live from westminster. this is bbc news. the conservatives have lost seats to labour and the liberal democrats as the results have started to come in from yesterday's local elections in england. the conservatives say they have had a difficult night but there is still a long way to go. it's always disappointing to lose hard—working conservative councillors and their friends and colleagues and i am so grateful to them for everything they have done. it is still early, we have only had a quarter of the results in. labour have taken control of key councils in plymouth and stoke on trent and have taken medway in kent from the tories. the liberal democrats make gains and take windsor from the conservatives.

with over two thirds of councils yet to declare there is still a long way to go. hello, i'm maryam moshiri live in westminster as results from yesterday's local elections across england come in. rishi sunak�*s conservative party have lost over 200 council seats across the country, something he has described as "disappointing". labour have taken control of plymouth, stoke—on—trent and taken medway in kent from the conservatives among their top target councils. and the liberal democrats have also picked up seats and taken control of windsor. their leader saying the results are "ground—breaking". there is still a long way to go as more than two—thirds of councils have yet to declare their results. we'll bring you coverage throughout the morning and analyse what the results so far mean. but first let's get the story of the night from our political correspondent jonathan blake.

cheering. celebrations in stoke—on—trent — a key victory for labour overnight. they took control of the city council after voters here and across england gave their verdict. ballots have been counted in some of the 200 or so towns, cities and rural areas holding elections that decide who runs local services. also giving a sense of the national political picture. the tories were braced for a bad night and they lost power in several areas. when labour took plymouth, the city's conservative mp accepted his party was being punished. it has been a terrible night for us here in plymouth. i think there are a number of factors at play. locally, it has been very difficult. the conservative group here has been through a very difficult time. we have seen that reflected on the doors in the campaign and we have seen that reflected

in the results tonight. but we take it on the chin. labour have made steady, if not overwhelming, gains but enough they claim to put them on course to win a general election. right through this evening, you have seen the two words, the two phrases, "a bad night for the tories, a good night for labour," whether in stoke, up in hartlepool, whether that's in teesside, or right down through to plymouth. tomorrow we're going to get down through to dover and see what's happening in brighton and hove and crawley and the rest of the south—east. the reason is that we have a credible alternative. essex in the early hours and the liberal democrats were cheering the loudest. gains there and further afield were ground—breaking, the party claimed. predicting upsets in traditional tory territory. a 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 no overall control. and it is a time of change in brentwood and we are really delighted.

it's fantastic news. the green party has boosted its numbers too in these first elections in england where photo id was required to vote. only around a quarter of the councils holding elections have been counting votes overnight. so early results don't give anything like the full picture. but in the hours ahead, these local contexts will be closely watched as a crucial test for all the parties. jonathan blake, bbc news. the prime minister rishi sunak has been giving his reaction this morning, take a listen. it's always disappointing to lose hard—working conservative councillors, they are friends, they are colleagues, and i am so grateful to them for everything that they've done. in terms of the results, it's still early, we've just had a quarter of the results in. but what i am going to carry on doing is delivering on the people's priorities. halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting waiting lists and stopping the boats. that's what people want us to do. that is what i am going to keep hard at doing. now, the ex—conservative

leader of medway council blamed the unpopularity of your government, cost of living plans, the planning changes, nhs failings. that's all down to you. a clear message from voters. what is going to change? look, as i said, we've only had a quarter of the results in. actually, we're making progress in key election battlegrounds like peterborough, bassetlaw, sandwell. but the message i am hearing from people tonight is that they want us to focus on their priorities, and they want us to deliver for them. and that is about halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting waiting lists and stopping the boats. that is what people care about, that is what they want us to deliver and that is what i and the government are going to work very hard to do. one of the big early trends is that working class voters look like they are going back to the labour party. do you take personal responsibility for the overall vote 7 and did borisjohnson have something that you don't? well, if you look at the result, we've only had a quarter of the results in. so it's hard to draw firm conclusions. we're actually making progress in key election battlegrounds like peterborough, like sandwell, bassetlaw, and you mention the labour party. look, i'm not detecting any massive

ground swell of movement towards the labour party or excitement for their agenda. what people want us to do is focus on their priorities, halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting waiting lists and stopping the boats. those are the country's priorities and this government's priorities and that is what we're going to deliver. let's bring in ione wells, our political correspondent. we heard the prime minister disappointed but obviously talking down labour's results, also staying there is still a way to go in this process? there is still a way to go in this rocess? . , , , , process? that is why, there is still a lona process? that is why, there is still a long way — process? that is why, there is still a long way to _ process? that is why, there is still a long way to go. _ process? that is why, there is still a long way to go, the _ process? that is why, there is still a long way to go, the majority - process? that is why, there is still a long way to go, the majority of l a long way to go, the majority of councils are still to count their results but we do i think have an indicative picture from what we have seen happen overnight. i think the big message, really, is disappointment as you say for the conservatives, they have lost some key councils like tamworth, like north west leicestershire as well, labour as well making some gains that they really wanted to gain, paces like medway, but also stoke

and plymouth and middlesbrough as well, labourare and plymouth and middlesbrough as well, labour are saying these are the kinds of areas, whether that is southern marginals, the midlands, teesside, that they would need to win in a general election if they were to form the next government. i think the party with the biggest smiles on theirfaces think the party with the biggest smiles on their faces this morning would be the liberal democrats, they feel they are exceeding expectations, they have gained from the conservatives windsor and maidenhead, that is the seat of the former tory prime minister to us a. i think they are saying that this is indicative, that they are on course to potentially gain more in that so—called blue wall area which are currently held by conservatives. i have heard some tory mps and ministers this morning talking about labour's results and how they are disappointing, is there anything in that, you think, will labour be disappointed or are they on course to get what they expected? i disappointed or are they on course to get what they expected?- to get what they expected? i think we are going _ to get what they expected? i think we are going to — to get what they expected? i think we are going to hear— to get what they expected? i think we are going to hear a _ to get what they expected? i think we are going to hear a lot - to get what they expected? i think we are going to hear a lot of - we are going to hear a lot of briefing from all parties about what the results show. i don't think you

will find much disappointment in labour this morning, they are happy with the results, there briefing this morning is that they feel that this morning is that they feel that this puts them on course to do well at the next general election. i think again we have to take some of that with a pinch of salt and remember that we haven't got the full picture get and we will expect later in the day to get some more indications from polling experts about how some of these results would map onto a general election picture. i think one thing that is significant is, the conservatives were briefing before these local elections that a bad result for them would be to lose more than 1000 seats, that they could lose as many as 1000 seats. we know that a bit of that was expectation management, the practice of briefing that you will lose more seats in the hope that if you then lose fewer than that, you can sell it as a good result. some polling experts have been saying overnight that given the picture we have at the moment, with the caveat that there is still much more to come, the conservatives could well be on course to lose 1000 seats or

more. in be on course to lose 1000 seats or more. . , , ., more. in the last few minutes, lone, we have seen — more. in the last few minutes, lone, we have seen south _ more. in the last few minutes, lone, j we have seen south gloucestershire, conservative lost, with no party majority, also east hertfordshire, lost, with no majority, what is that telling us? i lost, with no ma'ority, what is that tellin: us? ~ , lost, with no ma'ority, what is that tellin: us? ~' , , telling us? i think it is telling us that some _ telling us? i think it is telling us that some of — telling us? i think it is telling us that some of what _ telling us? i think it is telling us that some of what were - telling us? i think it is telling us that some of what were seen i telling us? i think it is telling us that some of what were seen asj that some of what were seen as conservative strong seats are being lost, not necessarily taken over by another party, but i think what some people have described this morning is this kind of pinscher motion, they are facing threats from the liberal democrats and labour in different parts of the uk. but i think they will not be particular you happy with some of those losses, south gloucestershire, but also some of the ones we have already discussed, tamworth north west, leicestershire, brentwood, conservative losses, lost to no overall control. i think the ones that are particular concerning for them will be the ones which have been lost to labour, places like medway in kent are gained by the labour party, and i think another place that labour will be having its eyes on today will be swindon, that is a key target for them and somewhere which the conservatives

will be keen not to let to go to labour. . ., ., ., ,, ., .,, labour. the electoral commission has said there have _ labour. the electoral commission has said there have been _ labour. the electoral commission has said there have been lots _ labour. the electoral commission has said there have been lots of— said there have been lots of examples of people being turned away because of the wrong id, having to have certain types of voter id has been talked about during these local elections, is there evidence that people have been turned away, what does that mean for what is happening in the process? this does that mean for what is happening in the process?— in the process? this is the first election that _ in the process? this is the first election that we _ in the process? this is the first election that we have - in the process? this is the first election that we have had - in the process? this is the first election that we have had in i in the process? this is the first - election that we have had in england where it has been compulsory to have voter id and there were concerns raised beforehand about what it might mean for the different demographics of voters, particularly the elderly but also younger voters, examples of people who may not necessarily have the right forms of photographic id on them. it is still early days but certainly as you say there have been examples cited, and certainly individuals as well posting on social media saying that they have been turned away not realising that they needed the right kind of id. another concern has been people's and piepa getting and turning up without id, getting

turned away and potentially not coming back because they have something else to do. it is early stages, to knowjust how much these new rules might have affected turnout or results, but i think that will be something which the electoral commission will be keeping a close eye on because it may well give us lessons to be learned for the next general election. lane the next general election. ione wells, thank— the next general election. ione wells, thank you _ the next general election. ione wells, thank you very - the next general election. lone wells, thank you very much. what's the very latest and what have been the key councils? let's go live now to the newsroom and our political correspondent david wallace lockhart. david, what is the latest? as we were hearing — david, what is the latest? as we were hearing from _ david, what is the latest? as we were hearing from lone, - david, what is the latest? as we were hearing from lone, the - david, what is the latest? as we i were hearing from lone, the picture seems _ were hearing from lone, the picture seems to— were hearing from lone, the picture seems to be a bleak one for the conservatives are so far, these are the councils— conservatives are so far, these are the councils they have lost, most have _ the councils they have lost, most have gone — the councils they have lost, most have gone to no overall control, meaning — have gone to no overall control, meaning no party has a majority. we can see _ meaning no party has a majority. we can see them flashing on that screen — can see them flashing on that screen. but we look at these elections _ screen. but we look at these elections in terms of how many councillors _ elections in terms of how many councillors the parties are losing, and that— councillors the parties are losing, and that is— councillors the parties are losing, and that is a picture we can get

here, _ and that is a picture we can get here, comparing to the 2019 local elections. — here, comparing to the 2019 local elections, so, labour up by almost 120 councillors, the conservatives down _ 120 councillors, the conservatives down by _ 120 councillors, the conservatives down by almost 230, and a good night for the _ down by almost 230, and a good night for the lil1— down by almost 230, and a good night for the lib dems, who are up by 61. lots _ for the lib dems, who are up by 61. let's look— for the lib dems, who are up by 61. let's look at — for the lib dems, who are up by 61. let's look at a few councils in some detait _ let's look at a few councils in some detait in— let's look at a few councils in some detail. in kent, medway, the conservatives have been in power in this council— conservatives have been in power in this council since 2003, labour havent— this council since 2003, labour haven't held it since 1998, that has changed _ haven't held it since 1998, that has changed overnight, it has gone from conservative to labour. why does this matter? have a look at this eu referendum — this matter? have a look at this eu referendum vote here, 64% leave, a very pro—brexit area, we know labour have struggled in areas like this over— have struggled in areas like this over the — have struggled in areas like this over the past few years, but they have _ over the past few years, but they have taken — over the past few years, but they have taken medway council. and look at the _ have taken medway council. and look at the swing, conservative down by 13 seats, _ at the swing, conservative down by 13 seats, labour up by 11, so labour will he _ 13 seats, labour up by 11, so labour will be happy about that. the conservatives facing other problems which _ conservatives facing other problems which we _ conservatives facing other problems which we can have a look at if we can go— which we can have a look at if we can go to — which we can have a look at if we can go to berkshire, windsor and maidenhead, the conservatives have held there _

maidenhead, the conservatives have held there since 2007, the local mp, former— held there since 2007, the local mp, former prime minister theresa may, traditionally a solid conservative area, _ traditionally a solid conservative area, that — traditionally a solid conservative area, that council has gone from conservatives to the lib dems. they have got _ conservatives to the lib dems. they have got 22 — conservatives to the lib dems. they have got 22 seats, 21 needed for a majority~ — have got 22 seats, 21 needed for a majority. conservative councillors down _ majority. conservative councillors down by — majority. conservative councillors down by 16 — majority. conservative councillors down by 16 compared to 2019, the lib dems— down by 16 compared to 2019, the lib dems up— down by 16 compared to 2019, the lib dems up by— down by 16 compared to 2019, the lib dems up by 13. so, a difficult position— dems up by 13. so, a difficult position for the conservatives, because — position for the conservatives, because they are facing challenges from labour in some areas, lib dems and others _ from labour in some areas, lib dems and others. what that means in the context— and others. what that means in the context of— and others. what that means in the context of a — and others. what that means in the context of a general election. going to the _ context of a general election. going to the so—called red wall. analysis, let's go— to the so—called red wall. analysis, let's go to — to the so—called red wall. analysis, let's go to stoke—on—trent in staffordshire. the red wall was those — staffordshire. the red wall was those traditional labour areas which at the _ those traditional labour areas which at the 2019 general election voted for the _ at the 2019 general election voted for the conservatives. so, at the 2019 general election voted forthe conservatives. so, labour will be _ forthe conservatives. so, labour will be glad — forthe conservatives. so, labour will be glad to see themselves making — will be glad to see themselves making progress here, gaining the council— making progress here, gaining the council from no overall control. once _ council from no overall control. once again, looking at the eu referendum, 69% leave in stoke—on—trent, yet labour winning this area _ stoke—on—trent, yet labour winning this area back. so, ithink stoke—on—trent, yet labour winning this area back. so, i think they will take —

this area back. so, i think they will take that as a positive, there are three — will take that as a positive, there are three mps in stoke—on—trent and of course _ are three mps in stoke—on—trent and of course with an eye on a general election— of course with an eye on a general election in— of course with an eye on a general election in the not—too—distant future — election in the not—too—distant future this is executor kind of area where _ future this is executor kind of area where labour will want to see a good performance. most councils are going to be counted throughout the day today, _ to be counted throughout the day today, we — to be counted throughout the day today, we can see the change in seats _ today, we can see the change in seats for— today, we can see the change in seats for labour, mainly doing well at the _ seats for labour, mainly doing well at the expense of the independence. most councils will be counting throughout the day, the full picture is yet _ throughout the day, the full picture is yet to— throughout the day, the full picture is yet to emerge but if you want to know— is yet to emerge but if you want to know what — is yet to emerge but if you want to know what is happening in your local area, _ know what is happening in your local area, you _ know what is happening in your local area, you can go to the bbc news website _ area, you can go to the bbc news website and stick in your postcode and you _ website and stick in your postcode and you will find out if your council _ and you will find out if your council has counted yet and if so what _ council has counted yet and if so what is — council has counted yet and if so what is the — council has counted yet and if so what is the result.— council has counted yet and if so what is the result. david wallace lockhart, thank _ what is the result. david wallace lockhart, thank you _ what is the result. david wallace lockhart, thank you very - what is the result. david wallace lockhart, thank you very much i lockhart, thank you very much indeed. joining me now is james murray, labour mp and shadow financial secretary to the treasury. and andrea leadsom, the conservative mp. thank you both forjoining us. what is your reaction to what we have heard so far?— what is your reaction to what we

have heard so far? look, these are impressive — have heard so far? look, these are impressive results _ have heard so far? look, these are impressive results for _ have heard so far? look, these are impressive results for the - have heard so far? look, these are impressive results for the labour l impressive results for the labour party, they show that we are moving in the right direction, that we are on course for a majority labour government. we have been campaigning across the country on our plan to tackle the cost of living crisis and we've been making gains right across the country from middlesbrough to plymouth, stoke—on—trent and medway and this shows that we are making progress in the places we need to win the next general election and u agree, andrea, the tories have not done as well as they would have liked, they did downplay it in the weeks running up to today? yes. liked, they did downplay it in the weeks running up to today? yes, no, i think we weeks running up to today? yes, no, i think we are — weeks running up to today? yes, no, i think we are obviously _ i think we are obviously disappointed, it is still early days, — disappointed, it is still early days, a _ disappointed, it is still early days, a lot of counts won't start until— days, a lot of counts won't start until about _ days, a lot of counts won't start until about now so we won't get the results _ until about now so we won't get the results until later on today, but yes, _ results until later on today, but yes, it — results until later on today, but yes, it was _ results until later on today, but yes, it was a disappointing night, particularly for so many hard—working councillors for the ha rd—working councillors for the conservatives hard—working councillors for the conservatives who have now lost their— conservatives who have now lost their seats. but at the same time i can't _ their seats. but at the same time i can't agree — their seats. but at the same time i can't agree withjames, i don't see that this _ can't agree withjames, i don't see that this is — can't agree withjames, i don't see that this is in any sense a triumph for labourm _ that this is in any sense a triumph for labour- - -_ that this is in any sense a triumph for labour. . .- yes, - that this is in any sense a triumph| for labour. . .- yes, looking for labour... really? yes, looking at the comments _ for labour... really? yes, looking at the comments from _ for labour... really? yes, looking at the comments from my - for labour... really? yes, looking i at the comments from my colleagues overnight. _ at the comments from my colleagues overnight, there have been some

really— overnight, there have been some really good conservative gains, and the overall— really good conservative gains, and the overall picture is a bad night for the _ the overall picture is a bad night for the conservatives, but it is certainly — for the conservatives, but it is certainly not a triumph for labour, there _ certainly not a triumph for labour, there have — certainly not a triumph for labour, there have been good games, good seats— there have been good games, good seats held, and there is anything to play for— seats held, and there is anything to play for i _ seats held, and there is anything to play for i think since rishi sunak has been — play for i think since rishi sunak has been prime minister for the last six months. — has been prime minister for the last six months, i think things are starting — six months, i think things are starting to turn around and we need tojust _ starting to turn around and we need tojust focus on starting to turn around and we need to just focus on his five priorities of having — to just focus on his five priorities of having inflation, cutting debt, growing — of having inflation, cutting debt, growing the economy, stopping the boats— growing the economy, stopping the boats and _ growing the economy, stopping the boats and cutting waiting lists, and those _ boats and cutting waiting lists, and those are _ boats and cutting waiting lists, and those are the things that people want _ those are the things that people want to— those are the things that people want to see, and i think these local elections. — want to see, and i think these local elections, they are certainly a wake-up— elections, they are certainly a wake—up call to keep focusing on that _ wake-up call to keep focusing on that. g . wake-up call to keep focusing on that-- look. _ wake-up call to keep focusing on that-- look. i _ wake-up call to keep focusing on that.- look, | think - wake-up call to keep focusing on that.- look, | think if - wake-up call to keep focusing on that.- look, i think if you| that. james? look, ithink if you look at the _ that. james? look, i think if you look at the results _ that. james? look, ithink if you look at the results right - that. james? look, ithink if you look at the results right across l that. james? look, i think if you l look at the results right across the country we are making gains in all different parts of the country. i mentioned a few of the places where we have won councils, won the mayoralty in middlesbrough earlier. if you also look at the results and translate them water by ward into a general election projection for the labour party, we are picking up seats like hartlepool, stevenage, dudley south dudley north, grimsby, we have got a real wide—ranging

seats that we would win on the projection based on the votes in the election yesterday. so i think we are not complacent, we know there is everything to fight for over the next year or so for the next general election but this shows we are making progress and on course for a majority labour. making progress and on course for a majority labour-— majority labour. these are local elections. _ majority labour. these are local elections, and _ majority labour. these are local elections, and ultimately - majority labour. these are local elections, and ultimately you i majority labour. these are local. elections, and ultimately you don't get the swing voters who will swing a general election coming out to vote, turnout is often quite low, how much do you think that will change the way that we extrapolate what could happen in a general election from these results, andrea? as you rightly say, turnout is quite often _ as you rightly say, turnout is quite often fairly — as you rightly say, turnout is quite often fairly low in local elections and again. — often fairly low in local elections and again, colleagues overnight who have already reported their results are suggesting that turnout has been very low— are suggesting that turnout has been very low this time around. so, it will be _ very low this time around. so, it will be different to a general election, and as i say, what we have seen _ election, and as i say, what we have seen over— election, and as i say, what we have seen over the — election, and as i say, what we have seen over the last six months with rishi _ seen over the last six months with rishi sunak— seen over the last six months with rishi sunak as prime minister is people — rishi sunak as prime minister is people starting to regain the belief in the _ people starting to regain the belief in the conservatives, there are things— in the conservatives, there are things that we clearly need to do to reassure _

things that we clearly need to do to reassure people, but at a local election— reassure people, but at a local election time, it is very much, you know. _ election time, it is very much, you know. in— election time, it is very much, you know, in some ways, a protest, people — know, in some ways, a protest, people saying, i am not happy with the direction of travel over the last year. _ the direction of travel over the last year. i_ the direction of travel over the last year, i can completely understand that, but equally i think there _ understand that, but equally i think there is— understand that, but equally i think there is every thing to play four there is every thing to play four the general election next year and i certainly— the general election next year and i certainly don't see that labour so far has— certainly don't see that labour so far has gained enough to make that a reality— far has gained enough to make that a reality for— far has gained enough to make that a reality for them. i far has gained enough to make that a reality for them.— reality for them. i think with it bein: reality for them. i think with it being local — reality for them. i think with it being local elections, - reality for them. i think with it being local elections, you - reality for them. i think with it | being local elections, you need reality for them. i think with it - being local elections, you need to compare the local elections now in 2023 with the last time, in 2019, and when you do that, it really shows the progress of the labour party, if you compare the results. so, i think it shows that we are making progress right across the country, we are not complacent, we still have a lot more work to do over the next year or so ahead of the general election but it shows the general election but it shows the progress we are making. let’s the progress we are making. let's talk about voter _ the progress we are making. let's talk about voter id _ the progress we are making. let's talk about voter id because we have heard from the electoral commission today, andrea, who say they have evidence of people being turned away, does the conservative party regret bringing this in now given that it doesn't feel very democratic to be turned away from a polling station because you don't have the

