Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20240707 : comparemela.com

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 have also made gains across england. counting has onlyjust begun in council elections across scotland and wales. and in northern ireland, where voters have been electing members of the stormont assembly. so here's the state of play for the parties.. our political correspondent helen catt has the story so far. a good night and morning for the liberal democrats so far, they have added 59 councillors. residents groups, 40, they have added six. an impressive 23 for the greens, bringing their total to 39. if we look at the number of councils, labour have added three, we mentioned those three symbolic london councils, that puts them on 37. the conservatives are down six. the liberal democrats have added one, taking hull from labour. two more councils are now under no overall control. helen catt has the story so far. a symbolic win for labour — wandsworth in south london, tory for 44 years, until now. even in an election about local services, having the lowest council tax in the country didn't keep it blue. the cost of living crisis did come up, as did the massive cuts from the government since 2010. and also boris johnson. borisjohnson was a vote winner for labour, as indeed was keir starmer as well. and i remind you, huw, in 1998, a year after our landslide victory, we didn't win this seat in wandsworth. in 2002, after our landslide victory in 2001, we didn't win this seat in wandsworth, and we've done it in 2022. wandsworth�*s former leader blamed the loss on the cost of living and said what he called the "issue of borisjohnson" was raised. that was echoed by tory councillors elsewhere. it's partygate, it's notjust partygate. there is the integrity issue. basically, ijust don't feel people any longer have the confidence that their prime minister can be relied upon to tell the truth. the conservatives lost barnet in north london to labour too, and in a bigger upset, westminster, and southampton, this is a massive turning point for the labour party, we are back on track for the general election, showing the hard change we have done in the last two years, what a difference it has made. others maintain things _ difference it has made. others maintain things are _ difference it has made. others maintain things are not - difference it has made. others maintain things are not as - difference it has made. others maintain things are not as bad| difference it has made. others i maintain things are not as bad as they could be for the tories. we have had some difficult results, you can see that in london. i would say, though, that we are mid—term, and it is a mixed picture, cos you look elsewhere, whether that is in hartlepool or nuneaton or thurrock, we've actually made gains. and if you take the whole picture of this, it doesn't demonstrate labour has the momentum to form the next government. labour won the newly created cumberland council in the north—west, but it is not expecting big gains, and it has had losses too. the liberal democrats, who've had a strong night, took hull council from it. and what was really interesting about last night's results, in places like wimbledon and cheadle and elsewhere, we were winning seats where we need to win seats at the next general election. so it was a great night for those councillors. the greens too have made gains. also overnight, in bristol, voters chose to scrap their mayor in a referendum. this is only a partial picture. 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 next general election, so tories down, labour not convincing the public they are ready for government, and that is pretty much in line with what we have seen in the opinion polls in recent weeks as well. 50 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 opinion polls would have suggested. more detailed analysis of the results so far, we can cross the newsroom to lewis goodall at the touch screen. give us your first analysis, if you like, of the figures itself. i know it is a mixed picture, but any trends you are seeing? picture, but any trends you are seeinu ? ~ g ., ., ., picture, but any trends you are seeinu ? ~ g. ., ., �*, seeing? well, 10, london, let's get that out seeing? well, jo, london, let's get that out of— seeing? well, 10, london, let's get that out of the _ seeing? well, 10, london, let's get that out of the way, _ seeing? well, 10, london, let's get that out of the way, and _ seeing? well, 10, london, let's get| that out of the way, and sometimes there _ that out of the way, and sometimes there is_ that out of the way, and sometimes there is a _ that out of the way, and sometimes there is a tendency to say, it is 'ust there is a tendency to say, it is just london, what about the rest of the country? it has 70 parliamentary seats, _ the country? it has 70 parliamentary seats, more — the country? it has 70 parliamentary seats, more parliamentary seats than scotland. _ seats, more parliamentary seats than scotland. it _ seats, more parliamentary seats than scotland, it is a huge part of our electorai— scotland, it is a huge part of our electoral geography, and increasingly the conservatives are an endangered species. they only had seven_ an endangered species. they only had seven councils going into this election. _ seven councils going into this election, they will probably come out with— election, they will probably come out with two or three, and one they have _ out with two or three, and one they have lost— out with two or three, and one they have lost is— out with two or three, and one they have lost is wandsworth, a conservative council since 1978, a so-caiied — conservative council since 1978, a so—called flagship cancer, you have heard _ so—called flagship cancer, you have heard the _ so—called flagship cancer, you have heard the cliche is many times this morning. _ heard the cliche is many times this morning. i— heard the cliche is many times this morning, i am sure, heard the cliche is many times this morning, lam sure, and labour had morning, iam sure, and labour had taken— morning, lam sure, and labour had taken it _ morning, lam sure, and labour had taken it -- — morning, lam sure, and labour had taken it. —— flagship council. in terms — taken it. —— flagship council. in terms of— taken it. —— flagship council. in terms of parliamentary politics, all three _ terms of parliamentary politics, all three seats in the wandsworth borough — three seats in the wandsworth borough are already labour held, putney _ borough are already labour held, putney was the only net gain at the last general election, you might remember. elsewhere in london, i think— remember. elsewhere in london, i think westminster is the more surprising barrett that labour have managed _ surprising barrett that labour have managed to take, we expected wandsworth to happen. not many people _ wandsworth to happen. not many people thought westminster would happen, _ people thought westminster would happen, this has been conservative even longer than wandsworth, since its creation, — even longer than wandsworth, since its creation, since harold wilson was prime — its creation, since harold wilson was prime minister in 1964, and again. _ was prime minister in 1964, and again. this — was prime minister in 1964, and again, this is the home of buckingham palace and marble arch, all the _ buckingham palace and marble arch, all the salubrious places of central london. _ all the salubrious places of central london, not known for hosting labour mps are _ london, not known for hosting labour mps are anything to do with labour at all. _ mps are anything to do with labour at all. the — mps are anything to do with labour at all, the ritz hotel amongst other things _ at all, the ritz hotel amongst other things 13— at all, the ritz hotel amongst other things. 13 seats gained for the labour— things. 13 seats gained for the labour party, 13 losses for the conservatives, a spectacular win by all accounts, conservatives, a spectacular win by allaccounts, instead conservatives, a spectacular win by all accounts, instead of being the red outs — all accounts, instead of being the red outs of— all accounts, instead of being the red outs of the thatcher years, a symbol _ red outs of the thatcher years, a symbol of — red outs of the thatcher years, a symbol of labour dominance in the capitat _ symbol of labour dominance in the capital. but we saw southampton, somewhere that frankly is not too much _ somewhere that frankly is not too much of _ somewhere that frankly is not too much of a — somewhere that frankly is not too much of a gain for labour to take, they— much of a gain for labour to take, they lost— much of a gain for labour to take, they lost it — much of a gain for labour to take, they lost it in 2021, but enough this time — they lost it in 2021, but enough this time to take the borough back. there _ this time to take the borough back. there has— this time to take the borough back. there has been talk of london being -ood there has been talk of london being good for— there has been talk of london being good for labour in the north bad for labour, _ good for labour in the north bad for labour, but — good for labour in the north bad for labour, but it does not hold everywhere, because if you go to cumberland, this new unitary authority— cumberland, this new unitary authority in the north west of england, all these seats are notional, _ england, all these seats are notional, but none you can see lahour— notional, but none you can see labour have won this new council, 12 seats _ labour have won this new council, 12 seats gained, and what is really important — seats gained, and what is really important about