was congratulating his team in london. the early results in scotland suggest the snp will be largest party. the conservatives did well in wales at the last local elections, they may be bracing themselves for a difficult afternoon from denbighshire in the north to the vale of glamorgan. the most interesting result mice be may be in northern ireland. we interesting result mice be may be in northern ireland.— interesting result mice be may be in northern ireland. no one elected yet to the northern _ northern ireland. no one elected yet to the northern ireland _ northern ireland. no one elected yet to the northern ireland assembly, i northern ireland. no one elected yet| to the northern ireland assembly, so still early days. we will be doing our best to look at the data and tell you about the direction of travel. �* . , ~ , travel. and rita with us keeping track of all _ travel. and rita with us keeping track of all the _ travel. and rita with us keeping track of all the latest _ track of all the latest developments. and with us professor sirjohn curtice. our team of correspondents are at all the important counts and with political rep tapingses at stake, vicki young is with us here. join us for the voters' verdict in election day on the bbc. yes, welcome back to the bbc election studio in london. we are keeping tabs on all the developments. the remaining councils to declare in england and in scotland and wales, all providing important signals and crucially in northern ireland we should get the emerging picture. ireland assembly. is and where sinn fein may or may not emerge for the first time as the biggest party. all about to come but some breaking news as we come on air because there has as we come on air because there has a statement from durham constabulary to do with the controversy around sir keir starmer and some of the allegations made in the wake of partygate at allegations made in the wake of pa rtygate at westminster allegations made in the wake of partygate at westminster affecting the conservatives. what do we know? this is all about what labour and sir keir starmer was up to during the covid restrictions, with an awful lot about going on in downing street and the prime list at the chancel have been fined for breaking the law and breaking their own rules that make of the prime minister and the chancellor. there has been pressure on keir starmer when he was in durham when this happened, out campaigning and he gathered with colleagues where they were working late into the night and had some food and there was a picture of him drinking a beer taken through a window. at the time, durham constabulary looked at it and said they looked at the video and decided there was no breach of the rules but they have just said in the last half—hour that following receipt of significant new information over recent days and following the conclusion of the pre—election period, they did not want to do anything then, they are confirming that an investigation into potential breaches of covid—i9 regulations is now conducted. obviously a difficult and embarrassing for the labour leader, and he has said the prime minister should resign for what he has done. party spokesman said in response that they are happy to answer any questions and they remain clear that no rules were broken. what went on during covid causing both political parties are lot of problems. i5 both political parties are lot of problem-— both political parties are lot of roblems. , , , , problems. is interesting because there will certainly _ problems. is interesting because there will certainly be, _ problems. is interesting because there will certainly be, i - problems. is interesting because | there will certainly be, i imagine, some frustration in labour ranks, given what has happened, because they have been saying very consistently that durham police looked into it and were happy that no rules were broken, no one was fined, and in the statement it says it was concluded originally that no offence had been established and therefore no further action would be taken. now of course, the phrase we will focus on and everyone else, is the receipt of significant new information over recent days. we don't know what that is, but clearly this adds a wholly new dimension to the row which started with partygate and has now expanded to include potentially sir keir starmer and some of his colleagues. find potentially sir keir starmer and some of his colleagues. and the issue with _ some of his colleagues. and the issue with all _ some of his colleagues. and the issue with all of _ some of his colleagues. and the issue with all of this, _ some of his colleagues. and the issue with all of this, and - some of his colleagues. and the issue with all of this, and it - issue with all of this, and it applies to the met police who investigated what went on in downing street, is we don't know what stage their investigation is at, the order in which they are doing it. we know they have looked at some parties in downing street and sent out questionnaires, more seem to be going out, so we are a bit in the dark until the fines are issued and even then the police don't tell us what they are for, we rely on downing street telling us that. and the same thing with durham, the police force that said they looked into it but we don't know how broadly they investigated it at the time, whether they questioned people, if they asked for more evidence. now they are saying there has been a new evidence that has come to light, partly because a lot of tory mps have been going on about this during the election period, wanting to put the focus on labour rather than the conservatives. and keir starmer has been forced to give more and more information about what was going on and remember, at the time, you could meet in groups of six outdoors put up their work restrictions in place, it was not the height of the lockdown and you could gather for work campaigning, which is what they were doing a put question is was it reasonable to gather in this way for work and i think what some people will be looking at an asking is if people should be looking at ways not to gather in relatively large numbers but we don't know how many people were there. we know a bit from the papers that they ordered quite an expense of takeaway curry for a lot of people but people will ask if they had to do that, if they carried on working after ten o'clock, and labour have said all along that people work hard in election campaigns and late into the night and being able to eat and sit around and being able to eat and sit around and have some food as a break that is completely acceptable under the rules but we will find out what durham police think. figs rules but we will find out what durham police think.- rules but we will find out what durham police think. as you sit, it is a statement _ durham police think. as you sit, it is a statement that _ durham police think. as you sit, it is a statement that invites - durham police think. as you sit, it is a statement that invites a - durham police think. as you sit, it is a statement that invites a lot i durham police think. as you sit, it is a statement that invites a lot of| is a statement that invites a lot of questions but we don't have answers to them yet. if there is anything more on that, we will bring it to you straightaway to. it is coming up to five minutes to two so let's get up—to—date with the elections because that is the business of the day, counting the votes across the uk. we have had a lot of results from english councils overnight with some spectacular wins for labour, certainly in london, with some of those symbolic victories they have had in places like wandsworth and westminster and in barnet. but of course there is a huge swathe of results throughout the rest of england as we go into the afternoon. reeta, can you take us through some of the main results so far? yes. of the main results so far? yes, here are some _ of the main results so far? yes, here are some of— of the main results so far? yes, here are some of the _ of the main results so far? yes, here are some of the key - of the main results so far? yes, i here are some of the key results. you mentioned westminster and wandsworth, two huge boost for labour which will have improved their morale overnight because westminster has never been labour and has always been conservative since its inception. once what has been conservative since 1978 but no longer, they are now red councils. along with barnet, very eye—catching progress for labour in the capital. labour has also gained west dunbartonshire which is the first council in scotland to have changed hands in this election and it is interesting because in scotland, by and large, there are many fewer councils actually controlled outright by any one party because it is a proportional representation system, so that is a good gain for labour in the west of scotland. they have also gained rossendale in lancashire. on this site you can see the conservatives have lost overall control of wokingham which is where the mpjohn redwood has his seat and they have also lost control of huntingdonshire which is where sir john major had his seat when he was an mp, and they have lost control of maidstone as well. in all of these seats, the losses have been in single figures of seats but nonetheless it does mean they are now hung councils, no longer under conservative control. and for the lib dems can highlight in hull, a live dame gain with a majority of one but they are now controlling the council of hull —— a lib dems gain. you might think it looks like a pretty good result for the labour party but i want to show you the overall scoreboard so far which tells a slightly different story put labour up by 43 seats compared to the conservatives who are down by 171. but look at labour compared to the lib dems, who have gained 77 councillors in this election, from a much smaller base. they were on 333 as opposed to the labour party who have over 1000 more. and a word also for the greens who have done well, picking up 28 councillors. i think this shows you the mixed picture for labour, some stunning results in london, but not so much everywhere else. a , london, but not so much everywhere else. , . london, but not so much everywhere else. . else. many thanks, back with you in a while. i want _ else. many thanks, back with you in a while. i want to _ else. many thanks, back with you in a while. i want to talk _ else. many thanks, back with you in a while. i want to talk about - else. many thanks, back with you in a while. i want to talk about the - a while. i want to talk about the counting going on in scotland where of course the snp has been all—powerful for so many years of course the snp has been all—powerfulfor so many years but let's look at the state of the parties right now. six of the local authorities over 32 councils being elected have declared already. the snp are on 175 councillors, up by ten and of course this is after a long time in government so any gains for the snp in this context will have to be seen as a very positive sign for them. labour are on 103, thatis sign for them. labour are on 103, that is plus six, so some gains for them and the independents down by ten with the conservatives down 20 so far and we will keep a sharp focus on the tory performance in scotland in terms of who might come second to the snp in the overall contest. the lib dems are up seven and the greens up seven, the greens are of course being a in government with the snp. looking at the councils themselves as opposed to the council seats, we have part of the council seats, we have part of the figures themselves. labour have gained a council, we will talk about that in a second, no change for the snp or conservatives or lib dems and hung councils are two. we can go to our colleague in glasgow, lindsay, bring us up to date with what is going on there and the trends as you see them. this going on there and the trends as you see them. , , , . ., see them. this is very much a battle in glasaow see them. this is very much a battle in glasgow between _ see them. this is very much a battle in glasgow between the _ see them. this is very much a battle in glasgow between the snp - see them. this is very much a battle in glasgow between the snp and - in glasgow between the snp and labour. labour losing control of this council for the first time in 40 years at the last election, the snp going on to form a minority administration. both of those parties are seeking to emerge this time round as the largest party and for the snp that would cement their power in the scotland's biggest city. it will help labour in the quest to overtake the scottish conservatives as the party coming in second place in these elections and it would also promote this idea of perhaps the beginnings of recovery for the party here in scotland. it is early days, we have 85 seats to declare and have had only around a third of them declaring so far. at the moment, it looks very close between the snp and labour. the snp is holding its position, labour has made a couple of gains from the snp. the tories have lost some of the seats they gained at the last election, they did well in glasgow, increasing the number of seats they held here last time but have lost some of them already. and the greens are performing well, winning a couple of seats. one notable result was the snp council leader susan aitken who lost out on the first preference vote win to the green candidate in her ward so the greens are celebrating him and they think they are doing very well.— they are doing very well. lynsey, when do you _ they are doing very well. lynsey, when do you think _ they are doing very well. lynsey, when do you think we _ they are doing very well. lynsey, when do you think we will - they are doing very well. lynsey, when do you think we will have i they are doing very well. lynsey, when do you think we will have a| when do you think we will have a fuller picture in terms of the billy kee results in scotland? —— of the key results? how is the count progressing where you are? we are exectin: progressing where you are? we are expecting to _ progressing where you are? we are expecting to have _ progressing where you are? we are expecting to have a _ progressing where you are? we are expecting to have a much _ progressing where you are? we are expecting to have a much fuller- expecting to have a much fuller picture of a perhaps the whole picture of a perhaps the whole picture of a perhaps the whole picture of here in glasgow at around four o'clock or five o'clock and we should start to get a clearer picture of what is happening across scotland as the afternoon goes on. later this afternoon, that should start to emerge much more fully but what we are seeing so far, the real story of this, is the fall in the conservative vote. douglas ross has already been attributing that to the issues around the so—called partygate parties at westminster, saying that had been a factor on doorsteps. the tories are saying that a lot of their voters stayed at home. the snp are still doing well and are expected to emerge as the largest party. the real battle will be for second place and labour looked like they are making gains, particularly in the west of scotland, and taking overall control of that council west dunbartonshire which is not an easy thing to do in this system of proportional representation that we have in the elections here. labour will be celebrating gaining overall control of that council and hoping that those gains can continue. if the pattern continues as it is just now, and i stress it is early days across the country, but that could see labour overtaking the tories into second place. the tories are suggesting there voters are just not turning out and attributing that to what has been happening nationally and the issues at westminster. lynsey, good to talk to you, we will be back in glasgow later to see how the picture is forming but many thanks for now. from scotland we go to wales where there is a big test to wales where there is a big test to see how labour fights of challenges in certain parts of wales, it may be from the conservatives or plaid cymru or the lib dems in other areas and daniel davies is in denbigh in north—east wales, red wolf territory if you like because the tories have made inroads there —— red wall. how are things looking? nervous times for the tories in many arts of nervous times for the tories in many parts of wales. _ nervous times for the tories in many parts of wales, including _ nervous times for the tories in many parts of wales, including in - parts of wales, including in denbigh. the local mp told us they faced a challenging election. one of his party colleagues was a little more blunt, confiding in me that they were getting a thrashing in one part of the county where they hope to do well and indeed the results of coming thick and fast and has been borne out. the local tory leader has lost his seat and there have been green councillors elected for the first time to the council, one with a landslide in both at the expense of conservatives but it is labour who have been smiling the most, having one with a landslide in both at the expense of conservatives but it is labour who have been smiling the most, having say they have treated this where they have to do well because of the disappointment at the senadd election last year where they lost a seat, and the general election, where there are aware of what they thought were a clutch of safe labour seat that went to the conservatives and borisjohnson, and similar battles are happening all over wales, in the south, cardiff, the vale of glamorgan, labour and the tories going at it. monmouthshire, a rock—solid safe tory seat, and there is talk the conservatives could lose control of that county which would be a blow for them. 1200 odd seats being contested across 22 local authorities, huw, but also a plethora of local issues at play. but we are watching places like this to see which way the mood is running in these kind of key battleground areas. �* , . , in these kind of key battleground areas. ~ , .,, ., in these kind of key battleground areas. ~ , ., ., ., areas. and 'ust as i asked earlier, daniel, areas. and just as i asked earlier, daniel, timings, _ areas. and just as i asked earlier, daniel, timings, what _ areas. and just as i asked earlier, daniel, timings, what are - areas. and just as i asked earlier, daniel, timings, what are the - areas. and just as i asked earlier, i daniel, timings, what are the counts telling you and what are you picking up telling you and what are you picking up anyway in terms of the likelihood of a really good picture emerging, let's say, by 5pm? is that asking too much?— too much? yeah, it could be by tea-time- _ too much? yeah, it could be by tea-time. all _ too much? yeah, it could be by tea-time. all of _ too much? yeah, it could be by tea-time. all of the _ too much? yeah, it could be by tea-time. all of the counts - too much? yeah, it could be by tea-time. all of the counts are | tea—time. all of the counts are happening through the day here. here in denbigh they have been battling through them. in other places are very incomplete picture. no full declarations or set of results anywhere yet although it looks like plaid cymru will hold on to its majority in gwyneth, no real surprise there. incidentally, plaid cymru finding reasons to be cheerful in carmarthenshire where they are hoping to take control of that council, labour being the main opponents there. as with every election, plaid cymru are hoping to make inroads into those labour heartlands. labour is by far the biggest party in local government, it will set are pretty poor set of elections five years ago losing 100 orso elections five years ago losing 100 or so seats —— they had a pretty poor set of elections. they will be looking to gain particularly in the valleys, the heartlands, where they have been difficulties with local factions. i haven't spoken to anyone who thought the tories would hold onto all of their seats having had a good result in the local elections five years ago. it is more a question really of how many can they bear to lose and still say it is a respectable result given all the problems borisjohnson�*s government has faced at this mid point in the parliamentary term.— has faced at this mid point in the parliamentary term. daniel, many thanks again- _ parliamentary term. daniel, many thanks again. we _ parliamentary term. daniel, many thanks again. we will— parliamentary term. daniel, many thanks again. we will be - parliamentary term. daniel, many thanks again. we will be back - parliamentary term. daniel, many. thanks again. we will be back there with more to report, when we have motor boat report, thanks, for now. daniel davies, a reporter in, one of the interesting areas of wales that will tell us what the state of the conservatives is, and in other parts it can tell us how labour is fading against some of the opposition parties. with their dominance in governance in wales in cardiff. earlier, as we came on, i was telling you about the breaking news from durham police that they are looking again at the circumstances of a gathering involving sir keir starmer and some party workers. it has been loosely called beergate because there was beer and curry involved, and our reporterjudith moritz actually is in carlisle where sir keir has been visiting. he has been they congratulating party workers on some of their winds overnight. let's take a look at this... ., let's take a look at this... have ou let's take a look at this... have you heard _ let's take a look at this... have you heard from _ let's take a look at this... have you heard from durham - let's take a look at this... have you heard from durham police, | let's take a look at this... have i you heard from durham police, sir keir? any comment on their investigation? have you heard from the police, sir keir? studio: so a resolute silence there from sir keir as he makes his way into what looks to be a railway station in carlisle, and as we look at these images, this was just a short while ago, and vicki is with me. yes, a pretty stony silence there, vicki, and i suppose they will prepare a statement later on which i think we can safely predict will be, let's see what the police come up with in their investigation and we will cooperate?