correct id? ., ~' station because you don't have the correct lb?— correct id? no, i think voter id is essential correct id? no, ithink voter id is essential not _ correct id? no, ithink voter id is essential not only _ correct id? no, ithink voter id is essential not only because - correct id? no, ithink voter id is essential not only because it - essential not only because it actually _ essential not only because it actually then prevents any voter fraud. _ actually then prevents any voter fraud. but — actually then prevents any voter fraud, but also... but actually then prevents any voter fraud, but also...— actually then prevents any voter fraud, but also... but there isn't any evidence _ fraud, but also... but there isn't any evidence of— fraud, but also... but there isn't any evidence of voter _ fraud, but also... but there isn't any evidence of voter fraud? - fraud, but also... but there isn'tj any evidence of voter fraud? but also it very _ any evidence of voter fraud? but also it very importantly builds confidence in our democracy, and actually— confidence in our democracy, and actually that confidence has been reduced — actually that confidence has been reduced in recent years, also of course — reduced in recent years, also of course let's _ reduced in recent years, also of course let's not forget this was a recommendation by the electoral commission themselves, it has been introduced _ commission themselves, it has been introduced by a labour government in 2003. _ introduced by a labour government in 2003. by— introduced by a labour government in 2003, by tony blair, in northern ireland. — 2003, by tony blair, in northern ireland, and it works very well there. — ireland, and it works very well there, there is no evidence of their bm problem for people going out to vote. _ bm problem for people going out to vote. so— bm problem for people going out to vote. so i_ bm problem for people going out to vote, so i think it is an essential change — vote, so i think it is an essential change and _ vote, so i think it is an essential change and it will build the confidence in our electoral system, but we _ confidence in our electoral system, but we want people to get out there and vote. _ but we want people to get out there and vote, to take that opportunity seriously— and vote, to take that opportunity seriously and so this will help build — seriously and so this will help build towards that, i think. was labour worried _ build towards that, i think. —" labour worried about voter id, the kind of voter that are usually stumped by this, having to bring id, would be normally younger ones, people who may not have the right

kind of id, and there was a bit of a worry that labour would be worsley impacted this than the conservatives, have you seen evidence of that?— conservatives, have you seen evidence of that? let's see how it -la s out evidence of that? let's see how it plays out when — evidence of that? let's see how it plays out when we _ evidence of that? let's see how it plays out when we hear— evidence of that? let's see how it plays out when we hear actual - plays out when we hear actual reports — plays out when we hear actual reports of _ plays out when we hear actual reports of who did not turn up with id reports of who did not turn up with it) and _ reports of who did not turn up with it) and who — reports of who did not turn up with id and who was refused permission to vote _ id and who was refused permission to vote but _ id and who was refused permission to vote. but the problem for me is that this is— vote. but the problem for me is that this is a _ vote. but the problem for me is that this is a solution in search of a problem. _ this is a solution in search of a problem, because the problem does not really— problem, because the problem does not really exist on the scale that andrea — not really exist on the scale that andrea talked about. in 2019 there was one _ andrea talked about. in 2019 there was one conviction for voter impersonation across the whole country. — impersonation across the whole country, so it isjust not a problem on the _ country, so it isjust not a problem on the scale — country, so it isjust not a problem on the scale that you need for this intervention. on the scale that you need for this intervention-— intervention. europe, america, northern ireland, _ intervention. europe, america, northern ireland, all— intervention. europe, america, northern ireland, all use - intervention. europe, america, northern ireland, all use voter| intervention. europe, america, . northern ireland, all use voter id? what we should all be doing is encouraging people to vote, i agree with andrea about that, but i don't think— with andrea about that, but i don't think the _ with andrea about that, but i don't think the way to do that is to put up think the way to do that is to put up more — think the way to do that is to put up more barriers, particularly when it is a _ up more barriers, particularly when it is a costly— up more barriers, particularly when it is a costly barrier, it has been implemented in a shop or crushing and it— implemented in a shop or crushing and it is— implemented in a shop or crushing and it is trying to fix a problem that— and it is trying to fix a problem that doesn't really exist. i don't auree that doesn't really exist. i don't agree with _ that doesn't really exist. i don't agree with that, _ that doesn't really exist. i don't agree with that, there - that doesn't really exist. i don't agree with that, there is - that doesn't really exist. i don't agree with that, there is a - that doesn't really exist. i don't| agree with that, there is a voter identification system that has been

promoted significantly by the government, and of course people can use passports or drivers licenses where they have them, but for all those who don't have acceptable id, they can get that free of charge, yes, it is another thing that needs to be done, but what it will do is really transform the confidence in our system, and as you have rightly said, it is used to significantly around the developed world, and it will build confidence in the system overall. �* . will build confidence in the system overall. . . ., , overall. andrea leadsom, james morrison a _ overall. andrea leadsom, james morrison a thank _ overall. andrea leadsom, james morrison a thank you _ overall. andrea leadsom, james morrison a thank you both - overall. andrea leadsom, james morrison a thank you both very l overall. andrea leadsom, james - morrison a thank you both very much. live now to professor of politics at strathclyde university sirjohn curtice. i don't know if you heard of what we were talking about their in terms of voter id, but what is your prediction given what we have heard so far on the results? i am prediction given what we have heard so far on the results?— so far on the results? i am not sure i have a prediction, _ so far on the results? i am not sure i have a prediction, i _ so far on the results? i am not sure i have a prediction, i think- so far on the results? i am not sure i have a prediction, i think we - i have a prediction, i think we certainly have a question which is properly going to be the dominant question of the day, which is whether or not by the time all the votes of being counted we should

remember that only one quarter of them have been counted so far we discover that the conservatives have indeed lost 1000 seats, which of course was what they were saying might happen, but when a party says thatis might happen, but when a party says that is what we think will happen, what they mean is, we are hoping thatis what they mean is, we are hoping that is not what is going to happen and that their four—week and claim we have done better than everybody expected. certainly at the moment the conservatives have lost 250 sheets, withjust the conservatives have lost 250 sheets, with just one quarter of the seats counted, so it does not require complicated arithmetic to realise that we are not 1 require complicated arithmetic to realise that we are not1 million miles away potentially from that 1000 figure, when the other three quarters have been counted. so, that is the $64,000 question. whether or not labour at the end of the day and we think they're doing well enough to win an overall majority, i think in part it will be a matter of judgment. what i would say at the moment is that the four. swing to labour from the conservatives since four years ago is a little bit below what we might expect, given the

swing in the opinion polls since then, and i think it is also worth pointing out that yesterday both made significant gains as opposed to what was a poor performance by them in 2019 but if you actually compare the results with last year, labour's share of the vote, their own share of the vote, on the sample of results we have got so far, it is only a sample, is pretty much unchanged. and i think labour would have liked to have been able to demonstrate that they had actually made progress on their own and that they are notjust made progress on their own and that they are not just simply profiting from the difficulties of the conservatives, but certainly labour are well ahead, whether or not they are well ahead, whether or not they are well ahead, sufficiently to win are well ahead, sufficiently to win a general election, maybe, maybe not, but ultimately we have to remember that local elections are local elections, and general elections are general elections, and one does not necessarily predict another. ., ., _ , one does not necessarily predict another. ., , ., another. how easy is it to extrapolate? _ another. how easy is it to extrapolate? the - another. how easy is it to

extrapolate? the honestl another. how easy is it to - extrapolate? the honest truth is that a lot of _ extrapolate? the honest truth is that a lot of people _ extrapolate? the honest truth is that a lot of people do _ extrapolate? the honest truth is that a lot of people do not - extrapolate? the honest truth is that a lot of people do not vote | extrapolate? the honest truth is. that a lot of people do not vote in local elections the way they would in general elections. the liberal democrats made a big gain also this morning in windsor and maidenhead, they always do much better in local elections than they do in the opinion polls. the greens are emerging as a force in english local government and they have been making gains so far. we still get quite a lot of independent sellers, and they have made gains so far, they have made a gain of a councilfrom have made gains so far, they have made a gain of a council from the tories in boston in lincolnshire for now, all of this means that actually, the share of the vote won by both conservative and labour combined in english local government elections is much less than their share of the vote combined in a general election. what we are doing in a sense is a saying, but if we compare local elections with general elections, is the kind of progress that the parties are making sufficient that if it were to be replicated on a general election basis, they might be doing well enough to win a general election? but inevitably, that kind of

calculation is a bit of a judgment call. calculation is a bit of a 'udgment call. �* ., , call. and the new voter id requirements, _ call. and the new voter id requirements, how- call. and the new voter id requirements, how much | call. and the new voter id - requirements, how much have you call. and the new voter id _ requirements, how much have you seen that impacting the way in which this election has proceeded in terms of voter numbers, people being turned away, has it been as big a problem as some had predicted?— away, has it been as big a problem as some had predicted? well, we can rive ou as some had predicted? well, we can give you our— as some had predicted? well, we can give you our facts _ as some had predicted? well, we can give you our facts that _ as some had predicted? well, we can give you our facts that we _ as some had predicted? well, we can give you our facts that we know - as some had predicted? well, we can give you our facts that we know on i give you our facts that we know on the basis of the samples that we have, and we are not doing the detailed work, we know the electoral commission is going to do that, firstly, turnout is only slightly down on both 2019 and 2022, which at least is prima facie evidence against the argument that there was against the argument that there was a significant loss of turnout as a result of the voter id requirement. secondly, we cannot discern any relationship between the fall in turnout such as it was and the proportion of people who according to the 2021 sensors don't have a

passport in any area, which is one indicator of availability of the requirement for voter id, and thirdly, we certainly can't see any link between the extent to which turnout fell and how well or badly labour did, turnout fell and how well or badly labourdid, in turnout fell and how well or badly labour did, infact turnout fell and how well or badly labour did, in fact anything labour tends to be doing rather better in wards where turnout fell most, but it argues against the conservative claim that labour were simple doing better because their voters stayed at home, and also equally argues against the labour claim that they were going to be disadvantaged by the voter id pilot. so, ijust put those three facts out there, we should not draw conclusions too fast but it is not immediately obvious on the kind of evidence we can collect quickly that there is necessarily going to be found to be a significant problem anglo conservative mp andrea leadsom said to me that local elections are often a protest vote, is that the case or when people voted local, do they really vote about local issues, are they worried about their potholes,

about the rubbish bin collected? hold on one second, sirjohn, let me take viewers on somewhere else briefly. we can go live to chatham in kent. �* ., ., ,, in kent. and the labour leader sir keir starmer _ in kent. and the labour leader sir keir starmer is _ in kent. and the labour leader sir keir starmer is there, _ in kent. and the labour leader sir keir starmer is there, he's - in kent. and the labour leader sir keir starmer is there, he's doing l in kent. and the labour leader sir| keir starmer is there, he's doing a visit right now, and greeting labour supporters. cheering friends, it is great to have keir on the pier! friends, it is great to have keir on the ier! , ., ., , ., the pier! keir, you have been great to come and _ the pier! keir, you have been great to come and visit _ the pier! keir, you have been great to come and visit us _ the pier! keir, you have been great to come and visit us twice - the pier! keir, you have been great to come and visit us twice in - to come and visit us twice in conservative —controlled medway, i am pleased to welcome you to labour controlled medway! cheering and last night's historic victory was not a victory for the labour party, it wasn't for us, it is for the people of medway. they placed

their trust in us and we will not let them down. we know from the conversations we've had over the last few months the issues of the cost of living crisis, the ability to get a gp appointment, real cover genuine issues impacting their community, they want change, and we know that part of the reason, a strong part of the reason, they voted for us yesterday is the chaos of the two government, and that is why i am really proud to welcome you as the next labour prime minister, keir, welcome to labour medway. thank you, vince, thank you, all of you, you've done an absolutely stunning job here, you didn'tjust get it over the line, you blew the doors off. the first victory here since 1998 an amazing set of results. i didn't doubt it when i saw the energy and the commitment and the case that we were making, but what a fantastic result here in medway. and we are having fantastic results across the country,

plymouth, what a night they have had in plymouth. and then stoke... and up in plymouth. and then stoke... and up to middlesbrough, all the places that we need to win, the battlegrounds, and make no mistake, we are on course for a labour majority at the next general election. cheering and this was all about the cost of living. and this was all about the cost of livina. �* ., ., and this was all about the cost of livina. . ., ., and this was all about the cost of livin. ~ ., ., living. and we had a positive case to make we _ living. and we had a positive case to make we understood _ living. and we had a positive case to make we understood what i living. and we had a positive case to make we understood what it i living. and we had a positive case to make we understood what it is| to make we understood what it is like not to be able to make ends meet, and we said what we would do to help people with their every day bills. and the government, the prime minister, said nothing, and that's because they're the problem, not the solution. and what we've shown together is that we can make change, we've changed our party, we've won the trust and confidence of voters, and now we can go on to change our country. so, change is possible, a better britain is possible, well done to all of you, fantastic

morning, thank you so much. 50. morning, thank you so much. so, that is the labour— morning, thank you so much. so, that is the labour leader— morning, thank you so much. so, that is the labour leader sir _ morning, thank you so much. so, that is the labour leader sir keir _ is the labour leader sir keir starmer being introduced by his local labour colleague is the future uk feminista. he local labour colleague is the future uk feminista.— uk feminista. he talked about the key battlegrounds _ uk feminista. he talked about the key battlegrounds for _ uk feminista. he talked about the key battlegrounds for labour i uk feminista. he talked about the | key battlegrounds for labour being one, he talked about middlesbrough, medway, stoke—on—trent, and a new labour leader there. medway, stoke—on—trent, and a new labour leaderthere. he medway, stoke-on-trent, and a new labour leader there.— labour leader there. he has come down here _ labour leader there. he has come down here to _ labour leader there. he has come down here to congratulate - labour leader there. he has come down here to congratulate his i labour leader there. he has come i down here to congratulate his labour colleagues. to give you some insight into where he is, it was lost by labour in 2010 and in the last general election, the constituency was very soundly won by the conservative party. this must feel very much like an important victory. for sir keir starmer and the labour

party. he is going over to do a radio interview. are we going to take this? no, we are not. we will go to our political correspondent who has some more information about medway. over to you. 5ir who has some more information about medway. over to you.— medway. over to you. sir keir starmer mentioned _ medway. over to you. sir keir starmer mentioned three i medway. over to you. sir keir i starmer mentioned three councils, three council areas that labour have won. medway in kent, taken from the conservatives, stoke—on—trent and staffordshire, it was a hung council and no one had a majority, it is now and no one had a majority, it is now a labour majority and the same goes for plymouth in the south—west, that was hung and now has a labour majority. let's have a look in more detail at each of these seats. medway in kent, this had been conservative since 2003, that was when sir keir starmer has gone to celebrate. it has not been labour since 1998. the reason he is happy under his leadership it has gone back to the labour party directly from the conservatives. labour

getting 33 seats, the conservatives on 22. can i draw your attention down here? it is a 64% leave vote in the brexit referendum in 2016. we know labour has had a hard time in brexit area since that vote, but an indication they are moving in the right direction. look what happened, conservatives down by 13, labour up by 11. we can go to stoke—on—trent next, a red ball seat. labour areas that the conservatives did well in the 2019 general election. the comparisons are with the 2019 local elections. once again, labourare doing well, taking the council from overall control to labour. once again, doing well in an area where it had a big leave vote in 2016, almost 70% leave. there has been a collapse in the independence, labour have benefited from that. in the

2019 local elections both conservative and labour party were not in a good place and in many areas it was the independence that benefited from that and that has been reverse this time the south west, plymouth, where labour has had another good result, they have taken the council there from overall control, they have a labour majority, 31 seats for labour and that was council labour lost in 2021 to no overall control. a pattern emerging, a big leave vote in plymouth, labourare emerging, a big leave vote in plymouth, labour are managing to make progress here. conservatives down by eight, labour up by five, a few independence doing well in that council area when it comes to a share of the vote, labour 45%, conservatives 25%, up by 8% for the labour party, and conservatives going down by 12%. three areas in a general election context, this is local elections, but when you look at the corresponding mps in the

area, areas that sir keir starmer wants to get into downing street, he has to do well there, the numbers are going in the right direction. the question is are they going enough to make him an expert minister at a general election? if you want to know what is going on in your area, you want to know what is going on in yourarea, go you want to know what is going on in your area, go online, type in your postcode, you will get the up—to—date information on local elections. most councils are going to be counting throughout the day to day. the full picture very far from fully emerged at this point. thank ou ve fully emerged at this point. thank you very much- — we heard from david this is looking like it could be going labour's way. it is still early days. how are you feeling? abs. it is still early days. how are you feelin: ? . ., ., it is still early days. how are you feelina? . ., ., ., it is still early days. how are you feelinu?�* ., ., ., , feeling? a lot of labour people will be -auttin feeling? a lot of labour people will be putting the _

feeling? a lot of labour people will be putting the champagne - feeling? a lot of labour people will be putting the champagne in the i be putting the champagne in the fridge or popping an open, not only in the red wall but also across the country, plymouth, southwest, medway, realsigns country, plymouth, southwest, medway, real signs that labour could be on track for the majority. there will be a lot of real happiness across the base and westminster. soothing some of the doubts in westminster that some mps have had in recent months about sir keir starmer�*s leadership, slight rumblings, and overcoming the issues towards the end of the campaign in terms of the u—turn on tuition fees, the attack ads, we are seeing that has not mattered, it is a message that people are fed up.— has not mattered, it is a message that people are fed up. when people are votin: that people are fed up. when people are voting in — that people are fed up. when people are voting in these _ that people are fed up. when people are voting in these local _ that people are fed up. when people are voting in these local elections, . are voting in these local elections, are voting in these local elections, are they thinking about rishi sunak and his government when they put their ballot into the ballot box or are they thinking about what holes

they are thinking about the latter, but i would not blame rishi sunak for these — but i would not blame rishi sunak for these results. the tories have been _ for these results. the tories have been in _ for these results. the tories have been in powera for these results. the tories have been in power a long time, with cumulative _ been in power a long time, with cumulative problems, and the problems are catching up. if the labour— problems are catching up. if the labour party are having champagne for these _ labour party are having champagne for these results, labour party are having champagne forthese results, i labour party are having champagne for these results, ithink labour party are having champagne for these results, i think we are going _ for these results, i think we are going to — for these results, i think we are going to keep our champagne for the coronation _ going to keep our champagne for the coronation. we will not celebrate these _ coronation. we will not celebrate these results, they are worse than i thought— these results, they are worse than i thought for— these results, they are worse than i thought for the party.— these results, they are worse than i thought for the party. many tory mps are talkin: thought for the party. many tory mps are talking them _ thought for the party. many tory mps are talking them up. _ thought for the party. many tory mps are talking them up. what _ thought for the party. many tory mps are talking them up. what they i thought for the party. many tory mps are talking them up. what they say . are talking them up. what they say in front of the _ are talking them up. what they say in front of the camera _ are talking them up. what they say in front of the camera is _ are talking them up. what they say in front of the camera is not - in front of the camera is not what they— in front of the camera is not what they see — in front of the camera is not what they see behind the camera. this is a dose _ they see behind the camera. this is a dose of— they see behind the camera. this is a dose of cold water for the party. there _ a dose of cold water for the party. there has— a dose of cold water for the party. there has been talked recently, based _ there has been talked recently, based on — there has been talked recently, based on reality, opinion polls narrowing, labour lead not being so huge _ narrowing, labour lead not being so huge this _ narrowing, labour lead not being so huge this is — narrowing, labour lead not being so huge. this is not an overwhelming victory— huge. this is not an overwhelming victory for— huge. this is not an overwhelming victory for labour, the vote is split— victory for labour, the vote is split amongst a number of parties. but it— split amongst a number of parties. but it is— split amongst a number of parties. but it is a — split amongst a number of parties. but it is a wake—up call, a reminder

to the— but it is a wake—up call, a reminder to the conservative party, they have to the conservative party, they have to climb _ to the conservative party, they have to climb a _ to the conservative party, they have to climb a mountain to stay in power~ — to climb a mountain to stay in power~ it— to climb a mountain to stay in power. it will produce soul—searching in tory hq about strategic— soul—searching in tory hq about strategic choices to make over the next few _ strategic choices to make over the next few months. that strategic choices to make over the next few months.— strategic choices to make over the next few months. that is the point about labour. _ next few months. that is the point about labour, we _ next few months. that is the point about labour, we talk— next few months. that is the point about labour, we talk about i next few months. that is the point about labour, we talk about a i about labour, we talk about a mountain to climb, that is also true for the labour party if they want this to be turned into an election victory. it this to be turned into an election victo . . . . this to be turned into an election victo . , . ., ., this to be turned into an election victo . ,. ., ., victory. it is clear to get back into government, _ victory. it is clear to get back into government, the - victory. it is clear to get back into government, the scale l victory. it is clear to get back| into government, the scale of victory. it is clear to get back i into government, the scale of the swing and westminster really is remarkable. the biggest thing in decades. this is clearly a big step towards that but it is not fully all the way there yet. there is a lot more work to do and a long time, not only before the elections, that we get the final results, it is early days, it is bowled of labour to come out now and say this is paving the way for government. and also for the next election. a lot can happen in the next year or 18 months. having said there is _ the next year or 18 months. having said there is no _ the next year or 18 months. having said there is no change _ the next year or 18 months. having said there is no change in - the next year or 18 months. having said there is no change in culture l said there is no change in culture and pared to months ago, that is

pretty key. and pared to months ago, that is pretty key-— and pared to months ago, that is re ke. . . ., ., pretty key. that will concern a lot of --eole pretty key. that will concern a lot of people within _ pretty key. that will concern a lot of people within labour. - pretty key. that will concern a lot of people within labour. that i pretty key. that will concern a lot of people within labour. that is l pretty key. that will concern a lot of people within labour. that is a j of people within labour. that is a key metric, labour people have been saying all along they are focused on where those gains are. they have been ruthlessly targeted in where they put the resources in this campaign. a lot of resource into those key areas they need to win at the next election. they will be heartened by that rather than the volt share. maybe the gains in the key areas give you a better picture of where you might see the gains at the election. of where you might see the gains at the election-— the election. what is key, 6096 of british people _ the election. what is key, 6096 of british people want _ the election. what is key, 6096 of british people want change. i the election. what is key, 6096 of british people want change. at i the election. what is key, 6096 of. british people want change. at least 60%~ _ british people want change. at least 60%. normally, the labour party, they would — 60%. normally, the labour party, they would think they were the natural— they would think they were the natural vehicle for change. the tory opportunities that sometimes when you turn— opportunities that sometimes when you turn the television volume down, you turn the television volume down, you see _ you turn the television volume down, you see rishi sunak versus sir keir starmer— you see rishi sunak versus sir keir starmer on — you see rishi sunak versus sir keir starmer on the television, rishi sunak— starmer on the television, rishi sunak looks more like the future.