this, what labour will take _ important about this, what labour will take heart from, is that this is a part— will take heart from, is that this is a part of— will take heart from, is that this is a part of the country with crucial— is a part of the country with crucial swing states that the conservatives only won in 2017, you might— conservatives only won in 2017, you might remember copeland, the canary in the _ might remember copeland, the canary in the coat— might remember copeland, the canary in the coal mine in 2017, the by—election, won by the conservatives, one of the first breaks — conservatives, one of the first breaks of— conservatives, one of the first breaks of the blue wall to fall. workington man you might remember from the _ workington man you might remember from the 2019 general election, and according _ from the 2019 general election, and according to this he basically voted for labour— according to this he basically voted for labour last night. so the conservatives will be worried about that _ conservatives will be worried about that. just _ conservatives will be worried about that. just when you think you have -ot that. just when you think you have got a _ that. just when you think you have got a trend — that. just when you think you have got a trend going, you look at somewhere like nuneaton, a place that until— somewhere like nuneaton, a place that until relatively recently where labour _ that until relatively recently where labour controlled, back in 2019, but instead _ labour controlled, back in 2019, but instead of— labour controlled, back in 2019, but instead of labour making gains, they are slipping further and further away— are slipping further and further away from the labour column, and as you can _ away from the labour column, and as you can see, — away from the labour column, and as you can see, 60% leave voting, all of the _ you can see, 60% leave voting, all of the london ones that have been gained _ of the london ones that have been gained very heavily remain voting. ed miliband knew he would never be prime _ ed miliband knew he would never be prime minister when the result for nuneaton — prime minister when the result for nuneaton came in. until2018, it was lahour— nuneaton came in. until2018, it was labour controlled, but little by little _ labour controlled, but little by little it— labour controlled, but little by little it is— labour controlled, but little by little it is slipping from their grasu — little it is slipping from their grasp. so what you can say about this is— grasp. so what you can say about this is that — grasp. so what you can say about this is that labour are doing 0k, this is that labour are doing ok, the conservatives are not doing all that well, — the conservatives are not doing all that well, but they have been in government for 12 years, you might expect— government for 12 years, you might expect that, and it all really depends on what you are comparing it with. because if you are comparing labour's _ with. because if you are comparing labour's performance with 2019 or 2021. _ labour's performance with 2019 or 2021, then — labour's performance with 2019 or 2021, then they are doing quite a bit better, — 2021, then they are doing quite a bit better, particularly in london, may he _ bit better, particularly in london, may be worse outside of london, but they are _ may be worse outside of london, but they are doing all right. if you are comparing — they are doing all right. if you are comparing it... they are doing it are essentially as well as 2018, but 2018 is— are essentially as well as 2018, but 2018 is not— are essentially as well as 2018, but 2018 is not good enough for the lahour— 2018 is not good enough for the labour party probably to become the biggest _ labour party probably to become the biggest party or indeed let alone form _ biggest party or indeed let alone form a _ biggest party or indeed let alone form a majority government, so they will take _ form a majority government, so they will take some heart from these results. — will take some heart from these results, and the conservatives, conversely, will take heart from these _ conversely, will take heart from these results. there is something out of— these results. there is something out of nothing in these results for everybody, which isn't very satisfying, but we have many more to come _ satisfying, but we have many more to come through the day, so may be more trends _ come through the day, so may be more trends will— come through the day, so may be more trends will present themselves. lewis— trends will present themselves. lewis goodall, we will definitely be back to you for more trends, but i can see that it is difficult to actually tell winners and losers overall on those figures so far. i introduced chris earlier, and we are also joined by bbc london's political correspondent suzanne and donsah. labour will be celebrating important symbolic wins in london, but it is a capital city that was already trending towards labour, but they are important to keir starmer, who has been on barnet this morning. last keir starmer, who has been on barnet this morning-— this morning. last time around, labour this morning. last time around, labour did _ this morning. last time around, labour did not _ this morning. last time around, labour did not manage - this morning. last time around, labour did not manage to - this morning. last time around, labour did not manage to take l labour did not manage to take barnet, and it was typed they would take it, and they didn't manage to, and it was largely seen as being down to anti—semitism within the labour party, it is a veryjewish area, and it didn't go down well, and so the fact that labour have managed to take it now, i suppose for a lot of people within the labour party, they will say that as an example of the jewish labour party, they will say that as an example of thejewish community certainly coming round to labour after a period of time that they have not... we after a period of time that they have not- - -_ after a period of time that they have not... ~ , ., ., , have not... we can show our viewers the seats and — have not... we can show our viewers the seats and a _ have not... we can show our viewers the seats and a majority _ have not. .. we can show our viewers the seats and a majority for- have not... we can show our viewers the seats and a majority for labour. the seats and a majority for labour in barnet, labour on 41, conservatives on 22, a straightforward fight. the conservative mp, theresa villiers, still there, but it is interesting, she will be worried about his seat at the next general election. last time around _ at the next general election. last time around her _ at the next general election. last time around her seat _ at the next general election. last time around her seat was very close, she is holding on by a whisker, so looking at what is happening with the results today in barnet, she will be concerned about keeping hold of her seat. once with, where i was earlier today, what i found interesting, even though it looked like wandsworth was going to labour, they were being very cautious about calling it. they didn't want to call it. expectation management. last time around they got the popular vote, but they didn't manage to get enough of the wards, this time around i have been boundary changes, and they did manage to win it, and they werejubilant when and they did manage to win it, and they were jubilant when they did. just before i come to chris, what about reaction from conservatives who lost there? we about reaction from conservatives who lost there?— who lost there? we spoke to the revious who lost there? we spoke to the previous leader _ who lost there? we spoke to the previous leader of _ who lost there? we spoke to the previous leader of the _ who lost there? we spoke to the previous leader of the council, . who lost there? we spoke to the i previous leader of the council, now no longer, the conservative there, and what i found interesting was that he was not blaming boris johnson, he was saying it was too early to say what the reason was for why all of this has happened, and he has talked about the cost of living being something that came up, national issues playing a part. in terms of his own local record, very much of the opinion that the conservatives there were running things well. they are seen traditionally as the low council tax borough, you know, well managed financially, and so it is certainly national issues rather than local ones that the local conservatives there are talking about as the reason they have lost dazed. chris, let's talk about _ reason they have lost dazed. chris, let's talk about baseline _ reason they have lost dazed. chris, let's talk about baseline comparison in the politicaljargon, lewis mentioned that you have to look at these seats against when they were last contested in 2018 to see how much progress is being made by labour and to what extent the conservatives are standing still losing. conservatives are standing still losina. , , , ., losing. this is quite complex to exlain, losing. this is quite complex to explain. so _ losing. this is quite complex to explain, so sorry _ losing. this is quite complex to explain, so sorry if— losing. this is quite complex to explain, so sorry if i _ losing. this is quite complex to explain, so sorry if i don't - losing. this is quite complex to explain, so sorry if i don't do i losing. this is quite complex to explain, so sorry if i don't do a| explain, so sorry if i don't do a particularly _ explain, so sorry if i don't do a particularly good job! but a lot of things— particularly good job! but a lot of things changed between the 2018 local elections, when the