— come up with in their investigation and we will cooperate? yeah, they must be pretty _ and we will cooperate? yeah, they must be pretty upset _ and we will cooperate? yeah, they must be pretty upset about - and we will cooperate? yeah, they must be pretty upset about the - must be pretty upset about the timing — must be pretty upset about the timing of— must be pretty upset about the timing of all of this. this is an event — timing of all of this. this is an event that— timing of all of this. this is an event that took place in june 2021, and it— event that took place in june 2021, and it happened in durham. it was all part— and it happened in durham. it was all part of— and it happened in durham. it was all part of campaigning. sir keir stanner— all part of campaigning. sir keir starmerwas all part of campaigning. sir keir starmer was there with colleagues. they were — starmer was there with colleagues. they were gathered together in an office _ they were gathered together in an office and — they were gathered together in an office and then through the window there _ office and then through the window there was— office and then through the window there was a picture taken of him drinking — there was a picture taken of him drinking a — there was a picture taken of him drinking a beerand there was a picture taken of him drinking a beer and we know that i curry— drinking a beer and we know that i curry was — drinking a beer and we know that i curry was ordered and they were stapping. — curry was ordered and they were stopping, they say, for a break in between — stopping, they say, for a break in between working very long hours. sorry. _ between working very long hours. sorry. it _ between working very long hours. sorry, it was april 2021, notjune. ithink— sorry, it was april 2021, notjune. i think the — sorry, it was april 2021, notjune. i think the problem for sir keir stanner— i think the problem for sir keir starmer here is of course he has attacked. — starmer here is of course he has attacked, understandably, the prime minister. _ attacked, understandably, the prime minister, the chancellor, for what went— minister, the chancellor, for what went on— minister, the chancellor, for what went on in— minister, the chancellor, for what went on in downing street and those two have _ went on in downing street and those two have of— went on in downing street and those two have of course been fined, found to he _ two have of course been fined, found to be guilty— two have of course been fined, found to be guilty of breaking the rules they themselves wrought, and there have been_ they themselves wrought, and there have been dozens of other fines issued _ have been dozens of other fines issued to— have been dozens of other fines issued to people working in downing street— issued to people working in downing street at— issued to people working in downing street at the time but now of course that tension turning to him and to what _ that tension turning to him and to what he _ that tension turning to him and to what he was doing. at the time we were _ what he was doing. at the time we were in_ what he was doing. at the time we were in tier— what he was doing. at the time we were in tier 2 restrictions, so no indoor— were in tier 2 restrictions, so no indoor socialising allowed, and the police _ indoor socialising allowed, and the police will— indoor socialising allowed, and the police will be looking at whether it was reasonably necessary for work for sir— was reasonably necessary for work for sir keir— was reasonably necessary for work for sir keir starmerand his for sir keir starmer and his colleagues for sir keir starmerand his colleagues to be eating and drinking together— colleagues to be eating and drinking together in that room. that is what they will_ together in that room. that is what they will have to answer, that's what _ they will have to answer, that's what it — they will have to answer, that's what it says. "reasonably necessary" , you _ what it says. "reasonably necessary" , you can _ what it says. "reasonably necessary" , you can see — what it says. "reasonably necessary" , you can see some toing and froing might— , you can see some toing and froing might go— , you can see some toing and froing might go on— , you can see some toing and froing might go on whether or not it was, the time _ might go on whether or not it was, the time of— might go on whether or not it was, the time of night, could they have gone _ the time of night, could they have gone somewhere else? where they really _ gone somewhere else? where they really working? all of these questions will have to be asked, and of course _ questions will have to be asked, and of course for — questions will have to be asked, and of course for so keir starmer he does _ of course for so keir starmer he does paint— of course for so keir starmer he does paint himself, in contrast to the prime — does paint himself, in contrast to the prime minister, he has spoken a lot about _ the prime minister, he has spoken a lot about the prime minister's integrity— lot about the prime minister's integrity and about the fact he was bringing _ integrity and about the fact he was bringing the office of prime minister into disrepute by being investigated by the police at all, so far— investigated by the police at all, so far the — investigated by the police at all, so far the labour leader now to himself— so far the labour leader now to himself he _ so far the labour leader now to himself be under investigation is, there _ himself be under investigation is, there is— himself be under investigation is, there is no— himself be under investigation is, there is no doubt about it, incredibly embarrassing. if there is no doubt about it, incredibly embarrassing. if we get more, of course _ incredibly embarrassing. if we get more, of course we _ incredibly embarrassing. if we get more, of course we will _ incredibly embarrassing. if we get more, of course we will bring - incredibly embarrassing. if we get more, of course we will bring thatj more, of course we will bring that to you straightaway, and we might even be trying to catch up with sir keir when he returns to london, if indeed that is where he is returning to come on the train from carlisle. now, we have talked about scotland and wales, just to set the scene before the fourth of results come in in those two countries, but northern ireland of course presents a different challenge today, a challenge in terms of trying to see what the future holds for northern ireland in terms of its governance and the make—up of the assembly there, and whether there is indeed there, and whether there is indeed the potential for there, and whether there is indeed the potentialfor sinn fein to nominate a first minister at stormont, depending on the results. so it is a multilevel picture, as it always is in northern ireland, and trying to unpick all of various potential patterns that we are likely to see, but that is why we have annita mcveigh on standby with her expertise and guests as well, so, annita come over to you to tell us a little more about what to expect... us a little more about what to exoect- - -_ us a little more about what to exect... ., , . expect... thank you very much, huw, and you're — expect... thank you very much, huw, and you're absolutely _ expect... thank you very much, huw, and you're absolutely right. _ expect... thank you very much, huw, and you're absolutely right. so - expect... thank you very much, huw, and you're absolutely right. so manyl and you're absolutely right. so many interesting stories and nuances here interesting stories and nuances here in this election campaign. nobody elected yet, let me just establish that first of all. this election is about returning 90 members of the power—sharing assembly at stormont and also about deciding which two parties have the right to nominate to the positions of first minister and deputy first minister. whether all that happens after this election, that has been one of the big talking points, because the dup, their opposition to the northern ireland protocol, the set of rules of course that governs post—brexit trade in northern ireland. let me set the scene a little. i am at one of the centres in northern ireland, the titanic exhibition centre in belfast. behind me they are counting the seats for south down, strangford and also for belfast constituencies, or four, and also for belfast constituencies, orfour, north, south, east and west, and the voting system is a form of proportional representation, the single transferable vote, which makes for a really interesting count, and lots and lots of rounds of counting before we eventually get those 90 seats failed. before i speak and i get let me tell you a few key things to look out for. —— 96 food. well sinn fein be able to nominate for the position of first minister? also, look out further cross communities alliance party vote, and this is interesting because for so long in northern ireland parties have been boxed into either green or orange, nationalist or unionist, but this rise of the centre ground is something to look out for. thirdly, watch out for how the traditional unionist boys do, the traditional unionist boys do, the tuv, anti—protocol party. where they take seats away from the dup, and how could that lead to the positioning of the parties —— traditional unionist voice. joining is the former bbc editor mark devenport who has reported on some of the biggest stories here such as the ira ceasefire, the good friday agreement. good to have you with us and your expertise. what has been catching your eye so far? this and your expertise. what has been catching your eye so far?— catching your eye so far? as you sa , no catching your eye so far? as you say, no official— catching your eye so far? as you say, no official results _ catching your eye so far? as you say, no official results yet - catching your eye so far? as you say, no official results yet so - catching your eye so far? as you say, no official results yet so we j say, no official results yet so we need _ say, no official results yet so we need to — say, no official results yet so we need to better _ say, no official results yet so we need to better health _ say, no official results yet so we need to better health warning. say, no official results yet so we need to better health warning in terms _ need to better health warning in terms of— need to better health warning in terms of everything _ need to better health warning in terms of everything we - need to better health warning in terms of everything we are - need to better health warning in i terms of everything we are hearing but a _ terms of everything we are hearing but a lot _ terms of everything we are hearing but a lot of— terms of everything we are hearing but a lot of these _ terms of everything we are hearing but a lot of these candidates - terms of everything we are hearing but a lot of these candidates and l but a lot of these candidates and their— but a lot of these candidates and their officials— but a lot of these candidates and their officials have _ but a lot of these candidates and their officials have been - but a lot of these candidates and their officials have been walkingl their officials have been walking around — their officials have been walking around making _ their officials have been walking around making unofficial- their officials have been walkingj around making unofficial tallies, and some — around making unofficial tallies, and some of— around making unofficial tallies, and some of these _ around making unofficial tallies, and some of these party- around making unofficial tallies, | and some of these party workers around making unofficial tallies, - and some of these party workers have been doing _ and some of these party workers have been doing that — and some of these party workers have been doing that for _ and some of these party workers have been doing that for years _ and some of these party workers have been doing that for years and - and some of these party workers have been doing that for years and they - been doing that for years and they are surprisingly— been doing that for years and they are surprisingly accurate. - been doing that for years and they are surprisingly accurate. the - are surprisingly accurate. the picture — are surprisingly accurate. the picture emerging _ are surprisingly accurate. the picture emerging from - are surprisingly accurate. the picture emerging from that. are surprisingly accurate. the picture emerging from that isj are surprisingly accurate. the - picture emerging from that is that sinn fein— picture emerging from that is that sinn fein are _ picture emerging from that is that sinn fein are quietly— picture emerging from that is that sinn fein are quietly confident - picture emerging from that is thatl sinn fein are quietly confident they have kept— sinn fein are quietly confident they have kept their— sinn fein are quietly confident they have kept their vote _ sinn fein are quietly confident they have kept their vote together, - sinn fein are quietly confident they have kept their vote together, they have kept their vote together, they have held _ have kept their vote together, they have held it— have kept their vote together, they have held it and _ have kept their vote together, they have held it and maybe _ have kept their vote together, they have held it and maybe even - have kept their vote together, theyj have held it and maybe even grown have kept their vote together, they. have held it and maybe even grown it in some _ have held it and maybe even grown it in some places. — have held it and maybe even grown it in some places, and _ have held it and maybe even grown it in some places, and that— have held it and maybe even grown it in some places, and that should - have held it and maybe even grown it in some places, and that should be . in some places, and that should be enough _ in some places, and that should be enough for— in some places, and that should be enough for them _ in some places, and that should be enough for them to _ in some places, and that should be enough for them to claim - in some places, and that should be enough for them to claim that - enough for them to claim that all—important— enough for them to claim that all—important top— enough for them to claim that all—important top spot - enough for them to claim that all—important top spot and . enough for them to claim that - all—important top spot and become first minister~ _ all—important top spot and become first minister. now, _ all—important top spot and become first minister. now, the _ all—important top spot and become | first minister. now, the importance of that— first minister. now, the importance of that is— first minister. now, the importance of that is if— first minister. now, the importance of that is if you _ first minister. now, the importance of that is if you go _ first minister. now, the importance of that is if you go back— first minister. now, the importance of that is if you go back 100 - first minister. now, the importance of that is if you go back 100 years, i of that is if you go back 100 years, northem— of that is if you go back 100 years, northern ireland _ of that is if you go back 100 years, northern ireland was _ of that is if you go back 100 years, northern ireland was created - of that is if you go back 100 years, northern ireland was created to i northern ireland was created to create _ northern ireland was created to create a — northern ireland was created to create a comfortable _ northern ireland was created to| create a comfortable pro—british unionist — create a comfortable pro—british unionist majority— create a comfortable pro—british unionist majority and _ create a comfortable pro—british unionist majority and certainly l create a comfortable pro—british i unionist majority and certainly over the last— unionist majority and certainly over the last 25— unionist majority and certainly over the last 25 years _ unionist majority and certainly over the last 25 years since _ unionist majority and certainly over the last 25 years since the - unionist majority and certainly over the last 25 years since the good - the last 25 years since the good friday— the last 25 years since the good friday agreement— the last 25 years since the good friday agreement unionist - the last 25 years since the good| friday agreement unionist party the last 25 years since the good i friday agreement unionist party of one kind _ friday agreement unionist party of one kind or— friday agreement unionist party of one kind or the _ friday agreement unionist party of one kind or the other— friday agreement unionist party of one kind or the other has - friday agreement unionist party of one kind or the other has always. one kind or the other has always held _ one kind or the other has always held the — one kind or the other has always held the top— one kind or the other has always held the top spot _ one kind or the other has always held the top spot and _ one kind or the other has always held the top spot and that - one kind or the other has always. held the top spot and that position so it is— held the top spot and that position so it is a _ held the top spot and that position so it is a seismic— held the top spot and that position so it is a seismic change _ held the top spot and that position so it is a seismic change if- held the top spot and that position so it is a seismic change if you - so it is a seismic change if you have _ so it is a seismic change if you have a — so it is a seismic change if you have a party— so it is a seismic change if you have a party which _ so it is a seismic change if you have a party which is - so it is a seismic change if you have a party which is irish - have a party which is irish republican. _ have a party which is irish republican, dedicated - have a party which is irish republican, dedicated to| have a party which is irish - republican, dedicated to abolishing this place. — republican, dedicated to abolishing this place, northern _ republican, dedicated to abolishing this place, northern ireland, - republican, dedicated to abolishing this place, northern ireland, and i this place, northern ireland, and making _ this place, northern ireland, and making it — this place, northern ireland, and making it part— this place, northern ireland, and making it part of— this place, northern ireland, and making it part of a _ this place, northern ireland, and making it part of a united - this place, northern ireland, andl making it part of a united ireland, actually— making it part of a united ireland, actually the — making it part of a united ireland, actually the largest _ making it part of a united ireland, actually the largest party- making it part of a united ireland, i actually the largest party occupying that post _ actually the largest party occupying that post at — actually the largest party occupying that post at stormont _ actually the largest party occupying that post at stormont castle, - actually the largest party occupying that post at stormont castle, evenl that post at stormont castle, even though _ that post at stormont castle, even though officially _ that post at stormont castle, even though officially the _ that post at stormont castle, even though officially the first - that post at stormont castle, even though officially the first ministerl though officially the first minister would _ though officially the first minister would have — though officially the first minister would have the _ though officially the first minister would have the same _ though officially the first minister would have the same powers, - though officially the first minister would have the same powers, it. though officially the first minister| would have the same powers, it is still very— would have the same powers, it is still very important— would have the same powers, it is still very important symbolically. i still very important symbolically. absolutely — still very important symbolically. absolutely. another— still very important symbolically. absolutely. another big - still very important symbolically. l absolutely. another big question, after this election will there of course be a functioning government or will it be a continuing stormont stalemate as we have had for so much of the time since the last assembly election? we of the time since the last assembly election? ~ ., ., , election? we have had is there the last 25 years _ election? we have had is there the last 25 years over _ election? we have had is there the last 25 years over all _ election? we have had is there the last 25 years over all manner - election? we have had is there the last 25 years over all manner of. last 25 years over all manner of questions. _ last 25 years over all manner of questions, paramilitary- last 25 years over all manner of- questions, paramilitary disarmament initially, _ questions, paramilitary disarmament initially, more— questions, paramilitary disarmament initially, more recently— questions, paramilitary disarmament initially, more recently about - questions, paramilitary disarmament initially, more recently about the - initially, more recently about the fallout _ initially, more recently about the fallout over — initially, more recently about the fallout over renewable _ initially, more recently about the fallout over renewable heating i fallout over renewable heating scheme, — fallout over renewable heating scheme, a _ fallout over renewable heating scheme, a new— fallout over renewable heating scheme, a new one _ fallout over renewable heating scheme, a new one for- fallout over renewable heating scheme, a new one for irish. scheme, a new one for irish politics. _ scheme, a new one for irish politics. but— scheme, a new one for irish politics, but it _ scheme, a new one for irish politics, but it looks - scheme, a new one for irish politics, but it looks like - scheme, a new one for irish politics, but it looks like wej scheme, a new one for irish- politics, but it looks like we will io politics, but it looks like we will go into — politics, but it looks like we will go into one _ politics, but it looks like we will go into one of— politics, but it looks like we will go into one of those _ politics, but it looks like we will go into one of those logjam - politics, but it looks like we will- go into one of those logjam periods again— go into one of those logjam periods again probably— go into one of those logjam periods again probably over— go into one of those logjam periods again probably over the _ go into one of those logjam periods again probably over the course - go into one of those logjam periods again probably over the course of. again probably over the course of the next — again probably over the course of the next six — again probably over the course of the next six months _ again probably over the course of the next six months whereby - again probably over the course of the next six months whereby we i again probably over the course of- the next six months whereby we might under— the next six months whereby we might under new_ the next six months whereby we might under new legislation _ the next six months whereby we might under new legislation being _ the next six months whereby we might under new legislation being passed - under new legislation being passed have caretaker— under new legislation being passed have caretaker ministers _ under new legislation being passed have caretaker ministers that - under new legislation being passed have caretaker ministers that will l have caretaker ministers that will still carry— have caretaker ministers that will still carry on _ have caretaker ministers that will still carry on in _ have caretaker ministers that will still carry on in place _ have caretaker ministers that will still carry on in place but- have caretaker ministers that will still carry on in place but we - have caretaker ministers that will| still carry on in place but we won't have _ still carry on in place but we won't have an _ still carry on in place but we won't have an effect _ still carry on in place but we won't have an effect of _ still carry on in place but we won't have an effect of power—sharing . have an effect of power—sharing executive — have