lang? _ sunak looks more like the future. lang? are — sunak looks more like the future. lang? are you saying it is how you look? _ lang? are you saying it is how you look? it _ lang? are you saying it is how you look? it is — lang? are you saying it is how you look? it is not all about style, but it is important. sir keir starmer has not — it is important. sir keir starmer has not embodied, he doesn't look like the _ has not embodied, he doesn't look like the change people want. that is still rishi _ like the change people want. that is still rishi sunak's opportunity. the british— still rishi sunak's opportunity. the british people are fair, they will -ive british people are fair, they will give new— british people are fair, they will give new people the benefit of the doubt _ give new people the benefit of the doubt if _ give new people the benefit of the doubt. if you can put together a manifesto — doubt. if you can put together a manifesto that he is offering something more radical than labour, i something more radical than labour, idon't _ something more radical than labour, idon't know— something more radical than labour, i don't know what labour are offering _ i don't know what labour are offering on a radical way, sir keir starmer— offering on a radical way, sir keir starmer has not set out policies that have — starmer has not set out policies that have caught the imagination of any voter. — that have caught the imagination of any voter, that is the opportunity for rishi — any voter, that is the opportunity for rishi sunak but it is a big task ahead _ for rishi sunak but it is a big task ahead of— for rishi sunak but it is a big task ahead of him.— ahead of him. how can you bring chance ahead of him. how can you bring change after _ ahead of him. how can you bring change after so _ ahead of him. how can you bring change after so many _ ahead of him. how can you bring change after so many years? i ahead of him. how can you bring | change after so many years? that ahead of him. how can you bring i change after so many years? that is the tory problem. _ change after so many years? that is the tory problem. it _ change after so many years? that is the tory problem. it is _ change after so many years? that is the tory problem. it is a _ change after so many years? that is the tory problem. it is a trick - change after so many years? that is the tory problem. it is a trick they l the tory problem. it is a trick they have _ the tory problem. it is a trick they have played a number of times. then? that sounds— have played a number of times. then? that sounds a — have played a number of times. then? that sounds a bit machiavellian. rishi _ that sounds a bit machiavellian. rishi sunak has not been in government that long. he does look

like the _ government that long. he does look like the new kid on the block. sir keir starmer, does he? that is the question— keir starmer, does he? that is the question labour need to wrestle with _ question labour need to wrestle with. lang? is thatis that is wishful thinking, i think. i think sir keir starmer is making more headway, starting to flesh out his vision and policy. there have been calls for that but he has been clear from the start, to show they are reaching out anti—semitism and taking the fight to the tories. now it is about the next year, fleshing out policies, if he had done that sooner is that you get some of those policies stolen by the conservatives. as i say, we are a long way from the election, sir keir starmer has time, and in times of bold super exciting innovative freshfaced politics, you saw with joe biden, and in australia, there is a desire for sensible centre—left

pragmatic politics in countries as our revolt against the kind of leadership we have had over the past 13 years. leadership we have had over the past 13 ears. ., .. leadership we have had over the past 13 ears. ., ., , ., 13 years. you can answer that briefl . 13 years. you can answer that briefly. sir— 13 years. you can answer that briefly. sir keir _ 13 years. you can answer that briefly. sir keir starmer's i briefly. sir keir starmer's challenge. _ briefly. sir keir starmer's challenge, he _ briefly. sir keir starmer's challenge, he got - briefly. sir keir starmer's challenge, he got the i briefly. sir keir starmer's i challenge, he got the jeremy briefly. sir keir starmer's _ challenge, he got the jeremy corbyn challenge, he got the jeremy corbyn vote. _ challenge, he got the jeremy corbyn vote. and _ challenge, he got the jeremy corbyn vote, and then did a u—turn. he is facing _ vote, and then did a u—turn. he is facing scrutiny he has not faced yet. facing scrutiny he has not faced yet~ he — facing scrutiny he has not faced yet~ he is — facing scrutiny he has not faced yet. he is —— the tories are going to see _ yet. he is —— the tories are going to see this— yet. he is —— the tories are going to see this man does not keep his promises — to see this man does not keep his romises. . ~ to see this man does not keep his romises. ., ,, , ., , . to see this man does not keep his romises. ., ,, y., , . ., promises. thank you very much for 'oinin. promises. thank you very much for joining us- — you're watching bbc news —— and our special local election coverage. the first results are coming in from around england — with labour and the liberal democrats both taking council seats from the conservatives. more than 8,000 councillors will be chosen in a vote which is seen as the first big test of rishi sunak's electoral popularity since becoming prime minister. our political correspondent jonathan blake has the latest. cheering. celebrations in stoke—on—trent — a key victory for labour overnight.

they took control of the city council after voters here and across england gave their verdict. ballots have been counted in some of the 200 or so towns, cities and rural areas holding elections that decide who runs local services. also giving a sense of the national political picture. the tories were braced for a bad night and they lost power in several areas. when labour took plymouth, the city's conservative mp accepted his party was being punished. it has been a terrible night for us here in plymouth. i think there are a number of factors are at play. locally, it has been very difficult. the conservative group here has been through a very difficult time. we have seen that reflected on the doors in the campaign and we have seen that reflected in the results tonight. but we take it on the chin.

labour have made steady, if not overwhelming, gains but enough they claim to put them on course to win a general election. right through this evening, you have seen the two words, the two phrases, "a bad night for the tories, a good night for labour," whether in stoke, up in hartlepool, whether that's in teesside, or right down through to plymouth. tomorrow we're going to get down through to dover and see what's happening in brighton and hove and crawley and the rest of the south—east. the reason is we have a credible alternative. essex in the early hours and the liberal democrats were cheering the loudest. gains there and further afield were ground—breaking, the party claimed. predicting upsets in traditional tory territory. a fantastic result for the liberal democrats in one of the safest tory seats in the country. we've gained three seats. we are now up to 17 seats and the council moves into no overall control. and it is a time of change in brentwood and we are really delighted. it's fantastic news. the green party has boosted its numbers too in these first elections in england where photo id was required to vote.

only around a quarter of the councils holding elections have been counting votes overnight. so early results don't give anything like the full picture. but in the hours ahead, these local contexts will be closely watched as a crucial test for all the parties. jonathan blake, bbc news. let's bring in ione wells — our political correspondent. you have been watching what is happening but people at home are wondering how long it is going to take before we get the full picture? there is a lull now, some councils were counting overnight into the morning, the main bulk will be later this afternoon from noon today until 4pm, we will see more results come in. we will get a clear picture. having said that, certainly there are early indications of the way this is going so far. the big

headlines being that it is disappointing for the conservatives, they have lost some key councils that they held, also lost some to the liberal democrats and labour which they are taking as heartening gains. certainly the lib dems pointing to the gain in windsor and maidenhead as a sign they are course to win more seats in the blue wall of conservative areas in the south of conservative areas in the south of england they want to win. labour pointing to the variety of seats where they are making gains as a positive sign for them. gaining places like medway in kent where the labour leader sir keir starmer has been visiting and middlesbrough and around the country. they say it points to a range that puts them on a good stead for future elections. you mentioned the other parties, part of the problem in some areas, labour's vote has been shared out amongst other parties. what effect

has that had on pencils a few a has that had on pencils a few 5. pincer motion the tories are facing where they have had a squeeze from the lib dems and from labour as well. as you say, it is hard to necessarily see how these results will project on a national general election basis. that is something the polling experts will be scrutinising later to work out what it will translate as in a national picture. what labour have been pointing to a sum of the areas they have made like the stoke, plymouth, medway, which shows they are on course to make gains in southern marginals and places like teesside and the midlands as well. to watch out for are places like swindon, south gloucestershire lost already, it will be interesting to see if labour are able to gain in councils like that which had been key targets going forward. we like that which had been key targets going forward-— going forward. we heard from sir

keir starmer _ going forward. we heard from sir keir starmer in _ going forward. we heard from sir keir starmer in medway, - going forward. we heard from sir- keir starmer in medway, celebrating. a lot to celebrate because it was a tea counsel for them. fine a lot to celebrate because it was a tea counsel for them.— tea counsel for them. one of the ma'or tea counsel for them. one of the major targets — tea counsel for them. one of the major targets because _ tea counsel for them. one of the major targets because they i tea counsel for them. one of the major targets because they have | tea counsel for them. one of the i major targets because they have not had power there for decades. it was seen as a key seat to try and win. seats like medway are seats that were key to the electoral successes of tony blair and his landslide 1997 election. that is why the seats had been a target. they labour leader sir keir starmer has visited the area this morning. he, like labour campaigners have been saying the results show that labour is on course to win the next general election. it is probably too early, really, to say that but we will need a bigger picture is more results in the day to see how much or not they national polls are going in favour of labour and the lib dems. i5 national polls are going in favour of labour and the lib dems. is there an hinu of labour and the lib dems. is there anything the — of labour and the lib dems. is there anything the conservatives - of labour and the lib dems. is there anything the conservatives can i anything the conservatives can celebrate today? the

anything the conservatives can celebrate today?— anything the conservatives can celebrate today? anything the conservatives can celebrate toda ? ., celebrate today? the line coming out of key figures — celebrate today? the line coming out of key figures this _ celebrate today? the line coming out of key figures this morning, - celebrate today? the line coming out of key figures this morning, the i of key figures this morning, the prime minister, also the chairman, they feel like labour are not yet making the kind of major break through the conservatives feel they would need in order to a general election. they are saying they have made what they have described as progress in some battlegrounds like peterborough. labour not by that because they feel like losing a few seats here and there may not necessarily be the kind of big progress which the conservatives are selling it as. we progress which the conservatives are selling it as— selling it as. we talked a lot in the run-op _ selling it as. we talked a lot in the run-up about _ selling it as. we talked a lot in the run-up about voter- selling it as. we talked a lot in the run-up about voter id i selling it as. we talked a lot in the run-up about voter id and | selling it as. we talked a lot in i the run-up about voter id and the the run—up about voter id and the potential impact, the electoral commission have talked about evidence of people being turned away. has it been a big problem in the local elections? brute away. has it been a big problem in the local elections?— away. has it been a big problem in the local elections? we are waiting for a full picture. _ the local elections? we are waiting for a full picture. groups _ the local elections? we are waiting for a full picture. groups like i the local elections? we are waiting for a full picture. groups like the l for a full picture. groups like the electoral commission and some groups campaigning against the introduction of voter id have raised concern

people have been turned away, we have heard examples of an nhs worker who brought their nhs work pass not real ink that was not eligible for a photographic id. the major concern was younger and elderly voters about whether people would know the new rules and have the appropriate id, one thing the electoral commission will want to take away from today when they have a full picture is what lessons can be learned going into the next general election for example about how this impacted the turnout. it was not only fears about people not having the right kind of id, also fears of people simply forgetting to bring id and not deciding to come back later in the day. there is work to be done about awareness that it needed now. let’s awareness that it needed now. let's have another— awareness that it needed now. let's have another lesson _ awareness that it needed now. let's have another lesson to _ awareness that it needed now. let's have another lesson to labour leader sir keir starmer speaking in medway in kent. they gained control of the

council from the tories. this is what he said. filtrate council from the tories. this is what he said.— council from the tories. this is what he said. ~ . .~ ~ what he said. we have taken medway for the first time _ what he said. we have taken medway for the first time since _ what he said. we have taken medway for the first time since 1998. - what he said. we have taken medway for the first time since 1998. it - what he said. we have taken medway for the first time since 1998. it is i for the first time since 1998. it is a very— for the first time since 1998. it is a very good — for the first time since 1998. it is a very good night for the labour party _ a very good night for the labour party it — a very good night for the labour party. it was not only over the line. _ party. it was not only over the line. we — party. it was not only over the line, we absolutely smashed it. it is the _ line, we absolutely smashed it. it is the same — line, we absolutely smashed it. it is the same story... it is the same story— is the same story... it is the same story in— is the same story... it is the same story in plymouth, in stoke—on—trent, middlesbrough. these are key— stoke—on—trent, middlesbrough. these are key battlegrounds for the next election — are key battlegrounds for the next election. make no mistake, we are on course _ election. make no mistake, we are on course for— election. make no mistake, we are on course for a _ election. make no mistake, we are on course for a labour majority at the next _ course for a labour majority at the next election. a very good set of results _ next election. a very good set of results for— next election. a very good set of results for us. it next election. a very good set of results for us.— results for us. it has been a tory heartland, _ results for us. it has been a tory heartland. is _ results for us. it has been a tory heartland, is it _ results for us. it has been a tory heartland, is it a _ results for us. it has been a tory heartland, is it a key _ results for us. it has been a tory i heartland, is it a key battleground around the country? we heartland, is it a key battleground around the country?— heartland, is it a key battleground around the country? we have changed the labour party _ around the country? we have changed the labour party and _ around the country? we have changed the labour party and earned _ around the country? we have changed the labour party and earned the - the labour party and earned the trust _ the labour party and earned the trust and — the labour party and earned the trust and confidence of voters in kent _ trust and confidence of voters in kent and — trust and confidence of voters in kent and we will do that across the country _ kent and we will do that across the country. change is possible. a better— country. change is possible. a better britain as possible. a very good _ better britain as possible. a very good set — better britain as possible. a very good set of results for us. we have not the good set of results for us. we have got the umbrellas _ good set of results for us. we have got the umbrellas out, _ good set of results for us. we have got the umbrellas out, it _ good set of results for us. we have got the umbrellas out, it has - got the umbrellas out, it has started to rain. let's cross to the

newsroom for an update. we are getting results. a lot of the electoral _ update. we are getting results. a lot of the electoral map _ update. we are getting results. a lot of the electoral map to - update. we are getting results. a lot of the electoral map to fill - update. we are getting results. a lot of the electoral map to fill in, | lot of the electoral map to fill in, some of the later is going the screen here. as we say, the vast majority of council counting happening today and still to come. we heard from sir keir starmer, celebrating another party leader who has been celebrating is the leader of the lib dems. let's have a look in detail at some of their results. we are expecting to hear from him celebrating quite sharply. we will go to berkshire, to windsor and maidenhead. this council area had been conservative since 2007. the local mp, theresa may, former prime minister, a strong conservative area, with 22 seats on the council and 21 needed for a majority, the

lib dems have taken it out of conservative hands and it is a lib dem council. let's look at what happened. the conservatives lost 16 seats, the lib dems added 13. enough to give them control of the council. very good result for the lib dems which they are very happy about. and we can go to bath and north east somerset. this was already a lib dem seat since 2019, they are now sitting on 29 seats. it is important to look in the areas where the lib dems already held how their performance has been going forward. they have made gains in bath and these submissive, up by four, labour by two, conservatives down by eight. someone paying attention to the drop in the conservative vote might be jacob rees—mogg who is one of the mps for this area corresponding to the house of commons. in yorkshire, let's look at hull. it is a council

in terms of the ones contested because it is labour and the lib dems who were going up against one another. the lib dems went in with a very small majority of one from 2022 when the two control of that council. they have held onto it. they have 32 seats to labour's 25, 29 seats for a majority. the lib dems are strengthening their position in a council we already had. they have added two, labour have gone down by two. it is worth paying attention to the fact that hull, 68% leap in the 2016 eu referendum. the lib dems have spent years as the most pro—european party in uk politics, perhaps there is an element of voters moving on beyond how they use to vote when it came to brexit. maybe not in hull, the lib dems took that counsel back in 2022

but they have strengthened their position. if we look at the vote share, 49% to labour's 41%. both parties going up against each other. the change in the share that represents in 2019, letjames up by six, labour by 1%. look how things currently stand in terms of councillors. compared to 2019, labour have added 120. the conservatives have lost almost 230. they warned they could lose as many as 1000. that is the magic number in terms of how bad as 1000. that is the magic number in terms of how had their loss will prove to be. we will look out for that during the day file contain continues. the lip came adding 61 to the tally from 2019, it was a very good election 2019, they are still adding on seats from that, looks positive. what does it mean in terms of councils changing hands? labour

have gained three, the conservative had lost ten, the lib dems gained one. quite a few councils going hung, no majority. in the big electoral picture what could it mean for a future general election? it is important to note that people in this area changing hands may have differences in the way their services are provided, how schools were going forward, how work is done on the roads. that is what these elections are about, but we have to think what it means in the longer time for a general election, it does not look too good for the conservatives, i think we can safely say that. conservatives, i think we can safely sa that. ., , . conservatives, i think we can safely sa that. ., ., . say that. time to update you on what we have so — say that. time to update you on what we have so far. _ say that. time to update you on what we have so far. we _ say that. time to update you on what we have so far. we will— say that. time to update you on what we have so far. we will not _ say that. time to update you on what we have so far. we will not get - say that. time to update you on what we have so far. we will not get the i we have so far. we will not get the full picture until lunch time but as david said, big losses for the conservatives in various areas. some gains for labour in councils that were hugely for them. middlesbrough,

medway, plymouth and stoke—on—trent. there is always more on the bbc website, stay with us, more to come in a few minutes in the local election coverage. hello. the bank holiday coronation weekend almost upon us now and the weather is looking a bit changeable, a bit unsettled over the next few days. low pressure very much in charge at the moment. yes, it is unsettled, there will be rain at times. it won't be raining all the time, the showers moving through fairly swiftly on the breeze. for today, we have got a front that is on its way northwards, it's bringing a bit more cloud and rain to parts of scotland, northern ireland for a time, too. that eases away towards the north, that cloud just lingering longest in the far north east. elsewhere, sunshine and showers, some of them heavy and potentially thundery as we head through the afternoon. still mild for the time of year, most of us about 15 to 18 degrees, a little bit cooler where you have got the cloud and breeze in the north east of scotland. heavy thundery downpours with hail ease away through the evening hours. a slot of dry weather overnight tonight. still reasonably mild

and frost—free day with temperatures holding between about seven to 11 degrees. there is the rain already working into the far south—west on saturday and it is going to be this area of low pressure that brings us the wet weather through the day on saturday. so it pushes its way north and east across the uk. what is the weather looking like in london for the coronation? well, you can see some rain symbols on my outlook chart here. by about ten or 11 o'clock, we are likely to see some of that wet weather moving its way in. but i think it will tend to ease away from london later on in the afternoon. much of england and wales seeing spells of wet weather pushing northwards and eastwards, a few showers across central scotland too. probably not quite as warm as today for many of us. about 16 or 17, the top temperatures, but a little bit warmer than it has been across the east of scotland. moving through into sunday and that first system clears away towards the east. so a ridge of high pressure for a time. still some showers lingering for eastern scotland, perhaps, on sunday morning and more rain moving into the far west later in the day. but, actually, sunday, for the bulk of the uk, probably the driest day of the bank holiday weekend.

so some sunshine, and that is going to lift temperatures to about 20 degrees or 21 degrees. so a fairly warm feeling day, particularly in the south—east during sunday. into bank holiday monday, and there is more rain on the way. so you can see some rain symbols for all of our capital cities, 16 or 17 degrees for bank holiday monday. to sum things up over the next few days, rain around for some of us on saturday, a little bit drier, sunny spells, a few showers on sunday. heavy downpours on the way, though, for monday.

live from westminster, this is bbc news. the conservatives have lost seats to labour and the liberal democrats as the results have started to come in from yesterday's local elections in england. labour have taken control of key councils in plymouth and stoke on trent and medway. keir starmer described the results as amazing. all the places that we need to win, the battlegrounds, and make no mistake, we are on course for a labour majority at the next general election. cheering. the conservatives say they have had a difficult night but there is still a long way to go. if you look at the results, we've only had a quarter of the results in so it is hard to draw firm conclusions, we're actually making progress in key electoral battlegrounds like peterborough, like sandwell,

like bassetlaw, for example. the liberal democrats make gains and take windsor from the conservatives. with around three quarters of councils yet to declare there is still a long way to go. hello, i'm maryam moshiri live in westminster as results from yesterday's local elections across england come in. rishi sunak's conservative party have lost over 200 council seats across the country, something he has described as "disappointing". labour have taken control of plymouth, stoke—on—trent and taken medway in kent from the conservatives, among their top target councils, sir keir starmer this morning said the party was on course to win a majority in the next general election. and the liberal democrats have also picked up seats and taken control of windsor, their leader saying the results are "ground—breaking".

there is still a long way to go as around three quarters of councils have yet to declare their results. we'll bring you coverage throughout the morning and analyse what the results so far mean. but first let's get the story of the night from our political correspondent jonathan blake. cheering. celebrations in stoke—on—trent — a key victory for labour overnight. they took control of the city council after voters here and across england gave their verdict. ballots have been counted in some of the 200 or so towns, cities and rural areas holding elections that decide who runs local services. but also giving a sense of the national political picture. the tories were braced for a bad night and they lost power in several areas. when labour took plymouth, the city's conservative mp accepted his party

was being punished. look, it's been a terrible night for us here in plymouth. i think there are a number of factors at play. locally, it's been very difficult. the conservative group here has been through a very difficult time. we've seen that reflected on the doors in the campaign and we've seen that reflected in the results tonight. but we take it on the chin. labour have made steady, if not overwhelming, gains but enough they claim to put them on course to win a general election. right through this evening, you have seen the two words, the two phrases, "bad night for the tories, a good night for labour," whether that's in stoke, up in hartlepool, whether that's in teesside, or right down through to plymouth. tomorrow we're going to get down through to dover and see what's happening in brighton and hove and crawley and the rest of the south—east. the reason is that we have a credible alternative. essex in the early hours and the liberal democrats were cheering the loudest. gains there and further afield were ground—breaking, the party claimed. predicting upsets in

traditional tory territory. a 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 no overall control. and it's a time of change in brentwood and we're really delighted, it's fantastic news. the green party has boosted its numbers too in these first elections in england where photo id was required to vote. only around a quarter of the councils holding elections have been counting votes overnight. so early results don't give anything like the full picture. but in the hours ahead, these local contexts will be closely these local contests will be closely watched as a crucial test for all the parties. jonathan blake, bbc news. these are live pictures from windsor, where lib dems leader ed davey is expected to

arrive to speak shortly. i think we can go to those pictures now. it is a pretty wet scene in windsor right now, and i can tell you that ed davey has hailed what he has called groundbreaking results for the liberal democrats, the party says it is on track to oust large numbers of tory mps from so—called blue wall seats. that is what is happening in windsor. what about the labour leader? here's what leader of the the labour party, sir keir starmer, had to say this morning in medway in kent which the party took control of earlier. we've just taken medway for the first time since 1998. that is a very, very good night for the labour party. we didn'tjust get it over the line, we absolutely smashed it. and it is the same story elsewhere.