seats that were fought last night were previously thought, and the 2019 general— previously thought, and the 2019 general election, when borisjohnson general election, when boris johnson won a _ general election, when borisjohnson won a landslide victory. there was a massive _ won a landslide victory. there was a massive realignment of politics with leave _ massive realignment of politics with leave voters macro moving towards the conservatives and remain voting areas _ the conservatives and remain voting areas sticking with the labour party — areas sticking with the labour party so _ areas sticking with the labour party. so in those areas that moved away _ party. so in those areas that moved away from _ party. so in those areas that moved away from labour between 2018 and 2019. _ away from labour between 2018 and 2019, what we see is maybe labour moving _ 2019, what we see is maybe labour moving slightly backwards in those results _ moving slightly backwards in those results last night compared to 2018, but actually that is still a recovery on the results that they achieved — recovery on the results that they achieved in those places in the 2019 general— achieved in those places in the 2019 general election. another way of putting _ general election. another way of putting it — general election. another way of putting it is probably this. yes, labour— putting it is probably this. yes, labour is — putting it is probably this. yes, labour is doing slightly worse in the red — labour is doing slightly worse in the red wall than they did in 2018, but in _ the red wall than they did in 2018, but in 2018 they won the red wall, it was— but in 2018 they won the red wall, it was only— but in 2018 they won the red wall, it was only in 2019 that they lost it. it was only in 2019 that they lost it so _ it was only in 2019 that they lost it so last— it was only in 2019 that they lost it. so last night labour probably won the — it. so last night labour probably won the popular vote across those seats _ won the popular vote across those seats it _ won the popular vote across those seats. it would be enough not necessarily to give the labour party a majority— necessarily to give the labour party a majority in government, probably not even _ a majority in government, probably not even the largest party, but almost — not even the largest party, but almost certainly enough to put keir starmer— almost certainly enough to put keir starmer in — almost certainly enough to put keir starmer in downing street if there was results were replicated in a general— was results were replicated in a general election. and was results were replicated in a general election.— was results were replicated in a general election. and of course we have to get — general election. and of course we have to get the — general election. and of course we have to get the results _ general election. and of course we have to get the results from - have to get the results from scotland and wales, and there has been plenty of talk and indications that labour could overtake the conservatives to become the second party, although not much evidence they would take seats from the snp, where all councils are being contested. nick eardley is in barnet, we havejust been contested. nick eardley is in barnet, we have just been talking about it, a lovely sunny day, but i cannot tell from inside the studio! how is it looking there? it is cannot tell from inside the studio! how is it looking there?— how is it looking there? it is very sunn , how is it looking there? it is very sunny. jo. _ how is it looking there? it is very sunny. lo a _ how is it looking there? it is very sunny, jo, a lovely _ how is it looking there? it is very sunny, jo, a lovely day! - how is it looking there? it is very sunny, jo, a lovely day! keir- sunny, jo, a lovely day! keir starmer was here about 40 minutes ago, and this is definitely one of those seats or councils, i should say, that you will hear labour shouting about over the next 24 hours, along with wandsworth and westminster, those parts of london they struggled to win in the past, but they have won pretty comfortably overnight. the message from keir starmer here, actually, is as much about anti—semitism as anywhere else. there is has the highest jewish population of any local 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 need to pick up seats if they're going to be on course for a general election victory. keir starmer was as enthusiastic as i have ever seen him this morning, but there is that wider question and that wider challenge about whether the tory losses overnight are translating to big labour gains, and whether the picture might actually be a bit more complicated. picture might actually be a bit more complicated-— complicated. absolutely, keir starmer is — complicated. absolutely, keir starmer is celebrating - complicated. absolutely, keir starmer is celebrating what i complicated. absolutely, keiri starmer is celebrating what has happened in london. what about the conservatives reaction? because what i have heard so far as they are pointing, of course, to the broader picture, because of those significant losses in london, but these are really totemic councils that have gone, aren't they? that in itself must be worrying conservative central office. i itself must be worrying conservative central office.— central office. i think that is absolutely — central office. i think that is absolutely right, _ central office. i think that is absolutely right, and - central office. i think that is l absolutely right, and number central office. i think that is - absolutely right, and number ten will be worried in particular, because speaking to tory mps over the last few weeks, when they have been pounding the streets in london, many of them saw this coming — maybe not the westminster result, but may be wandsworth and barnet, and they were blaming it on partygate, saying that boris johnson were blaming it on partygate, saying that borisjohnson is not popular on the doorsteps in places like london. now, they would say that if you go to some places in the north of england, that is not so much an issue, it is more the cost of living, but if you could use a lazy term like middle class, some of those middle—class councils in england, there was a feeling that borisjohnson was becoming a bit of a liability, rather than an asset. interesting, of course, because he was mayor of london and one over many of those areas 15 years ago, but he has become slightly unpopular there. one of the questions that will be interesting to watch over the next few hours is whether some of those tories losing their seats, where that more of those tories losing their seats are coming out and saying that. so we have had a view in london saying, look, we think this was not down to us, it was the bigger picture, the prime minister and the fine he got for breaking covid laws. the scottish tories, i spoke to a source there was utterly scathing, they think they will take an absolute battering over the next few hours north of the border. they are saying it is solely down to the prime minister and partygate. a similar picture may well emerge in certain parts of wales if the conservatives go backwards. so it has been a bad night for the tories, it has not been a catastrophic night for the tories. don't get the impression from the charts i have had this morning that we are about to see some sort of coup and that boris johnson's leadership is under imminent threat, but don't mistake that for a lack of nervousness. there are many in the conservative party looking at this result and thinking, hold on, there was finds that boris johnson thinking, hold on, there was finds that borisjohnson and some of his staff got, that partygate issue, it is having an electoral impact. —— those fines. is having an electoral impact. -- those fines-— those fines. let's test the temperature _ those fines. let's test the temperature with - those fines. let's test the temperature with a - those fines. let's test the - temperature with a conservative those fines. let's test the _ temperature with a conservative mp in stockton—on—tees, matt vickers, hello to you, matt. in stockton-on-tees, matt vickers, hello to you, matt.— hello to you, matt. good morning. you have lost _ hello to you, matt. good morning. you have lost over _ hello to you, matt. good morning. you have lost over 100 _ hello to you, matt. good morning. you have lost over 100 council- hello to you, matt. good morning. i you have lost over 100 council seats and control— you have lost over 100 council seats and control of six councils, what conclusions _ and control of six councils, what conclusions do you draw from that? there _ conclusions do you draw from that? there are _ conclusions do you draw from that? there are three groups of people disappointed this morning, the electors — disappointed this morning, the electors and residents of wandsworth and barnet have enjoyed the lowest council _ and barnet have enjoyed the lowest council taxes, journalists will be struggling to find a headline, because _ struggling to find a headline, because it was not what it was stoked — because it was not what it was stoked up _ because it was not what it was stoked up to be...