an effect of power—sharing executive why— have an effect of power—sharing executive. why is _ have an effect of power—sharing executive. why is that? - have an effect of power—sharing executive. why is that? i- have an effect of power—sharing executive. why is that? i think. executive. why is that? i think unionism _ executive. why is that? i think unionism will— executive. why is that? i think unionism will be _ executive. why is that? i think unionism will be in _ executive. why is that? i think unionism will be in a - executive. why is that? i think unionism will be in a bit - executive. why is that? i think unionism will be in a bit of- unionism will be in a bit of turmoil. _ unionism will be in a bit of turmoil, partly— unionism will be in a bit of turmoil, partly because . unionism will be in a bit of. turmoil, partly because they unionism will be in a bit of- turmoil, partly because they have lost the _ turmoil, partly because they have lost the top — turmoil, partly because they have lost the top spot _ turmoil, partly because they have lost the top spot and _ turmoil, partly because they have lost the top spot and partly- turmoil, partly because they have . lost the top spot and partly because the reason — lost the top spot and partly because the reason the — lost the top spot and partly because the reason the dup— lost the top spot and partly because the reason the dup has— lost the top spot and partly because the reason the dup has lost- lost the top spot and partly because the reason the dup has lost the - lost the top spot and partly because the reason the dup has lost the top| the reason the dup has lost the top spot as _ the reason the dup has lost the top spot as there — the reason the dup has lost the top spot as there is— the reason the dup has lost the top spot as there is a _ the reason the dup has lost the top spot as there is a fragmentation - spot as there is a fragmentation within— spot as there is a fragmentation within the — spot as there is a fragmentation within the unionist _ spot as there is a fragmentation within the unionist community, | within the unionist community, especially— within the unionist community, especially over— within the unionist community, especially over the _ within the unionist community, i especially over the controversial post-brexit _ especially over the controversial post—brexit arrangements, - especially over the controversiall post—brexit arrangements, which especially over the controversial - post—brexit arrangements, which some of the _ post—brexit arrangements, which some of the more _ post—brexit arrangements, which some of the more hardline _ post—brexit arrangements, which some of the more hardline unionists - post—brexit arrangements, which some of the more hardline unionists have - of the more hardline unionists have been _ of the more hardline unionists have been arguing— of the more hardline unionists have been arguing makes _ of the more hardline unionists have been arguing makes northern - of the more hardline unionists have i been arguing makes northern ireland less british, — been arguing makes northern ireland less british, and _ been arguing makes northern ireland less british, and one _ been arguing makes northern ireland less british, and one aspect - been arguing makes northern ireland less british, and one aspect of- been arguing makes northern ireland less british, and one aspect of this. less british, and one aspect of this election— less british, and one aspect of this election we — less british, and one aspect of this election we will— less british, and one aspect of this election we will be _ less british, and one aspect of this election we will be looking - less british, and one aspect of this election we will be looking at - less british, and one aspect of this election we will be looking at is . election we will be looking at is growth — election we will be looking at is growth in — election we will be looking at is growth in that _ election we will be looking at is growth in that small _ election we will be looking at is growth in that small party, - election we will be looking at is growth in that small party, the | growth in that small party, the traditional— growth in that small party, the traditional unionists, - growth in that small party, the i traditional unionists, traditionally a one-man— traditional unionists, traditionally a one-man party _ traditional unionists, traditionally a one—man party, but— traditional unionists, traditionally a one—man party, but looks - traditional unionists, traditionally a one—man party, but looks like . traditional unionists, traditionally a one—man party, but looks like itj a one—man party, but looks like it will have — a one—man party, but looks like it will have more _ a one—man party, but looks like it will have more than _ a one—man party, but looks like it will have more than one - a one—man party, but looks like it| will have more than one candidate taken _ will have more than one candidate taken back— will have more than one candidate taken back to _ will have more than one candidate taken back to stormont, - will have more than one candidate taken back to stormont, and - will have more than one candidate taken back to stormont, and we . will have more than one candidate i taken back to stormont, and we are seeing _ taken back to stormont, and we are seeing various — taken back to stormont, and we are seeing various other— taken back to stormont, and we are seeing various other politicians, - seeing various other politicians, naomi _ seeing various other politicians, naomi long, _ seeing various other politicians, naomi long, the _ seeing various other politicians, naomi long, the leader- seeing various other politicians, naomi long, the leader of- seeing various other politicians, naomi long, the leader of the i naomi long, the leader of the community— naomi long, the leader of the community party, _ naomi long, the leader of the community party, she - naomi long, the leader of the community party, she is- naomi long, the leader of the . community party, she is making naomi long, the leader of the - community party, she is making her way in _ community party, she is making her wa in... , , ., community party, she is making her wa in... , , , way in... yes, you can 'ust see her, naomi long. — way in... yes, you can 'ust see her, naomi long. high _ way in... yes, you canjust see her, naomi long, high party— way in... yes, you canjust see her, naomi long, high party officials - naomi long, high party officials clapping their hands. they are looking very, very happy at the minute. we will try to grab a word with her if we can someone else from the party. mark, thank you so much. within the complex picture they have been doing _ within the complex picture they have been doing pretty— within the complex picture they have been doing pretty well. _ within the complex picture they have been doing pretty well.— been doing pretty well. absolutely. mark devenport, _ been doing pretty well. absolutely. mark devenport, thank _ been doing pretty well. absolutely. mark devenport, thank you - been doing pretty well. absolutely. mark devenport, thank you so - been doing pretty well. absolutely. i mark devenport, thank you so much. great to hear your thoughts. i mention a few things to look out for. i think it will take until very late tonight, possibly into the early hours of tomorrow morning, before we get the full and final picture. forthe before we get the full and final picture. for the moment, before we get the full and final picture. forthe moment, back before we get the full and final picture. for the moment, back to you. picture. for the moment, back to ou. . ~' picture. for the moment, back to ou. . ~ , ., y picture. for the moment, back to ou. . ~' , ., , . picture. for the moment, back to ou. ., , . ., picture. for the moment, back to ou. mi, , . ., you. thank you very much, to annita and of course _ you. thank you very much, to annita and of course to _ you. thank you very much, to annita and of course to might _ you. thank you very much, to annita and of course to might as _ you. thank you very much, to annita and of course to might as well. - you. thank you very much, to annita and of course to might as well. we l and of course to might as well. we will be back there as soon as we can. it isjust will be back there as soon as we can. it is just about a quarter past two —— of course to mark as well. the assembly elections in northern ireland, local elections for the council and england. we are now in a picture to share with you the national projected shade of the vote and this is the moment lots of you wait for, quite rightly, and we do as well, because this is a reliable yardstick of performance in an election which has lots of moving parts and is very difficult to compare like with like very often, well the projected national share helps to do that. before i unveil the figures, i am going to bring in the figures, i am going to bring in the man who is in charge of the magic formula, and that is sojohn curtice. john, can we just explain to viewers once again before we read the figures —— sirjohn curtice. what does this signify? a lot of the difficulty with local elections in england of course is that not— elections in england of course is that not every where votes at one time _ that not every where votes at one time and — that not every where votes at one time and of— that not every where votes at one time and of course not all the parties — time and of course not all the parties fight all seats, so what we're — parties fight all seats, so what we're doing with this is saying, let's— we're doing with this is saying, let's try— we're doing with this is saying, let's try to— we're doing with this is saying, let's try to work out would have happened — let's try to work out would have happened if not only all of england but also _ happened if not only all of england but also all of scotland and all of wales _ but also all of scotland and all of wales hadn't voted —— had voted yesterday. — wales hadn't voted —— had voted yesterday, and that in so doing they have behaved in line with the behaviour that is evident in the local— behaviour that is evident in the local election results we do have for england. so essentially not an attempt _ for england. so essentially not an attempt to forecast the general election— attempt to forecast the general election result, not even saying what _ election result, not even saying what we — election result, not even saying what we think would happen if there had been _ what we think would happen if there had been a — what we think would happen if there had been a general election yesterday, but it is an estimate of how well — yesterday, but it is an estimate of how well the parties have done in these _ how well the parties have done in these local elections, an estimate which _ these local elections, an estimate which because it is projected in the same _ which because it is projected in the same way— which because it is projected in the same way from year to year then gives— same way from year to year then gives you — same way from year to year then gives you a — same way from year to year then gives you a measure that enables it to compare — gives you a measure that enables it to compare the performance of the parties _ to compare the performance of the parties from one local election year to another~ — to another. john, thank you. i will be to another. — john, thank you. i will be back for your thoughts on the actual figures. let's bring the figures on screen, the projected national share from the projected national share from the bbc with labour on 35%, the conservatives on 30%, the lib dems on 19%, and the others, including the greens of course, on 16%. that means that labour have clearly won the election in that sense, five points ahead of the conservatives, they have matched their 2018 share, worth underlining, and their biggest lead over the conservatives since 2012, ten years ago. and the lib dems have matched their 2019 share as well. a lot of people watching will want your thoughts on what this signifies, john, and given i have just said that labour have won this particular election, is it a good springboard for them for a future general election?— general election? let's take the three main _ general election? let's take the three main parties— general election? let's take the three main parties in _ general election? let's take the three main parties in turn. - general election? let's take the three main parties in turn. so . general election? let's take the | three main parties in turn. so far as the _ three main parties in turn. so far as the conservatives are concerned, if we _ as the conservatives are concerned, if we leave — as the conservatives are concerned, if we leave aside the very exceptional local elections of 2019, when _ exceptional local elections of 2019, when both conservatives and labour lost ground — when both conservatives and labour lost ground very heavily in the midst— lost ground very heavily in the midst of— lost ground very heavily in the midst of the issue over the exit negotiations and what should be done about brexit, apart from that, this is the _ about brexit, apart from that, this is the lowest estimated conservative share _ is the lowest estimated conservative share in_ is the lowest estimated conservative share in any set of local elections since _ share in any set of local elections since before the eu referendum. to that extent — since before the eu referendum. to that extent at least, it is perhaps an indication to the party that brexit— an indication to the party that brexit might have delivered for it for quite — brexit might have delivered for it for quite a — brexit might have delivered for it for quite a while, but there is no guarantee — for quite a while, but there is no guarantee it will continue to deliver— guarantee it will continue to deliver for it in future, even though— deliver for it in future, even though brexit itself has now been delivered. and certainly, it's a pretty— delivered. and certainly, it's a pretty clear indication the conservatives are now in relatively choppy— conservatives are now in relatively choppy electoral waters for the first time since the 2019 general election — first time since the 2019 general election. secondly, labour. yes, we are saying _ election. secondly, labour. yes, we are saying that if you take together what happened in london and outside of london. _ what happened in london and outside of london, their performance is more or less _ of london, their performance is more or less the _ of london, their performance is more or less the equivalent of what happened in 2018 but it means that they cannot claim, according to our figures, _ they cannot claim, according to our figures, that their performance this year was _ figures, that their performance this year was better than every single local— year was better than every single local election performance byjeremy local election performance by jeremy corbyn _ local election performance byjeremy corbyn because the 35% labour got in 2018 was— corbyn because the 35% labour got in 2018 was achieved under corbyn so insofar— 2018 was achieved under corbyn so insofar as — 2018 was achieved under corbyn so insofar as i — 2018 was achieved under corbyn so insofar as i think sir keir starmer has wanted — insofar as i think sir keir starmer has wanted to make it clear he can reach _ has wanted to make it clear he can reach parts — has wanted to make it clear he can reach parts of the electorate that jeremy— reach parts of the electorate that jeremy corbyn could not, that still seems _ jeremy corbyn could not, that still seems to— jeremy corbyn could not, that still seems to be a work in progress. finaliy— seems to be a work in progress. finally the — seems to be a work in progress. finally the liberal democrats. this is not _ finally the liberal democrats. this is not a _ finally the liberal democrats. this is not a record performance for them but it— is not a record performance for them but it does— is not a record performance for them but it does match the performance of 2019 when _ but it does match the performance of 2019 when their boat was floated by that row _ 2019 when their boat was floated by that row about brexit dominating the local elections at that time but together— local elections at that time but together with the 2019 election result, — together with the 2019 election result, this does represent their best local— result, this does represent their best local election performance at any other— best local election performance at any other set of local elections since _ any other set of local elections since the — any other set of local elections since the party made that fateful decision— since the party made that fateful decision back in 2010 to enter into coalition— decision back in 2010 to enter into coalition with the conservatives and fairly promptly reaped an electoral whirlwind — fairly promptly reaped an electoral whirlwind of retribution, not least as a result — whirlwind of retribution, not least as a result of their volte—face on tuition— as a result of their volte—face on tuition fees. certainly encouragement for the lib dems that perhaps— encouragement for the lib dems that perhaps at— encouragement for the lib dems that perhaps at least they might now be in a position where they can perhaps begin— in a position where they can perhaps begin to _ in a position where they can perhaps begin to leave the travails of the coalition— begin to leave the travails of the coalition behind. encouraging for labour, — coalition behind. encouraging for labour, certainly their largest lead over the _ labour, certainly their largest lead over the conservatives in local elections _ over the conservatives in local elections since 2012 but it is nothing _ elections since 2012 but it is nothing spectacular for an opposition in local elections in the middle _ opposition in local elections in the middle of— opposition in local elections in the middle of a parliament. and for the conservatives, very clearly a warning _ conservatives, very clearly a warning that the electorate cannot be taken _ warning that the electorate cannot be taken for granted and that although the party has not lost that many _ although the party has not lost that many seats or councils although the number— many seats or councils although the number of— many seats or councils although the number of councils keeps on creeping up number of councils keeps on creeping up gradually, they do need to recognise they are in a markedly weaker— recognise they are in a markedly weaker position than in the local elections — weaker position than in the local elections last year, six points down on their— elections last year, six points down on their estimate from where they were _ on their estimate from where they were then — on their estimate from where they were then. ., , ., ' ~ were then. the others on 16 including — were then. the others on 16 including the _ were then. the others on 16 including the greens, - were then. the others on 16 including the greens, and l were then. the others on 16| including the greens, and we were then. the others on 16 - including the greens, and we have reported on their gains overnight and this morning so a word about the greens are possibly performance? we were not attempting to estimate them because _ were not attempting to estimate them because they don't fight enough wards— because they don't fight enough wards to — because they don't fight enough wards to make it viable but certainly _ wards to make it viable but certainly they have gained four points — certainly they have gained four points on— certainly they have gained four points on their position in 2018 and they have _ points on their position in 2018 and they have been doubling the number of seats _ they have been doubling the number of seats they represent. it's not a record _ of seats they represent. it's not a record performance, again, going back to _ record performance, again, going back to that exceptional election of 2019. _ back to that exceptional election of 2019, they did a bit better than this year— 2019, they did a bit better than this year in that but a reminder certainly— this year in that but a reminder certainly and confirmation in the opinion— certainly and confirmation in the opinion polls that the greens are not players who can be ignored in future _ not players who can be ignored in future for — not players who can be ignored in future for westminster elections. they might not necessarily be capable — they might not necessarily be capable of winning although they won seats in— capable of winning although they won seats in this local election, but insofar— seats in this local election, but insofar as _ seats in this local election, but insofar as they potentially could take votes from the other parties, it is a _ take votes from the other parties, it is a force — take votes from the other parties, it is a force that all the other parties — it is a force that all the other parties certainly need to take cognizance of. | parties certainly need to take cognizance of.— parties certainly need to take cognizance of. i will very unfairly -ick out cognizance of. i will very unfairly pick out two _ cognizance of. i will very unfairly pick out two phrases _ cognizance of. i will very unfairly pick out two phrases for - cognizance of. i will very unfairly pick out two phrases for those i pick out two phrases for those viewers who are justjoining us, and having seen this projected national share showing labour on 35, conservatives on 30, lib dems on 19 and others including the greens on 16, yoursummary and others including the greens on 16, your summary would be that the conservatives find themselves in choppy electoral waters and labour find themselves in a position where their results are nothing spectacular, is that fair? i think that is perfectly _ spectacular, is that fair? i think that is perfectly reasonable - spectacular, is that fair? i think that is perfectly reasonable and spectacular, is that fair? i think - that is perfectly reasonable and the liberal _ that is perfectly reasonable and the liberal democrats have made modest but potentially important progress. thank _ but potentially important progress. thank you — but potentially important progress. thank you as ever and we will be back with your thoughts. what did you make of that? it’s back with your thoughts. what did you make of that?— you make of that? it's interesting because there — you make of that? it's interesting because there is _ you make of that? it's interesting because there is a _ you make of that? it's interesting because there is a pattern - you make of that? it's interesting. because there is a pattern coming, particularly in england, where there are a lot of councils, not all of them are necessarily going to other parties like labour or the liberal democrats, but where the conservatives are losing control. and within specific wards in areas which, for example, the lib dems have targeted, somewhat like dominic raab's constituency, thejustice secretary. the lib dems are making gains there and that is how they think they can claw their way back and eventually, they hope, win parliamentary seats. there are going to be an awful lot of very nervous conservative mps watching these results coming in from southern england, whether in somerset, maidstone, worthing, where we think labour have taken control for the first time ever, it looks like that conservative vote is being slowly eroded. i think it is not dramatic enough for there to be a coup against the prime minister, we know against the prime minister, we know a lot of his mps are very unhappy, but they will be assessing whether he is still a winner for them, but they will be assessing whether he is still a winnerfor them, that is what they care about. filiaiiii he is still a winner for them, that is what they care about.