same story in plymouth, in stoke, up in middlesbrough and these are the key battlegrounds as we go into the next election, and make no mistake, this means that we are on course for a labour majority at the next election. a very, very good set of results. kent has been a tory heartland for a while now. is this a key battleground around the county now for you? we've changed the labour party and we have earned the trust and confidence of voters here in kent. and we'll do that across the country. we've shown change is possible, a better britain is we have shown change is possible, a better britain is possible, a very, very good set of results for us. the prime minister rishi sunak has been giving his reaction this morning — take a look. in terms of the results, it's still early, we've just had a quarter of the results in. but what i am going to carry on doing is delivering on the people's priorities — halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting the waiting lists and stopping the boats. that's what people want us to do. that is what i am going to keep hard at doing. now, the ex—conservative leader of medway council blamed the unpopularity of your government,

cost of living plans, the planning changes, nhs failings. that's all down to you. a clear message from voters. what is going to change? look, as i said, we've only had a quarter of the results in. actually, we're making progress in key election battlegrounds like peterborough, bassetlaw, sandwell. but the message i am hearing from people tonight is that they want us to focus on their priorities, and they want us to deliverfor them. and that is about halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting waiting lists and stopping the boats. that's what people care about, that's what they want us to deliver and that's what i and the government are going to work very hard to do. one of the big early trends is that working class voters look like they're going back to the labour party. do you take personal responsibility for the overall vote? and did borisjohnson have something that you don't? well, if you look at the result, we've only had a quarter of the results in. so, it's hard to draw firm conclusions. we're actually making progress in key election battlegrounds like peterborough, like sandwell, bassetlaw, and you mention the labour party. look, i'm not detecting any massive

ground swell of movement towards the labour party or excitement for their agenda. what people want us to do is focus on their priorities, halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting waiting lists and stopping the boats. those are the country's priorities and this government's priorities and that is what we're going to deliver. you can see the scene in windsor, with what looks like a giant clock showing ten to midnight, i don't know what that means, but they are awaiting the arrival of the lib dems leader ed davey. i think the weather in windsor is probably as changeable as it is here in westminster, as we see rain and now the sun has come out. let me bring in lone wells, who can give us some context of what is happening with the liberal democrats, you can see that supporters waiting for ed davey, he has described these results as groundbreaking?—

has described these results as groundbreaking? that's right, the liberal democrats _ groundbreaking? that's right, the liberal democrats certainly - groundbreaking? that's right, the liberal democrats certainly are i liberal democrats certainly are seeing the results today as what they have described as exceeding expectations, we are seeing here that they are celebrating the fact that they are celebrating the fact that they are celebrating the fact that they have gained control of windsor and maidenhead, which they are describing is not even one of their major, major targets, they say this was not even in the top 50 blue wall constituencies, they are targeting lots of seats that are held by the conservatives around london and the south of england this as i say was not necessarily one of their tea car gets —— key targets, but very significant that they have gained it, this is known for being the patch of the former prime minister theresa may, so i think they are pointing to that this morning as an example of the kind of seats that the liberal democrats are gaining. we are still waiting for loads more results to come in this morning but we have seen two which have actually flipped control, we have actually flipped control, we have seen the tories lose quite a lot of councils to know overall control but we have seen two games

which the liberal democrats and labour are pointing to as significance, with windsor and maidenhead for the liberal democrats, and labour gaining medway in kent. we democrats, and labour gaining medway in kent. ~ . , . in kent. we heard ed davey earlier on the today _ in kent. we heard ed davey earlier on the today programme - in kent. we heard ed davey earlier on the today programme saying, l in kent. we heard ed davey earlier. on the today programme saying, we have beaten the conservatives and i think it is going to get worse. whether it will or not, we don't know. what is the timeframe now on finding out about all the other councils? . , ., councils? some councils were not countin: councils? some councils were not counting out _ councils? some councils were not counting out all _ councils? some councils were not counting out all overnight - councils? some councils were not counting out all overnight so - councils? some councils were not counting out all overnight so we l councils? some councils were not l counting out all overnight so we are expecting a majority of results to come in later today. i think from lunchtime we will start to see more coming in, and i nowi lunchtime we will start to see more coming in, and i now i think we will see more and more from about 12p and until about four o'clock this afternoon, with many more councils declaring and that is when we might start to get this much bigger picture ofjust how bad or not this is looking for the conservatives. they are already saying that this is a disappointing evening but what will be key will be things like, will be key will be things like, will they end up losing more than 1000 seats? that is what they have been quoting as a figure to manage expectations, saying that they could lose as much as that, so if they

lose as much as that, so if they lose more than 1006, that will be looking like a bad result for the conservative party. another statistic to watch out for is, could this be a year when labour gained more councillors than the conservatives? that would be an extraordinary result for them, it is not something they have had for a very long time so that is something labour will be watching out for. we are still watching that scene in windsor, waiting for ed davey to arrive, how big a problem is the fact that a lot of these blue wall councils potentially could turn to the lib dems, how big a problem is that for labour in terms of dye looting those who don't vote for the conservatives? i looting those who don't vote for the conservatives?— conservatives? i think you're right, there is, obviously _ conservatives? i think you're right, there is, obviously we _ conservatives? i think you're right, there is, obviously we are - conservatives? i think you're right, there is, obviously we are seeing i there is, obviously we are seeing some councils which are going to know overall control, where no single opposition party has managed to take it from the conservatives although the conservatives have lost overall control of the council. i would say that labour and the liberal democrats have focused their main efforts to different places,

certainly the liberal democrats, for quite some time, both at a council level but also at a level have been targeting potentially marginal conservative seats in the south of england, in the south west, one of the main factors that they have been campaigning on has often been things like opposing new housing developments which is something which has been a point of controversy for those who oppose the liberal democrats' policies but also something liberal democrats have used locally to campaign. i think one thing that we need to remember with these results and why it can sometimes be difficult to draw broader conclusions about what might happen in a general election is that as well as those big factors in this election, like conservative crises over the last year or two that have certainly played a role, the economic picture as well, the cost of living crisis, there are also local factors at play and that is something which it will be interesting to see. it’s

something which it will be interesting to see. it's about thins interesting to see. it's about things like — interesting to see. it's about things like why _ interesting to see. it's about things like why are _ interesting to see. it's about things like why are trees - interesting to see. it's about l things like why are trees being interesting to see. it's about - things like why are trees being cut in the middle of my town, or potholes, or rubbish not being collected, there is a lot of that is well? . �* . collected, there is a lot of that is well? . �*, , collected, there is a lot of that is well? ., �*, , ~' well? that's right. in places like pl mouth well? that's right. in places like plymouth are — well? that's right. in places like plymouth are example - well? that's right. in places like plymouth are example some - plymouth are example some commentators have been mentioning today an issue of trees being cut down in plymouth, that may not be the only factor but we have to remember some of these local issues that we will see play out on the doorstep and that is something which parties like the greens i think have been taking comfort from today as well, they have made some gains in places like south tyneside and southend—on—sea, but they are certainly pointing to where they have been able to make certain differences locally as reasons why they are hoping to make some gains this afternoon.— this afternoon. have a look at this clock, this afternoon. have a look at this clock. lone. _ this afternoon. have a look at this clock. lone. it— this afternoon. have a look at this clock, ione, it says, _ this afternoon. have a look at this clock, ione, it says, time - this afternoon. have a look at this clock, ione, it says, time is - this afternoon. have a look at this clock, ione, it says, time is up - this afternoon. have a look at this clock, ione, it says, time is up for clock, lone, it says, time is up for rishi sunak, the lib dems obviously believe that these local elections are a fair reflection of what could potentially happen in a general election but it is not as simple as that, is it? election but it is not as simple as that. is it?— that, is it? that's right. i think a lot of conservatives, _

that, is it? that's right. i think a lot of conservatives, some - that, is it? that's right. i think a lot of conservatives, some of. that, is it? that's right. | think a - lot of conservatives, some of whom that, is it? that's right. i think a - lot of conservatives, some of whom i have spoken to this morning but also some of whom we have been hearing on the airwaves across the morning, are hoping that this isn't an indication of necessarily rishi sunak's leadership but i thing we can go to ed davey now. leadership but i thing we can go to ed davey nova— ed davey now. yes, ed davey is there, ed davey now. yes, ed davey is there. lone. — ed davey now. yes, ed davey is there, ione, and _ ed davey now. yes, ed davey is i there, ione, and understandably, there, lone, and understandably, lone, he is being welcomed by an ecstatic crowd of lib dems supporters. ecstatic crowd of lib dems supporters— ecstatic crowd of lib dems supporters. grew the liberal democrats _ supporters. grew the liberal democrats are _ supporters. grew the liberal democrats are known - supporters. grew the liberal democrats are known for - supporters. grew the liberal. democrats are known for their electoral parades and props... i think it's time we started the countdown to the next general election! — countdown to the next general election! are you ready? yes! ten, nine, _ election! are you ready? yes! ten, nine. eight. — election! are you ready? yes! ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, _ nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three. two. — nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one... cheering

golden ticket on britain's got talent! . �* . . golden ticket on britain's got talent! . �* , , , talent! that's right. this is textbook — talent! that's right. this is textbook liberal _ talent! that's right. this is| textbook liberal democrats talent! that's right. this is - textbook liberal democrats on parade, we have seen bulldozers, hammers, and nowa parade, we have seen bulldozers, hammers, and now a clock bemused! making big gains across the country, we've _ making big gains across the country, we've beaten the conservatives in bath and — we've beaten the conservatives in bath and in — we've beaten the conservatives in bath and in brentwood, in hertfordshire and in hinckley. we're making _ hertfordshire and in hinckley. we're making gains off labour, we've increased — making gains off labour, we've increased our majority in hull, and we're _ increased our majority in hull, and we're making huge gains across the country— we're making huge gains across the country against the conservatives. we're _ country against the conservatives. we're continuing to make sure the blue wall— we're continuing to make sure the blue wall tumbles down. cheering and i'm so proud of the result here in windson — and i'm so proud of the result here in windsor. and i'm so proud that when _ in windsor. and i'm so proud that when katy— in windsor. and i'm so proud that when katy perry and lionel richie enter— when katy perry and lionel richie enter windsor castle for the coronation concert on sunday, they will be _ coronation concert on sunday, they will be going into a ward that is

represented by three brand—new labour— represented by three brand—new labour councillors. really proud of liberal _ labour councillors. really proud of liberal democrats here in windsor and maidenhead, so many people i could _ and maidenhead, so many people i could mention. i do want to single out one _ could mention. i do want to single out one of— could mention. i do want to single out one of our new councillors, george — out one of our new councillors, george long, blundell. aged 22, what an amazing _ george long, blundell. aged 22, what an amazing result, thank you. but there _ an amazing result, thank you. but there is— an amazing result, thank you. but there is more to come, as we continue _ there is more to come, as we continue to— there is more to come, as we continue to count the votes across the country. — continue to count the votes across the country, more gains i think for the country, more gains i think for the liberat— the country, more gains i think for the liberal democrats to come. and that is— the liberal democrats to come. and that is thanks to the hard work of so many— that is thanks to the hard work of so many labour campaigners across the country~ — so many labour campaigners across the country. they have sent a message. _ the country. they have sent a message, the liberal democrats are the big _ message, the liberal democrats are the big winners in this year's local elections — elections. cheering just like we were last year. and 'ust just like we were last year. and just like — just like we were last year. and just like we were in 2019 when these seats— just like we were in 2019 when these seats were _ just like we were in 2019 when these seats were last fought. and you know. _ seats were last fought. and you know, when people have a chance to vote, _ know, when people have a chance to vote. when _ know, when people have a chance to vote, when they can go into those

polling _ vote, when they can go into those polling stations, they are choosing to vote _ polling stations, they are choosing to vote for — polling stations, they are choosing to vote for a labour candidate, a liber_ to vote for a labour candidate, a liber campaigner, they know that we work hard _ liber campaigner, they know that we work hard for them, that we listen to their— work hard for them, that we listen to their concerns and we will never take them — to their concerns and we will never take them for granted. the people have sent — take them for granted. the people have sent a huge message, a message so loud _ have sent a huge message, a message so loud that _ have sent a huge message, a message so loud that even someone as out of touch— so loud that even someone as out of touch as _ so loud that even someone as out of touch as rishi sunak can't ignore. we're _ touch as rishi sunak can't ignore. we're fed — touch as rishi sunak can't ignore. we're fed up of waiting so long for the basics — we're fed up of waiting so long for the basics. waiting for hours for an ambulance. — the basics. waiting for hours for an ambulance, days for a gp appointment, months and even years for a hospital appointment. waiting in vain— for a hospital appointment. waiting in vain for— for a hospital appointment. waiting in vain forthe for a hospital appointment. waiting in vain for the police to turn up when _ in vain for the police to turn up when there _ in vain for the police to turn up when there has been a break—in. waiting — when there has been a break—in. waiting for— when there has been a break—in. waiting for months for a pothole to be mended and repaired. waiting for real action _ be mended and repaired. waiting for real action to help people who are struggling with their soaring energy bills in— struggling with their soaring energy bills in food prices. and waiting,

still waiting, for those hospitals that have — still waiting, for those hospitals that have been promised four years a-o. that have been promised four years ago. waiting, waiting, waiting, for an end _ ago. waiting, waiting, waiting, for an end to— ago. waiting, waiting, waiting, for an end to the sewage that these companies keep pouring into our rivers. _ companies keep pouring into our rivers. onto— companies keep pouring into our rivers, onto our beaches for and we're _ rivers, onto our beaches for and we're waiting for the government to listen _ we're waiting for the government to listen to— we're waiting for the government to listen to people, stop taking them for granted. people are waiting for a fair— for granted. people are waiting for a fair deat — for granted. people are waiting for a fair deal. these conservative mps are out _ a fair deal. these conservative mps are out of— a fair deal. these conservative mps are out of touch, out of ideas and out of— are out of touch, out of ideas and out of excuses. people are fed up of waiting _ out of excuses. people are fed up of waiting for— out of excuses. people are fed up of waiting for a — out of excuses. people are fed up of waiting for a chance to kick them out _ waiting for a chance to kick them out we — waiting for a chance to kick them out we are _ waiting for a chance to kick them out. we are all fed up of waiting for a _ out. we are all fed up of waiting for a general election. and do you know, _ fora general election. and do you know. i_ for a general election. and do you know, i think there is a chance no that we _ know, i think there is a chance no that we can — know, i think there is a chance no that we can have that general election— that we can have that general election within the next year. and i think— election within the next year. and i think the _

election within the next year. and i think the messages clear, is up for rishi _ think the messages clear, is up for rishi sunak— think the messages clear, is up for rishi sunak and his appalling conservative government. the liberal democrats _ conservative government. the liberal democrats have shown that we are the ones working hard in communities across— ones working hard in communities across our— ones working hard in communities across our country, we are the ones to be _ across our country, we are the ones to be so— across our country, we are the ones to be so many— across our country, we are the ones to be so many conservatives across the blue _ to be so many conservatives across the blue wall and beyond. and i am determined that the liberal democrats keep working, show our amazing _ democrats keep working, show our amazing policies, and so it is a great _ amazing policies, and so it is a great night for us, but let's go back— great night for us, but let's go back and — great night for us, but let's go back and work even harder, so we can beat the _ back and work even harder, so we can beat the conservatives at the next general _ beat the conservatives at the next general election. thank you very much _ general election. thank you very much. general election. thank you very much, ., , general election. thank you very much. . , , ,, . much. so, that is ed davey. quite an excited looking _ much. so, that is ed davey. quite an excited looking ed _ much. so, that is ed davey. quite an excited looking ed davey, _ much. so, that is ed davey. quite an excited looking ed davey, and - excited looking ed davey, and sounding as well. moving the big hand of the clock, or what it the little hand, i can't remember, very slowly towards midnight, it was the big hand, i'm being told by robin my year. let me ask you, lone, you've

talked about the lib dems being quite gimmicky, clearly they are, there was a reference to lionel richie and katy perry, they are going to be relieved, apparently, to be walking into windsor under a lib dems council, but there was a serious message, ed davey is very keen on a general election, is he right to be? i keen on a general election, is he right to be?— right to be? i think certainly he feels heartened _ right to be? i think certainly he feels heartened by _ right to be? i think certainly he feels heartened by the - right to be? i think certainly he feels heartened by the results| right to be? i think certainly he - feels heartened by the results that they've seen in windsor and maidenhead today, he feels like given that this wasn't even one of their prime targets in the south of england, that this could mean that the liberal democrats are taking more seats from the conservatives some of those key general election targets of theirs. i think one thing that was interesting from his speech, he talked a lot about things that people are tired of, whether it is nhs waiting lists or sewage, i think a challenge for rishi sunak and the conservative recently has been that rishi sunak has really sold himself as a leader of delivery, something which labour and the liberal democrats have really made a virtue of as part of their campaigns, is, it is all very well talking about delivery, but you have

beenin talking about delivery, but you have been in powerfor 13 years, and it is that length and duration of one party being in power now which i think is difficult for the conservatives, trying to claim that they are changing things, that they want to improve things, we have seen this happen in the last couple of weeks when you have heard conservative ministers talk about whether it's the nhs, whether it's the immigration system, talking about things being broken and the need to fix it, the big message i think from labour and the liberal democrats throughout this campaign is, well, if it is broken, that is yourfault and we is, well, if it is broken, that is your fault and we are now the ones to fix it. so one thing i think which the conservatives have taken some hope from in this campaign, they feel like they have kind of been owed a bit of a kicking perhaps, may be the numbers that they did have were slightly inflated by. they did have were slightly inflated by, for example, thejeremy corbyn years under labour, so i think certainly the conservatives weren't necessarily expecting to do particularly well in this set of elections, but one thing that will be key to watches how much, or not, their expectation management figures

are exceeded later today. thank their expectation management figures are exceeded later today.— are exceeded later today. thank you for that analysis. _ are exceeded later today. thank you for that analysis. we _ are exceeded later today. thank you for that analysis. we can _ are exceeded later today. thank you for that analysis. we can now- are exceeded later today. thank you for that analysis. we can now go - are exceeded later today. thank you for that analysis. we can now go to l for that analysis. we can now go to our political correspondent david wallace lockhart. how is the picture looking right now? haste wallace lockhart. how is the picture looking right now?— wallace lockhart. how is the picture looking right now? we heard ed davey sa ini looking right now? we heard ed davey sa in: time looking right now? we heard ed davey saving time is — looking right now? we heard ed davey saving time is up— looking right now? we heard ed davey saying time is up for— looking right now? we heard ed davey saying time is up for rishi _ looking right now? we heard ed davey saying time is up for rishi sunak- saying time is up for rishi sunak but rishi — saying time is up for rishi sunak but rishi sunak is trying to do what any leader— but rishi sunak is trying to do what any leader in a difficult position has to— any leader in a difficult position has to do. _ any leader in a difficult position has to do, which is to find a few examples — has to do, which is to find a few examples where the picture might look a _ examples where the picture might look a bit — examples where the picture might look a bit better for the conservatives and try to paint a rosv _ conservatives and try to paint a rosy picture, although it is not easy— rosy picture, although it is not easy for— rosy picture, although it is not easy for him with this set of results _ easy for him with this set of results. let's go to sandwell, in the west— results. let's go to sandwell, in the west midlands, looking at this, you can _ the west midlands, looking at this, you can see how dominant labour are, it has— you can see how dominant labour are, it has been— you can see how dominant labour are, it has been a _ you can see how dominant labour are, it has been a labour council since the i970s. — it has been a labour council since the 1970s, they have 60 seats compared to the conservative 12. why is rishi _ compared to the conservative 12. why is rishi sunak bringing that up? gunning — is rishi sunak bringing that up? gunning it — is rishi sunak bringing that up? gunning it is slightly bucking the national— gunning it is slightly bucking the national trend in that labour went down _ national trend in that labour went down by— national trend in that labour went down by two seats, the conservatives up down by two seats, the conservatives up by _ down by two seats, the conservatives up by two _ down by two seats, the conservatives up by two seats compared to 2019. there _ up by two seats compared to 2019. there are _ up by two seats compared to 2019. there are government appointed commissioners who have been brought into this _ commissioners who have been brought into this council recently because of issues — into this council recently because of issues around governance and leadership so perhaps that is

playing — leadership so perhaps that is playing in. in cambridge, peterborough, another example brought — peterborough, another example brought up by rishi sunak, the conservatives with 30 seats, labour with it _ conservatives with 30 seats, labour with it and — conservatives with 30 seats, labour with 14. and in terms of changes, the conservatives went up by one, labour— the conservatives went up by one, labour went down by two. 35% of the vote for— labour went down by two. 35% of the vote for the _ labour went down by two. 35% of the vote for the conservatives, 32% for labour. _ vote for the conservatives, 32% for labour, compared to 2019, the conservatives up by 3%, labour up by 4%, conservatives up by 3%, labour up by 4%. so— conservatives up by 3%, labour up by 4%. so the _ conservatives up by 3%, labour up by 4%, so the conservatives are taking this as _ 4%, so the conservatives are taking this as an— 4%, so the conservatives are taking this as an example of somewhere they have done _ this as an example of somewhere they have done better but actually, labour — have done better but actually, labour taking a bigger share of the vote in— labour taking a bigger share of the vote in terms of changes since the 2019 local— vote in terms of changes since the 2019 local elections. big picture, let's have — 2019 local elections. big picture, let's have a look at where we are on councillors — let's have a look at where we are on councillors compared to the 2019 local elections, labour up by 119, the conservative down by almost 230, the conservative down by almost 230, the lib— the conservative down by almost 230, the lib dems up by 62. in terms of councils— the lib dems up by 62. in terms of councils changing hands, labour have gained _ councils changing hands, labour have gained three, the conservatives lost tank with _ gained three, the conservatives lost tank with a — gained three, the conservatives lost tank with a lib dems gaining one. and in— tank with a lib dems gaining one. and in maidstone in kent we have the figures _ and in maidstone in kent we have the figures for— and in maidstone in kent we have the figures for people being turned away without _ figures for people being turned away

without having id, that is the first council _ without having id, that is the first council to — without having id, that is the first council to give us those figures, of course _ council to give us those figures, of course this— council to give us those figures, of course this was the first set of local— course this was the first set of local elections in england where photo _ local elections in england where photo id— local elections in england where photo id was needed, in maidstone in kent, _ photo id was needed, in maidstone in kent. 137 _ photo id was needed, in maidstone in kent, 137 people came without photo id and _ kent, 137 people came without photo id and were turned away, 115 came back after— id and were turned away, 115 came back after getting photo id, but that means 22 people came to vote and were _ that means 22 people came to vote and were turned away and never came back with _ and were turned away and never came back with photo id. in terms of the overall— back with photo id. in terms of the overall percentage of people voting, this might _ overall percentage of people voting, this might not be huge numbers but it is more _ this might not be huge numbers but it is more than a handful, 137 people — it is more than a handful, 137 people didn't bring id to vote and were _ people didn't bring id to vote and were turned away, that was as far as going _ were turned away, that was as far as going into _ were turned away, that was as far as going into the building and trying to get— going into the building and trying to get their ballot paper.- to get their ballot paper. david, thank ou to get their ballot paper. david, thank you very _ to get their ballot paper. david, thank you very much _ to get their ballot paper. david, thank you very much indeed. i to get their ballot paper. david, i thank you very much indeed. this is a special programme on bbc news covering the results from those local elections. let's talk now to a couple more guests, rosa prince,