— because it was not what it was stoked up to be... don't worry about me and the — stoked up to be... don't worry about me and the headline _ stoked up to be... don't worry about me and the headline we _ stoked up to be... don't worry about me and the headline we may - stoked up to be. .. don't worry about me and the headline we may or- stoked up to be... don't worry about me and the headline we may or may| me and the headline we may or may not be struggling to find! you have lost council seats overall, you have named the symbolic london once, but worcester council, west oxfordshire, southampton. you have made losses across england, haven't you? why is that? , ., , ., that? these are... these are mid-term — that? these are... these are mid-term elections - that? these are... these are mid-term elections after - that? these are... these are mid-term elections after 12 l that? these are... these are - mid-term elections after 12 years of mid—term elections after 12 years of being _ mid—term elections after 12 years of being the _ mid—term elections after 12 years of being the party in government, skewed — being the party in government, skewed towards the labour base in... should _ skewed towards the labour base in... should have _ skewed towards the labour base in... should have been labour's day, we heard _ should have been labour's day, we heard that — should have been labour's day, we heard that we were going to lose 800 seats, _ heard that we were going to lose 800 seats, they _ heard that we were going to lose 800 seats, they have fallen well short of that _ seats, they have fallen well short of that. ., ., ., of that. no-one ever thought it would be as— of that. no-one ever thought it would be as much _ of that. no-one ever thought it would be as much as _ of that. no-one ever thought it would be as much as 800, - of that. no-one ever thought it would be as much as 800, that of that. no-one ever thought it - would be as much as 800, that would have been a complete and utter disaster. there is a spread in terms of the losses for conservatives. i'm just trying to ask you what you think is the problem here. you have not to think is the problem here. you have got to look — think is the problem here. you have got to look at _ think is the problem here. you have got to look at where _ think is the problem here. you have got to look at where we _ think is the problem here. you have got to look at where we made - think is the problem here. you have i got to look at where we made success as well _ got to look at where we made success as well. labour, 12 years in government, they should be making massive _ government, they should be making massive improvements, but actually they are _ massive improvements, but actually they are still losing ground in sunderland, tyneside, nuneaton, sandwell, — sunderland, tyneside, nuneaton, sandwell, the amber valley, everywhere, in the north of england, you know — everywhere, in the north of england, you know... the london elite has made _ you know... the london elite has made some — you know... the london elite has made some progress, but when you look at _ made some progress, but when you look at places like wandsworth, there _ look at places like wandsworth, there were only 141 votes across the borough _ there were only 141 votes across the borough cut — there were only 141 votes across the borough cut does it not matter that you have _ borough cut does it not matter that you have lost westminster, wandsworth and barnet? they you have lost westminster, wandsworth and barnet? they can 'ust no? i am wandsworth and barnet? they can 'ust go? i am utterly fl wandsworth and barnet? they can 'ust go? i am bitterly disappointed i wandsworth and barnet? they can just go? i am bitterly disappointed that - go? i am bitterly disappointed that hard-working _ go? i am bitterly disappointed that hard-working councillors _ go? i am bitterly disappointed that hard-working councillors there - go? i am bitterly disappointed thatl hard-working councillors there have hard—working councillors there have lost out, _ hard—working councillors there have lost out, but when you look at the national _ lost out, but when you look at the national picture, is this a party that— national picture, is this a party that is— national picture, is this a party that is striving towards government and making real progress...? let�*s and making real progress...? let's stick with the — and making real progress...? let�*s stick with the conservative party, thatis stick with the conservative party, that is the party you represent, and you say that in the north of england, labour has not made the inroads that they should have done, and that is true to a certain extent, but you have done badly in cumberland in the north—west, and the conservative leader of carlisle city council has come up with a reason for why they have done badly, the conservatives, he said boris johnson there is a lot of responsibility for these very poor results, he said it is partygate and theissue results, he said it is partygate and the issue of integrity more widely. basically, i don't feel people have the confidence that the prime minister could be relied on to tell the truth. is he right? i will! minister could be relied on to tell the truth. is he right?— the truth. is he right? i will take ou back the truth. is he right? i will take you back five — the truth. is he right? i will take you back five years, _ the truth. is he right? i will take you back five years, three - the truth. is he right? i will take i you back five years, three years... no, let's— you back five years, three years... no, let'sjust— you back five years, three years... no, let'sjust do last night. you no, let's 'ust do last night. you have tot no, let'sjust do last night. you have got to _ no, let'sjust do last night. you have got to put _ no, let'sjust do last night. you have got to put it _ no, let'sjust do last night. you have got to put it in _ no, let'sjust do last night. you have got to put it in context, and that is— have got to put it in context, and that is not — have got to put it in context, and that is not there for the headline that is not there for the headline that we — that is not there for the headline that we have done terribly badly across _ that we have done terribly badly across the country. in hartlepool, we would — across the country. in hartlepool, we would not have assumed that we would _ we would not have assumed that we would have — we would not have assumed that we would have had a conservative mp, and last _ would have had a conservative mp, and last night, despite the fact of 12 years _ and last night, despite the fact of 12 years in — and last night, despite the fact of 12 years in government, despite the fact this _ 12 years in government, despite the fact this is _ 12 years in government, despite the fact this is a — 12 years in government, despite the fact this is a mid—term election, we gained _ fact this is a mid—term election, we gained seats on hartlepool council last night — gained seats on hartlepool council last night. but gained seats on hartlepool council last nitht. �* , gained seats on hartlepool council lastnitht.�* last night. but can boris johnson, can ou last night. but can boris johnson, can you tell— last night. but can boris johnson, can you tell the _ last night. but can boris johnson, can you tell the conservative - last night. but can boris johnson, i can you tell the conservative leader of carlisle city council, can people trust boris johnson of carlisle city council, can people trust borisjohnson to tell the truth? trust boris johnson to tell the truth? ., ~' ., trust boris johnson to tell the truth? ., ~ ., ., , , truth? you know what, he is still deliverin: truth? you know what, he is still delivering for _ truth? you know what, he is still delivering for the _ truth? you know what, he is still delivering for the people - truth? you know what, he is still delivering for the people who i truth? you know what, he is still. delivering for the people who voted him in _ delivering for the people who voted him in across the north of england, who had _ him in across the north of england, who had been let down by labour for so longm _ who had been let down by labour for so lont...~ . , who had been let down by labour for solont...~ ., , ., so long... what is he delivering on? taxes u - , so long... what is he delivering on? taxes up. there _ so long... what is he delivering on? taxes up, there is _ so long... what is he delivering on? taxes up, there is a _ so long... what is he delivering on? taxes up, there is a cost _ so long. .. what is he delivering on? taxes up, there is a cost of- so long... what is he delivering on? taxes up, there is a cost of living i taxes up, there is a cost of living crisis, in what way has he answered the real question is for your voters? , ., , ., the real question is for your voters? , ., , voters? the people of my constituency _ voters? the people of my constituency know - voters? the people of my constituency know what i voters? the people of my| constituency know what he voters? the people of my i constituency know what he is delivering for them, the investment in the _ delivering for them, the investment in the town— delivering for them, the investment in the town centre, like, there is huge _ in the town centre, like, there is huge investment in my part of the world, _ huge investment in my part of the world, more police, more doctors and nurses, _ world, more police, more doctors and nurses, and _ world, more police, more doctors and nurses, and some of the long term project _ nurses, and some of the long term project on — nurses, and some of the long term project on my part of the world, where _ project on my part of the world, where we — project on my part of the world, where we have been neglected by labour— where we have been neglected by labour for— where we have been neglected by labour for so long, we are seeing real investment. 30 labour for so long, we are seeing real investment.