- is what they care about. shall be -ut that is what they care about. shall be put that question _ is what they care about. shall be put that question to _ is what they care about. shall be put that question to simon - is what they care about. shall be i put that question to simon clarke, the treasury minister and chief secretary to the treasury, conservative mp, good afternoon and thank you forjoining us.— thank you for “oining us. hello. what thank you for “oining us. hello. what wouid — thank you forjoining us. hello. what would be _ thank you forjoining us. hello. what would be your— thank you forjoining us. hello. what would be your response i thank you forjoining us. hello. | what would be your response to thank you forjoining us. hello. - what would be your response to that assertion from vicki young that there would be colleagues of yours asking serious questions about whether you do have the right leadership looking ahead may be a year or two, what is your thought on that? it year or two, what is your thought on that? ., , ., , ., year or two, what is your thought on that? .,, ., , ., ., _ that? it has not been an easy night or da for that? it has not been an easy night or day for the _ that? it has not been an easy night or day for the conservative - that? it has not been an easy night or day for the conservative party i or day for the conservative party but it _ or day for the conservative party but it has — or day for the conservative party but it has certainly— or day for the conservative party but it has certainly not _ or day for the conservative party but it has certainly not been- or day for the conservative party but it has certainly not been a i but it has certainly not been a particularly _ but it has certainly not been a particularly unusual— but it has certainly not been a particularly unusual set - but it has certainly not been a particularly unusual set of- but it has certainly not been a - particularly unusual set of mid—term elections _ particularly unusual set of mid—term elections for — particularly unusual set of mid—term elections for a — particularly unusual set of mid—term elections for a sitting _ particularly unusual set of mid—term elections for a sitting government, i elections for a sitting government, asjohn _ elections for a sitting government, as john curtice _ elections for a sitting government, as john curtice was _ elections for a sitting government, as john curtice was just _ elections for a sitting government, as john curtice was just setting - as john curtice was just setting out _ as john curtice was just setting out and — as john curtice was just setting out. and certainly, _ as john curtice was just setting out. and certainly, for- as john curtice was just setting out. and certainly, for my- as john curtice was just settingl out. and certainly, for my part, as john curtice was just setting l out. and certainly, for my part, i am very— out. and certainly, for my part, i am very clear— out. and certainly, for my part, i am very clear that _ out. and certainly, for my part, i am very clear that we _ out. and certainly, for my part, i am very clear that we should - out. and certainly, for my part, i am very clear that we should be i am very clear that we should be getting — am very clear that we should be getting right _ am very clear that we should be getting right behind _ am very clear that we should be getting right behind the - am very clear that we should be getting right behind the prime i getting right behind the prime minister. _ getting right behind the prime minister, the _ getting right behind the prime minister, the man— getting right behind the prime minister, the man who - getting right behind the prime minister, the man who has - getting right behind the prime i minister, the man who has made getting right behind the prime - minister, the man who has made the film minister, the man who has made the right calls _ minister, the man who has made the right calls on — minister, the man who has made the right calls on a — minister, the man who has made the right calls on a whole _ minister, the man who has made the right calls on a whole host _ minister, the man who has made the right calls on a whole host of- right calls on a whole host of issues — right calls on a whole host of issues since _ right calls on a whole host of issues since coming - right calls on a whole host of issues since coming in. - right calls on a whole host of. issues since coming in. country right calls on a whole host of- issues since coming in. country has been _ issues since coming in. country has been prevented _ issues since coming in. country has been prevented with _ issues since coming in. country has been prevented with a _ issues since coming in. country has been prevented with a series - issues since coming in. country has been prevented with a series of- been prevented with a series of massive — been prevented with a series of massive challenges, _ been prevented with a series of. massive challenges, implementing brexit— massive challenges, implementing brexit in— massive challenges, implementing brexit in the — massive challenges, implementing brexit in the face _ massive challenges, implementing brexit in the face of— massive challenges, implementing brexit in the face of a _ massive challenges, implementing brexit in the face of a hung - brexit in the face of a hung parliament _ brexit in the face of a hung parliament and _ brexit in the face of a hungj parliament and overcoming brexit in the face of a hung - parliament and overcoming covid brexit in the face of a hung _ parliament and overcoming covid and now dealing — parliament and overcoming covid and now dealing with _ parliament and overcoming covid and now dealing with the _ parliament and overcoming covid and now dealing with the situation - parliament and overcoming covid and now dealing with the situation with i now dealing with the situation with russia _ now dealing with the situation with russia and — now dealing with the situation with russia and ukraine _ now dealing with the situation with russia and ukraine and _ now dealing with the situation with russia and ukraine and the - now dealing with the situation with russia and ukraine and the prime i russia and ukraine and the prime minister— russia and ukraine and the prime minister has — russia and ukraine and the prime minister has consistently - russia and ukraine and the prime minister has consistently made i russia and ukraine and the prime i minister has consistently made the film minister has consistently made the right calls — minister has consistently made the right calls at — minister has consistently made the right calls at the _ minister has consistently made the right calls at the right _ minister has consistently made the right calls at the right times - minister has consistently made the right calls at the right times on - right calls at the right times on the biggest _ right calls at the right times on the biggest issues _ right calls at the right times on the biggest issues and - right calls at the right times on the biggest issues and i- right calls at the right times on the biggest issues and i am - right calls at the right times on i the biggest issues and i am clear that the — the biggest issues and i am clear that the great _ the biggest issues and i am clear that the great majority— the biggest issues and i am clear that the great majority of- that the great majority of conservative _ that the great majority of conservative mps - that the great majority of conservative mps want i that the great majority of| conservative mps want to that the great majority of- conservative mps want to focus on the real _ conservative mps want to focus on the real issue _ conservative mps want to focus on the real issue which _ conservative mps want to focus on the real issue which is _ conservative mps want to focus on the real issue which is of- conservative mps want to focus on the real issue which is of course i the real issue which is of course delivering — the real issue which is of course delivering our— the real issue which is of course delivering our national - the real issue which is of course delivering our national recoveryj the real issue which is of course i delivering our national recovery on the commitments— delivering our national recovery on the commitments we _ delivering our national recovery on the commitments we made - delivering our national recovery on the commitments we made in- delivering our national recovery on| the commitments we made in 2019 which _ the commitments we made in 2019 which is _ the commitments we made in 2019 which is ultimately _ the commitments we made in 2019 which is ultimately what _ the commitments we made in 2019 which is ultimately what we - the commitments we made in 2019 which is ultimately what we will - the commitments we made in 2019 which is ultimately what we will be | which is ultimately what we will be judged _ which is ultimately what we will be judged on — which is ultimately what we will be judged on when _ which is ultimately what we will be judged on when we _ which is ultimately what we will be judged on when we have _ which is ultimately what we will be judged on when we have a - which is ultimately what we will be judged on when we have a general| judged on when we have a general election. _ judged on when we have a general election, likely— judged on when we have a general election, likely in _ judged on when we have a general election, likely in 2024. _ judged on when we have a general election, likely in 2024.— election, likely in 2024. overnight we s-oke election, likely in 2024. overnight we spoke to _ election, likely in 2024. overnight we spoke to a _ election, likely in 2024. overnight we spoke to a lot _ election, likely in 2024. overnight we spoke to a lot of _ election, likely in 2024. overnight we spoke to a lot of conservatives| we spoke to a lot of conservatives and certainly those in authority is where the party had suffered losses come in 12 cases bad losses, were very clear that a course there are local issues but the prime minister's name came up a lot —— in one or two cases. his reputation came up a lot and it was not helpful and that was a factor in the defeats they were mentioning. in your reader, to do with the prime minister making the right calls, where does the character issue fit in? is it not a relevant one, do you think? it in? is it not a relevant one, do you think? ., , , ., in? is it not a relevant one, do you think? .,, , ., , . think? it has been a difficult backdrop — think? it has been a difficult backdrop to _ think? it has been a difficult backdrop to the _ think? it has been a difficult backdrop to the campaign i think? it has been a difficult i backdrop to the campaign and think? it has been a difficult - backdrop to the campaign and we think? it has been a difficult _ backdrop to the campaign and we have had the _ backdrop to the campaign and we have had the news _ backdrop to the campaign and we have had the news about _ backdrop to the campaign and we have had the news about durham _ backdrop to the campaign and we have had the news about durham police - backdrop to the campaign and we have had the news about durham police and keir starmer— had the news about durham police and keir starmer today, _ had the news about durham police and keir starmer today, which _ had the news about durham police and keir starmer today, which gives - had the news about durham police and keir starmer today, which gives a - keir starmer today, which gives a taste. _ keir starmer today, which gives a taste. if— keir starmer today, which gives a taste. if you — keir starmer today, which gives a taste, if you like, _ keir starmer today, which gives a taste, if you like, that _ keir starmer today, which gives a taste, if you like, that the - taste, if you like, that the conservatives _ taste, if you like, that the conservatives have - taste, if you like, that the conservatives have had i taste, if you like, that the i conservatives have had over taste, if you like, that the - conservatives have had over recent weeks _ conservatives have had over recent weeks there — conservatives have had over recent weeks there is _ conservatives have had over recent weeks. there is no _ conservatives have had over recent weeks. there is no denying, - conservatives have had over recent weeks. there is no denying, the i weeks. there is no denying, the prime _ weeks. there is no denying, the prime minister— weeks. there is no denying, the prime minister himself- weeks. there is no denying, the prime minister himself would i weeks. there is no denying, thel prime minister himself would not deny. _ prime minister himself would not deny. that— prime minister himself would not deny. that this _ prime minister himself would not deny, that this was _ prime minister himself would not deny, that this was an _ prime minister himself would not deny, that this was an issue - prime minister himself would not deny, that this was an issue in i prime minister himself would notl deny, that this was an issue in the campaign — deny, that this was an issue in the campaign and _ deny, that this was an issue in the campaign and he _ deny, that this was an issue in the campaign and he has _ deny, that this was an issue in the campaign and he has rightly- deny, that this was an issue in the campaign and he has rightly and i campaign and he has rightly and repeatedly— campaign and he has rightly and repeatedly apologised _ campaign and he has rightly and repeatedly apologised for - campaign and he has rightly and repeatedly apologised for what i repeatedly apologised for what happened _ repeatedly apologised for what happened in— repeatedly apologised for what happened in downing - repeatedly apologised for what happened in downing street. repeatedly apologised for what i happened in downing street and repeatedly apologised for what - happened in downing street and set in train _ happened in downing street and set in train a _ happened in downing street and set in train a series _ happened in downing street and set in train a series of— happened in downing street and set in train a series of reforms - happened in downing street and set in train a series of reforms to - happened in downing street and set in train a series of reforms to makel in train a series of reforms to make certain— in train a series of reforms to make certain there — in train a series of reforms to make certain there could _ in train a series of reforms to make certain there could never— in train a series of reforms to make certain there could never be - in train a series of reforms to make certain there could never be any. certain there could never be any repeat — certain there could never be any repeat and _ certain there could never be any repeat and i_ certain there could never be any repeat. and i know— certain there could never be any repeat. and i know that- certain there could never be any repeat. and i know that his - certain there could never be any. repeat. and i know that his feelings on this— repeat. and i know that his feelings on this are — repeat. and i know that his feelings on this are extremely _ repeat. and i know that his feelings on this are extremely heartfelt - repeat. and i know that his feelings on this are extremely heartfelt and | on this are extremely heartfelt and genuine _ on this are extremely heartfelt and genuine his— on this are extremely heartfelt and genuine. his views _ on this are extremely heartfelt and genuine. his views are _ on this are extremely heartfelt and genuine. his views are clearly - on this are extremely heartfelt and genuine. his views are clearly outi genuine. his views are clearly out there _ genuine. his views are clearly out there and — genuine. his views are clearly out there and the _ genuine. his views are clearly out there and the apology _ genuine. his views are clearly out there and the apology he - genuine. his views are clearly out there and the apology he made i there and the apology he made repeatedly _ there and the apology he made repeatedly has _ there and the apology he made repeatedly has been _ there and the apology he made repeatedly has been clearly - there and the apology he made - repeatedly has been clearly stated, and this— repeatedly has been clearly stated, and this is— repeatedly has been clearly stated, and this is something _ repeatedly has been clearly stated, and this is something which - and this is something which undoubtedly— and this is something which undoubtedly overshadowed | and this is something which . undoubtedly overshadowed the campaign _ undoubtedly overshadowed the campaign but— undoubtedly overshadowed the campaign. but is— undoubtedly overshadowed the campaign. but is it _ undoubtedly overshadowed the campaign. but is it the - undoubtedly overshadowed the campaign. but is it the only. undoubtedly overshadowed the i campaign. but is it the only factor in play? _ campaign. but is it the only factor in play? 0f— campaign. but is it the only factor in play? of course _ campaign. but is it the only factor in play? of course not, _ campaign. but is it the only factor in play? of course not, we - campaign. but is it the only factor in play? of course not, we face i campaign. but is it the only factor in play? of course not, we face a| in play? of course not, we face a variety _ in play? of course not, we face a variety of — in play? of course not, we face a variety of global— in play? of course not, we face a variety of global pressures - variety of global pressures resulting _ variety of global pressures resulting from _ variety of global pressures resulting from the - variety of global pressures resulting from the impactl variety of global pressures i resulting from the impact of variety of global pressures - resulting from the impact of the pandemic— resulting from the impact of the pandemic and _ resulting from the impact of the pandemic and now _ resulting from the impact of the pandemic and now the - resulting from the impact of the pandemic and now the war- resulting from the impact of the pandemic and now the war in i resulting from the impact of the - pandemic and now the war in europe and that— pandemic and now the war in europe and that would — pandemic and now the war in europe and that would make _ pandemic and now the war in europe and that would make it _ pandemic and now the war in europe and that would make it a _ pandemic and now the war in europe and that would make it a difficult - and that would make it a difficult backdrop — and that would make it a difficult backdrop for _ and that would make it a difficult backdrop for any— and that would make it a difficult backdrop for any sitting - and that would make it a difficult - backdrop for any sitting government. the tea _ backdrop for any sitting government. the tea message _ backdrop for any sitting government. the tea message today— backdrop for any sitting government. the tea message today is _ backdrop for any sitting government. the tea message today is that - backdrop for any sitting government. the tea message today is that whilst| the tea message today is that whilst the government— the tea message today is that whilst the government undoubtedly - the tea message today is that whilst the government undoubtedly has - the government undoubtedly has lessons _ the government undoubtedly has lessons to— the government undoubtedly has lessons to learn _ the government undoubtedly has lessons to learn and _ the government undoubtedly has lessons to learn and new—found i the government undoubtedly has - lessons to learn and new—found focus on delivery _ lessons to learn and new—found focus on delivery is — lessons to learn and new—found focus on delivery is required, _ lessons to learn and new—found focus on delivery is required, labour- lessons to learn and new—found focus on delivery is required, labour have i on delivery is required, labour have not convinced — on delivery is required, labour have not convinced people _ on delivery is required, labour have not convinced people that _ on delivery is required, labour have not convinced people that they - on delivery is required, labour have not convinced people that they are. not convinced people that they are in a fit _ not convinced people that they are in a fit condition _ not convinced people that they are in a fit condition to _ not convinced people that they are in a fit condition to be _ not convinced people that they are in a fit condition to be the - not convinced people that they are in a fit condition to be the next - in a fit condition to be the next government— in a fit condition to be the next government -- _ in a fit condition to be the next government —— the _ in a fit condition to be the next government —— the key- in a fit condition to be the next i government —— the key message. in a fit condition to be the next - government —— the key message. mr clarke government —— the key message. clarke has left! i think, government —— the key message. clarke has left! ithink, to government —— the key message. clarke has left! i think, to be government —— the key message. hi. clarke has left! i think, to be fair to him, he didn't leave, his link went down. that was simon clarke, the chief secretary to the treasury, and i was about to ask him about the response to the rising cost of living and the fact that a lot of his colleagues in the party overnight were saying that treasury's response has not been sufficient, and the chancellor needs to make a much bigger effort to help people with higher energy bills and all the rest of it, given that inflation is heading for 10% and there is a recession possibly around there is a recession possibly around the corner. do we have mr clarke back? no, we don't. just a word on that because how vulnerable is that flank? i that because how vulnerable is that flank? ~' that because how vulnerable is that flank? ~ , ., flank? i think it will be a huge test for the _ flank? i think it will be a huge test for the government - flank? i think it will be a huge test for the government and i test for the government and listening to borisjohnson, he says these results are a bit patchy but he wants to get on with the job and then he talks about what he feels has gone well, him delivering brexit, the covid vaccinations and his leadership on ukraine, but i think now it's getting to the point, we are near enough to the next general election where what happens in terms of how he delivers from now on and all those things he's talking about, levelling up and particular the cost of living, that is what will dictate his leadership and probably the result of the next election. mr probably the result of the next election. ~ . .. probably the result of the next election. ~ ., ,, , , election. mr clarke is back with us. thank ou election. mr clarke is back with us. thank you and _ election. mr clarke is back with us. thank you and apologies _ election. mr clarke is back with us. thank you and apologies for - election. mr clarke is back with us. i thank you and apologies for whatever caused that. i was about to say, on this business about the cost of living crisis, again, a lot of your party colleagues were telling us overnight that the response from the government, and you are a minister in the treasury, at the heart of this response, that the response has not been adequate. it needs more, it can't wait until the autumn with a recession possibly around the corner and inflation running towards 10% and inflation running towards 10% and people are struggling with energy bills. your response so far, yes, has been noted but it needs to be far more assertive. will that response be evident sooner rather than later? latte response be evident sooner rather than later? ~ . response be evident sooner rather than later?