editor of the politico london playbook, and katy balls, editor of the the spectator for what is your reaction to what you have seen so far today, reaction to what you have seen so fartoday, rosa reaction to what you have seen so far today, rosa prince, reaction to what you have seen so fartoday, rosa prince, obviously reaction to what you have seen so far today, rosa prince, obviously we don't have the full picture yet but what about how it looks so far? i think the top story is that it is looking like a really bad night for the conservatives, labour conversely having a pretty good night, maybe not the absolute stratospheric breakthrough of the pre—tony blair years, but i think they will be happy. and the lib dems doing much better than i think they thought. so the idea that rishi sunak was somehow going to steady the ship, that he was going to have a change of direction, that people were going to think again about whether the tories�* time is up, i think that narrative has now been challenged. katie, how much of this is to do with rishi sunak and how much of it is to do with local issues, because these are after all local elections? yes, for example we look at plymouth where _ yes, for example we look at plymouth where there _ yes, for example we look at plymouth where there are lots of local issues regarding _ where there are lots of local issues regarding trees, for example, so i

think— regarding trees, for example, so i think extracting from local elections a clear picture of what would _ elections a clear picture of what would happen in a general election is always— would happen in a general election is always quite tricky, but you do -et is always quite tricky, but you do get a _ is always quite tricky, but you do get a sense — is always quite tricky, but you do get a sense of the mood and i think there _ get a sense of the mood and i think there for— get a sense of the mood and i think there for it — get a sense of the mood and i think there for it was pretty priced in that the — there for it was pretty priced in that the tories would have a bad night. _ that the tories would have a bad night. i— that the tories would have a bad night, i think looking at the results _ night, i think looking at the results so far, they are having a bit of— results so far, they are having a bit of a — results so far, they are having a bit of a worse night than they themselves were expecting. is it going _ themselves were expecting. is it going to — themselves were expecting. is it going to change the setup for rishi sunak? _ going to change the setup for rishi sunak? we are not at the point i think— sunak? we are not at the point i think where if you think back to six months _ think where if you think back to six months ago — think where if you think back to six months ago when the tories constantly seemed to be in a consistent psychodrama, it is more like that. _ consistent psychodrama, it is more like that, but it is does make that whole _ like that, but it is does make that whole recovery narrative, the sense that he _ whole recovery narrative, the sense that he is— whole recovery narrative, the sense that he is closing the gap, it makes it harder. _ that he is closing the gap, it makes it harder. it— that he is closing the gap, it makes it harder, it disrupts that. and i think— it harder, it disrupts that. and i think for— it harder, it disrupts that. and i think for labour there is plenty to point _ think for labour there is plenty to point to. — think for labour there is plenty to point to, but it seems as though, speaking — point to, but it seems as though, speaking to figures this morning, perhaps— speaking to figures this morning, perhaps it — speaking to figures this morning, perhaps it is the liberal democrats who have _ perhaps it is the liberal democrats who have most to smile about. ed davey who have most to smile about. davey was who have most to smile about. ec davey was literally smiling his head off, getting overexcited, talking about lionel richie and katy perry coming into windsor, being proud of the fact that it is a lib dems council, but that aside, it has been

a good day for the lib dems, what can they take away from this? i think they do have to be cautious because traditionally the liberal democrats do do quite well at local level. that said, we don't want to take away from ed davey�*s party with lionel richie, but very much it is those local issues. i guess they will be wondering, can this be a gateway to voting for them at the general election? the liberal democrats have had a terrible time since the collision years, i think the fact that keir starmer now appears to be doing a u—turn on tuition fees, which was one of the big issues that lead to people being quite satisfied about when they were in the coalition, may help them going into the general election, so they are definitely going to be helpful, and i think for all the parties it is about a sense of momentum, you need to energise your councillors and the people who bang on doors, because they are going to be the people who you want to bang on doors for you at the general election and i think there will be some quite unhappy conservatives who feel they have been let down by the

national party? ? stand feel they have been let down by the national party? ?— national party? ? and the vibe we are getting _ national party? ? and the vibe we are getting from _ national party? ? and the vibe we are getting from conservative i national party? ? and the vibe we| are getting from conservative mps behind closed doors is that they are not happy, they are worried, where is the way out for rishi sunak now, do you think, what does the path towards the next general election look like? i towards the next general election look like? ~ ., , ~ , towards the next general election looklike? ~ ~ , . look like? i think tory mps have been worried _ look like? i think tory mps have been worried for _ look like? i think tory mps have been worried for some - look like? i think tory mps have been worried for some time. if. look like? i think tory mps have i been worried for some time. if you think back over the summer and autumn there was a 37 point leader, it is looking slightly less apocalyptic for the tories but it is clearly not looking good. and i think today will crystallise that fear because we've seen the polls in action, so that will be a concern for tory mps. in terms of where rishi sunak goes, i mean, i think he will try and tell people, as we've seen, keir starmer doesn't have... et cetera, stick without plan. i think the problem is if you start to have mps being a bit more factional and panicking on things like housing, keir starmer trying to make that dividing line, but if you look at the lib dems games, i think that is going to increase concerns against housebuilding amongst some tory mps who think planning reform is something that has hurt them, so you can see some of the internal

debates within the tory party will be bubbling to the surface again. you are nodding?— be bubbling to the surface again. you are nodding? be bubbling to the surface again. you are noddini ? , , ., , . ., you are nodding? yes, six months ago there was even — you are nodding? yes, six months ago there was even talk— you are nodding? yes, six months ago there was even talk that _ you are nodding? yes, six months ago there was even talk that rishi - you are nodding? yes, six months ago there was even talk that rishi sunak i there was even talk that rishi sunak could _ there was even talk that rishi sunak could be _ there was even talk that rishi sunak could be challenged if he had a poor set of— could be challenged if he had a poor set of local— could be challenged if he had a poor set of local elections, that isjust not going — set of local elections, that isjust not going to happen now, i think he has established himself at the top of the _ has established himself at the top of the party, mps will die or live with him. — of the party, mps will die or live with him, that said, i think probably— with him, that said, i think probably what they will do is very much _ probably what they will do is very much hope that we all turn our attention— much hope that we all turn our attention to the coronation can forget — attention to the coronation can forget about these local elections and that— forget about these local elections and that the economy begins to come round. _ and that the economy begins to come round, because once we get into a general— round, because once we get into a general election it is not those local— general election it is not those local issues as much, it is not the trees— local issues as much, it is not the trees are — local issues as much, it is not the trees are no — local issues as much, it is not the trees are no potholes, it is how you feel about — trees are no potholes, it is how you feel about your pay packet and whether— feel about your pay packet and whether you can afford to go to the shops— whether you can afford to go to the shops anymore, so i think it is all crossing — shops anymore, so i think it is all crossing fingers... shops anymore, so i think it is all crossing fingers. . ._ crossing fingers... having said that, inflation _ crossing fingers... having said that, inflation is _ crossing fingers. .. having said that, inflation is still— crossing fingers... having said that, inflation is still high, i crossing fingers... having said j that, inflation is still high, and it is not predicted to go down much in the nearfuture, interest it is not predicted to go down much in the near future, interest rates are high as well, in ten seconds, katie, is the economy the key? i think the economy is always key in an election but after that is also

the leadership, where rishi sunak things he might have something of keir starmer.— keir starmer. thank you both very much indeed _ keir starmer. thank you both very much indeed for _ keir starmer. thank you both very much indeed forjoining _ keir starmer. thank you both very much indeed forjoining us - keir starmer. thank you both very much indeed forjoining us today. | much indeed forjoining us today. you're watching bbc news, stay with us, wherever you are. fly past to celebrate the coronation could be cancelled if the weather is bad. and there are concerns of safety issues. a little apology, i lost my microphone for a moment

there. we haven't lost lukey heights king's —— lucy hockings, mike colledge, at westminster abbey. i am, like,, why can't i hearthat? i am, like,, why can't i hearthat? i am pleased to know it was just a small technical error and we can hear you now. iam here small technical error and we can hear you now. i am here at westminster abbey, final preparations are taking place ahead of tomorrow's coronation of king. the broadcasterjonathan dimbleby, who is a friend of the king, has told the bbc it is out of character for the king to ask for an homage, as we've been hearing in the media. i can think of nothing he would find it more _ i can think of nothing he would find it more abhorrent. he has never wanted — it more abhorrent. he has never wanted to— it more abhorrent. he has never wanted to be revered, to have anyone pay homage _ wanted to be revered, to have anyone pay homage to him except in mock terms _ pay homage to him except in mock terms as— pay homage to him except in mock terms as a — pay homage to him except in mock terms as a joke. he wants to feel that people will share in the event

and i_ that people will share in the event and i don't — that people will share in the event and i don't quite know how this might— and i don't quite know how this might have happened. i do not know for certain. — might have happened. i do not know for certain, it seems to me that this was— for certain, it seems to me that this was an _ for certain, it seems to me that this was an initiative by the archbishop who as we know it is strongly— archbishop who as we know it is strongly evangelical who thought it would _ strongly evangelical who thought it would be _ strongly evangelical who thought it would be a good thing to give everyone an opportunity to pay the homage _ everyone an opportunity to pay the homage i— everyone an opportunity to pay the homage. i think it was well—intentioned, and rather ill advised — well—intentioned, and rather ill advised. the effect is to allow everyone _ advised. the effect is to allow everyone to say, well, i'm not going to pay— everyone to say, well, i'm not going to pay homage. i am speaking for myself. _ to pay homage. i am speaking for myself. i— to pay homage. i am speaking for myself, i am to pay homage. i am speaking for myself, lam not to pay homage. i am speaking for myself, i am not a giver of homage. i think— myself, i am not a giver of homage. i think it _ myself, i am not a giver of homage. i think it is _ myself, i am not a giver of homage. i think it is most bizarre and i hope — i think it is most bizarre and i hope it— i think it is most bizarre and i hope it willjust be part of the thing. — hope it willjust be part of the thing, some people will observe it and others — thing, some people will observe it and others won't. it will be individual. latterly, the archbishop has made _ individual. latterly, the archbishop has made this clear. i think there might— has made this clear. i think there might have — has made this clear. i think there might have been a miscommunication somewhere _ might have been a miscommunication somewhere because i do know that it is so different from the king that i know— is so different from the king that i know to _ is so different from the king that i know to ask for a homage. we

is so different from the king that i know to ask for a homage.- know to ask for a homage. we all know to ask for a homage. we all know that music _ know to ask for a homage. we all know that music will _ know to ask for a homage. we all know that music will be _ know to ask for a homage. we all know that music will be a - know to ask for a homage. we all know that music will be a huge i know that music will be a huge part of the coronation service as well as at the concert which is happening on sunday. the london fire brigade choir have been selected to be part of a wire put together by celebrity coaches part of a programme called sing for the king. let's have a listen to them. the uk's most passionate singers are being offered the opportunity of a lifetime. two saying as he tries to find us a song. saying as he tries to find us a son:. ~ saying as he tries to find us a son t . . .. saying as he tries to find us a son. _ . ., ., ~' saying as he tries to find us a son., . ., ., ~' ., song. we have talked about getting sinale song. we have talked about getting single motive _ song. we have talked about getting single motive music _ song. we have talked about getting single motive music to _ song. we have talked about getting single motive music to sing. - song. we have talked about getting single motive music to sing. and i single motive music to sing. and finall a single motive music to sing. and finally a breakthrough. tell me you have got a song. i'm afraid we are going to bring you more of that clip later. i am joined going to bring you more of that clip later. iam joined by going to bring you more of that clip later. i am joined by three members

of the london fire brigade choir, emma, rebecca who is a choir member and assistant operations manager and julia. give me a sense of how you are feeling. is the excitement building? it are feeling. is the excitement buildin: ? . are feeling. is the excitement buildin: ? , are feeling. is the excitement buildini? , . ., , building? it is so excitement to be art of building? it is so excitement to be part of this — building? it is so excitement to be part of this historic _ building? it is so excitement to be part of this historic event, - part of this historic event, incredible to perform at windsor and an owner to be chosen to be part of this amazing process, we are really excited and we have been working really hard. it is a massive sense of what representing london fire brigade for london, overwhelming but brilliant at the same time. haste brigade for london, overwhelming but brilliant at the same time.— brilliant at the same time. we are ruite brilliant at the same time. we are quite nervous- _ brilliant at the same time. we are quite nervous. what _ brilliant at the same time. we are quite nervous. what are _ brilliant at the same time. we are quite nervous. what are you i brilliant at the same time. we are l quite nervous. what are you looking forward to the _ quite nervous. what are you looking forward to the most? _ quite nervous. what are you looking forward to the most? being - quite nervous. what are you looking forward to the most? being in i quite nervous. what are you looking forward to the most? being in the i forward to the most? being in the ambience of— forward to the most? being in the ambience of the _ forward to the most? being in the ambience of the crowd, _ forward to the most? being in the ambience of the crowd, the i forward to the most? being in the ambience of the crowd, the whole e>

there and experience it, once in a lifetime. everyone is very - there and experience it, once in a| lifetime. everyone is very excited. we are _ lifetime. everyone is very excited. we are worried _ lifetime. everyone is very excited. we are worried about _ lifetime. everyone is very excited. we are worried about the - lifetime. everyone is very excited. we are worried about the weather| lifetime. everyone is very excited. i we are worried about the weather but it looks better for sunday. what about the preparations? a lot of rehearsal time has gone into this. no a lot of rehearsal time. everyone has understood that it is a huge honour and responsibility to do a really good job and to represent not only the fire brigade, but the country in this incredible choir that has been put together. can you tell us how many hours you have spent two we tell us how many hours you have sent two . ., tell us how many hours you have sent two . . ., , ., spent two we have had lots of rehearsals. — spent two we have had lots of rehearsals, we've _ spent two we have had lots of rehearsals, we've been i spent two we have had lots of i rehearsals, we've been practising behind—the—scenes, _ rehearsals, we've been practising behind—the—scenes, everyone i rehearsals, we've been practising| behind—the—scenes, everyone has stepped _ behind—the—scenes, everyone has stepped up. — behind—the—scenes, everyone has stepped up, everyone _ behind—the—scenes, everyone has stepped up, everyone has- behind—the—scenes, everyone has stepped up, everyone has done i behind—the—scenes, everyone has i stepped up, everyone has done their homework. _ stepped up, everyone has done their homework, worked _ stepped up, everyone has done their homework, worked really— stepped up, everyone has done their homework, worked really hard - homework, worked really hard learning — homework, worked really hard learning the _ homework, worked really hard learning the songs. _ homework, worked really hard learning the songs. thie- homework, worked really hard learning the songs.— homework, worked really hard learning the songs. homework, worked really hard learnina the sons. . . ., , . learning the songs. we want to stand on state learning the songs. we want to stand on stage and — learning the songs. we want to stand on stage and know _ learning the songs. we want to stand on stage and know are _ learning the songs. we want to stand on stage and know are part _ learning the songs. we want to stand on stage and know are part no - learning the songs. we want to stand| on stage and know are part no matter what is going on around us. we can adapt to the weather. we might be singing in the rain, but we will adapt to it. singing in the rain, but we will adapt to it—

singing in the rain, but we will adat to it. ., , , singing in the rain, but we will adat to it. ., . , . adapt to it. how big is the quiet a few are london _ adapt to it. how big is the quiet a few are london fire _ adapt to it. how big is the quiet a few are london fire brigade i adapt to it. how big is the quiet a few are london fire brigade choir| adapt to it. how big is the quiet a i few are london fire brigade choir is 23 --eole few are london fire brigade choir is 23 people and _ few are london fire brigade choir is 23 people and the _ few are london fire brigade choir is 23 people and the entire _ few are london fire brigade choir is 23 people and the entire acquire... when you came together for the first time, how was a few it when you came together for the first time, how was a fev— time, how was a few it was amazing, overwhelming. _ time, how was a few it was amazing, overwhelming, we _ time, how was a few it was amazing, overwhelming, we are _ time, how was a few it was amazing, overwhelming, we are at _ time, how was a few it was amazing, overwhelming, we are at various i overwhelming, we are at various stages. — overwhelming, we are at various stages. i— overwhelming, we are at various stages, i require is forwell—being, we don't _ stages, i require is forwell—being, we don't audition, others may be slightly— we don't audition, others may be slightly different. it was amazing to get _ slightly different. it was amazing to get to — slightly different. it was amazing to get to know all the others, there were so— to get to know all the others, there were so many different elements. once _ were so many different elements. once we _ were so many different elements. once we all got together, the sound came _ once we all got together, the sound came together. it was amazing. in terms came together. it was amazing. terms of came together. it was amazing. in terms of your choir, no audition, you have a love of singing. ii terms of your choir, no audition, you have a love of singing. if you can speak. _ you have a love of singing. if you can speak. you — you have a love of singing. if you can speak, you can sing. - you have a love of singing. if you can speak, you can sing. you i you have a love of singing. if you can speak, you can sing. you are welcome — can speak, you can sing. you are welcome to— can speak, you can sing. you are welcome to come _ can speak, you can sing. you are welcome to come check- can speak, you can sing. you are welcome to come check out i can speak, you can sing. you are welcome to come check out our. can speak, you can sing. you are i welcome to come check out our choir. where _ welcome to come check out our choir. where you _ welcome to come check out our choir. where you singers— welcome to come check out our choir. where you singers at— welcome to come check out our choir. where you singers at school—

welcome to come check out our choir. where you singers at school two - welcome to come check out our choir. where you singers at school two i- where you singers at school two i have a compulsion for singing. people will be surprised that i am talking now and not singing. we are alljoined by the love of singing, you sing if you're happy, in worship, in celebration, in protest. if you raise your voice and to do it as a group, everyone leaves the rehearsal feeling better when they arrived. people might arrive feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it is a supportive group of people who love the same things as you, everyone is lovely and welcoming, you leave feeling happy, that it is better than when i turned up. you would rather sing _ than when i turned up. you would rather sing than _ than when i turned up. you would rather sing than talk, _ than when i turned up. you would rather sing than talk, can - than when i turned up. you would rather sing than talk, can you i than when i turned up. you would| rather sing than talk, can you do a tiny little bit of one of the songs for a few we tiny little bit of one of the songs for a fe . , . ., , for a few we are under strict orders not to sing — for a few we are under strict orders not to sing the _ for a few we are under strict orders not to sing the actual _ for a few we are under strict orders not to sing the actual song. -

# sometimes i lay under the moon # and thank god i'm breathing # when negativity is around i know all my life i've been waiting for how much do you want? that was wonderful- _ how much do you want? that was wonderful. we _ how much do you want? that was wonderful. we needed _ how much do you want? that was wonderful. we needed to - how much do you want? that was| wonderful. we needed to convince how much do you want? that was i wonderful. we needed to convince you to do that and it was exquisite. i5

to do that and it was exquisite. is all good fun. we adapt and overcome in the fire brigade, we handle anything that is thrown at us. hopi anything that is thrown at us. how often do you _ anything that is thrown at us. how often do you perform as a choir? how often do you perform as a choir? how often do you get together and perform? haste often do you get together and erform? ~ . . often do you get together and erform? ~ . , ., . . ~ often do you get together and erform? ~ . , ., . . ,, . perform? we rehearse once a week at our hq, perform? we rehearse once a week at our hq. with — perform? we rehearse once a week at our hq, with people _ perform? we rehearse once a week at our hq, with people from _ perform? we rehearse once a week at our hq, with people from all- perform? we rehearse once a week at our hq, with people from all over i our hq, with people from all over the fire brigade, operational, nonoperational, retired members who come back to us. thatjust shows the strength of the require that we have. we come together once a week, we sing lots of songs, our focus has been shifted for this, but normally we cover a whole range of songs. four to five performances a year, we sin- four to five performances a year, we sing at _ four to five performances a year, we sing at events. — four to five performances a year, we sing at events, also _ four to five performances a year, we sing at events, also external - four to five performances a year, we sing at events, also external public i sing at events, also external public facing _ sing at events, also external public facing things — sing at events, also external public facing things we _ sing at events, also external public facing things. we did _ sing at events, also external public facing things. we did it _ sing at events, also external public facing things. we did it concept i

sing at events, also external public facing things. we did it concept for| facing things. we did it concept for the jubilee — facing things. we did it concept for the jubilee last _ facing things. we did it concept for the jubilee last year, _ facing things. we did it concept for the jubilee last year, for— the jubilee last year, for remembrance _ the jubilee last year, for remembrance day- the jubilee last year, for remembrance day we i the jubilee last year, forl remembrance day we will the jubilee last year, for- remembrance day we will sing. the jubilee last year, for— remembrance day we will sing. we the jubilee last year, for remembrance day we will sing. we all have something _ remembrance day we will sing. we all have something to _ remembrance day we will sing. we all have something to help _ remembrance day we will sing. we all have something to help us _ remembrance day we will sing. we all have something to help us with i have something to help us with stress in our lives, yoga, reading a book, for all of you, is it singing? to sing, you don't need anything, if you run, you need trainers, but to sing, you turn up as you are and if you are enthusiastic and willing to give it a go, you will feel better at the end of it. you cannot help but feel better when you are singing. people sing in the shower because of the great acoustics and why not? ida because of the great acoustics and wh not? ., ., , ., , because of the great acoustics and wh not? ., ., , . , ., . why not? no one stands out, we all sing together. _ why not? no one stands out, we all sing together. no — why not? no one stands out, we all sing together, no one _ why not? no one stands out, we all sing together, no one has - why not? no one stands out, we all sing together, no one has to - why not? no one stands out, we all sing together, no one has to be i sing together, no one has to be on their— sing together, no one has to be on their own. — sing together, no one has to be on their own, we are a team and we work asa their own, we are a team and we work as a team _ their own, we are a team and we work as a team i _ their own, we are a team and we work as a team. ., , as a team. i loved being in the choir at school. _ as a team. i loved being in the choir at school. do _ as a team. i loved being in the choir at school. do you - as a team. i loved being in the choir at school. do you have i as a team. i loved being in the i choir at school. do you have fun. we have loved hearing you sing. it is so nice to have you here. sing for