— labour for so long, we are seeing real investment. so the conservative leader of carlisle _ real investment. so the conservative leader of carlisle city _ real investment. so the conservative leader of carlisle city council - real investment. so the conservative leader of carlisle city council is - leader of carlisle city council is wrong? i leader of carlisle city council is wron: ? . �* leader of carlisle city council is wron: ? ., �* ., ., wrong? i haven't heard from the leader- -- — wrong? i haven't heard from the leader- -- i _ wrong? i haven't heard from the leader... i told _ wrong? i haven't heard from the leader... i told you _ wrong? i haven't heard from the leader... i told you what - wrong? i haven't heard from the leader... i told you what he - wrong? i haven't heard from the | leader... i told you what he said. wrong? i haven't heard from the i leader... i told you what he said. i would be happy — leader... i told you what he said. i would be happy to _ leader... i told you what he said. i would be happy to have _ leader... i told you what he said. i would be happy to have a - leader... i told you what he said. i i would be happy to have a discussion with him. _ would be happy to have a discussion with him, but in my part of the world — with him, but in my part of the world we — with him, but in my part of the world we have made progress, in sunderland, labour is also falling back, _ sunderland, labour is also falling back, so— sunderland, labour is also falling back, so where we are delivering locally _ back, so where we are delivering locally for — back, so where we are delivering locally for people, we are getting really _ locally for people, we are getting really good results.— really good results. should boris johnson apologise? _ really good results. should boris johnson apologise? would - really good results. should boris johnson apologise? would you i really good results. should boris i johnson apologise? would you like really good results. should boris - johnson apologise? would you like to apologise to all those hard—working councillors that you have talked about to have lost their seats overnight and the councils that have gone? i overnight and the councils that have one? . overnight and the councils that have tone? ., , , overnight and the councils that have one? ., , , ., gone? i am bitterly disappointed for each and every _ gone? i am bitterly disappointed for each and every one _ gone? i am bitterly disappointed for each and every one of— gone? i am bitterly disappointed for each and every one of them, - gone? i am bitterly disappointed for each and every one of them, i'm - each and every one of them, i'm delighted — each and every one of them, i'm delighted for the two we gained in hartlepool, i was helping them get hartlepool, ! was helping them get across— hartlepool, i was helping them get across the — hartlepool, i was helping them get across the line, and of course we are disappointed to lose councils. i feel sorry— are disappointed to lose councils. i feel sorry for the residents who have _ feel sorry for the residents who have enjoyed fantastically low council — have enjoyed fantastically low council tax, the lowest... but it wasn't enough. _ council tax, the lowest... but it wasn't enough. if _ council tax, the lowest... but it wasn't enough. if you _ council tax, the lowest... but it wasn't enough. if you were - council tax, the lowest... but it | wasn't enough. if you were going council tax, the lowest... but it - wasn't enough. if you were going to suggest one change that the conservative party should make following these results and the losses of those councils, what would it be? do losses of those councils, what would it be? , ., losses of those councils, what would it be? i. ~ ., ., , it be? do you know what? during the last ear, it be? do you know what? during the last year. the — it be? do you know what? during the last year, the last _ it be? do you know what? during the last year, the last few _ it be? do you know what? during the last year, the last few years, - it be? do you know what? during the last year, the last few years, we - last year, the last few years, we have _ last year, the last few years, we have had — last year, the last few years, we have had some distractions, we have been unable — have had some distractions, we have been unable to get our message across, — been unable to get our message across, unable to talk about the great _ across, unable to talk about the great things we are doing in communities like mine, and hopefully we will— communities like mine, and hopefully we will be _ communities like mine, and hopefully we will be able to get on with that. people _ we will be able to get on with that. people like you will be asking about what we _ people like you will be asking about what we are delivering instead of about _ what we are delivering instead of about birthday cakes.— about birthday cakes. well, i haven't mentioned _ about birthday cakes. well, i haven't mentioned it - about birthday cakes. well, i haven't mentioned it so - about birthday cakes. well, i haven't mentioned it so far, | about birthday cakes. well, i i haven't mentioned it so far, but about birthday cakes. well, i - haven't mentioned it so far, but you have. thank you very much. joining me now from belfast is danjohnson, dan, we are not going to get many results while i am here in the chair in the studio, but this is extremely important for northern ireland, probably the most consequential part of these elections in many ways, because sinn fein has been tipped to become the largest party. emir;r become the largest party. early da s, the become the largest party. early days, the counting _ become the largest party. early days, the counting has - become the largest party. early days, the counting hasjust - become the largest party. ieé�*"i.}' days, the counting hasjust begun in the last hour or so, and results are not expected until lunchtime, then through this afternoon it will take perhaps into the early hours to get a clear picture of where the parties stand. the dup has been the biggest party in the last few years, but polls have consistently shown that sinn fein is leading and is expected to take that position as the biggest party, which would then entitle them to the first minister position in the stormont executive. whether, in practicality, the dup or perhaps the other biggest unionist party would take up power—sharing with sinn fein is a major question. the dup pulled out of power—sharing in february in opposition to the protocol, and they have said they will not go back into power without amendments to that protocol, and unionists would find it difficult to share power with sinn fein, so it could be a major step in that direction, but sinn fein has been playing that down in this campaign, saying that it is about local issues, about the cost of living, energy prices, and this is not the time to determine northern ireland's constitutional position, but certainly major issues at play, a complicated system, proportional representation means it takes a while to work out how the seats are shared amongst the parties, and one thing to look out for, turnout will be down in five years ago, estimates last night were that it was around 54% before the polls closed. it may be a bit up from that, but below the 65% of 2017, which may favour the cross community parties, we may see them doing better, an indication of the old divide is being thrown off by some of the younger electorate here in northern ireland, as people focus on other issues, not determined by the old issues of whether northern ireland is part of the union or part of a united ireland. but it is not a question that people are looking out for, potentially taking a step towards, if sinn fein do come out on top. what is the mood? you outlined very comprehensively the issue of power—sharing, because when i listened and watched the debate with the party leaders in northern ireland earlier in the week, jeffrey donaldson, the dup, would not be committed to saying he would go back into unless and the northern ireland protocol that guides the trading arrangements as part of the brexit treaty was changed or perhaps got rid of all together, of which there is no sign of that happening? what is no sign of that happening? what is the mood?— is no sign of that happening? what is the mood? ., ., , , is the mood? that has been with the dup's fierce — is the mood? that has been with the dup's fierce opposition, _ dup's fierce opposition, particularly in the last year or so. it is why power—sharing became fragile, it is why the dup is on its third leader in the space of a year, it is white power—sharing collapsed in february and why the dup has said it will not resume power—sharing unless there are —— it is why power—sharing collapsed in february, and why they say they will not resume power—sharing. sinn fein is supportive of the protocol, says there are opportunities for northern ireland, because of the status it enjoys with the postbox brexit trade rules. a lot of completed issues at play. it will be fascinating to watch how people fall in terms of their level of support on the core issue of northern ireland's place in the united kingdom or a united ireland. how the issues around protocol and trade in northern ireland are going to play out, and whether there is a general dissatisfaction with the old parties, the old ways of politics in northern ireland. we have seen the government essentially collapsed again in the last few months, in action on a number of core issues that many people think need to be addressed, the state of the health service in northern ireland is a major priority that a lot of people feel is not getting the attention and progress it deserves because of these other political and constitutional questions. there is a certain level of dissatisfaction with both the major parties. that is why we may see some support for the cross community under other political and constitutional questions. there is a certain level of dissatisfaction with both the major parties. that is why we may see some support for the cross community under the parties. it may be that both the big parties lose seats, the question could be which one loses more. dan seats, the question could be which one loses more.