it all to turn it around but we need to be humble, listen and deliver — need to be humble, listen and deliver. ., , ., ~ deliver. huw, peter and chris, thank ou for deliver. huw, peter and chris, thank you for being — deliver. huw, peter and chris, thank you for being with _ deliver. huw, peter and chris, thank you for being with us. _ deliver. huw, peter and chris, thank you for being with us. chris, - deliver. huw, peter and chris, thank you for being with us. chris, final. you for being with us. chris, final word to you. you for being with us. chris, final word to you-— you for being with us. chris, final word to ou. , ., , , word to you. the party team members are wakin: word to you. the party team members are waking up — word to you. the party team members are waking up and _ word to you. the party team members are waking up and conservatives - word to you. the party team members are waking up and conservatives are l are waking up and conservatives are acknowledging it has been disappointing. the lib dem leader describing result is groundbreaking and labour saying that they think

that they are confident that with the equivalent vote share lead they would be on track to win the general election. so, that is the take from those three parties at four minutes to six and still results to come. thank you. still loads more to come and in a few moments we will head you to the team at bbc breakfast. they will be with you for the next few hours and then later a politics live special. we will have all of the latest results with my colleague jo coburn. she will be on bbc two and bbc news from 12. but results as they come in are of course on the bbc website where the results and the trends are constantly streaming in. a huge thank you in the meantime to all of my guests here around the country and of course to the teams who have burned the midnight oil, staying up as the story has been developing across england, unfolding in front of our very eyes. it has been a very difficult light for the conservatives. they predicted they

might lose 1000 seats and it looks like that prediction might have been right. while labour has taken councils like plymouth and stoke. although, their share at the vote this year is belly up on last year's local elections but a huge amount more to come. the picture is yet incomplete. it is the first big public verdict on rishi sunak as prime minister and an important markerfor keir starmer. prime minister and an important marker for keir starmer. he prime minister and an important markerfor keir starmer. he hopes, on the rotary number ten. but lastly, most of all, thank you for your company. it has been great to happy with us over the last few hours, but for now, from me and from bbc elections 2023, goodbye and i will see on sunday.

good morning. welcome to breakfast. our headlines today. the first results from england's local elections — early counts have seen labour and the liberal democrats taking council seats from the conservatives. cheering. labour take control of plymouth and stoke — two of its key targets. # will your mouth still remember the taste of my love?# a new yorkjury decides ed sheeran did not copy a marvin gaye song when he wrote thinking out loud. good morning from westminster abbey, where the final preparations for the king's coronation

are under way.