— response be evident sooner rather than later? ~ ., ,, , ., ., than later? we are keenly aware the ressures than later? we are keenly aware the pressures on — than later? we are keenly aware the pressures on family _ than later? we are keenly aware the pressures on family finances - pressures on family finances resulting _ pressures on family finances resulting from _ pressures on family finances resulting from some - pressures on family finances resulting from some of- pressures on family finances resulting from some of the i pressures on family finances - resulting from some of the global pressures— resulting from some of the global pressures we _ resulting from some of the global pressures we know _ resulting from some of the global pressures we know we _ resulting from some of the global pressures we know we are - resulting from some of the global pressures we know we are facingl resulting from some of the global. pressures we know we are facing and that is— pressures we know we are facing and that is why— pressures we know we are facing and that is why we — pressures we know we are facing and that is why we put _ pressures we know we are facing and that is why we put in _ pressures we know we are facing and that is why we put in place _ pressures we know we are facing and that is why we put in place a - pressures we know we are facing and that is why we put in place a £42 - that is why we put in place a £42 billion— that is why we put in place a £42 billion package _ that is why we put in place a £42 billion package for— that is why we put in place a £42 billion package for this _ that is why we put in place a £42 billion package for this year- that is why we put in place a £42 billion package for this year to i billion package for this year to support— billion package for this year to support families _ billion package for this year to support families —— _ billion package for this year to support families —— 20 - billion package for this year to support families —— 20 £2 - billion package for this year to i support families —— 20 £2 billion. that— support families —— 20 £2 billion. that includes— support families —— 20 £2 billion. that includes action _ support families —— 20 £2 billion. that includes action on _ support families —— 20 £2 billion. that includes action on national. that includes action on national insurance — that includes action on national insurance and _ that includes action on national insurance and by— that includes action on national insurance and byjuly, _ that includes action on national insurance and byjuly, 70%- that includes action on national insurance and byjuly, 70% of. that includes action on national- insurance and byjuly, 70% of people will be _ insurance and byjuly, 70% of people will be paying — insurance and byjuly, 70% of people will be paying less _ insurance and byjuly, 70% of people will be paying less national- will be paying less national insurance _ will be paying less national insurance than— will be paying less national insurance than they - will be paying less national insurance than they were i will be paying less national- insurance than they were before, even _ insurance than they were before, even accounting _ insurance than they were before, even accounting for— insurance than they were before, even accounting for the - insurance than they were before, even accounting for the new- insurance than they were before, i even accounting for the new health and social— even accounting for the new health and social levy _ even accounting for the new health and social levy to _ even accounting for the new health and social levy to deal— even accounting for the new health and social levy to deal with - even accounting for the new health and social levy to deal with the - even accounting for the new healthl and social levy to deal with the nhs backlog _ and social levy to deal with the nhs backlog we — and social levy to deal with the nhs backlog. we have _ and social levy to deal with the nhs backlog. we have taken _ and social levy to deal with the nhs backlog. we have taken action - and social levy to deal with the nhs backlog. we have taken action to i backlog. we have taken action to raise _ backlog. we have taken action to raise the — backlog. we have taken action to raise the natural— backlog. we have taken action to raise the natural living _ backlog. we have taken action to raise the natural living wage, - backlog. we have taken action to raise the natural living wage, cutj raise the natural living wage, cut the tape — raise the natural living wage, cut the tape at — raise the natural living wage, cut the tape at rate _ raise the natural living wage, cut the tape at rate for— raise the natural living wage, cut the tape at rate for universal - the tape at rate for universal credit— the tape at rate for universal credit so— the tape at rate for universal credit so lower _ the tape at rate for universal credit so lower earners - the tape at rate for universal credit so lower earners get i the tape at rate for universall credit so lower earners get to the tape at rate for universal - credit so lower earners get to keep more _ credit so lower earners get to keep more of— credit so lower earners get to keep more of the — credit so lower earners get to keep more of the money _ credit so lower earners get to keep more of the money they— credit so lower earners get to keep more of the money they earn. - credit so lower earners get to keep. more of the money they earn. these are all— more of the money they earn. these are all things — more of the money they earn. these are all things we _ more of the money they earn. these are all things we are _ more of the money they earn. these are all things we are doing _ more of the money they earn. these are all things we are doing to- more of the money they earn. these are all things we are doing to try - are all things we are doing to try to make — are all things we are doing to try to make sure _ are all things we are doing to try to make sure we _ are all things we are doing to try to make sure we protect - are all things we are doing to try to make sure we protect familyi to make sure we protect family finances — to make sure we protect family finances and _ to make sure we protect family finances and clearly _ to make sure we protect family finances and clearly the - to make sure we protect family finances and clearly the air- to make sure we protect family finances and clearly the air will| to make sure we protect family. finances and clearly the air will be a budget— finances and clearly the air will be a budget in— finances and clearly the air will be a budget in the _ finances and clearly the air will be a budget in the autumn _ finances and clearly the air will be a budget in the autumn which - finances and clearly the air will be a budget in the autumn which the | a budget in the autumn which the chancellor— a budget in the autumn which the chancellor will _ a budget in the autumn which the chancellor will look— a budget in the autumn which the chancellor will look again - a budget in the autumn which the chancellor will look again at - a budget in the autumn which the chancellor will look again at the i chancellor will look again at the options — chancellor will look again at the options at — chancellor will look again at the options at his _ chancellor will look again at the options at his disposal- chancellor will look again at the options at his disposal but - chancellor will look again at the options at his disposal but it's i options at his disposal but it's important _ options at his disposal but it's important to _ options at his disposal but it's important to emphasise - options at his disposal but it's important to emphasise we i options at his disposal but it's i important to emphasise we have options at his disposal but it's - important to emphasise we have to be aware _ important to emphasise we have to be aware both— important to emphasise we have to be aware both of— important to emphasise we have to be aware both of the _ important to emphasise we have to be aware both of the fact _ important to emphasise we have to be aware both of the fact we _ important to emphasise we have to be aware both of the fact we put - important to emphasise we have to be aware both of the fact we put £22 - aware both of the fact we put £22 billion— aware both of the fact we put £22 billion of— aware both of the fact we put £22 billion of the _ aware both of the fact we put £22 billion of the put _ aware both of the fact we put £22 billion of the put in— aware both of the fact we put £22 billion of the put in place - aware both of the fact we put £22 billion of the put in place but- billion of the put in place but crucially. _ billion of the put in place but crucially, that _ billion of the put in place but crucially, that we _ billion of the put in place but crucially, that we are - billion of the put in place but crucially, that we are paying | billion of the put in place but- crucially, that we are paying £83 billion _ crucially, that we are paying £83 billion a — crucially, that we are paying £83 billion a year— crucially, that we are paying £83 billion a year at _ crucially, that we are paying £83 billion a year at the _ crucially, that we are paying £83 billion a year at the moment - crucially, that we are paying £83 billion a year at the moment to i billion a year at the moment to service — billion a year at the moment to service our— billion a year at the moment to service our debt _ billion a year at the moment to service our debt interest- billion a year at the moment to service our debt interest afteri billion a year at the moment to i service our debt interest after the pandemic— service our debt interest after the pandemic and _ service our debt interest after the pandemic and that _ service our debt interest after the pandemic and that is _ service our debt interest after the pandemic and that is something i pandemic and that is something which. — pandemic and that is something which. if— pandemic and that is something which. if we _ pandemic and that is something which, if we don't _ pandemic and that is something which, if we don't keep- pandemic and that is something which, if we don't keep it - pandemic and that is something which, if we don't keep it under| which, if we don't keep it under control. — which, if we don't keep it under control. will— which, if we don't keep it under control, will frighten— which, if we don't keep it under control, will frighten the - which, if we don't keep it under control, will frighten the publicl control, will frighten the public finances — control, will frighten the public finances in _ control, will frighten the public finances in a _ control, will frighten the public finances in a way— control, will frighten the public finances in a way which - control, will frighten the public finances in a way which would i control, will frighten the public- finances in a way which would have had direct— finances in a way which would have had direct impact— finances in a way which would have had direct impact on— finances in a way which would have had direct impact on public- had direct impact on public services _ had direct impact on public services. so— had direct impact on public services. so whilst - had direct impact on public services. so whilst we - had direct impact on public- services. so whilst we absolutely recognise — services. so whilst we absolutely recognise we _ services. so whilst we absolutely recognise we need _ services. so whilst we absolutely recognise we need to _ services. so whilst we absolutely recognise we need to keep- services. so whilst we absolutely recognise we need to keep the i recognise we need to keep the situation — recognise we need to keep the situation under— recognise we need to keep the situation under close - recognise we need to keep the situation under close review, i recognise we need to keep the i situation under close review, we also _ situation under close review, we also have — situation under close review, we also have a _ situation under close review, we also have a duty _ situation under close review, we also have a duty to _ situation under close review, we also have a duty to the - situation under close review, we also have a duty to the public. situation under close review, wei also have a duty to the public not to lose _ also have a duty to the public not to lose control— also have a duty to the public not to lose control of— also have a duty to the public not to lose control of public- also have a duty to the public not to lose control of public financesl to lose control of public finances in a way — to lose control of public finances in a way which _ to lose control of public finances in a way which would _ to lose control of public finances in a way which would be - to lose control of public finances in a way which would be bad - to lose control of public finances in a way which would be bad fori in a way which would be bad for everyone — in a way which would be bad for everyone i— in a way which would be bad for everyone-— in a way which would be bad for eve one. ., , ~ ., ., everyone. i am 'ust thinking that on the basis of — everyone. i am just thinking that on the basis of the _ everyone. i am just thinking that on the basis of the people _ everyone. i am just thinking that on the basis of the people who - everyone. i am just thinking that on the basis of the people who spoke i everyone. i am just thinking that on | the basis of the people who spoke to us last night, conservatives at camps where they suffered losses, that message, it will not be that welcome —— at counts. you seem to be saying to wait for the budget in the autumn, to see how this 22 billion package beds down, we don't want to take any more measures in the meantime, we are concerned about debt. a lot of your colleagues were saying that people need help right now, it's not enough, and by the autumn will be too late, notjust in terms of your party and what damage it might cause but more importantly, people's own well—being and welfare. do you think you are moving quickly enough and when you say that understand the problems are people, is the nature of your response backing that up? i absolutely do think we have a strong — i absolutely do think we have a strong package _ i absolutely do think we have a strong package of— i absolutely do think we have a strong package of support - i absolutely do think we have a strong package of support in i i absolutely do think we have a - strong package of support in place. as i strong package of support in place. as i was _ strong package of support in place. as i was saying. _ strong package of support in place. as i was saying, we _ strong package of support in place. as i was saying, we keep _ strong package of support in place. as i was saying, we keep these - as i was saying, we keep these issues — as i was saying, we keep these issues under _ as i was saying, we keep these issues under close _ as i was saying, we keep these issues under close review - as i was saying, we keep these issues under close review and i as i was saying, we keep these| issues under close review and if there _ issues under close review and if there are — issues under close review and if there are opportunities - issues under close review and if there are opportunities to - issues under close review and if there are opportunities to helpl there are opportunities to help people — there are opportunities to help people we _ there are opportunities to help people we will— there are opportunities to help people we will take _ there are opportunities to help people we will take them. - there are opportunities to help people we will take them. it i there are opportunities to help people we will take them. it is| people we will take them. it is absolutely— people we will take them. it is absolutely the _ people we will take them. it is absolutely the case _ people we will take them. it is absolutely the case that - people we will take them. it is absolutely the case that the i people we will take them. it is- absolutely the case that the biggest single _ absolutely the case that the biggest single issue — absolutely the case that the biggest single issue confronting _ absolutely the case that the biggest single issue confronting families- single issue confronting families with inflationary— single issue confronting families with inflationary pressures - single issue confronting families with inflationary pressures is. single issue confronting familiesj with inflationary pressures is the cost of— with inflationary pressures is the cost of energy— with inflationary pressures is the cost of energy and _ with inflationary pressures is the cost of energy and the _ with inflationary pressures is the cost of energy and the main- with inflationary pressures is thel cost of energy and the main focus with inflationary pressures is the - cost of energy and the main focus of that will_ cost of energy and the main focus of that will come — cost of energy and the main focus of that will come in _ cost of energy and the main focus of that will come in the _ cost of energy and the main focus of that will come in the autumn, - cost of energy and the main focus of that will come in the autumn, whenl that will come in the autumn, when the next _ that will come in the autumn, when the next iteration— that will come in the autumn, when the next iteration of— that will come in the autumn, when the next iteration of the _ that will come in the autumn, when the next iteration of the energy- the next iteration of the energy price _ the next iteration of the energy price cap— the next iteration of the energy price cap falls _ the next iteration of the energy price cap falls due, _ the next iteration of the energy price cap falls due, and - the next iteration of the energy price cap falls due, and clearlyl price cap falls due, and clearly energy— price cap falls due, and clearly energy use _ price cap falls due, and clearly energy use is _ price cap falls due, and clearly energy use is lower— price cap falls due, and clearly energy use is lower during - price cap falls due, and clearly energy use is lower during the | energy use is lower during the summer— energy use is lower during the summer anyway _ energy use is lower during the summer anyway. the - energy use is lower during the summeranyway. the main- energy use is lower during the - summer anyway. the main moment energy use is lower during the _ summer anyway. the main moment when family— summer anyway. the main moment when family finances— summer anyway. the main moment when family finances will— summer anyway. the main moment when family finances will come _ summer anyway. the main moment when family finances will come under— family finances will come under pressure — family finances will come under pressure from _ family finances will come under pressure from any _ family finances will come under pressure from any change - family finances will come under pressure from any change in i family finances will come underl pressure from any change in the price _ pressure from any change in the price cap — pressure from any change in the price cap would _ pressure from any change in the price cap would be _ pressure from any change in the price cap would be the - pressure from any change in the price cap would be the autumn. | pressure from any change in the - price cap would be the autumn. that is a major— price cap would be the autumn. that is a major focus _ price cap would be the autumn. that is a major focus in _ price cap would be the autumn. that is a major focus in my— price cap would be the autumn. that is a major focus in my mind, - price cap would be the autumn. that is a major focus in my mind, but - price cap would be the autumn. that is a major focus in my mind, but it. is a major focus in my mind, but it is a major focus in my mind, but it is the _ is a major focus in my mind, but it is the case — is a major focus in my mind, but it is the case that _ is a major focus in my mind, but it is the case that we _ is a major focus in my mind, but it is the case that we have _ is a major focus in my mind, but it is the case that we have to - is a major focus in my mind, but it is the case that we have to make i is the case that we have to make sure. _ is the case that we have to make sure. as — is the case that we have to make sure. as i — is the case that we have to make sure. as i say. _ is the case that we have to make sure. as i say. we _ is the case that we have to make sure, as i say, we are _ is the case that we have to make sure, as i say, we are doing - is the case that we have to make sure, as i say, we are doing the| sure, as i say, we are doing the right— sure, as i say, we are doing the right thing — sure, as i say, we are doing the right thing by— sure, as i say, we are doing the right thing by the _ sure, as i say, we are doing the right thing by the national- right thing by the national finances. _ right thing by the national finances, because - right thing by the national. finances, because everybody right thing by the national- finances, because everybody will be worse _ finances, because everybody will be worse off— finances, because everybody will be worse off macon _ finances, because everybody will be worse off macon huw, _ finances, because everybody will be worse off macon huw, if— finances, because everybody will be worse off macon huw, if we - finances, because everybody will be worse off macon huw, if we lose - worse off macon huw, if we lose control— worse off macon huw, if we lose control and _ worse off macon huw, if we lose control and effecting _ worse off macon huw, if we lose control and effecting the - control and effecting the sustainability— control and effecting the sustainability of- control and effecting the sustainability of public. control and effecting the - sustainability of public services —— will be _ sustainability of public services —— will be worse _ sustainability of public services —— will be worse off, _ sustainability of public services —— will be worse off, huw. _ sustainability of public services —— will be worse off, huw. the - sustainability of public services —— i will be worse off, huw. the spending after the _ will be worse off, huw. the spending after the pandemic, _ will be worse off, huw. the spending after the pandemic, the _ will be worse off, huw. the spendingl after the pandemic, the consequences of that— after the pandemic, the consequences of that is— after the pandemic, the consequences of that is we _ after the pandemic, the consequences of that is we are — after the pandemic, the consequences of that is we are spending _ after the pandemic, the consequences of that is we are spending 83 - of that is we are spending 83 billion— of that is we are spending 83 billion a _ of that is we are spending 83 billion a year— of that is we are spending 83 billion a year now _ of that is we are spending 83 billion a year now servicing i of that is we are spending 83 i billion a year now servicing our debt— billion a year now servicing our debt and — billion a year now servicing our debt and that _ billion a year now servicing our debt and that money _ billion a year now servicing our debt and that money is - billion a year now servicing our debt and that money is real. billion a year now servicing ourl debt and that money is real and billion a year now servicing our. debt and that money is real and it is a harsh— debt and that money is real and it is a harsh reality _ debt and that money is real and it is a harsh reality and _ debt and that money is real and it is a harsh reality and one - debt and that money is real and it is a harsh reality and one the - is a harsh reality and one the government— is a harsh reality and one the government has— is a harsh reality and one the government has to _ is a harsh reality and one the government has to be - is a harsh reality and one the government has to be aware| is a harsh reality and one the i government has to be aware of, is a harsh reality and one the - government has to be aware of, that it limits _ government has to be aware of, that it limits our— government has to be aware of, that it limits our room _ government has to be aware of, that it limits our room for— government has to be aware of, that it limits our room for manoeuvre, i it limits our room for manoeuvre, and therefore _ it limits our room for manoeuvre, and therefore we _ it limits our room for manoeuvre, and therefore we need _ it limits our room for manoeuvre, and therefore we need to - it limits our room for manoeuvre, and therefore we need to be - it limits our room for manoeuvre, i and therefore we need to be really targeted _ and therefore we need to be really targeted in — and therefore we need to be really targeted in terms _ and therefore we need to be really targeted in terms of _ and therefore we need to be really targeted in terms of our _ and therefore we need to be really targeted in terms of our responsel and therefore we need to be really. targeted in terms of our response to these _ targeted in terms of our response to these pressures _ targeted in terms of our response to these pressures. mr— targeted in terms of our response to these pressures.