— seats, the question could be which one loses more. dan johnson, thank ou ve one loses more. dan johnson, thank you very much- _ one loses more. dan johnson, thank you very much- i _ one loses more. dan johnson, thank you very much. i am _ one loses more. dan johnson, thank you very much. i am sure _ one loses more. dan johnson, thank you very much. i am sure we - one loses more. dan johnson, thank you very much. i am sure we will. one loses more. dan johnson, thank you very much. i am sure we will be | you very much. i am sure we will be returning there through the morning. let's pause in the time to look at the weather. wet across scotland and northern ireland, the rain is heading southwards, scotland and northern ireland to brighten up. plenty on the way of sunny spells across the south and south—east of england, across england and wales elsewhere, claudia across the afternoon, to north and west wales as we head towards the school pick up and evening rush hour, rain starts to arrive, some on the heavy side. 18 in the sunshine, further north. cooler weather rain set in an evening across northern england, north and west wales. heavy at times. some rain fringing into the midlands. it will slide towards east anglia and the south—east. not much in the way operate across southern counties. many a garden will stay dry. only a few spots of rain through eastern part of england into tomorrow morning. most will have a dry night with clear skies around. a little cooler that we have seen through recent nights. as we start the weekend, one or two mugger show as possible and eastern districts. a cool breeze across the north sea. north and west, good, long sunny spells and feeling pleasant in the sunshine. —— one or two showers possible. hello this is bbc news. in local elections in england, the conservatives suffer a series of significant losses in london but across the country labour are only making modest gains. we had some difficult results, you can see that in london. i would say that we are mid—term and it is quite a mixed picture. you look elsewhere, in hartlepool, nuneaton, thurrock, we have actually made gains. believe you me, this is a big turning — believe you me, this is a big turning point for us. 2019, and a general— turning point for us. 2019, and a general election, back on track. elsewhere the liberal democrats and greens are making gains. in hull the liberal democrats won 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 welcome to our 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 have also made gains across england. counting has onlyjust begun in council elections across scotland and wales — and in northern ireland, where voters have been electing members of the stormont assembly. so here's the state of play for the parties. lets take a look, you can see 75 of 146 councils — lets take a look, you can see 75 of 146 councils declared, as we have 'ust 146 councils declared, as we have just been— 146 councils declared, as we have just been discussing. labour have taken _ just been discussing. labour have taken those three totemic london councils— taken those three totemic london councils from the conservatives, so plus three. — councils from the conservatives, so plus three, they own 37. they lost one to _ plus three, they own 37. they lost one to the — plus three, they own 37. they lost one to the liberal democrats. overall. — one to the liberal democrats. overall, conservatives have lost six councils and are on a team. home councils, the number of those in no overall control, have gone up a two, to 16. we were talking earlier about the baseline of 2013. england, the change of key wards, 470 of the 738 declared. has chris was saying, a slight drop overall for labour, 0.4%, a bigger drop forthe conservatives of —4%. the liberal democrats have added one percentage point, as you can see, the greens are plus one, ukip have gone down to 2%, losing councillors. chris, you really gave us that summary earlier on. in terms of what the labour party would have to do now to try to build that support, conservative mp earlier in a red wall, former red wall seat, saying they are still not doing well enough in red all areas question of i doing well enough in red all areas tuestion 0’ ~ . , doing well enough in red all areas question o— question of i think that is true. labour question of i think that is true. labour still _ question of i think that is true. labour still has _ question of i think that is true. labour still has a _ question of i think that is true. labour still has a big _ question of i think that is true. labour still has a big task - question of i think that is true. labour still has a big task to i question of i think that is true. l labour still has a big task to do, question of i think that is true. i labour still has a big task to do, i don't think anybody you spoke to in the labour party would disagree with that. if you look at opinion polls, the majority of voters we speak to say they don't think labour is ready for government. the majority of voters we speak to don't think keir starmer is a prime minister in waiting. whatever question you ask, trust on the economy, he would make the best prime minister, who you trust on crime, we see the conservative option go down dramatically, but only modest rises for the labour party, which is what we have seen. what the labour party needs to do is notjust sweep up a little bit because people are disillusioned with the conservatives, but also actually make people want to positively vote for the labour party, and what the labour party has to offer. that is the task they put in front of them over the next couple of years. former conservative voters, who are they blaming? borisjohnson, the issue of parties, the cost of living issue of parties, the cost of living is clearly the biggest issue, and taxes have just gone up, energy bills are continuing to rise. are these the sort of things that will really make conservatives think, is borisjohnson still a winner? you look at the cost of living crisis is the biggest issue that voters tell us is top of their mind at the moment, when they were voting yesterday. the cost of living cannot be understated as an issue, when it comes to voters. when it comes to the set and the run—up to the next general election. i think that the difficulty for the conservatives is i am not really sure what the plan is. when we see the conservatives falling behind in the past, the 2015 parliament, we understood what the plan is, we said, disappointing result for the conservatives, but it is mid—term, the conservatives have an economic plan they hope will turn things around before the next general election. when the conservatives fell behind in 19 parliament, they replaced their leader to get it back. at this stage, i can't really see what the conservative plan is to turn this around. when we see opinion polls showing labour ahead in the polls, which is what we saw last night as well, when you are expected to see a cost of living crisis, people getting poorer, the economy, figures out yesterday were pretty bad, what i don't understand, in that situation, what is the conservative strategy to go from behind in the polls to a situation where they are enough head in the polls in the general election to get a majority government? i don't know what the answer to that question is, and i'm not sure the conservative party does, either. we will put those points to conservatives through the programme. let's get the latest from west yorkshire — our correspondent aisha iqbal is in wakefield. yes, the verification of boats in wakefield hasjust yes, the verification of boats in wakefield has just started for the local elections. a third of the 63 seats are being fought for here. this is a labour control council, it has significant majority of 23, insurmountable today. —— votes. if you look at the wider picture for west yorkshire, we have five labour councils year. the individual components include leeds, calderdale, bradford and curtly, it is different in each. potentially we could have a story developing in leeds, where there is a labour majority of seven. as early as 2010, there was a lib dem and conservative coalition there. things could change. kirklees is a bit of a tight edge one for labour, minority control there. that could be interesting. they would need four votes to have a majority. in wakefield, as i say, it is insurmountable, the labour majority that they have. 21 seats being contested. 