the king is tonight, if you are here in the uk, at 8pm on bbc and iplayer. it is going to be well worth viewing. they will be more from us throughout the day from outside westminster. are you in fine voice today two i don't know if you can hear my voice. thank you very much indeed. sorry, carry on. if you can't talk. — much indeed. sorry, carry on. if you can't talk. you _ much indeed. sorry, carry on. if you can't talk, you can _ much indeed. sorry, carry on. if you can't talk, you can sing _ much indeed. sorry, carry on. if you can't talk, you can sing apparently. | can't talk, you can sing apparently. thank you very much. there have been wild celebrations in naples after the italian city football team won their first league title in the italian city football team won theirfirst league title in more than 30 years. a one all draw last night saw them clinch the championship for the first time since 1990. thousands of neapolitans

gathered in bars, and at the club stadium to watch the match on television. let's cross to naples and speak to the reporter for the napoli tv channel. thank you very much forjoining us here. i wonder if i can start off on a serious note. i have noticed there are headlines when we are talking about the win for napoli, they are reporting a shooting that took place around the time of the match? thank ou, it is a around the time of the match? thank you, it is a pleasure _ around the time of the match? thank you, it is a pleasure to _ around the time of the match? thank you, it is a pleasure to be _ around the time of the match? thank you, it is a pleasure to be with - around the time of the match? thank you, it is a pleasure to be with you i you, it is a pleasure to be with you today. let me understand, are you asking me about some bad facts that happened during the match? i noticed there are headlines _ happened during the match? i noticed there are headlines saying _ happened during the match? i noticed there are headlines saying someone i there are headlines saying someone was shot or killed following a shooting post match, was it? can you

give us details? was it tied to the match itself? haste give us details? was it tied to the match itself?— give us details? was it tied to the match itself? we do not have proof for the moment, _ match itself? we do not have proof for the moment, we _ match itself? we do not have proof for the moment, we think - match itself? we do not have proof for the moment, we think that i match itself? we do not have proof for the moment, we think that it i match itself? we do not have proof i for the moment, we think that it was something, let's say, outside the world of football. the authorities are saying it was a short related to some crime, it's not related to football. as you can imagine, somebody took this chance to have the opportunity to commit this crime. this is very bad. we are very sad about it because we were very

happy. sad about it because we were very happy, all the city is happy about the waning of the title and it is a pity that something so bad the waning of the title and it is a pity that something so had happened in this moment that you can see from the images, very happy. that's what is happening. the images, very happy. that's what is happening-— is happening. thank you very much for clearing — is happening. thank you very much for clearing that _ is happening. thank you very much for clearing that up. _ is happening. thank you very much for clearing that up. the _ is happening. thank you very much for clearing that up. the big - is happening. thank you very much for clearing that up. the big night. | for clearing that up. the big night. how on earth did napoli get over the line into the back of the net? the main character, _ line into the back of the net? tue: main character, the manager, now our work is focused on how they are coming back because i don't know if you can imagine, i will describe describe the city, they are crazy about the team, the fear, they think

that if they arrive at the principal heir part of the city which is a very central there will be some problems for the safety of the public. they think the whole city will stop. they are thinking about making all of the team with helicopters, with some helicopters flying to a small airport in the same region of napoli, this airport is a military airport. they need special permission, but, you know, to save public security is enough. to continue with the manager, he made a very impassioned speech as you would expect in italy, and he referenced maradona as well. what

did he say and why does that matter? a big smile on yourface did he say and why does that matter? a big smile on your face there. maradona is still alive for the city. he left in 1991, but he never really left in the heart of the fans. now that he is no more on this earth, i think all of the neapolitan fans feel very close to him. you can ask anybody in the streets, they will answer you that it is notjust luck, if argentina one the world championship this year, and then napoli won. all the people of napoli think maradona is watching us from heaven. £37! think maradona is watching us from heaven. . ., . think maradona is watching us from heaven. . ., , , think maradona is watching us from heaven. , , . ,, heaven. of course he is. thank you so much and _ heaven. of course he is. thank you so much and enjoy _ heaven. of course he is. thank you so much and enjoy the _ heaven. of course he is. thank you j so much and enjoy the celebrations

which i believe are going to continue on and on. i which i believe are going to continue on and on.- which i believe are going to continue on and on. i may suggest na oli as continue on and on. i may suggest napoli as the _ continue on and on. i may suggest napoli as the next _ continue on and on. i may suggest napoli as the next holiday - continue on and on. i may suggest napoli as the next holiday trip i continue on and on. i may suggest napoli as the next holiday trip for| napoli as the next holiday trip for people in england. you will have fun. . ~ people in england. you will have fun. . ,, , ., people in england. you will have fun. . ~' , ., , people in england. you will have fun. . ,, , . people in england. you will have fun. . , . . people in england. you will have fun. ., ~' , . . ., fun. thank you very much. we are aioin to fun. thank you very much. we are going to stay _ fun. thank you very much. we are going to stay with _ fun. thank you very much. we are going to stay with the _ fun. thank you very much. we are going to stay with the story. i fun. thank you very much. we are going to stay with the story. and i fun. thank you very much. we are i going to stay with the story. and go back to naples and speak to our correspondent who is there. i saw you laughing along. the atmosphere must be fantastic right now. it is. since napoli _ must be fantastic right now. it is. since napoli won _ must be fantastic right now. it is. since napoli won last _ must be fantastic right now. it is. since napoli won last night i must be fantastic right now. it 3 since napoli won last night and became champions of the attila italian for about league, has become one giant street party. i've never seen anything like it in my life. people have been dancing, singing, children playing football in the street. fireworks. as you can see behind me, the streets are decorated with flags hanging on every balcony. in the bakeries this morning, there

are ice creams, pastries and cakes dedicated to the players. i spoke to someone yesterday who told me it is impossible to put into words the emotion. someone else said he cried when napoli won because he feels it is a historic moment.— is a historic moment. when we talk about the history, _ is a historic moment. when we talk about the history, we _ is a historic moment. when we talk about the history, we were - is a historic moment. when we talk about the history, we were hearing| about the history, we were hearing there, maradona played for the club backin there, maradona played for the club back in the day. the last time they won. what are the hopes for the future for napoli because football and finances are very closely tied, of course. . , and finances are very closely tied, of course. .,, ,, and finances are very closely tied, of course. .,, in , h, and finances are very closely tied, of course. n, in , , n n of course. has your guest said a few minutes ago. _ of course. has your guest said a few minutes ago, maradona _ of course. has your guest said a few minutes ago, maradona is _ of course. has your guest said a few minutes ago, maradona is still- of course. has your guest said a few minutes ago, maradona is still alive | minutes ago, maradona is still alive here in naples. this is a celebration that was 33 years in the making. the last time napoli won the title was a 1990 thanks to maradona. since then, the team was not able to sustain that level of success. they

played badly, they had financial problems, they even went bankrupt and they were demoted to a lower league. things changed a few years ago when the team was bought and they started to play better. for many years, they could not quite get to the finish line. they could not win the title. people here today really feel it is their time. they really feel it is their time. they really deserved the win and they will be celebrating four days, weeks and months to come. you will be celebrating four days, weeks and months to come.— and months to come. you will be monitoring _ and months to come. you will be monitoring the _ and months to come. you will be monitoring the celebrations - and months to come. you will be monitoring the celebrations for l and months to come. you will be i monitoring the celebrations for us. thank you very much. you are watching bbc news. we are going to the united states, a jury in new york has decided ed sheeran did not copy the song of marvin gaye. and he composed his head, the heirs of marvin gaye said they were owed money for copyright infringement.

the music correspondent has more. thinking out loud as one of ed sheeran's biggest hits. in the uk alone, it has sold more than [i alone, it has sold more than 4 million copies. when it was released, he was accused of theft by the family of the co—writer of let's get it on by marvin gaye. here is how the sound when they are put in the same key. the lyrics and melody are different but the underlying chords are similar. ed sheeran brought his guitar to the witness stand in new york and played the cards. he said they were the basic building blocks of pop music used by everyone from dolly parton to elvis presley. the prosecution played what they called

a smoking gun, this fun short video of playing a medley of thinking out loud and let's get it on. let's get it on... due to a quirk of us copyright law only the sheet music was protected under law. thejury only the sheet music was protected under law. the jury was only the sheet music was protected under law. thejury was not only the sheet music was protected under law. the jury was not able to compare the music recordings of the two song side by side, and in the end they decided with ed sheeran. we end they decided with ed sheeran. , spent the last eight years talking about two songs with dramatically different melodies, and different cards, used by some writers every day all over the world. they are in the song writers alphabet, 02 kit, and should be the song writers alphabet, 02 kit, and should he therefore all of us to use. no one owns them or the way they played the same way no one owns they played the same way no one owns the colour blue. the they played the same way no one owns the colour blue.— the colour blue. the timing could not have been _ the colour blue. the timing could not have been better, _ the colour blue. the timing could not have been better, he - the colour blue. the timing could | not have been better, he releases the colour blue. the timing could i not have been better, he releases a new album and goes on tour this

weekend. 3d printers are becoming increasingly popular. a team of scientists say they have come up with another 3d culinary first. how do you like your fish? fried, poached, grilled two how about printed? that is what is on offer at this laboratory in israel. what is claimed to be the first ever ready to cook 3g printed fish fill it. the to cook 36 printed fish fill it. the densi of to cook 36 printed fish fill it. the density of the — to cook 36 printed fish fill it. tue density of the fishes are lower, the flakiness is easy to mimic, and with a better protected printed capabilities, we can 3d print exactly the same texture and thickness of a real fish. we exactly the same texture and thickness of a realfish. we have this capability today. the? thickness of a real fish. we have this capability today.— this capability today. they use animal sales _ this capability today. they use animal sales cultivated - this capability today. they use animal sales cultivated and i this capability today. they use - animal sales cultivated and grown in our laboratory which are mixed with plant —based ingredients. the printer does its work. the

manufacturers say the process is clean and transparent and they do not use antibiotics. there is one obvious question. what does it taste like? i obvious question. what does it taste like? . n obvious question. what does it taste like? n, n n , ,n like? i can feel almost the same exneriment. _ like? i can feel almost the same experiment, experience, - like? i can feel almost the same experiment, experience, of- like? i can feel almost the same experiment, experience, of the| like? i can feel almost the same i experiment, experience, of the fish structure in my mouth, also, i am a ms by howjuicy it is and i feel of butter. ms by how 'uicy it is and i feel of butter. n n ms by how'uicy it isandifeelof butter. n n ,, ,, ms by how'uicy it isandifeelof butter. n n , , ,, , butter. for now, the business is small, butter. for now, the business is small. but _ butter. for now, the business is small, but the _ butter. for now, the business is small, but the team _ butter. for now, the business is small, but the team are - butter. for now, the business is i small, but the team are ambitious and help the 3d printed version may help preserve global fish stocks. potentially, it could make for quite a patch. more now on the coronation as king charles iii will be holding the biggest diamond in the world in his hands as part of the ceremony. some south africans are calling for

the star of africa which is set in the star of africa which is set in the royal sceptre to be returned. the sceptre is the oldest symbol of royalty and is carried in the sovereign's right hand. the largest diamond in the world, known as the star of africa, it is set in the royal sceptre to be held by king charles at his coronation. the diamond weighs 530 carats, 620 grams, roughly the same weight as basketball. it was discovered in 1905, and presented to the british monarchy by the colonial government of the country which was then under british rule. but as the diamond is in the limelight again, it has become part of the bigger conversation about returning artefacts that were gathered or taken during colonial times. some south africans are calling for the time to be brought back. if he wants to be a recognised _ time to be brought back. if he wants to be a recognised and _ time to be brought back. if he wants to be a recognised and respected -

to be a recognised and respected monarchy by the african people, it would be wise to return what was taken from us without our consent. others say they do not feel strongly about it. so no i don't think it matters, things have changed, what mattered in the olden days about being superior above all based on being superior above all based on being britain and whatnot. it being britain and what not. it doesn't matter to us any more. it was mind _ doesn't matter to us any more. it was mind near pretoria. it lives with_ was mind near pretoria. it lives with the — was mind near pretoria. it lives with the crown jewels was mind near pretoria. it lives with the crownjewels in was mind near pretoria. it lives with the crown jewels in the tower of london — with the crown jewels in the tower of london. it represents the sovereign's power and is associated with good _ sovereign's power and is associated with good governance. as sovereign's power and is associated with good governance. 335 is with good governance. as is tradition. — with good governance. as is tradition, it _ with good governance. as is tradition, it will _ with good governance. as is tradition, it will feature - with good governance. as is i tradition, it will feature during the king's coronation and will be seen by millions across the globe. if you suffer from vertigo, you probably want to look away, this is the old harbour inn pub in hagan, and the daredevils wowed the crowds as the crossed and succeeded in

walking across a high wire 160 walking across a high wire160 metres long and it was suspended 50 metres long and it was suspended 50 metres above the harbour. and they all did it. fantastic. this is bbc news. low pressure in charge at the moment so it is unscented. there will be rain at times. it will not be all the time. moving swiftly on the breeze. we have a front pushing its way north. more cloud and rain to parts of scotland and northern ireland. it is our way towards the north, lingering in the far north—east. sunshine and showers, some heavy and sundry as we head into the afternoon. for the time of year, 15 to 18 degrees, cooler where you have the breeze in

the north of scotland. thundery downpours ease away, dry weather overnight tonight, mild and frost free with temperatures between seven to 11 degrees. the rain is working into the far south—west on saturday. this area of low pressure brings us worked weather on saturday. it pushes its way northwards and eastwards throughout the uk. what is the weather looking like for the coronation two by 11 o'clock, we will see their wet weather moving in. it will ease away from london later on in the afternoon. much of england and wales seeing the wet weather pushing north and east. showers across central scotland. not as warm as today for many of us. 16 or the top temperatures. moving through into sunday and that first system clears away towards the east. so a ridge of high pressure for a time. still some showers lingering

for eastern scotland, perhaps, on sunday morning and more rain moving into the far west later in the day. but, actually, sunday, for the bulk of the uk, probably the driest day of the bank holiday weekend. so some sunshine, and that is going to lift temperatures to about 20 degrees or 21 degrees. so a fairly warm feeling day, particularly in the south—east during sunday. into bank holiday monday, and there is more rain on the way. so you can see some rain symbols for all of our capital cities, 16 or 17 degrees for bank holiday monday. to sum things up over the next few days, rain around for some of us on saturday, a little bit drier, sunny spells, a few showers on sunday. heavy downpours on the way, though, for monday.

live from westminster. this is bbc news the conservatives have lost seats to labour and the liberal democrats as the results have started to come in from yesterday's local elections in england. labour have taken control of key councils in plymouth and stoke—on—trent and medway. keir starmer described the results as amazing all the places that we need to win, the battlegrounds, and make no mistake, we are on course for a labour majority at the next general election. cheering. the conservatives say they have had a difficult night but there is still a long way to go.

hello i'm maryam moshiri live in westminster as results from yesterday's local elections across england come in. rishi sunak's conservative party have lost over 200 council seats across the country — something he has described

as 'disappointing'. labour have taken control of plymouth, stoke—on—trent and taken medway in kent from the conservatives, among their top target councils. sir keir starmer this morning said the party was on course to win a majority in the next general election, and the liberal democrats have also picked up seats and taken control of windsor, their leader ed davey celebrating what he's called 'ground—breaking' results and saying time is up for rishi sunak. there is still a long way to go as around three quarters of councils have yet to declare their results. we'll bring you coverage throughout the morning and analyse what the results so far mean. but first lets get the story of the night from our political correspondent jonathan blake. cheering. celebrations in stoke—on—trent — a key victory for labour overnight. they took control of the city council after voters

here and across england gave their verdict. ballots have been counted in some of the 200 or so towns, cities and rural areas holding elections that decide who runs local services. but also giving a sense of the national political picture. the tories were braced for a bad night and they lost power in several areas. when labour took plymouth, the city's conservative mp accepted his party was being punished. look, it's been a terrible night for us here in plymouth. i think there are a number of factors at play. locally, it's been very difficult. the conservative group here has been through a very difficult time. but also giving a sense of the national political picture. and we've seen that reflected in the results tonight. but we take it on the chin. labour have made steady, if not overwhelming, gains but enough they claim to put them on course to win a general election. right through this evening, you have seen the two words, the two phrases, "bad night for the tories, a good night

for labour," whether that's in stoke, up in hartlepool, whether that's in teesside, or right down through to plymouth. tomorrow we're going to get down through to dover and see what's happening in brighton and hove and crawley and the rest of the south—east. the reason is that we have a credible alternative. essex in the early hours and the liberal democrats were cheering the loudest. gains there and further afield were ground—breaking, the party claimed. predicting upsets in traditional tory territory. a 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 no overall control. and it's a time of change in brentwood and we're really delighted, it's fantastic news. the green party has boosted its numbers, too, in these first elections in england where photo id was required to vote. only around a quarter of the councils holding elections have been counting votes overnight. 50 early results don't give anything like the full picture. but in the hours ahead,

these local contests will be closely watched as a crucial test for all the parties. jonathan blake, bbc news. let's hear from the leaders of the major parties now, here's prime minister rishi sunak. in terms of the results, it's still early, we've just had a quarter of the results in. but what i am going to carry on doing is delivering on the people's priorities — halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting the waiting lists and stopping the boats. that's what people want us to do. that is what i am going to keep hard at doing. now, the ex—conservative leader of medway council blamed the unpopularity of your government, cost of living plans, the planning changes, nhs failings. that's all down to you. a clear message from voters. what is going to change? look, as i said, we've only had a quarter of the results in. actually, we're making progress in key election battlegrounds like peterborough, bassetlaw, sandwell. but the message i am hearing from people tonight is that they want us to focus on their priorities, and they want

us to deliverfor them. and that is about halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting waiting lists and stopping the boats. that's what people care about, that's what they want us to deliver and that's what i and the government are going to work very hard to do. one of the big early trends is that working class voters look like they're going back to the labour party. do you take personal responsibility for the overall vote? and did borisjohnson have something that you don't? well, if you look at the result, we've only had a quarter of the results in. so, it's hard to draw firm conclusions. we're actually making progress in key election battlegrounds like peterborough, like sandwell, bassetlaw, and you mention the labour party. look, i'm not detecting any massive ground swell of movement towards the labour party or excitement for their agenda. what people want us to do is focus on their priorities, halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting waiting lists and stopping the boats. those are the country's priorities and this government's priorities and that is what we're going to deliver. labour leader sir keir starmer has

been speaking in medway, in kent, where his party has taken control. we've just taken medway for the first time since 1998. that is a very, very good night for the labour party. we didn'tjust get it over the line, we absolutely smashed it. and it is the same story elsewhere. same story in plymouth, in stoke, up in middlesbrough and these are the key battlegrounds as we go into the next election, and make no mistake, this means that we are on course for a labour majority at the next election. a very, very good set of results. kent has been a tory heartland for a while now. is this a key battleground around the county now for you? we've changed the labour party and we have earned the trust and confidence of voters here in kent. and we'll do that across the country. we have shown change is possible, a better britain is possible, a very, very good set of results for us. the liberal democrats leader, sir ed davey, has been speaking in windsor where his party has won control from the conservatives. we've beaten the conservatives

in bath and in brentwood, in hertfordshire and in hinckley. we're making gains off labour. we've increased our majority in hull and we are making huge gains across the country against the conservatives. we are continuing to make sure the blue wall tumbles down! cheering. and i am so proud of the result here in windsor. cheering. and i am so proud that when katy perry and lionel richie enter windsor castle for the coronation on sunday, they will be going into a ward that's represented by three brand—new liberal democrat councillors! cheering. joining me now is daisy cooper, the deputy leader of the liberal democrats. lionel richie and katy perry fan, clearly! $5

lionel richie and katy perry fan, clearl ! �* . lionel richie and katy perry fan, clearl! a , i , clearly! as you can see, ed davey is obviously delighted _ clearly! as you can see, ed davey is obviously delighted to _ clearly! as you can see, ed davey is obviously delighted to be _ clearly! as you can see, ed davey is obviously delighted to be in - clearly! as you can see, ed davey is| obviously delighted to be in windsor this morning. the set of results we have seen so far are really ground—breaking for us as a party. but i think possibly the worst is yet to come for the conservatives, because as liberal democrats, we are on their heels in hertfordshire and surrey, and those results are yet to be seen later today.— be seen later today. what is it that ou think be seen later today. what is it that you think voters _ be seen later today. what is it that you think voters are _ be seen later today. what is it that you think voters are telling - be seen later today. what is it that you think voters are telling you? . you think voters are telling you? the top issues, really, the nhs crisis, the fact you can't see a gp. if they could seek to live on an ambulance that can't be sure it will turn up. the cost of living and food and energy bills and of course the fact that the conservatives continue to pour raw sewage into our waterways. on top of everything else, people say that it is everything. it is mortgages, crime, it is everything. what we are hearing from voters is that they want wholesale change, and that is why we are calling for there to be a general election as soon as possible. general election as soon as

possible-— general election as soon as ossible. n . n n general election as soon as ossible. n n n possible. how confident are you that what ou possible. how confident are you that what you have _ possible. how confident are you that what you have seen _ possible. how confident are you that what you have seen today _ possible. how confident are you that what you have seen today will - possible. how confident are you that what you have seen today will then l what you have seen today will then be translated into victories in a general election? the two are very different, aren't they? fit general election? the two are very different, aren't they?— different, aren't they? of course. local elections _ different, aren't they? of course. local elections and _ different, aren't they? of course. local elections and general - local elections and general elections are often very different and fought on different issues. we have seen time and time again over past decades is that people start to vote liberal democrat at the local level and they are so pleased with what they see, like how we run our councils and look after money and services, that they have the confidence to vote for us at national level as well. i'm talking to you from st albans where we won control in 2019. just a few months later i was elected as the mp and we won the constituency seat. the results are still coming in but with the runs we are seeing so far shows we are on course to oust more conservative mps at the next general election. n n ~' conservative mps at the next general election. n n ~ n n election. took me through what ou're election. took me through what you're expecting? _ election. took me through what you're expecting? any - election. took me through what you're expecting? any surprises election. took me through what. you're expecting? any surprises we should look out for? istate