— these pressures. mr clarke, thank ou so these pressures. mr clarke, thank you so much _ these pressures. mr clarke, thank you so much for— these pressures. mr clarke, thank you so much forjoining. _ these pressures. mr clarke, thank you so much forjoining. thank- these pressures. mr clarke, thank. you so much forjoining. thank you. you so much for “oining. thank you. simon you so much for “oining. thank you. simoh chrke. — you so much forjoining. thank you. simon clarke, conservative - you so much forjoining. thank you. simon clarke, conservative mp - you so much forjoining. thank you. simon clarke, conservative mp and | simon clarke, conservative mp and the chief secretary to the treasury, error thanks to him. we will return in a moment to the projected national share of the vote —— we give our thanks to him. the headline shares thatjohn curtice shared with us earlier on, we will be getting the response from other parties to what the projected national share tales us at this point, but we will take a break and catch up with all the news of the day now, and it is hello to martine croxall. yes, hello, thank you very much. a summary of the bbc news. durham police have confirmed they will investigate the labour leader ks keir starmer over allegations he broke lockdown rules.— keir starmer over allegations he broke lockdown rules. have you heard from durham — broke lockdown rules. have you heard from durham police, _ broke lockdown rules. have you heard from durham police, sir— broke lockdown rules. have you heard from durham police, sir keir? - broke lockdown rules. have you heard from durham police, sir keir? any- from durham police, sir keir? any comment— from durham police, sir keir? any comment on— from durham police, sir keir? any comment on their— from durham police, sir keir? any comment on their investigation? i from durham police, sir keir? anyi comment on their investigation? he comment on their investigation? hit: was comment on their investigation? was pictured drinking with colleagues campaigning before last year's heart by—election. he insists no rules were broken and dismisses allegations as mudslinging. durham constabulary previously said they did not intend to take action over the allegation but said they had now received significant new the convenience chain mccoll�*s has collapsed into administration putting 16,000 jobs at risk. the supermarket giant morrisons earlier proposed a deal to try to save the firm which has more than 1000 stores. the accountancy firm pwc has been appointed administrator and will look for a buyer as soon as possible. ukrainian soldiers who still control a huge steel plant in the port of mariupol have cruised russian forces of breaking a ceasefire designed to enable the evacuation of more civilians sheltering there. they say one soldier was killed and another six wounded when russian soldiers fired on a car driving towards the area where civilians are sheltering. amnesty international has accused russia of doing nothing to stop its forces from committing atrocities during ten weeks of war in ukraine. the human rights group says it has gathered evidence of extrajudicial killings and indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas. hungary's minister has accused the head of the european commission of undermining eu unity on sanctions over plans to ban russian oil imports by the end of the year. viktor orban said hungary would the two of the current proposals. a 15—year—old boy has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison for killing a boy who was stabbed with a kitchen knife after going out to play football. john reid, 14, died in birmingham in may 2021 and the trial heard he had been hunted down by a group shouting racial slurs in front of several witnesses. three nurses is an two health care assistants are due to appear in court later this month accused of mistreating patients at blackpool victoria hospital. police said the alleged offences happened on the stroke unit. five people face charges including on unlawful sedition and theft of medication. a reminder, if you want to find out the election results in your area, to find out the election results in yourarea, head to find out the election results in your area, head to the bbc news website or the bbc news app and enter your postcode. you can also find lots of election analysis and the latest reports from other teams around the country. now it is back to election 2022 with huw... yes, welcome back to the bbc�*s election studio, keeping tabs on those results are still coming in from the english local authorities. 107 councils declared out of 146, so making very good progress in that direction. of course we are waiting for more results to come in from scotland. the pattern in wales yet to be established, and a similar message in northern ireland, where the bulk of the results will come later on today and into tomorrow morning. so let's get right up to date with the latest results in from the english local councils and join reeta. the english local councils and 'oin reeta. . .. the english local councils and 'oin reeta. ., ,, , ., ., reeta. huw, thank you. here are three local— reeta. huw, thank you. here are three local councils _ reeta. huw, thank you. here are three local councils that - reeta. huw, thank you. here are three local councils that have - reeta. huw, thank you. here are i three local councils that have come in very recently and i want to focus on labour's performance in england. we are using these three as an illustration, so wakefield in west yorkshire, a labour old, interesting in itself, but there is also due to be a by—election they are at some stage after the conservative mp imran khan stepped down after a sex conviction. what is interesting in wakefield, although a labour old, they haven't actually progressed in terms of the number of seats. they have remained static. is that a read through to what is likely to happen in the by—election? we shall see. a different story in the two west sussex councils here. crawley is a labour gain, and one thing is similarlya labourgame. labour gain, and one thing is similarlya labour game. in labour gain, and one thing is similarly a labour game. in crawley labour had been neck and neck with the conservatives until today and they have gone ahead and gained it now. let's look at what has been happening in worthing. good news for labour, they have hit the winning post, with 20 seats, needing 19 to win, and although they are still counting it is worth looking at... i beg your pardon... at what has happened to the sea change. the conservatives have lost three, the lib dems have lost one, to the advantage of labour, and as always they share change, the overall share, labour rather higher than the conservatives, but it is the change in the shade of the votes since last time the seats were thought that is interesting, and look at that, labour storming ahead, 12 percentage points up at the expense of the conservatives and liberal democrats. so holds those thoughts about the differences in performance in the north of england and the south of england, because i want to show you a comparison. we have at here. this is the change in the share of the vote for the main parties since these seats were last up in 2018. i will just these seats were last up in 2018. i willjust come over here to show you that in the south of england, and remember the west sussex seats, labour advancing, remember the west sussex seats, labouradvancing, not remember the west sussex seats, labour advancing, not storming ahead but progressing, up one percentage point and the conservatives have dropped, and actually the lib dems and the greens i doing even better there. in the north of england for labour it is a different story, down by two percentage points along with the conservatives, and that will be very troubling for sur keir starmer�*s party because labour needs to win back those tory voters, those new tory voters who deserted them in 2019 -- sir new tory voters who deserted them in 2019 —— sir keir starmer. if they are ever to get back into power. on the basis of the so far, doesn't look like it is happening. like my interesting, reeta. many thanks. reeta pinpointing a few results, and worthing —— yes, interesting, reeta. we were chatting a while ago there, vicki, and was rerunning some of that conversation, because it is there a danger, when you see what has happened in worthing as an example of the south of inca danger of underplaying the kind of performance the lib dems have put in especially, and indeed the phrase might result for the conservatives in quite a few of these areas, this lib dem and tory interplay in some of these areas has been very marked? it has and the lib dems call it the blue wall. you will remember the stunning by—election win is for them, cheshire and amersham, absolutely rock solid conservative seats, north shropshire and other, and it does by—election is the conservatives have done really well. by—elections are one thing and other elections can be more tricky, but i think what they feel they are showing here is notjust in those places but across quite large parts of the south of england they are making inroads. sometimes they are gaining control of the council, other times they mightjust be taking a few seats here and there but they are in seats where they would hope when it comes to the parliamentary elections that they can build on all of that, and they certainly think i think in somerset, where we haven't had the result yet, the lib dems are not far off taking control of that as well, and if labour is taking places like worthing for the first time ever, peter kyle the shadow secretary of state for northern ireland saying they are absolutely jubilant there because five years ago labour did not have a single counsellor in that area, and places like southampton where the labour party is taking, i think the tories will be a little nervous. yes, they are holding up in some places but by the end of today we will be looking at the tories losing seats in scotland, wales and england. losing seats in scotland, wales and eniland. . .. . england. yeah, i think 'ust the narrative around h england. yeah, i think 'ust the narrative around the h england. yeah, i thinkjust the narrative around the south - england. yeah, i thinkjust the narrative around the south of. narrative around the south of england, because it is such an important electoral area when it comes to westminster, and for the conservatives' own prospects, labour making gains in places like worthing and the lib dems in the west country, that begins to look like something that could really damage the tories in the longer term. that is wh the the tories in the longer term. trisgt is why the conservatives themselves were so upset at what they saw as an informal pact between labour and the lib dems, because they know that whether it is formal, informal, whatever, ijust whether it is formal, informal, whatever, i just tactical voting because people are used to the first past the post system, if people decide they want to punish the conservatives they have learned how to do it in certain seats. that can be incredibly dangerous for the conservatives. well even though the national shade of the vote might not be as clear, it does mean in certain areas it can be damaging for them and so lots of conservative mps who are under pressure from the liberal democrats and in other places under pressure from labour will be pretty concerned about all of that. just an update, the lib dems have taken overall control of somerset council, a new unitary authority, somerset and parton, of course, paddy ashdown, that was his land, all through the south—west at one point the liberal democrats were incredibly strong, but driven back after the coalition and partly because of brexit and now they would say they are clawing their way back and of that has lots of conservative mps sitting there, and a potential by—election. a by—election is coming in the devon seat, we don't know when, where neil parish has resigned. when, where neil parish has resigned-— when, where neil parish has resiined., . ., ., when, where neil parish has resiined. . ., ., , resigned. just to underline, that is one and there _ resigned. just to underline, that is one and there are _ resigned. just to underline, that is one and there are a _ resigned. just to underline, that is one and there are a few _ resigned. just to underline, that is one and there are a few very - resigned. just to underline, that is one and there are a few very big i resigned. just to underline, that is i one and there are a few very big new authorities that have come in based on an amalgam of old authorities, and somerset is one. another battleground we want to talk about, the west midlands. traditionally of course packed with seats which are crucial to the result of general elections. let's have a look at the 12 of the 14 councils declared so far, because this is what it means in terms of councillors. tories on 84, down seven, labour op two, the greensjust up one, lib dems up three, and the independence up one. let's look at councils because that is probably more significant in one sense. the tories have lost control of one council. that is in worcester, i think, of one council. that is in worcester, ithink, and labour are on three and they haven't changed, and the greens, lib dems and independence have none, and there is one hung council and that is because worcester... i think if we look at worcester, it is a conservative loss of control. 15, and labour on 12. the tories are short by three, and i think if we look at the change of seats... there we see it, the tories have lost three, which has led to this loss of control. labour, the greens and lib dems are up one piece. let's go to birmingham, to have a talk about the west midlands, and our political editor elizabeth glinka is there. elizabeth, telfer is not a little bit more about the picture there as you see it, and what it tells us —— tell us a little bit more. what does it tell us about the prospects for the coming few years? the prospects for the coming few ears? ., �* �* ., . ., years? you're in birmingham the code is very much — years? you're in birmingham the code is very much ongoing, _ years? you're in birmingham the code is very much ongoing, huge _ years? you're in birmingham the code is very much ongoing, huge council, i is very much ongoing, huge council, 101 seats— is very much ongoing, huge council, 101 seats -- — is very much ongoing, huge council, 101 seats —— here in birmingham. it is all— 101 seats —— here in birmingham. it is all out— 101 seats —— here in birmingham. it is all out so— 101 seats —— here in birmingham. it is all out so so far we have had 40 of the _ is all out so so far we have had 40 of the 101 — is all out so so far we have had 40 of the 101 seats, so a long way to lo. of the 101 seats, so a long way to go labour— of the 101 seats, so a long way to go. labour have been running this council— go. labour have been running this council for— go. labour have been running this council for the last ten years and we are _ council for the last ten years and we are not— council for the last ten years and we are not expecting a change really in birmingham but there are some interesting results coming in. the greens— interesting results coming in. the greens doing quite well, holding their seats and taking at least one from _ their seats and taking at least one from labour at the moment. elsewhere, labour taking back seats from the _ elsewhere, labour taking back seats from the conservatives which are in parts _ from the conservatives which are in parts of— from the conservatives which are in parts of the — from the conservatives which are in parts of the city which are perhaps more _ parts of the city which are perhaps more closely resembling areas of the red wall— more closely resembling areas of the red wall in— more closely resembling areas of the red wall in terms of demographics. that is— red wall in terms of demographics. that is an — red wall in terms of demographics. that is an interesting development. there _ that is an interesting development. there has— that is an interesting development. there has been a lot of attention on the former— there has been a lot of attention on the former red wall areas, so those bil the former red wall areas, so those big urban _ the former red wall areas, so those big urban councils around birmingham, what we call the black country _ birmingham, what we call the black country. lots of attention on those, however _ country. lots of attention on those, however those councils are only up by thirds. — however those councils are only up by thirds, so the arithmetic meant we really— by thirds, so the arithmetic meant we really were not going to see too many _ we really were not going to see too many changes there, however we were keen to _ many changes there, however we were keen to see _ many changes there, however we were keen to see what happened to the share _ keen to see what happened to the share of— keen to see what happened to the share of the labour vote and if we could _ share of the labour vote and if we could start — share of the labour vote and if we could start to see some kind of recovery— could start to see some kind of recovery there. i can tell you we said _ recovery there. i can tell you we said we — recovery there. i can tell you we said we didn't think there would be changes— said we didn't think there would be changes and that has been pouring out. coventry, wolverhampton, labour aulds. _ out. coventry, wolverhampton, labour aulds. rosol— out. coventry, wolverhampton, labour aulds, rosoland out. coventry, wolverhampton, labour aulds, rosol and solid whole, conservative holds, doubly a conservative hold. all areas where the conservatives have been doing well in _ the conservatives have been doing well in parliamentary elections over recent— well in parliamentary elections over recent years —— labour pluds and rosol _ recent years —— labour pluds and rosol is — recent years —— labour pluds and rosol is a — recent years —— labour pluds and rosol is a conservative hold. perhaps _ rosol is a conservative hold. perhaps some signs in dudley of a bit of— perhaps some signs in dudley of a bit of a _ perhaps some signs in dudley of a bit of a labour recovery, and similarly— bit of a labour recovery, and similarly in sandwell, labour hold, they run— similarly in sandwell, labour hold, they run that council, but in the last set— they run that council, but in the last set of— they run that council, but in the last set of local elections the conservatives took nine seats and the stain — conservatives took nine seats and the stain that is not the case. labour— the stain that is not the case. labour have not necessarily made any further _ labour have not necessarily made any further games, but they have stopped the conservatives are making progress _ the conservatives are making progress and that is an area where three _ progress and that is an area where three out— progress and that is an area where three out of— progress and that is an area where three out of the four mps in that area. _ three out of the four mps in that area. once — three out of the four mps in that area, once rock—solid labour where the deputy— area, once rock—solid labour where the deputy leader of the labour party— the deputy leader of the labour party tom watson had his seat, three of those _ party tom watson had his seat, three of those for— party tom watson had his seat, three of those for my mp5 are now conservative, well they might labour have a _ conservative, well they might labour have a lot _ conservative, well they might labour have a lot of work to do there and perhaps. — have a lot of work to do there and perhaps, you could argue, that is a si-n perhaps, you could argue, that is a sign of— perhaps, you could argue, that is a sign of this — elsewhere in the west midlands, worcester is a traditional bellwether for the whole of england, lloii'i bellwether for the whole of england, going back and forth and it tends to indicate _ going back and forth and it tends to indicate the way the rest are middling _ indicate the way the rest are middling they will vote on the conservatives had a one seat majority _ conservatives had a one seat majority but have lost that, losing three _ majority but have lost that, losing three seats which means that council is back— three seats which means that council is back in— three seats which means that council is back in no— three seats which means that council is back in no overall control. again. — is back in no overall control. again. the _ is back in no overall control. again, the greens did quite well and they may— again, the greens did quite well and they may have the balance of power in worcester, we think we can see some _ in worcester, we think we can see some kind — in worcester, we think we can see some kind of coalition potentially between — some kind of coalition potentially between labour and the greens. elsewhere in the region, another area to _ elsewhere in the region, another area to look for is newcastle—under— lyme area to look for is newcastle—under—lyme in north newcastle—under— lyme in north staffordshire. newcastle—under—lyme in north staffordshire. a lot of attention focused — staffordshire. a lot of attention focused on this, right next to stoke—on—trent, prime red wall, and that counsel — stoke—on—trent, prime red wall, and that counsel has been run by the conservatives for the last year, again— conservatives for the last year, again come up with a slim majority ofjust_ again come up with a slim majority ofjust one — again come up with a slim majority ofjust one. it has been a very tight— ofjust one. it has been a very tight race _ ofjust one. it has been a very tight race. the area had a conservative mp for the first time in 2019. _ conservative mp for the first time in 2019, erin bell, and he and the rest of— in 2019, erin bell, and he and the rest of the — in 2019, erin bell, and he and the rest of the conservatives in that area _ rest of the conservatives in that area have — rest of the conservatives in that area have been pounding the streets and he _ area have been pounding the streets and he tweeted yesterday he had done 40.000 _ and he tweeted yesterday he had done 40,000 steps on the campaign trail so a tight— 40,000 steps on the campaign trail so a tight race and what we are hearing — so a tight race and what we are hearing at— so a tight race and what we are hearing at the moment, of the 44 seats. _ hearing at the moment, of the 44 seats. 