15 of those are currently held by labour. five by the tories. potentially, the tories could be wiped out with those five seats today, and that could cause a serious dent for them in terms of the wider picture. in some ways, what is going to happen after the count is finished is going to be the real story. we are going to be finishing around 5.30, the final declaration of the results. wakefield has a seat that was a parliamentary seat that was labour held for 87 years, a real heartland. there is a by—election looming. before the ink has dried on the paperwork here, campaigners will be out on the by—election trail. imran ahmad khan the former sitting mp, has resigned after his conviction for historic sexual assault. campaigning is going to start very soon. speculation, really, around who can be brought in as a candidate. we know for labour that ed balls, the former labour heavyweight, used to be the mp just down the road here, has ruled himself out. some names being suggested to me, grass roots kind of conservative names in the local associations that could put their names in the mix, really, we are waiting for confirmation on that. however, in terms of the issues on the ground in terms of what people on the doorstep are telling the campaigners, the cost of living crisis, we keep hearing it again and again. that is the key thing. also, in 2019 the parliamentary seat was snatched by the tories from labour, and it was the trust in boris, it was the brexit bounce, as we called it, the winning factor. that seems to have dissipated a little bit. the trust seems to have dissipated. in many ways, this is seen as a litmus test, this local election. a referendum on the trust that people have, on the national leaders of borisjohnson and keir starmer. boris johnson and keir starmer. neither coming borisjohnson and keir starmer. neither coming away with glory from the doorstep here. that trust needs to be brought back. one thing to mention, there was another by—election here in west yorkshire, just last year, the batley and spen by—election. the sister ofjo cox won that by 322 votes, the conservatives came very close to snatching that traditional labour seat. could that story play out again here? there is a lot of trust to be rebuilt with the communities. it is about levelling up, regeneration, it is about investing in local transport. these are the things local people want to see. ultimately, it is about that trust in the main leadership.- ultimately, it is about that trust in the main leadership. thank you very much. _ in the main leadership. thank you very much. in _ in the main leadership. thank you very much, in wakefield. - in the main leadership. thank you very much, in wakefield. as - in the main leadership. thank you very much, in wakefield. as she l in the main leadership. thank you i very much, in wakefield. as she was saying, all eyes will turn on that upcoming by—election, which labour will be very much hoping to take back from the conservatives. let's get more detailed analysis, we can cross the newsroom to lewis goodall at the touch screen. any update? we haven't at the touch screen. any update? - haven't had any more counts in yet, but counting is resuming in lots of places in england and getting under way in scotland and wales. in terms of the results we had, it might be instructive to look at, in some ways i don't like the phrase, it is a bit imprecise, the so—called redwall, what people have been talking about in politics and is 2019. before we use it as a point of comparison, let's look at, as keir starmer has been there this morning, let's look at barnet. i think this is an important victory for labour. it is a symbolic victory as well. actually, there was some suggestion backin actually, there was some suggestion back in 2018 that labour might win this. they didn't and one of the reasons is because of the anti—semitism crisis taking place in the labour party at that time. barnet is the mostjewish borough in the country, and it meant labour didn't take the seat. this time, they have romped home, 12 games against 12 losses. also important because of the parliamentary seats, three potentially marginal seats, each more or less marginal on the other. chipping barnet, a majority of about 1000. hendon, other. chipping barnet, a majority ofaboutiooo. hendon, again, if labour is going to look for a majority, an outside chance of finchley and golders green, another veryjewish seat. if labour were to match this sort of recovery, maybe that could be in play. it would be a very symbolic one, given where the labour party has been over the last few years. then you leave london and it gets a bit more hazy. you go to somewhere like... there have been reasonable new stories for labour, this is the speaker's seat, as long as he is there, labour can't really compete for it. this is a classic marginal, when it is not a speaker seat. you can see labour up, conservatives down three, you might consider that to be a so—called redwall. if the speaker had been a labour mp he might have lost it in the 2019 almost landslide. dudley again, somewhere where the labour party until recently... well, until relatively recently had both seats. until 2019 had one seat, dudley north. again, the conservatives have a majority of 11,500. can labour retake it? they will probably need to do better than just taking two sits back. some modest progress, but is it good enough? in some places we are seeing them go backwards. somewhere like oldham, an interesting place, interesting politics of late. last year, when the seats were up, their leader in oldham lost the seat, the labour leader in 2021. overnight in 2022, his successor lost her seat as well, because oldham has been going down by five. mainly two independent groups. this is a feature you are increasingly seeing across english politics, particularly in labour northern areas, like greater manchester. labour still have the majority here, eating away at their majority. if we look at somewhere like cumberland, important in parliamentary terms, that's about as far as it gets. it is difficult to chart a course. but we will have more information coming over the course of the morning. two to keep your eye on, wakefield you have talked about, important because of the glimmer, the tantalising limit might give us for the upcoming by—election, which i would suggest is a must win for keir starmer�*s leadership. this is an interesting one. newcastle—under—lyme, in staffordshire, it is one of the only so—called redwall burrows where all of the seats are up for election, as you will see in so many of these places it is just a third, which makes it hard to get an accurate extrapolation. all of the seats are up extrapolation. all of the seats are up in newcastle—under—lyme. the conservatives took it last time. it had come at a parliamentary level, been a labour seat since 1919. the conservatives took that, aaron bell, in the general election in 2019. that clutch of seats, the stoke—on—trent seats and so on that the conservatives astonishingly talk at the last election, there will be at the last election, there will be a lot of conservative mps in that part of the west midlands, keeping a close eye on that result. one to watch out for over the course of the afternoon. tbts watch out for over the course of the afternoon. �* , , ., watch out for over the course of the afternoon. ~ , i. _ ., afternoon. as you say, we are ttettin afternoon. as you say, we are getting results _ afternoon. as you say, we are getting results in _ afternoon. as you say, we are getting results in all- afternoon. as you say, we are getting results in all the - afternoon. as you say, we are| getting results in all the time. there is an issue that the baseline, as you said earlier, is 2018, when the seats were last contested in england. also, in most cases, outside of london, it is a third of the seats that are actually being contested, won and lost? yes. the seats that are actually being contested, won and lost? yes, it makes it difficult. _ contested, won and lost? yes, it makes it difficult. these - contested, won and lost? yes, it makes it difficult. these seats i contested, won and lost? yes, it i makes it difficult. these seats were always going to be difficult to get really good extrapolations or analyses from. why? they are so london centric. the majority of the seats in england being contested are in london. the labour party does well in london, london has been trending towards the labour party over time. outside of london, a real patchwork of the sort of places that are up. some are into thirds, some are not. this is, if we are looking for a trend, what we can say is that the labour party, i can show you here to give you a global view, if you're looking for a trend, the labour party are doing better than they did in 2018. they did pretty well under jeremy corbyn in london, doing better still. the conservatives doing badly, they are becoming something of an endangered species in london. they only had seven councils going into these elections. they will have far fewer than that coming out of it. their only counselling in inner london will be kensington and chelsea. —— their only council in inner london. they have lost westminster and wandsworth. in the north, a different story, the labour party going backwardsjeremy corbyn's performance, the conservatives going backwards as well. the main beneficiaries, the lib dems have done that are in other parts of the country, we can talk about that later, particularly in the south of england, the greens doing well and independence doing well. you can see it as a mixed picture. we keep using the phrase, but it is a good way of describing the results we have had so far. i think the truth is that there is something in it for everyone in these results. something where the labour party can say we are doing better than we did in 2019, betterthan are doing better than we did in 2019, better than 2021. the conservatives can say we are not doing as badly as you might expect we might, given the circumstances, given the fact we are 12 years in, and in that sense, both parties will have something to comfort themselves with an something to worry about as well. . ~ with an something to worry about as well. ., ,, , ., ., ., with an something to worry about as well. ., ,, ., ., ., ., ,,, well. thank you for that analysis. let's ick well. thank you for that analysis. let's pick up _ well. thank you for that analysis. let's pick up on _ well. thank you for that analysis. let's pick up on scotland. - well. thank you for that analysis. let's pick up on scotland. we - let's pick up on scotland. we haven't got