you're expecting? any surprises we should look out for?— you're expecting? any surprises we should look out for? we have had a ma'or should look out for? we have had a major surprise _ should look out for? we have had a major surprise in _ should look out for? we have had a major surprise in windsor _ should look out for? we have had a major surprise in windsor and - major surprise in windsor and maidenhead, but we could be in for some more surprises, particularly in surrey, potentially in sussex and of course in hertfordshire, my own area. i will be keeping a close eye on those areas and we will see what the results show is later today. let's talk about voter id. some of the members of your party were worried about what that might mean for those who don't have the necessary id. have you seen or been told about any major issues with voter id? told about any ma'or issues with voter id? . t, , told about any ma'or issues with voter id? . w , told about any ma'or issues with voter id? n n , , n , told about any ma'or issues with voterid? n , n , n voter id? that has been a number of issues, voter id? that has been a number of issues. even — voter id? that has been a number of issues. even in _ voter id? that has been a number of issues, even in st _ voter id? that has been a number of issues, even in st albans _ voter id? that has been a number of issues, even in st albans yesterday. | issues, even in st albans yesterday. i know one person who turned up with their french driving licence and they were told that was not valid. the man stopped me in the street to ask how he could get id because he had been turned away. a couple of days ago a woman said that she wasn't even going to bother to try to vote because she refused on principle to show her voter id. i do wonder whether what we will see is the number of people who have been

disenfranchised by these new regulations, these new laws, will be far greater than the number of people who were convicted or suspected of voter fraud. people who were convicted or suspected of voterfraud. i people who were convicted or suspected of voter fraud. i would suggest repeal that legislation at the earliest opportunity.- suggest repeal that legislation at the earliest opportunity. thank you ve much the earliest opportunity. thank you very much indeed. _ the earliest opportunity. thank you very much indeed. let's _ the earliest opportunity. thank you very much indeed. let's talk - the earliest opportunity. thank you very much indeed. let's talk more | very much indeed. let's talk more about the broader issues. let's talk more about the broader issues. let's bring in lone wells — our political correspondent. we were talking to daisy about the fact that there is more to come. what is the time frame? what are we waiting for and how many councils are left? $5 waiting for and how many councils are left? �* . in waiting for and how many councils are left? a waiting for and how many councils areleft? , waiting for and how many councils areleft?in ,, are left? as you say there is still are left? as you say there is still a lot more _ are left? as you say there is still a lot more to — are left? as you say there is still a lot more to come, _ are left? as you say there is still a lot more to come, about - are left? as you say there is still a lot more to come, about three j a lot more to come, about three quarters of council still yet to declare. we had that flurry of results that came in overnight, but most of the councils are counting today. this is where we'll get a bigger picture of what exactly the picture is across the whole of the country. i think one thing that all parties will be looking out for is what happens to some of their key

target areas. the midlands, for example, a key battleground area. we will be looking at seats like stratford—upon—avon, somewhere the liberal democrats are hoping to gain. labour have their eye on north warwickshire. a particular area that labour will be keen to make gains is in the north of england, areas like blackpool, darlington, middlesbrough, areas where they did badly in the 2019 general election in this so—called former red wall. if labour look like they are pouring back support their that will be heartening to the labour party. equally i think the liberal democrats will be hoping to make gains in some of their key target areas in the south of england, places like guildford and wokingham and west berkshire. certainly i think one message that has come out of the liberal democrats today has been that they weren't necessarily expecting to win places like windsor and maidenhead, that wasn't even one of their top targets. i think they are hoping to make further gains. in

terms of the green party, one of the key targets was mid suffolk. they are eyeing up whether that could be the first place to get control. that will be something to watch out for, as well. generally, as well, there is this question for the conservatives about how bad the picture will be. they are saying that it picture will be. they are saying thatitis picture will be. they are saying that it is early days and that labour aren't making the big strides the party would have wanted. as we start to see more and more councils declaring, some of the key questions that remain are, are the conservatives on track to lose more than 1000 seats. that was the figure that they were citing as what would be a bad result. secondly there is this question of, could this be a year where labour overtake conservatives in terms of councillors. i think both main parties will be asking that this afternoon. parties will be asking that this afternoon-— parties will be asking that this afternoon. ., ~' i n i . parties will be asking that this afternoon. n «i i n i . n afternoon. thank you very much for that undate- _ live to the newsroom with our political correspondent, david wallace lockhart.

what is the latest? let's look at where the _ what is the latest? let's look at where the parties _ what is the latest? let's look at where the parties are _ what is the latest? let's look at where the parties are currently. where the parties are currently standing in terms of changes a number of councillors. we are comparing to the 2019 local election. labour up by over 120, the conservatives down by over 230. the party had been warning it could lose 1000 seats in this set of local elections, so we will wait to see when the majority of councils are coming in throughout the course of today, how that number looks. the liberal democrats are up by 62, very happy with their performance so far, tiy happy with their performance so far, by the sound of things. let's look at what this means the council is changing hands. we wouldn't expect too much at this point. labour have taken three councils, the curves server tips have lost ten. in detail, we will go to medway. this

had been conservative since 2003. labour hadn't been in control since 1998. sir keir starmer has gone there to celebrate because it is now a labour council. it has gone from conservative to labour, labour getting 33 councillors, conservative getting 33 councillors, conservative getting 22. with drawing attention to the eu referendum result, 64% for leave. we know labour has struggled in recent years and leave supporting areas, so the party will be heartened to see them take medway council would that leave vote once upon a time. we can look at how the seats on the council will change. down 13 compared to the 2019 local elections, labour up by 11. if we go to berkshire, we can look at windsor and maidenhead, which is of course the big lib dems celebration we are seeing. ed davey has been to declare it is time up for rishi sunak. it had been a conservative council

since 2007. one of the local mps, of course, is theresa may. it does look like the lib dems are putting in a strong showing, 22 seats, eight to the independents, eight to the conservatives. that is up by 13 since 29 and the conservatives down tiy since 29 and the conservatives down by 16. when you look at that particular council and we look at medway, conservatives are facing challenges from both labour and the lib dems in different types of seats. i am sure that at the back of their minds will be the idea of what that could mean in a general election scenario. some of the key councils that we want to be looking out for throughout today, stratford—upon—avon in warwickshire. that was conservative. lib dems putting in a strong showing there. we will imagine that is one area where they hope to do well. we will keep an eye on what happens there. dover, in kent, of course was conservative, that labour looking to

put in a strong showing there. when labour didn't do too well in blackpool in the 2019 local elections, they will be looking to claw back some of that support. we don't have time to go through everything so far, but of course if you go to the bbc website, or the bbc app, you can put in your postcode and find out what is happening locally. have you will be able to get the latest there. most councils are still to come and a lot of result still to come in. as they come in we will get a clearer picture of what this means for all the parties. picture of what this means for all the parties-— picture of what this means for all the parties. david, thank you very much for that, _ the parties. david, thank you very much for that, with _ the parties. david, thank you very much for that, with other- the parties. david, thank you very much for that, with other very - much for that, with other very broader picture. joining me now is the shadow economic secretary to the treasury and labour spokesperson tulip saddiq and the conservative mp and minister in the department for business and trade kevin hollinrake. thank you both of you forjoining me. your reaction to what we have seen so far? we are not all the way there yet, but a pretty good night for labour? $5 there yet, but a pretty good night for labour?—

there yet, but a pretty good night for labour? ~ , n �* for labour? as you say, we haven't seen or the — for labour? as you say, we haven't seen or the results, _ for labour? as you say, we haven't seen or the results, but _ for labour? as you say, we haven't seen or the results, but looking - for labour? as you say, we haven't seen or the results, but looking at| seen or the results, but looking at stoke—on—trent, medway, even the middlesbrough mayor, which went expecting to be elected, people in the grand messaging saying this was not one we expected to win. a great night, very good for our local councillors who have been working so hard. positive campaign and winning places like worthing, which we didn't win in 97, so we feel optimistic and confident and on course for a labour victory at the next general election.— course for a labour victory at the next general election. lee? it's not treat for next general election. lee? it's not great for us. _ next general election. lee? it's not great for us, there _ next general election. lee? it's not great for us, there is _ next general election. lee? it's not great for us, there is no _ next general election. lee? it's not great for us, there is no doubt about— great for us, there is no doubt about it — great for us, there is no doubt about it. no surprises here, but it could _ about it. no surprises here, but it could have — about it. no surprises here, but it could have been worse. it's not great _ could have been worse. it's not great to— could have been worse. it's not great to see the loss of very conservative councils up and down the country. looking at the national picture. _ the country. looking at the national picture. in — the country. looking at the national picture, in terms of year on year, the vote — picture, in terms of year on year, the vote share, labour's vote hasn't gone _ the vote share, labour's vote hasn't gone up. _ the vote share, labour's vote hasn't gone up. not — the vote share, labour's vote hasn't gone up, not significantly. we have made _ gone up, not significantly. we have made huge — gone up, not significantly. we have made huge progress, that 15 point lead was _ made huge progress, that 15 point lead was 30 points over a few months

a-o lead was 30 points over a few months ago some _ lead was 30 points over a few months ago some so— lead was 30 points over a few months ago some so we are making progress. we need _ ago some so we are making progress. we need to— ago some so we are making progress. we need to continue that progress and tackle — we need to continue that progress and tackle the priorities, which is getting _ and tackle the priorities, which is getting the economy going, tackling inflation, _ getting the economy going, tackling inflation, sorting the nhs and stopping the boats. if we do that i think— stopping the boats. if we do that i think we _ stopping the boats. if we do that i think we are in good shape. he does have a point — think we are in good shape. he does have a point there, _ think we are in good shape. he does have a point there, that _ think we are in good shape. he does have a point there, that vote - think we are in good shape. he does have a point there, that vote share l have a point there, that vote share hasn't changed. what these elections really tellers?— really tellers? they have had 13 ears to really tellers? they have had 13 years to sort — really tellers? they have had 13 years to sort out _ really tellers? they have had 13 years to sort out all _ really tellers? they have had 13 years to sort out all the - really tellers? they have had 13 years to sort out all the things. really tellers? they have had 13 i years to sort out all the things he has mentioned. what have they been doing for 13 years? there is no point coming after a terrible night of results, talking about how these are things we are going to be focusing on. they have had 13 years, why haven't they done it then? if you look at the last time these election results happened in 2019, there are a different set of circumstances. we had left the eu at that point, theresa may resigned quite soon after the elections happened, and the conservatives lost 1300 seats. anything that is an improvement from there is a very low bar, in my opinion. i am not really

sure i believe this. i think that listening to this, it is denial about the failures and the fact that people are punishing the conservatives for crushing the economy last year. and at the conservatives mps try to pretend that didn't happen. it did happen. liz truss did crash the economy and now there is some payback.- liz truss did crash the economy and now there is some payback. kevin, i see ou now there is some payback. kevin, i see you shaking _ now there is some payback. kevin, i see you shaking your _ now there is some payback. kevin, i see you shaking your head. - now there is some payback. kevin, i see you shaking your head. people | see you shaking your head. people may be watching this at home and thinking that the conservatives have beenin thinking that the conservatives have been in powerfor 13 years, and all these problems you are talking about solving our problems that have happened, for the most part, over the last 13 years. do think there is maybe a feeling that people are thinking, how can we trust to take this forward? it is thinking, how can we trust to take this forward?— this forward? it is tough people, there is no _ this forward? it is tough people, there is no doubt _ this forward? it is tough people, there is no doubt about - this forward? it is tough people, there is no doubt about it. - there is no doubt about it. pressures are significant. there pressures— pressures are significant. there pressures have come because of international events we had no controi— international events we had no control over, covid to start with, and then— control over, covid to start with, and then putin's invasion of ukraine and then putin's invasion of ukraine and how— and then putin's invasion of ukraine and how that drove up energy prices. these _ and how that drove up energy prices. these are _ and how that drove up energy prices. these are the things we are dealing with and _ these are the things we are dealing with and we are making progress. people _ with and we are making progress. people have seen energy bills come

down _ people have seen energy bills come down i_ people have seen energy bills come down. i think most people see that most _ down. i think most people see that most of— down. i think most people see that most of the economic challenges we have our— most of the economic challenges we have our economic. most people would see that _ have our economic. most people would see that conservative party is much better— see that conservative party is much better than — see that conservative party is much better than managing the economy than the _ better than managing the economy than the opposition, particularly when _ than the opposition, particularly when the — than the opposition, particularly when the only answer is is throwing other— when the only answer is is throwing other people's money at it. the question— other people's money at it. the question i— other people's money at it. the question i get time and time again is, where — question i get time and time again is, where is the money coming from? of is, where is the money coming from? of course _ is, where is the money coming from? of course there are external factors of course there are external factors at play here, but we were uniquely left exposed because our economy wasn't growing, so there is no point in blaming globalfactors because of the internal situation. we were uniquely exposed. i am talking about the fact that we haven't tackled the cost of living crisis in any way. kevin is wrong to say we are throwing other people's money. the money we want to use is oil and gas giants. they have had for huge profits made. we have said that we

would use an extended windfall tax to freeze council tax this time in the local elections. i'm not sure why the conservatives aren't listening to us. we talked about a windfall tax but now we want an extended windfall tax which would raise £10.14 billion. this would help ordinary people. that is the money we would using, people have too much. i don't know why they are prioritised over hard working people. prioritised over hard working eo - le. prioritised over hard working --eole. , , , n prioritised over hard working neale, ,, , n people. the spending plan... if you let thresholds _ people. the spending plan... if you let thresholds increase _ people. the spending plan... if you let thresholds increase with - let thresholds increase with inflation, all stuff that labour has promised — inflation, all stuff that labour has promised to do, abolishing business rates _ promised to do, abolishing business rates. there is £100 billion there. even _ rates. there is £100 billion there. even if— rates. there is £100 billion there. even if you — rates. there is £100 billion there. even if you raise taxes, taxes on oil and _ even if you raise taxes, taxes on oil and gas — even if you raise taxes, taxes on oil and gas taxes are now 75% of profits —

oil and gas taxes are now 75% of rofits. ~ . , oil and gas taxes are now 75% of rofits. ~ n , i n oil and gas taxes are now 75% of rofits. ~ n , n the profits. what is your solution? they won't invest — profits. what is your solution? they won't invest in _ profits. what is your solution? they won't invest in the _ profits. what is your solution? they won't invest in the infrastructure . won't invest in the infrastructure we need — won't invest in the infrastructure we need. our solution is to balance the books, — we need. our solution is to balance the books, get the economy growing again _ the books, get the economy growing again the _ the books, get the economy growing again. the economy has grown in the third fastest — again. the economy has grown in the third fastest growth since 2010. only the — third fastest growth since 2010. only the us and canada are faster. once _ only the us and canada are faster. once a _ only the us and canada are faster. once a better record, that is our plan _ once a better record, that is our plan most — once a better record, that is our plan. most people i speak to think we have _ plan. most people i speak to think we have a — plan. most people i speak to think we have a better plan than labour. we are _ we have a better plan than labour. we are 28 — we have a better plan than labour. we are 28 when it comes to how much we have grown in the economy. we are the only country in the g7 we are the only country in the g7 we are the only country that hasn't grown before its post—pandemic economy. we are not doing very well for a start, but there is all this talk about how we need to balance the books. they have had 13 years and they haven't done any of it. our extended windfall tax is very different to what kevin is saying. it is possible he doesn't know the details. we are

talking about backdating it so we get more money. we are talking about taxing the rates at the same level as other countries and we are talking about closing a very specific loophole which is about getting more money, and investment loophole we want to close. we are talking about making it more sophisticated. it's not something that conservatives could disagree with, because they have brought it on, but our idea is to have a more extended one and it would help people right now. i'm not sure why they wouldn't do it. this people right now. i'm not sure why they wouldn't do it.— they wouldn't do it. this is our last answer. _ they wouldn't do it. this is our last answer. imagine - they wouldn't do it. this is our last answer. imagine the - they wouldn't do it. this is our i last answer. imagine the impact they wouldn't do it. this is our - last answer. imagine the impact on business investment. _ last answer. imagine the impact on business investment. if— last answer. imagine the impact on business investment. if you - last answer. imagine the impact on business investment. if you said i last answer. imagine the impact on business investment. if you said to | business investment. if you said to businesses — business investment. if you said to businesses we would back take taxation. — businesses we would back take taxation, it is devastating. it is a compiete — taxation, it is devastating. it is a complete nonsense. it is also wrong to saym _ complete nonsense. it is also wrong to saym to — complete nonsense. it is also wrong to say... to talk about growth in our economy. it to say... to talk about growth in our economy-— to say... to talk about growth in our economy. it haven't the limit hasn't. our economy. it haven't the limit hasn't- the _ our economy. it haven't the limit hasn't. the private _ our economy. it haven't the limit hasn't. the private sector - our economy. it haven't the limit hasn't. the private sector has . hasn't. the private sector has crown. hasn't. the private sector has grown- you — hasn't. the private sector has grown. you can _ hasn't. the private sector has grown. you can manipulate i hasn't. the private sector has. grown. you can manipulate the firures grown. you can manipulate the figures or— grown. you can manipulate the figures or you _ grown. you can manipulate the figures or you once. _ grown. you can manipulate the figures or you once. if- grown. you can manipulate the figures or you once. if you - grown. you can manipulate the figures or you once. if you look grown. you can manipulate the i figures or you once. if you look at the figures... _ figures or you once. if you look at the figures... to _ figures or you once. if you look at

the figures. .. to think— figures or you once. if you look at the figures... to think people - figures or you once. if you look at | the figures... to think people feel economic growth _ the figures... to think people feel economic growth in _ the figures... to think people feel economic growth in their - the figures... to think people feel economic growth in their pocket? | the figures... to think people feel. economic growth in their pocket? of economic growth in their pocket? of course there is difficult times, that— course there is difficult times, that is— course there is difficult times, that is why we are throwing money at the problem. we need to recognise the problem. we need to recognise the government can't solve all problems, we have to balance the books _ problems, we have to balance the books the — problems, we have to balance the books. the labour party wants to spend _ books. the labour party wants to spend more on top of that. if books. the labour party wants to spend more on top of that.- spend more on top of that. if the conservatives _ spend more on top of that. if the conservatives are _ spend more on top of that. if the conservatives are doing - spend more on top of that. if the conservatives are doing so - spend more on top of that. if the conservatives are doing so well, | spend more on top of that. if the: conservatives are doing so well, why have they hadn't disastrous set of elections? i’m have they hadn't disastrous set of elections? �* . n have they hadn't disastrous set of elections? �* , n , n i n elections? i'm so sorry, we have run out of time- — elections? i'm so sorry, we have run out of time. thank— elections? i'm so sorry, we have run out of time. thank you _ elections? i'm so sorry, we have run out of time. thank you very - elections? i'm so sorry, we have run out of time. thank you very much. i live now to richard moss —— our political editor for bbc north east and cumbria what is happening in darlington? git the moment they are still counting votes. we have no results declared so far. this is a big labour target. they lost control in 2019, they lost nine seats in 2019 and they need to

win six—pack to gain control today. labour believes this is on a knife edge. conservatives put in a lot of effort here. this is one council where they have a say, they run it as a minority as there is no overall control. labourwants as a minority as there is no overall control. labour wants to get that control. labour wants to get that control back. they have some encouragement, they won the middlesbrough mayoral election. they have also made some progress in hartlepool, came within three votes of taking control of that council. the crucial area because there are a host of seats that went conservative in 2019 when borisjohnson called his general election, which followed the horrible set of general gloom at local election results. the turnout was between 30 and 40% in some of the wards. a key contest between labour and conservatives and there is a conservative mp who will be studying the results very closely. richard, thank you very much. we

have a little bit of time before we take a short break. i want to update you on what we know so far. results are still coming in. there is a whole slew of results this morning, but some councils didn't count votes overnight. we are waiting for around three quarters of councils to declare over the next few hours. we do know that the conservative party has suffered some losses, both to the labour party but auto delete may also to the liberal democrats. they have taken surprise wins, particularly at windsor. the labour party is also very excited about what has been happening for them, particularly in terms of some of the council is taken by labour, including medway in kent, stoke—on—trent, plymouth and also there is now a new labour mayor in middlesbrough, as well. as i said, the results are still coming in, and it is very difficult to gauge how

things have gone, mainly, of course, because local elections are so difficult to look into. it is difficult to look into. it is difficult to look into. it is difficult to extrapolate from local elections, how general elections can go. we have had a few labour mps and conservative mps both saying that there is still plenty of time between now and a potential general election. if you want more on what you have been watching here on bbc news, please go on to our website. you will find there are live pages all the very latest on it. lots of input from our correspondence on the ground, across the country, they will tell you exactly which councils have declared and also, if you want to know who has one in your area, counting is still under way in many areas. 62 of the 230 councils have declared, but if you can use our handy postcode checker, you can see who has taken the seats where you

are. you can find it there on our website. for now, do stay with us on bbc news. plenty more coverage of these local elections here on the bbc. life in london, this is bbc news. final preparations are under way for the coronation of king charles iii. my the coronation of king charles iii. my colleagues at westminster abbey for us. it looks glorious, lucy! the sun hasjust for us. it looks glorious, lucy! the sun has just come out. about an hour ago i was telling you there were spots of rain. that is disappeared. unfortunately, the forecast for tomorrow is showers, rain and it is set to be overcast and chilly. that is a bit disappointing, but all bases are covered here in terms of the weather. we have a picture of you of

the crowd because they are really gathering in numbers here this morning. there is a lovely atmosphere. really exciting for people here today. earlier we saw king charles and queen camilla arrived for our rehearsal. a short time ago we managed to catch a glimpse of prince william, who was also inside the abbey. prince william a very active role in the coronation, as well. prince george, the king because my grandson will be one of the pages at westminster abbey. he will be along side other grandchildren. just those last minute final preparations taking place. beautiful flowers arrived here at the abbey in the middle of the night. we do king charles has taken some time at home in buckingham palace to reflect and think about what is going to happen tomorrow, but also possibly rehearse

inside buckingham palace. for the very first time, one of the changes is that the public will be given an active role in the ceremony. it is voluntary, pop the public around the world is being invited to swear allegiance to the king. the whole match of the people is a new addition to the ceremony. the archbishop of canterbury has reiterated the oath is a voluntary one, but lots of people are commenting on this in social media, and conversations you hear, as to whether people will take part. jonathan dimbleby is a close friend of the king and he has told it would be out of character for the king to ask this. i be out of character for the king to ask this. . t, be out of character for the king to ask this. u, ~ be out of character for the king to ask this. .n ~ n n ask this. i can think of nothing he would find _ ask this. i can think of nothing he would find more _ ask this. i can think of nothing he would find more abhorrence. - ask this. i can think of nothing he would find more abhorrence. he l ask this. i can think of nothing he i would find more abhorrence. he has never wanted to be revered. he has never wanted to be revered. he has never wanted to have anybody pay homage to him, except in mock terms as a joke. he wants i think to feel