22— hearing at the moment, of the 44 seats, 22 have come back. 11 labour, 11 conservative. in the room, it sounds — 11 conservative. in the room, it sounds like _ 11 conservative. in the room, it sounds like it is the tories who are feeling _ sounds like it is the tories who are feeling more positive, and they think— feeling more positive, and they think they might have just done enough — think they might have just done enough to hold onto that seat and if that is— enough to hold onto that seat and if that is the _ enough to hold onto that seat and if that is the case, it will be a huge disappointment for labour and for keir starmer in that push to recover those _ keir starmer in that push to recover those seats— keir starmer in that push to recover those seats in the red wall. elizabeth, fascinating as ever, thank you so much and we will be back with you later on to see what is going on in the west midlands and of course in birmingham with that account where you are. from the west midlands to the north—west of england and we have annabelle tiffin for us in bury and we can see some of the north—west statistics with 20 of the north—west statistics with 20 of 25 councils declared with labour up of 25 councils declared with labour up modestly in four seats so far and the tories down 22. how are things looking in bury? the tories down 22. how are things looking in ihwy?— looking in bury? they only started countini looking in bury? they only started counting here _ looking in bury? they only started counting here about _ looking in bury? they only started counting here about an _ looking in bury? they only started counting here about an hour - looking in bury? they only started counting here about an hour and i looking in bury? they only started counting here about an hour and a half ago. they are probably looking to get the first result at around four o'clock, they think, because they don't have... it is an all—out election so they have a lot of awards to add up but not like last time when they had their mayors as well. it's quite interesting here because elizabeth talked about the weather seats and this is always considered a bellwether seat as well in general elections but this is of course local elections so can it be here? to give you an indication of how important this seat is, politically, to both parties of labour and the conservatives, labour launched their local election campaign here in bury and the conservatives, borisjohnson was only here just a week or so ago. both are really keen on taking this seat. it is actually a labour held seats and labour will wish to consolidate on that but the conservatives will want to make gains. what is interesting is that here in bury there was another group as well as the liberal democrats called ratcliff first which is reallyjust called ratcliff first which is really just one ward called ratcliff first which is reallyjust one ward in bury and a lot of people who live there have voted for them and have said they will vote for them because it is very local and that is what matters to them. although we are talking about bellwether seats, it is a local election so people have been voting on local issues. for instance, do they think their local council has been doing enough for them? and also, things like the clean air its own charge, a lot of people in greater manchester have been very unhappy about that. interesting to see what happens. parliamentary wise, this tends to go back and forth but at the last election it was won by two conservatives with very small majorities, i think bury north has the smallest majority in the whole country, something like 103. and you will remember that christian wakeford, who won bury south for the conservatives, he defected to labour so it's one of those seats that everybody will keep an eye on. i think we expect to get the results at about three o'clock. elsewhere, the big story probably is rossendale. labour have taken control of their having lost control last time but they actually won it this time, although everywhere else, although no councils have changed seats apart from rossendale, labour will be breathing a sigh of relief about rossendale because they had not been doing quite as well as expected. oldham in particular, although they remain in control there, they actually lost five seats, including their leader, larouche shah, who was the first muslim woman to lead a northern council. . .. muslim woman to lead a northern council. ., «i , ., ., , ., muslim woman to lead a northern council. ., «i ., , ., ., council. thank you for the update, a lot of information, _ council. thank you for the update, a lot of information, annabel- council. thank you for the update, a lot of information, annabel tiffin i lot of information, annabel tiffin in bury. we are getting results in from wales and we can look at wrexham in north—east wales, very much part of the red wall phenomenon where the conservatives have been making inroads into old labour territory but let's look at what is happening. labour on 14 and plaid cymru on nine and the tories on nine and if we look at the change we will see what has happened with the independents down five, labour up three which will be a bit of a relief but a significant rise for plaid cymru, up six seats in wrexham. the tories down three and the lib dems down one. wrexham is of course a conservative westminster constituency now, for many, many years it was in labour hands. with that result, not many coming in yet from wales, but i would like to bring in the leader of plaid cymru, adam price. nice of you tojoin us. i mentioned wrexham, you made six seat gains, was that expected? yes. seat gains, was that expected? yes, a fantastic result, _ seat gains, was that expected? yes, a fantastic result, i _ seat gains, was that expected? yes, a fantastic result, i was _ seat gains, was that expected? yes, a fantastic result, i was up _ seat gains, was that expected? yes, a fantastic result, i was up in wrexham _ a fantastic result, i was up in wrexham campaigning myself and it was clear— wrexham campaigning myself and it was clear that we were going to make hu-e was clear that we were going to make huge progress there. as you said, trebling _ huge progress there. as you said, trebling our— huge progress there. as you said, trebling our position compared to five years— trebling our position compared to five years ago and what is interesting as well a very diverse and inclusive range of candidates. 0ver— and inclusive range of candidates. over 60% — and inclusive range of candidates. over 60% of them women, and reflecting — over 60% of them women, and reflecting i think what we want to do across— reflecting i think what we want to do across wales which is becoming a diverse _ do across wales which is becoming a diverse and — do across wales which is becoming a diverse and inclusive party, representing the whole of wales. plaid _ representing the whole of wales. plaid cymru means the party of wales and we _ plaid cymru means the party of wales and we want to be the party of the whole _ and we want to be the party of the whole of _ and we want to be the party of the whole of wales and if we can do it in wrexham, it is a model for us as we look— in wrexham, it is a model for us as we look forward to the next set of elections — we look forward to the next set of elections so it is incredibly heartening for us to see that growth of plaid _ heartening for us to see that growth of plaid cymru in an area where urban. — of plaid cymru in an area where urban, largely english—speaking wales. — urban, largely english—speaking wales, but has not been a traditional stronghold for us so if we can— traditional stronghold for us so if we can do— traditional stronghold for us so if we can do it in wrexham, we can do it in every— we can do it in wrexham, we can do it in every part of wales. bear we can do it in wrexham, we can do it in every part of wales.— it in every part of wales. bear with us, we it in every part of wales. bear with us. we have _ it in every part of wales. bear with us, we have numbers _ it in every part of wales. bear with us, we have numbers from - it in every part of wales. bear with i us, we have numbers from gwynedd which will be of interest of you because of your parliamentary representation in cardiff and westminster, 44 seats for plaid cymru, 23 for the independents and labour and cymru, 23 for the independents and labourand lib cymru, 23 for the independents and labour and lib dems on one and conservatives on a nun, a majority of 19 and we can look at the change. gwyneth, traditionally a strong hold of yours, were you expecting to add to your tally?— to your tally? yes, and it's great to your tally? yes, and it's great to see the _ to your tally? yes, and it's great to see the two — to your tally? yes, and it's great to see the two thing _ to your tally? yes, and it's great to see the two thing is _ to your tally? yes, and it's great i to see the two thing is happening, growth _ to see the two thing is happening, growth in — to see the two thing is happening, growth in new areas but also consolidation and further growth in the areas _ consolidation and further growth in the areas we have been traditionally strong _ the areas we have been traditionally strong and _ the areas we have been traditionally strong and the interesting thing in gwynedd — strong and the interesting thing in gwynedd to pick up on the point i made _ gwynedd to pick up on the point i made earlier, we had a huge number of younger— made earlier, we had a huge number of younger candidates, particularly young _ of younger candidates, particularly young women standing for us. we made a particular— young women standing for us. we made a particular push this time to get more _ a particular push this time to get more women candidates and young people _ more women candidates and young people standing and we have had a generational change, if you like, in gwynedd _ generational change, if you like, in gwynedd in— generational change, if you like, in gwynedd in this election and fantastic to see young, energetic women _ fantastic to see young, energetic women candidates elected in gwynedd which augers well for us in the future — which augers well for us in the future in — which augers well for us in the future in those western areas of wales _ future in those western areas of wales where we are strong and doing well here _ wales where we are strong and doing well here in— wales where we are strong and doing well here in carmarthenshire as welt _ well here in carmarthenshire as welt i— well here in carmarthenshire as welt i am — well here in carmarthenshire as well. i am from ammanford as you know— well. i am from ammanford as you know and _ well. i am from ammanford as you know and we won the two seats in the tow“. _ know and we won the two seats in the town. all— know and we won the two seats in the town. all five — know and we won the two seats in the town, all five seats in carmarthen town _ town, all five seats in carmarthen town and — town, all five seats in carmarthen town and these areas which traditionally would have been stronghold for the labour party, we have seen _ stronghold for the labour party, we have seen a — stronghold for the labour party, we have seen a generational shift over the last— have seen a generational shift over the last two decades in carmarthenshire towards plaid cymru and that— carmarthenshire towards plaid cymru and that has been strengthened again at this— and that has been strengthened again at this election. the and that has been strengthened again at this election.— at this election. the dynamics of the campaign — at this election. the dynamics of the campaign are _ at this election. the dynamics of the campaign are interesting. i at this election. the dynamics of| the campaign are interesting. for those who watch how parties work together or oppose each other, you have had a close relationship now with labour in power in cardiff bay you have been cooperating with them, and yet you are campaigning against labour in local authorities where traditionally there has been quite a bit of friction between plaid cymru and labour. how has that played out? are people confused about the fact you might be facing two ways? actually, the opposite, really. people — actually, the opposite, really. people have welcomed what we have been able _ people have welcomed what we have been able to achieve through the cooperation agreement, the policy of universal— cooperation agreement, the policy of universal free school meals for primary— universal free school meals for primary schoolchildren, for example free childcare for all two—year—olds for the _ free childcare for all two—year—olds for the first — free childcare for all two—year—olds for the first time ever in wales and on the _ for the first time ever in wales and on the housing crisis, and for many voters. _ on the housing crisis, and for many voters. this— on the housing crisis, and for many voters, this has been an opportunity for them _ voters, this has been an opportunity for them to— voters, this has been an opportunity for them to take another look at plaid _ for them to take another look at plaid cymru, if you like, and it has crystallised — plaid cymru, if you like, and it has crystallised what we are all about for a _ crystallised what we are all about for a new — crystallised what we are all about for a new generation and new groups of supporters. it has been a great conversation starter on the doorstep. when people are looking at the state _ doorstep. when people are looking at the state politics in westminster at the state politics in westminster at the moment, they see this kind of co—operative politics in wales a total— co—operative politics in wales a total contrast from the aggressive adversarial —ism of westminster as refreshingly different. i think it has been — refreshingly different. i think it has been positive for us but of course we might be cooperating in the seanad in certain areas, the first _ the seanad in certain areas, the first minister himself has been here in carmarthenshire, campaigning hard because _ in carmarthenshire, campaigning hard because it _ in carmarthenshire, campaigning hard because it was a key target and there _ because it was a key target and there were briefing very strongly they were going to reverse the position— they were going to reverse the position here with their losses i refer— position here with their losses i refer to — position here with their losses i refer to over the last two decades. they— refer to over the last two decades. they have — refer to over the last two decades. they have made no impact whatsoever and that _ they have made no impact whatsoever and that will be a great source of disappointment to them. we might talk to welsh _ disappointment to them. we might talk to welsh labour _ disappointment to them. we might talk to welsh labour it _ disappointment to them. we might talk to welsh labour it later- disappointment to them. we might talk to welsh labour it later but. talk to welsh labour it later but thank you for now, adam price, leader of plaid cymru. is coming up to three o'clock and we will take a break to look at the weather tomasz schafernaker. hello, a lot of sunshine in the south today but further north, for cloud, many of us saying nay to the rain but it is rain we do need, the last few weeks have been pretty dry across many parts of the uk. this is the weather front with thick cloud increasing and moving southwards. the middle of the day, around the irish sea and moving into wales and northern england and north of that, high pressure building so clearer skies in the second part of the opening for places like glasgow. but reigning around irish sea and into yorkshire certainly around wales, outbreaks in the afternoon. this weather front moves into the midlands and east england, east anglia and the south—east by early saturday and then it clears towards the west. temperatures first thing saturday, 6 degrees in belfast, a bit milder with the cloud and rain in norfolk and suffolk, closer to 12 degrees. tomorrow starting fairly cloudy in the east, a bit of a breeze off the north sea but towards the west and north, more sunshine, and i would point out a few showers are possible tomorrow particularly forming in parts of england. temperatures are pretty decent in scotland, 17 degrees in the south of the country and around 19. this is sunday and high pressure across the uk centred in the north sea which means pleasant conditions for most. not clear blue skies everywhere and far from not clear blue skies everywhere and farfrom it not clear blue skies everywhere and far from it in not clear blue skies everywhere and farfrom it in the not clear blue skies everywhere and far from it in the extreme north—west with a weather front approaching and low pressure in the atlantic. increasing cloud there but elsewhere, fairweather cloud with temperatures decent enough inland around the high teens and a lot fresher on the coast. on monday, the low pressure to the north—west swings in with outbreaks of rain in northern ireland, scotland, bubbly and wales. the best and warmest weather on monday will be the further south—east you are. and next week, how warm will it get? i think week, how warm will it get? i think we will reach the low 20s in the south—east but elsewhere across the country, it could be fairly unsettled, breezy at times with rain expected as well from time to time. these elections decide who run local services of course and they are also a crucial test of what people think of our political leaders and right across the uk the results now are flooding in. labour looked to be heading for a narrow lead in the national share of the vote, but keir starmer�*s party has won some stunning victories in london, and taking control of worthing in west sussex. in other news durham police confirming it will investigate the labour leader over allegations he broke lockdown rules. he previously insisted no rules were broken. conservatives have lost overall control of councils such as west oxfordshire, southampton and worcester and they will some comfort from the fact that in england outside london labour's progress has been more modest. the greens and the lib dems are doing well. so ed davey was out this morning congratulating his team in south—west london. and the address might have to draw somerset council. early results in scotland suggest the snp will remain by far the largest party with an interesting battle for second developing between labour and the conservatives. the conservatives did well in wales at the last local elections and they may be bracing themselves now for a difficult afternoon, we are being told, from in the north and the vale of glamorgan in the south. reeta chakrabarti is with us at the touch screen with each and every result. the other night with over two thirds of the councils declared in england now you can see labour has made gains, the conservatives had made losses —— yes, with over two thirds of the councils. a very healthy performance by the lib dems and the greens. we will have an eight with the numbers, sojohn curtice, telling us more about the projected national share of the vote with the main parties can come out —— a night with the numbers. correspondent at all the important counts and discussing what the results mean for the party leaders, political reaction in the studio. emily thornberry from labour has kindly justjoin us. join us for the voters' verdict on election day on the bbc. welcome back. we are looking closely at these counts taking place in england today, overnight as well, once taking place right now in scotland and in wales and i am told we are just getting the first result orso we are just getting the first result or so in from northern ireland. we will bring that as soon as we can. plenty to talk about. i will be properly welcoming emily thornberry in a few minutes who has justjoin us from labour. thank you for coming in. vicki still with me in the studio as well. let's take a hello here is a summary of the bbc news. police in durham have opened an investigation into whether the labour leader, sir keir starmer, broke lockdown rules on a visit during which he drank beer in an mp's office. the labour leader earlier hailed local election results which saw the party seize control of three flagship councils in london. borisjohnson has described the polls as a �*tough night�* for the tories, after the liberal democrats and greens also made gains. bbc analysis suggests, had the whole country been voting, labour would have secured 35% of the national vote, with the conservatives on 30 %. nick eardley has a round—up of all the election news. election hay�*s for some mean laws for others. —— election highs for some. labour picked up councils they had never heard in london and across england the conservatives have lost dozens of seat so far. iliihfhhztt england the conservatives have lost dozens of seat so far.