results coming in at the moment, counting a starting. of course, it is a proportional system there, it will probably take a little more time. 16 and 17—year—olds are able to vote. the important indicator from the polling has been that labour could leapfrog the conservatives, who performed very well last time in 2017, when all the councils were contested. they may leapfrog them into second place. how much impact will they make, or could they make, against the snp? “ make, or could they make, against the snp? ~ ., , ~ the snp? think that is true. i think it would now _ the snp? think that is true. i think it would now be _ the snp? think that is true. i think it would now be a _ the snp? think that is true. i think it would now be a surprise - the snp? think that is true. i think it would now be a surprise if - the snp? think that is true. i think it would now be a surprise if the i it would now be a surprise if the labour party don't end up in second place this evening. or today, from the votes... i haven't slept, i don't know what time it is. we will tet ou don't know what time it is. we will get you some _ don't know what time it is. we will get you some coffee. _ don't know what time it is. we will get you some coffee. yellow - don't know what time it is. we will get you some coffee. yellow or i don't know what time it is. we will| get you some coffee. yellow or can we expect the labour party to be second in scotland, it would be a surprise if they are not. the conservatives run a pretty difficult local election campaign in scotland. for one thing, they didn't know whether they backed the conservative prime minister or not. their leader did an about turn.— did an about turn. yes, changed halfway through. _ did an about turn. yes, changed halfway through. labour - did an about turn. yes, changed halfway through. labour has - did an about turn. yes, changed i halfway through. labour has gone back into second place in the polls in scotland for the first time in half a decade. that's quite significant, and it's going to be an important dynamic as we head into the next general election, that a lot of these battles, that were three way battle before, they are now a lot more likely to be labour and snp battles. this is really significant because there is a general consensus that labour cannot win a general election or a majority in a general election without some level of fightback in scotland. what we might be seeing today, potentially, is the first signs of a labour fightback in scotland. still very far away from that period when they dominated scotland and won all they dominated scotland and won all the seats there. but it mightjust be the early signs that, actually, they are getting into second place and starting back off the snp, while sweeping up the unionist vote and making it clear they are the main unionist party, taking down the conservatives as well. the unionist party, taking down the conservatives as well.- conservatives as well. the big constitutional _ conservatives as well. the big constitutional question - conservatives as well. the big constitutional question is - conservatives as well. the big constitutional question is still| conservatives as well. the big i constitutional question is still the issue of a second independence 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 local election results that is working, but i think it will be interesting to see how the dynamic plays out. we might be starting to see some very early signs of a labour fightback in scotland. . ~ early signs of a labour fightback in scotland. ., ,, , ., , . early signs of a labour fightback in scotland. . ~ , ., , . ., scotland. thank you very much for kee-tin scotland. thank you very much for keeping me _ scotland. thank you very much for keeping me company _ scotland. thank you very much for keeping me company this - scotland. thank you very much for keeping me company this past - scotland. thank you very much for. keeping me company this past hour. in ukraine, more buses are on the way to mariupol, as part of a plan to rescue some of the hundreds of civilians trapped in the maze—like tunnels under the azovstal steelworks. the operation is being runjointly by the united nations and the red cross. the un secretary general says everything must be done to get people out of what he called "hellscapes". russia has been bombing other cities in the region, as it tries to secure more territory in the east of the country. vincent mcavinney reports. for decades, the soviet—era azovstal steelworks have provided work for the people of mariupol, in eastern ukraine. for the past few weeks, this sprawling four—square—mile complex has instead provided them relative shelter. food has been running out, clean water is scarce. thousands are thought to have tried hiding underground here from surrounding russian forces. the scale of the bombardment is clear. yesterday though, russia had pledged a ceasefire to allow surviving ukrainians to escape. ukraine officials who released these images says that has not happened, president putin declaring instead the last fighters holding out at the steelworks should surrender. president zelensky welcomed $6.5 billion in reconstruction funds pledged at an international aid conference in poland yesterday, but speaking last night, his disappointment at the kremlin's continued aggression was clear. translation: currently, russian shelling and - the assault of azovstal does not stop, but civilians still need to be taken out, women, children, many children are still there. just imagine, this is hell and there are children there, more than two months of constant shelling, bombing, constant death nearby. in moscow, putin's soldiers are rehearsing for the annual 9th of may world war ii victory celebrations. capturing at least mariupol would provide a much—needed boost for a president who wrongly believed he would have taken the whole country months ago. the un and red cross will today attempt to evacuate civilians trapped here. there may be money on the way to rebuild that infrastructure, but for those who managed to escape mariupol, rebuilding their lives after the trauma of what has happened here will not be as easy. vincent mcavinney, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. many a garden in southern parts of ring and will stay dry, but there has been more rain around today. that rain heading southwards. it does mean it is going to be brighter for the afternoon across parts of scotland and northern ireland, is this where the fun starts to push its way across other parts of england and wales. but notice how it is running into an area of high pressure in the south. it will fade as we go to the evening, as it reaches the gardens where we desperately need rain at the moment. here is where we stand into the beginning of the afternoon. some rain into the south—east of northern ireland. that rain getting heavier across northern england, north and west wales, brightening up through scotland and northern ireland. isolated showers, feeling warm and sunny spells, especially to the high ground. eight in aberdeenshire. more cloud across the midlands, east anglia, southern part of england. sunny spells. highs of 21 or 22. rain for the afternoon and evening. spreading through the midlands. a few splashes of rain across southern counties, not much, some gardens will stay completed dry, and most will stay completed dry, and most will be driver into tomorrow morning. clearskies will be driver into tomorrow morning. clear skies north and west, looking cooler than it did this morning. into the weekend, saturday, cloud at times, especially in eastern areas, producing your isolated shower. many western and northern parts are going to be dry and bright. a much sunnier day for parts of scotland, northern ireland, north—west england and north—west wales. even though the air mass is cooler, temperatures down a touch on today's values, you will probably notice it mostly across eastern coastal counties, it will feel pleasant in strong sunshine. that is holding on into sunday, as it slips further eastwards, we allow a weather front grazing into the north and west. that will introduce more cloud at times. sunshine a bit on the hazy side across northern and western areas. parts of western scotland, maybe even northern ireland could catch the odd spot of rain. much of england and wales and a good part of scotland will stay dry. starting to feel warm away from eastern coasts. warmer still for some across england and wales into monday. more of a southerly air flow here. sunny spells for the most part, greater chance of rain for scotland and northern ireland once again. temperatures climbing more widely into the 20s where you have the sunshine. the warm air will be with us for much of next week. still very little rain across southern areas, into parts of scotland and northern ireland there will be further rain at times. goodbye for now. this is bbc news, i'mjo coburn. the headlines at 11. in local elections in england, the conservatives suffer some big losses in london, but across the country, labour only make modest gains. we've had some difficult results, and you can see that in london. i would say, though, that we are mid—term, and it's quite a mixed picture, cos you look elsewhere, whether that's in hartlepool or nuneaton or thurrock, we've actually made gains. believe you me, this is a big turning point for us. from the depths of 2019, that general election, back on track. elsewhere, the liberal democrats and greens are making gains. in hull, the liberal democrats won control of the council from labour. counting is getting under way for the local elections in scotland and wales,

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