the people will share in the events and i don't quite know how this might have happened. i don't know for certain. it would seem to me that this was enlisted by the archbishop, who we know a strongly evangelical, who thought it would be a good thing to give everyone a chance to pay that homage. i think it was well—intentioned and rather ill—advised because its effective course is to allow everyone to stay, i'm not going to pay homage. speaking for myself, i am not at homage giver and i think it is most bizarre and i hope people will observe it, some well, someone, it will be totally individual, as latterly the archbishop has made clear. i think there was has been a miscommunication somewhere. i do know that it is so different from the king that i know to ask for homage what you expect homage. just

a few moments ago, as well, i spoke to the archbishop of wales for his reaction on whether or not he has rehearsed ahead of the big day. this is one of the — rehearsed ahead of the big day. tu 3 is one of the most inclusive services we have seen, giving people the option of making their own pledge, their own commitment i think is a positive thing. people are obliged to, but if they want to, why not? ~ . , obliged to, but if they want to, why not? ~ n . i n obliged to, but if they want to, why not? ~ n ,in obliged to, but if they want to, why not? . n , n n n obliged to, but if they want to, why not? what is your boat tomorrow? i will ass not? what is your boat tomorrow? i will pass the — not? what is your boat tomorrow? i will pass the sceptre _ not? what is your boat tomorrow? i will pass the sceptre of _ not? what is your boat tomorrow? i will pass the sceptre of mercy - not? what is your boat tomorrow? i will pass the sceptre of mercy to . will pass the sceptre of mercy to the archbishop of canterbury and he will pass it to king charles. all these symbols are a visual expression of the promises the king will make not only to god but to the people. they are dramatic visualisation of what he is saying, and full of meaning and significance. we have never stopped rehearsing. we had for hours on wednesday and yesterday we started at about nine o'clock and finished

at about nine o'clock and finished at six o'clock. it has been the choreographing of a service like this is immensely complex. the archbishop _ this is immensely complex. the archbishop of _ this is immensely complex. the archbishop of wales speaking to me a few moments ago. joining me now is the new zealand high commissioner to the new zealand high commissioner to the uk. what are you most looking forward to about tomorrow? i the uk. what are you most looking forward to about tomorrow? i think it is a really — forward to about tomorrow? i think it is a really exciting _ forward to about tomorrow? i think it is a really exciting time. - forward to about tomorrow? i think it is a really exciting time. a - it is a really exciting time. a really privileged to be in the united kingdom representing new zealand at this time. it is the first coronation of the king in my lifetime and therefore most other people in the united kingdom and across new zealand. as a kiwi, we know that the brits to pageantry really well, so we're looking forward to the pomp and ceremony of goes with it. this is big day for the king and i think there are so many people that believe that this is a king that will follow in his mother's footsteps, that will show

dedication to his job, mother's footsteps, that will show dedication to hisjob, bring intelligence and engagement to it. it is really exciting for him and for those of us sharing on this occasion. for those of us sharing on this occasion-— for those of us sharing on this occasion. n n n i , n «i occasion. how will today be marked in new zealand? _ occasion. how will today be marked in new zealand? well, _ occasion. how will today be marked in new zealand? well, for - occasion. how will today be marked in new zealand? well, for the - occasion. how will today be marked in new zealand? well, for the new| in new zealand? well, for the new zealanders here _ in new zealand? well, for the new zealanders here we _ in new zealand? well, for the new zealanders here we have _ in new zealand? well, for the new zealanders here we have a - in new zealand? well, for the new zealanders here we have a big - zealanders here we have a big delegation of new zealanders, including our prime minister, our governor general, are marie king. a new zealander will be a lot of people watching the ceremony, notwithstanding the fact it will be at the other end of the day. as with the queen because my funeral. i think i started watching it at about 11 o'clock at night and i was still watching it at one o'clock in the morning in new zealand. it was gripping television. it was a huge occasion. we were marking the solemnity of that occasion. this time will be similar but with a sense of celebration, that this is marking the official coronation of the new king and the beginning of a

new era for him, for the united kingdom, and for new zealand. he mentioned the new zealand prime minister he is here. he is a known republican. how many other new zealanders share that sentiment? it is that the australians have a strong republican streak, but is that exist in zealand, as well? i that exist in zealand, as well? i think there is a mixture of feelings in new zealand. as the prime minister himself said, he is not intending to take any action that would take new zealand down the path to a referendum on becoming a republic, which should be what is required. it is not a decision by any politician, it is a decision by the people of new zealand. i don't think anybody in new zealand is anticipating that either politicians or the public or even groups within are going to be putting any emphasis

or priority unusually making that decision. we are comfortable with the king, as we were with his mother, and equally with prince william. i know our prime minister has met with prince william and king draws on this visit. hugely impressed with the way in which both of them conducted themselves. i had the opportunity to meet both. there are people who take their duties very seriously. they both made the point to new zealand and other realm countries that whatever decision we might make in the future is entirely up might make in the future is entirely up to us. there is an enormous amount of respect for the royal family in new zealand and i am not anticipating, the prime minister is not anticipating that there would be any more —— any move towards a republic in the foreseeable future. enjoy the day tomorrow. a very good to have you with us. as i mentioned,

lots of preparation going on for the main event tomorrow. we have just seen prince william leave westminster abbey and it includes rehearsals, so many rehearsals, you can imagine, taking place, the music thatis can imagine, taking place, the music that is going to be played in the abbey. one of those recording is the royal harpist, alison hughes, and she has with me now. hi. i royal harpist, alison hughes, and she has with me now. hi.- royal harpist, alison hughes, and she has with me now. hi. i have the rehearsals — she has with me now. hi. i have the rehearsals being? _ she has with me now. hi. i have the rehearsals being? they _ she has with me now. hi. i have the rehearsals being? they have - she has with me now. hi. i have the rehearsals being? they have been i rehearsals being? they have been happening all week. just really excited to be sharing our work with the world tomorrow. itiiui’hat excited to be sharing our work with the world tomorrow.— the world tomorrow. what is the r0 al the world tomorrow. what is the royal harpist _ the world tomorrow. what is the royal harpist do? _ the world tomorrow. what is the royal harpist do? it _ the world tomorrow. what is the royal harpist do? it was - the world tomorrow. what is the royal harpist do? it was a - the world tomorrow. what is the royal harpist do? it was a role i the world tomorrow. what is the i royal harpist do? it was a role that was brought _ royal harpist do? it was a role that was brought back _ royal harpist do? it was a role that was brought back into _ royal harpist do? it was a role that was brought back into existence i royal harpist do? it was a role that was brought back into existence by| was brought back into existence by the then prince of wales in the year 2,000. queen victoria had a harpist. the role didn't exist for a hundred years in between. i am the sick person to hold the position. it depends what is on in rural character calendar. sometimes he

asked to play for dinners and guests, intimates events and is more public events, like the coronation. it really depends what is on in the row calendar. you have busier and quieter times here. how would you choose and? it was not too different from any normaljob. it was a cv, some references, a couple of additions and then i was successful! did you meet the prince of wales? when i was first appointed i had an evening at his welsh residents and are performed at him at a showcase evening. it was the last week of my masters, a very intense week. that is the first time that i performed for him in post, as it were. fiestas is the first time that i performed for him in post, as it were. was it obvious to — for him in post, as it were. was it obvious to you — for him in post, as it were. was it obvious to you even _ for him in post, as it were. was it obvious to you even then - for him in post, as it were. was it obvious to you even then that - for him in post, as it were. was it| obvious to you even then that how much he cared? he loves music, he

has made that well known.- much he cared? he loves music, he has made that well known. when i'm on du i has made that well known. when i'm on duty i played _ has made that well known. when i'm on duty i played the _ has made that well known. when i'm on duty i played the royal _ has made that well known. when i'm on duty i played the royal harp, - on duty i played the royal harp, that has all kinds of welsh ambulance on it, dragons, the welsh bettors, love spoons, daffodils. i have a very special brooch that i would be wearing to play in the abbey tomorrow. i think it is reflected in the music chosen for the service and for the ceremony tomorrow. we have so many new commissions and new works, supporting living composers which is very important. you supporting living composers which is very important-— very important. you don't have to brina the very important. you don't have to bring the heart — very important. you don't have to bring the heart with _ very important. you don't have to bring the heart with you, - very important. you don't have to bring the heart with you, do - very important. you don't have to bring the heart with you, do you? j very important. you don't have to i bring the heart with you, do you? it is pretty big! the bring the heart with you, do you? it is pretty big!— is pretty big! the royal harpist art of is pretty big! the royal harpist part of the _ is pretty big! the royal harpist part of the royal _ is pretty big! the royal harpist part of the royal collection - is pretty big! the royal harpist part of the royal collection so | is pretty big! the royal harpist| part of the royal collection so it lives in clarence house. i am the only person who gets to play it, so it is a privilege to play such a stunning instrument.- it is a privilege to play such a stunning instrument. how is it different to — stunning instrument. how is it different to your _ stunning instrument. how is it different to your own - stunning instrument. how is it different to your own heart? i stunning instrument. how is it - different to your own heart? there is a lot more _ different to your own heart? there is a lot more gold _ different to your own heart? there is a lot more gold to _ different to your own heart? there is a lot more gold to start - different to your own heart? there is a lot more gold to start with! i is a lot more gold to start with! you will state tomorrow, it is a

one—of—a—kind special instrument. does it sound different? i one-of-a-kind special instrument. does it sound different?— does it sound different? i would describe it _ does it sound different? i would describe it as _ does it sound different? i would describe it as magical, - does it sound different? i would describe it as magical, both - does it sound different? i would describe it as magical, both to i does it sound different? i would i describe it as magical, both to look at and to play. it is a really special instrument and i'm really looking forward to performing on it tomorrow. it is looking forward to performing on it tomorrow. , n i n looking forward to performing on it tomorrow. . n i n . looking forward to performing on it tomorrow. , n i n , n tomorrow. it is lovely to see who ou sa tomorrow. it is lovely to see who you say you _ tomorrow. it is lovely to see who you say you are _ tomorrow. it is lovely to see who you say you are looking - tomorrow. it is lovely to see who you say you are looking forward i tomorrow. it is lovely to see who l you say you are looking forward to it, but i imagine it must be a little nervous?— it, but i imagine it must be a little nervous? n n little nervous? the magnitude of the occasion, little nervous? the magnitude of the occasion. of— little nervous? the magnitude of the occasion, of course, _ little nervous? the magnitude of the occasion, of course, it _ little nervous? the magnitude of the occasion, of course, it would - little nervous? the magnitude of the occasion, of course, it would be - occasion, of course, it would be weird if there wasn't some nerves. are you better with a bit of nerves? i'm not sure. it is one of those things that you have to be as prepared as you can and try and enjoy it, but my priority is getting the nib tried and playing my instrument. that will always be my number one. good luck for tomorrow. good luck for tomorrow. for now, from outside westminster abbey, we will keep you up—to—date. it was lovely for everyone here to see prince william just a short time

ago. we know that king charles is meeting leaders from across the commonwealth today, so a busy day for him. we will keep you informed. there is also the website, as well. we are across everything to do with the coronation of the website, so it is well worth logging on. iam going i am going to say, get under cover, lucy,it i am going to say, get under cover, lucy, it looks like you're about to have a spring shower. millions of dollars worth of food and aid destined for sudan has been looted since fighting broke out last month. the wfp said pillaging in the country is rampant. meanwhile, joe biden has issued an executive order authorising sanctions against sudan, saying the fighting must end. the latest ceasefire has failed to hold

with heavy fighting continuing in the capital, khartoum, and neighbouring cities. more now on this former diplomat in correspondence. it isn't just a correspondence. it isn'tjust a fighting that is making life incredibly difficult in khartoum and elsewhere in the country. it is the complete breakdown of law and order which are leading to armed gangs roaming around, looting warehouses full of food aid, attacking convoys and generally making it impossible for the international community to mount a sustained, effective and secure relief operation, which is exactly what the un's humanitarian chief has beenin what the un's humanitarian chief has been in the region trying to achieve. untilthe been in the region trying to achieve. until the word comes down from the commanders on both sides of this conflict and reaches the ground level, and until a degree of law and

order is restored, we will see those problems persisting. that is happening at a time when hundreds of thousands of sudanese people are really badly in need of assistance. paul, you mentioned therejust how complicated the situation is on the ground in terms of the number of factors, the lawlessness, particularly if we look at the situation in darfur. i understand there seems to be a return to the arab violence against ethnic africans as well. what is the situation there? i africans as well. what is the situation there?— africans as well. what is the situation there? ~' , n situation there? i think there is an increasin: situation there? i think there is an increasing view _ situation there? i think there is an increasing view that _ situation there? i think there is an increasing view that the _ situation there? i think there is an increasing view that the situation l increasing view that the situation that erupted between the army and the rapid support forces has had a knock—on effect, has a given space for, a resumption of tribal ethnic violence in darfur, which is

extremely worrying. that is a kind of separate dynamic which could spread and could see a repeat of the scenes that we sobbed there 20 years ago. i think there is real concern, there has been a lot of focus on the situation in the capital, khartoum, but far to the west in darfur we are seeing some extremely ugly scenes. that is yet another reason why it is imperative that the battle between the rsf and the sudanese army is somehow brought under control because unless that happens it is highly unlikely that the situation in darfur can be addressed. you mentioned the warning from joe biden. that clearly was a shot across the voice of the two generals, the possibility, they are not saying anything more than that, the possibility that the us might impose sanctions on those that it sees are standing in the way of

sudan because my democratic transition. that is a warning to both generals that there will be personal consequences if this continues. personal consequences if this continues-— personal consequences if this continues. n , , n continues. there has been an urging of talks between _ continues. there has been an urging of talks between the _ continues. there has been an urging of talks between the two _ continues. there has been an urging of talks between the two men. - continues. there has been an urging of talks between the two men. the | of talks between the two men. the united nations have been pushing for that. where are we on maths? nowhere, i think. that. where are we on maths? nowhere, ithink. the that. where are we on maths? nowhere, i think. the sudanese army has made it clear that it is not interested in talking to the general of the rapid support forces. the army general has been sending some of his key people around the region with that message that we are getting this rebellion, as they say, under control, we will deal with the situation with the rsf in khartoum but we are not interested in talking to their leader. there is the possibility of representatives from the two sides going to some venue, may south sudan or egypt, to try to

thrash out their differences about this fundamental issue of how to merge these two rivals. at the moment there is no prospects of these talks taking place. both sides seem determined to pursue their military objectives and not to sit down and talk. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. yorkshire traditions, the hills, the ramblers, and now apparently the alpacas? irate and now apparently the alpacas? , started off with a load of rescue animals, then one day i saw a couple of alpacas for sale that are done tracking before. ithought, why

of alpacas for sale that are done tracking before. i thought, why not have a go, see what happens? making u . have a go, see what happens? making u- the two have a go, see what happens? making up the two leg — have a go, see what happens? making up the two leg contingent _ have a go, see what happens? making up the two leg contingent of— have a go, see what happens? making up the two leg contingent of this - up the two leg contingent of this caravan are students from bradford college. it’s caravan are students from bradford colleae. �* , �* , caravan are students from bradford colleae. fl �*, . college. it's fun. it's nice exercise _ college. it's fun. it's nice exercise and _ college. it's fun. it's nice exercise and a _ college. it's fun. it's nice exercise and a good - college. it's fun. it's nice - exercise and a good experience. i was nervous, but now that i have got used to— was nervous, but now that i have got used to him. — was nervous, but now that i have got used to him, he's lovely. the was nervous, but now that i have got used to him, he's lovely.— used to him, he's lovely. the family firm who run — used to him, he's lovely. the family firm who run the _ used to him, he's lovely. the family firm who run the walks _ used to him, he's lovely. the family firm who run the walks also - used to him, he's lovely. the family firm who run the walks also take - used to him, he's lovely. the family| firm who run the walks also take the animals into care homes. it's not hard to see why. they are initially friendly company. it was only an hour of a stroll, but the students made memories to laugh —— last a lifetime. their own challenges to face, making memories to last a lifetime. he will live with bbc news. the white house has told tech bosses they must protect the public from the dangers of artificial intelligence. the ceos of artificial intelligence. the ceos of microsoft, google and open a!

of artificial intelligence. the ceos of microsoft, google and open alto discuss the safety of the products as it surges in popularity.- as it surges in popularity. today the president _ as it surges in popularity. today the president and _ as it surges in popularity. today the president and vice - as it surges in popularity. todayj the president and vice president as it surges in popularity. trr— the president and vice president met with the ceos of the four leading ai companies and we had a very frank and open conversation about what they could do to meet their responsibilities for safe ai. the power of this technology| is its breadth and that means there will be many differentl applications, it's going to be different kinds of generated content that can be used i for creative endeavours but i also in some dangerous ways. but there are many other- applications as well and that's why, given the breadth of the technology, - the administration has focused i on making sure that we manage these risks to be able to see the benefits. i these technologies- are developed globally, they are going to be used i globally and sorting out how to find alliances and work together across country i

boundaries is going to be important. i there have been wild celebrations in naples after the italian city serie a football team, napoli won the league. thousands of neapolitans gathered in bars, gyms and at the stadium itself on thursday evening to watch the match on tv. earlier i spoke to the italian journalist who is based in naples. we asked him about reports of shooting that took place just the game. we about reports of shooting that took place just the game.— about reports of shooting that took place just the game. place 'ust the game. we don't have roof place just the game. we don't have roof at place just the game. we don't have proof at the — place just the game. we don't have proof at the moment, _ place just the game. we don't have proof at the moment, for _ place just the game. we don't have proof at the moment, for 10096 - place just the game. we don't have i proof at the moment, for 100% sure. we think it was something, let's

say... outside the world of football. the authorities, the public authorities are saying it was a shotjust related to some crime. it's not exactly related to football, but as you can imagine somebody took this chance to have the opportunity to make this crime. this is something very, very bad, we are very sad about it. because we were very happy, all the city is happy about their winning of the title and it is a pity that something so bad title and it is a pity that something so had happened in this

moment. you can see the city is very happy. that is what is happening. thank you very much for clearing that up for us. so, the big night, luciana spoleto, how on earth did he get napoli over the line, or rather into the back of the net? he is the main character _ into the back of the net? he is the main character of _ into the back of the net? he is the main character of this _ into the back of the net? he is the main character of this night. - into the back of the net? he is the main character of this night. nowl main character of this night. now our work is focused on how they are coming back. because i don't know if you can imagine, i will try to describe it. this city is totally crazy about the team. they fear, they think that if they arrive at they think that if they arrive at the principal airport of the city, which is a very central airport, there will be some problems for the

public security, they think all the city will stop. 50 they are thinking about making all of the team with helicopters, notjust with some helicopters, notjust with some helicopters, fly to a small airport in the same region of napoli. this airport is a military run, so they need special permission but to save public security, it's enough. abshd public security, it's enough. and 'ust public security, it's enough. and just continuing _ public security, it's enough. and just continuing with the manager, he made a very impassioned speech, as you would expect in italy and he referenced diego maradona as well, what did he say and why does that matter? a big smile on yourface there? because diego maradona is still alive for this city. he left

in 1991, but he never really left in the hearts of the fans. and now he is no more on this earth, i think that all of napoli fans feel very close to him. you can ask anybody in the streets, they will answer you it is notjust look if argentina won the world championship this year. and then napoli win the league. all the people of napoli think diego maradona is watching us from heaven. of course he is. thank you so much and enjoy the celebrations, which i believe are going to continue on and on. , l, believe are going to continue on and on. , n i , , believe are going to continue on and on. , , , believe are going to continue on and on. , , on. yes, i may suggest napoli as the next holiday — on. yes, i may suggest napoli as the next holiday trip _ on. yes, i may suggest napoli as the next holiday trip for _ on. yes, i may suggest napoli as the next holiday trip for all _ on. yes, i may suggest napoli as the next holiday trip for all england - next holiday trip for all england

people. this is bbc news. hello. the bank holiday coronation weekend almost upon us now and the weather is looking a bit changeable, a bit unsettled over the next few days. low pressure very much in charge at the moment, so, yes, it's unsettled, there will be rain at times. it won't be raining all the time — the showery rain moving through fairly swiftly on the breeze. for today, we've got a front that's pushing its way northwards. that's bringing a bit more cloud and rain to parts of scotland, northern ireland for a time too, but that eases away towards the north. that cloud just lingering longest in the far north—east. elsewhere, sunshine and showers, some of them heavy and potentially thundery, as we head through into the afternoon. still mild for the time of year, most of us about 15 to 18 degrees, a little bit cooler where you've got the cloud and the breeze in the north—east of scotland. the heavy, thundery downpours with hail ease away through the evening hours, so a lot of dry weather

overnight tonight. still reasonably mild and frost—free, though, with temperatures holding between about seven to 11 degrees. there's the rain already working into the far south—west on saturday. it's going to be this area of low pressure that brings us the wet weather through the day on saturday. it pushes its way northwards and eastwards across the uk. what's the weather looking like in london for the coronation? well, you can see some rain symbols on my outlook chart here. by about10.00am, 11.00am, we're likely to see some of that wet weather moving its way in, but i think it will tend to ease away from london later on in the afternoon. much of england and wales seeing this spell of wet weather pushing northwards and eastwards. a few showers across parts of central scotland too. probably not quite as warm as today for many of us, about 16 or 17 the top temperatures, but a little bit warmer than it has been across the east of scotland. moving through into sunday, that first system clears away towards the east, so a ridge of slightly higher pressure for a time. still some showers lingering for eastern scotland perhaps on sunday morning. more rain moving into the far west later in the day, but sunday,

for the bulk of the uk, probably the driest day of the bank holiday weekend. so some sunshine and that's going to lift temperatures to about 20 or 21 degrees, so a fairly warm—feeling day, particularly in the south—east during sunday. into bank holiday monday, there's more rain on the way. you can see some rain symbols for all of our capital cities. 16 or 17 degrees for your bank holiday monday. so some things up over the next few days, rain around for some of us on saturday. a little bit drier, sunny spells, a few showers on sunday. heavy downpours on the way, though, for monday. bye— bye.

big losses for the conservatives, gains for labour, liberal democrats, greens and independents. but with three quarters of results still to come, we're with you for the next four and a half hours to give you the verdict of voters in these local elections in england: this is a politics live election special. joining me today, former conservative cabinet minister andrea leadsom, shadow health minister and labour mp liz kendall, daily mirror political editor john stevens and former brexit party candidate and director of the equiano project, inaya folarin iman.

on the programme today: tories lick their wounds