control of the council from labour. counting is getting under way for the local elections in scotland and wales, and also in northern ireland, where voters have been having their say over forming a new government. and in other news, the un says a new convoy is heading to the ukrainian city of maruipol in an attempt to rescue scores of civilians trapped underground with little food or water. good morning and welcome to bbc news, with continuing coverage of the election results across the uk. so far, it s been a mixed picture for all the parties. in england, the conservatives have lost control of three symbolic london councils westminster, barnet and wandsworth to labour. the liberal democrats and greens
authority in england, and you will remember when keir starmer took over as labour leader, he made a winning back the support of the jewish population one of his key priorities. but i suppose there is just that big a question that keir starmer will be mulling over as he jumps on a change to his next visit, which is, what does the whole picture tell us about where labour support is based now? because the vote in london is clearly stronger than perhaps it has ever been, may be some of the old jokes about scotland where you wade labour s votes might become true of london, but he will be keeping an eye over the next few hours in places like the next few hours in places like the north of england, the red wall. in scotland, where scottish labour scottish labour are confident of coming ahead of the conservatives, and in wales, where labour probably
referendum, the snp say they have a mandate, they will continue to have a mandate, probably, after the election results, and nicola sturgeon, the first minister, has clearly set out that she wants to see and hold that referendum, certainly by the end of next year, 2023. no sign of the government, who have to give permission in this sense, for it to happen? i think that is true. sense, for it to happen? i think that is true. what sense, for it to happen? i think that is true. what labour - sense, for it to happen? i think that is true. what labour will i sense, for it to happen? i thinkl that is true. what labour will try to do in this argument in scotland is have the conservatives going, we don t want a referendum. they will have the snp going, we want a referendum, the most important issue for us. labour is hoping they can come through the middle, say, you can argue about a referendum as much as you like, here is our solution to the cost of living crisis. there might be some signs
in the opinion polls in recent weeks as well. ., , ., ., as well. so it has followed the ollin: as well. so it has followed the polling figures as well. so it has followed the polling figures we as well. so it has followed the polling figures we have - as well. so it has followed the polling figures we have had i as well. so it has followed the l polling figures we have had over as well. so it has followed the - polling figures we have had over the last few weeks? figs polling figures we have had over the last few weeks? last few weeks? as far as expectations last few weeks? as far as expectations go, - last few weeks? as far as expectations go, this - last few weeks? as far as expectations go, this is i last few weeks? as far as i expectations go, this is dead last few weeks? as far as - expectations go, this is dead on where i expected, may be slightly better for labour in where i expected, may be slightly betterfor labour in london, but everything has fallen out how the opin
almost half of england s councils have yet to start counting and will do so later today. so too will all of the councils in wales and scotland. and counting will start for all 90 seats for the northern ireland assembly, with polls suggesting sinn fein could become the largest party for the first time. helen catt, bbc news. let s chat to chris curtis, head of political polling at opinium research. are going to be with us for an hour, let s get a snapshot, what is your general takeaway? fix, let s get a snapshot, what is your general takeaway? let s get a snapshot, what is your general takeaway? a night for the conservatives, general takeaway? a night for the conservatives, particularly - general takeaway? a night for the conservatives, particularly in - conservatives, particularly in london, but not a great night across the rest of the country as well. but it is fair to say that labour is struggling to make the kind of games they need to if they were heading for a majority at the ne