— dozens of seat so far. what is the name? and _ dozens of seat so far. what is the name? and some _ dozens of seat so far. what is the name? and some are _ dozens of seat so far. what is the j name? and some are questioning whether the _ name? and some are questioning whether the prime _ name? and some are questioning whether the prime minister - name? and some are questioning whether the prime minister is - name? and some are questioning| whether the prime minister is part ofthe whether the prime minister is part of the problem. _ whether the prime minister is part of the problem. this _ whether the prime minister is part of the problem. this has - whether the prime minister is part of the problem. this has been - whether the prime minister is part of the problem. this has been a i of the problem. this has been a tou~h of the problem. this has been a tough night _ of the problem. this has been a tough night for _ of the problem. this has been a tough night for the _ of the problem. this has been a l tough night for the conservatives of the problem. this has been a - tough night for the conservatives in some _ tough night for the conservatives in some part — tough night for the conservatives in some part of the country and in other— some part of the country and in other parts— some part of the country and in other parts of the country we are actually — other parts of the country we are actually moving forward, and so for mid-term _ actually moving forward, and so for mid-term it— actually moving forward, and so for mid—term it is quite interesting that it — mid—term it is quite interesting that it is — mid—term it is quite interesting that it is a _ mid—term it is quite interesting that it is a mixed set of results. but the — that it is a mixed set of results. but the lesson is we have to get on with the _ but the lesson is we have to get on with the stuff that matters to you. the result — with the stuff that matters to you. the result isn't as bad as some tories feared, but the final picture could be worse. more losses are likely in the coming hours. after he was fined four parties in downing street, some are pointing the finger of blame at the prime minister. those at westminster really do need to take _ those at westminster really do need to take a _ those at westminster really do need to take a good — those at westminster really do need to take a good hard _ those at westminster really do need to take a good hard look— those at westminster really do need to take a good hard look in - those at westminster really do need to take a good hard look in the - to take a good hard look in the mirror— to take a good hard look in the mirror because _ to take a good hard look in the mirror because it _ to take a good hard look in the mirror because it is _ to take a good hard look in the mirror because it is the - to take a good hard look in the mirror because it is the rank. to take a good hard look in the i mirror because it is the rank and file grassroots— mirror because it is the rank and file grassroots members- mirror because it is the rank and file grassroots members they i mirror because it is the rank and. file grassroots members they rely mirror because it is the rank and - file grassroots members they rely on that are _ file grassroots members they rely on that are actually _ file grassroots members they rely on that are actually losing _ file grassroots members they rely on that are actually losing their - file grassroots members they rely on that are actually losing their seats i that are actually losing their seats tonight _ that are actually losing their seats toniaht. t, ,t, t, that are actually losing their seats toniaht. t, t, t, , that are actually losing their seats toniuht. t, t, t, , t, tonight. labour are on the up, at least in some — tonight. labour are on the up, at least in some places. _ tonight. labour are on the up, at least in some places. they - tonight. labour are on the up, at least in some places. they havel tonight. labour are on the up, at - least in some places. they have won westminster council for the first time ever. one is worth, which had been conservative blue since the 705, and baronet, where keir starmer visited this morning. but outside london is not as rosy, with labour struggling to make gains. have you done enough outside london? yellowknife i5 done enough outside london? yellowknife is a massive turning point for the labour party. from the depths of 2019 we are back on track for the general depths of 2019 we are back on track for the genera— for the general election, showing the hard change _ for the general election, showing the hard change we _ for the general election, showing the hard change we have - for the general election, showing the hard change we have done i for the general election, showing the hard change we have done in| for the general election, showing i the hard change we have done in the last two years, what a difference it has made. but last two years, what a difference it has made. �* , ., ., ., has made. but this afternoon the olice has made. but this afternoon the police said _ has made. but this afternoon the police said they _ has made. but this afternoon the police said they were _ has made. but this afternoon the police said they were opening - has made. but this afternoon the police said they were opening an| police said they were opening an investigation into the labour leader over an event he attended during covid restrictions.— over an event he attended during covid restrictions. have you heard from durham _ covid restrictions. have you heard from durham police, _ covid restrictions. have you heard from durham police, sir— covid restrictions. have you heard from durham police, sir keir? - covid restrictions. have you heard| from durham police, sir keir? any comment— from durham police, sir keir? any comment on— from durham police, sir keir? any comment on their investigation? no comment on their investigation? response comment on their investigation? fir: response from him but labour said they would answer questions and that no rules were broken. the biggest games so far have been for the liberal democrats, who took hull council from liberal democrats, who took hull councilfrom labour, won seats liberal democrats, who took hull council from labour, won seats from the conservatives in their rural heartlands. what began as a tremor in cheshire and amersham became an earthquake in north shropshire and has now turned into a shock across our country that can see this conservative government come tumbling down. the big picture so far is some bad results for the conservatives, but not a catastrophic fall in support. while borisjohnson i5 catastrophic fall in support. while borisjohnson is getting some of the blame, there has not been a clamour of senior tories saying that the prime minister needs to rethink his position. and although labour may be delighted with their result in london, in the wider country it's a mixed picture and some will think the party needs to do a lot better if it is going to win a general election. it has also been a good night for the greens, who have added to their vote share and number of councillors in places like amber valley. councillors in places like amber valle . ~ ., , councillors in places like amber valle .~ ., , ., councillors in places like amber valle . ~ ., , ., , , councillors in places like amber valle. ., , ., , , ., valley. what they have seen is that ureens valley. what they have seen is that greens have _ valley. what they have seen is that greens have been _ valley. what they have seen is that greens have been working - valley. what they have seen is that greens have been working hard - valley. what they have seen is that greens have been working hard in l greens have been working hard in their— greens have been working hard in their communities. _ greens have been working hard in their communities. there - greens have been working hard in their communities. there is - greens have been working hard in their communities. there is no i greens have been working hard in. their communities. there is no such thing _ their communities. there is no such thing as— their communities. there is no such thing as safe — their communities. there is no such thing as safe seats _ their communities. there is no such thing as safe seats any— their communities. there is no such thing as safe seats any more, - their communities. there is no such thing as safe seats any more, only. thing as safe seats any more, only safe voters — thing as safe seats any more, only safe voters-— safe voters. there is a lot more to come, safe voters. there is a lot more to come. with _ safe voters. there is a lot more to come, with results _ safe voters. there is a lot more to come, with results pouring - safe voters. there is a lot more to come, with results pouring in - safe voters. there is a lot more to come, with results pouring in this| come, with results pouring in this afternoon. the snp are continuing to dominate in scotland but labour may stage something of a comeback and take second from the tories. in wales labour are eyeing up gainand there is also a test for plaid cymru and their popularity since entering into cooperation agreement in the senedd, many eyes will be on northern ireland over the afternoon. could shin —— sinn fein beat the dup into first place for the first time? nick eardley, bbc news. buckingham palace has announced that prince andrew, prince harry and his wife meghan will not make an appearance on the royal balcony during the trooping the colour ceremony for the queen's platinum jubilee next month. the palace said the decision to only include royals carrying out official public duties was taken "after careful consideration". joining me is our royal correspondent sarah campbell. watmore have they said, sarah? tripping and that balcony appearance is always the big family photo —— what more have they said was that it is an annual snapshot of the royal family. but this year as we have heard at this briefing from buckingham palace it has been decided that the duke of york and the duke and duchess of sussex, prince harry and meghan, will not be on the balcony. "after careful consideration, the queen has decided that my" very much her decision. that it is those family members undertaking public duties have of the queen, so the wessex is in their children, cabbages and their children, cabbages and their children, the princess royal and her husband, princess alexandra, the duke and duchess of kent, prince charles, but not the duke and duchess of sussex, but they will also add family members have been invited to some of the other events over thejubilee weekend so we can expect to see them at those. stilt expect to see them at those. still uuite a expect to see them at those. still quite a busy _ expect to see them at those. still quite a busy balcony, it has to be said! , , ., , ,y said! yes, still quite a busy balcony but _ said! yes, still quite a busy balcony but the _ said! yes, still quite a busy balcony but the big - said! yes, still quite a busy| balcony but the big question said! yes, still quite a busy i balcony but the big question is said! yes, still quite a busy - balcony but the big question is the queen and her attendants and that was also spoken about today and i think the headline from that, really, is that the decision will be taken on the day, perhaps, of the event, but she very much wants to participate in the celebrations but they are not going to say anything now that she definitely will. for the moment. — now that she definitely will. for the moment, sarah, thank you very much. the convenience store chain mccoll�*s has collapsed into administration, putting 16,000 jobs at risk. the supermarket giant morrisons had proposed a rescue deal to try to save the firm, which has more than 1,000 stores. the accountancy firm pwc has been appointed as administrator, and will look for a buyer "as soon as possible". if you want to find out the result in your area head to the bbc news website or bbc news app and enter your postcode. you'll also find lots of election analysis and the latest reports from our teams around the country. now back to election 2022. yes, welcome back. we are of course keeping tabs on all the latest results coming in. we will be talking about the results in wales with the conservative leader in wales shortly, and we will be having a word with emily thornberry in the studio about labour's performance in a few minutes, but before that, i hope emily doesn't mind, we will go straight to northern ireland because we are getting a few results there. let's join annita. we are getting a few results there. let'sjoin annita. reeta, sorry, i beg your pardon. laughter thank you, huw. ourfirst result laughter thank you, huw. our first result is from strangford, east of belfast, traditionally a very unionist area, but the first seat has gone to the alliance party of northern ireland, the nonaligned alliance party of northern ireland, and this is how it has been done. remember, in northern ireland it is a proportional representation system, the single transferable vote, so this represents the share change since 2017, which was the last time these seats were fought over, and you can see what has happened. the unionist vote, the dup and the uup, they have gone down as has the nationalist sdlp, and the beneficiaries, those who have picked up that support, the alliance party of northern ireland, and also the tuv, the traditional unionist voice, so that is the first seatin unionist voice, so that is the first seat in the northern ireland assembly, which has gone to the alliance party candidate kelley armstrong. i will show you one other screen relating to what has happened there which feels a little counterintuitive because you can see in this first round, the first preference share, the dup, the unionists, they have a higher proportion of that first preference than the alliance party, and yet the seat went to the alliance party. how does that happen? the dup will have more candidates here in this first round than the alliance party, but kellie armstrong will have picked up the highest number of first preference votes of any single candidate, which is why she has the first seat. ., , . candidate, which is why she has the first seat. . , . . first seat. thanks very much, reeta. aolouies first seat. thanks very much, reeta. apologies for — first seat. thanks very much, reeta. apologies for getting _ first seat. thanks very much, reeta. apologies for getting reeta - first seat. thanks very much, reeta. | apologies for getting reeta confused with annita. it is a wonder i haven't done it before this. let's go straight to northern ireland. michelle o'neill for sinn fein is talking now. the michelle o'neill for sinn fein is talking nova— michelle o'neill for sinn fein is talking now. michelle o'neill for sinn fein is talkin: now. ., ~ ., ., talking now. the talk about what we thou . ht talking now. the talk about what we thought might _ talking now. the talk about what we thought might how— talking now. the talk about what we thought might how we _ talking now. the talk about what we thought might how we want - talking now. the talk about what we thought might how we want to - talking now. the talk about what we thought might how we want to work| thought might how we want to work together— thought might how we want to work together in— thought might how we want to work together in partnership _ thought might how we want to work together in partnership with - thought might how we want to work together in partnership with others. that is— together in partnership with others. that is the — together in partnership with others. that is the only— together in partnership with others. that is the only way _ together in partnership with others. that is the only way we _ together in partnership with others. that is the only way we can - together in partnership with others. that is the only way we can achieve | that is the only way we can achieve much _ that is the only way we can achieve much more — that is the only way we can achieve much more of— that is the only way we can achieve much more of a _ that is the only way we can achieve much more of a people _ that is the only way we can achieve much more of a people here, - that is the only way we can achieve much more of a people here, in - that is the only way we can achieve i much more of a people here, in terms of the _ much more of a people here, in terms of the cost _ much more of a people here, in terms of the cost of— much more of a people here, in terms of the cost of living _ much more of a people here, in terms of the cost of living crisis, _ much more of a people here, in terms of the cost of living crisis, trying - of the cost of living crisis, trying to fix _ of the cost of living crisis, trying to fix our— of the cost of living crisis, trying to fix our health _ of the cost of living crisis, trying to fix our health service, - of the cost of living crisis, trying to fix our health service, that i of the cost of living crisis, trying. to fix our health service, that was the message _ to fix our health service, that was the message read _ to fix our health service, that was the message read anything - to fix our health service, that was the message read anything on- to fix our health service, that was| the message read anything on the doors _ the message read anything on the doors and — the message read anything on the doors and i— the message read anything on the doors and i am _ the message read anything on the doors and i am grateful— the message read anything on the doors and i am grateful to- the message read anything on the doors and i am grateful to every. doors and i am grateful to every voter— doors and i am grateful to every voter who — doors and i am grateful to every voter who came _ doors and i am grateful to every voter who came out _ doors and i am grateful to every voter who came out and - doors and i am grateful to every. voter who came out and supported sinn fein— voter who came out and supported sinn fein candidates. _ voter who came out and supported sinn fein candidates. it _ voter who came out and supported sinn fein candidates. it will- voter who came out and supported sinn fein candidates. it will be - voter who came out and supported sinn fein candidates. it will be a l sinn fein candidates. it will be a very— sinn fein candidates. it will be a very positive _ sinn fein candidates. it will be a very positive election _ sinn fein candidates. it will be a very positive election for- sinn fein candidates. it will be a very positive election for the - sinn fein candidates. it will be a i very positive election for the party but as— very positive election for the party but as i_ very positive election for the party but as i said — very positive election for the party but as i said there _ very positive election for the party but as i said there is— very positive election for the party but as i said there is a _ very positive election for the party but as i said there is a way- very positive election for the party but as i said there is a way to - very positive election for the party but as i said there is a way to go l but as i said there is a way to go in terms — but as i said there is a way to go in terms of— but as i said there is a way to go in terms of votes _ but as i said there is a way to go in terms of votes being - but as i said there is a way to goi in terms of votes being counted. but as i said there is a way to go - in terms of votes being counted. fire in terms of votes being counted. are ou in terms of votes being counted. you worried about what in terms of votes being counted. bin; you worried about what happens in terms of votes being counted.- you worried about what happens next week? _ you worried about what happens next week? |_ you worried about what happens next week? , ., ._ ., week? i will turn up on day one, as i said throughout _ week? i will turn up on day one, as i said throughout the _ week? i will turn up on day one, as| i said throughout the campaign, and encourage _ i said throughout the campaign, and encourage others _ i said throughout the campaign, and encourage others to _ i said throughout the campaign, and encourage others tojoin, _ i said throughout the campaign, and encourage others to join, and - i said throughout the campaign, and encourage others tojoin, and let's l encourage others tojoin, and let's work— encourage others tojoin, and let's work together _ encourage others tojoin, and let's work together for— encourage others tojoin, and let's work together for the _ encourage others tojoin, and let's work together for the who - encourage others tojoin, and let's work together for the who have . work together for the who have elected — work together for the who have elected us~ _ work together for the who have elected us~ ar— work together for the who have elected us— elected us. a clear message from michelle o'neill, _ elected us. a clear message from michelle o'neill, the _ elected us. a clear message from michelle o'neill, the sinn - elected us. a clear message from michelle o'neill, the sinn fein . michelle o'neill, the sinn fein leader, and looking ahead to the set of results coming in for the northern ireland assembly, people cautious there about the potential outcome, as you would expect because it is never easy to predict, not least because it is unsure what the unionists might do in the event of sinn fein coming on top of the poll and then having the right to nominate a first minister. all of that of course at the moment is uncertain because we don't have enough results in, but let'sjoin annita now to get the latest. thank you and i have four results to tell you from the belfast centre, the first mla to be returned a short while ago was kelley armstrong from the alliance party, the cross community alliance party, in the strangford constituency which we mentioned earlier, this centre ground party predicted in the polls to do very well in this election. people perhaps a little tired of the usual orange and green politics and wanting to go for something else. and we have had three elections for sinn fein, of course the nationalist party that wants to see a united ireland. danny baker in west belfast gerry kelly and karoly helen elected in north belfast in the last few minutes and that is four results now. a long way to go, 90 seats to be filled in total and of course at the end of the day, the two parties who will get the opportunity to nominate to first minister and deputy first minister positions and traditionally of course, under the terms of the good friday agreement, that has been the largest unionist and nationalist party but now we have this group of politicians represented chiefly i would say by the alliance party, who are designated as others within the assembly. they are politicians who do not identify themselves as either unionist or nationalist. we can talk about this now with katie hayward who is professor at a political sociology at queens universe the belfast. on these first few results, the idea of sinn fein potentially emerging as the largest party and alliance party in the centre ground doing well as the polls predicted? interesting to see the alliance party— interesting to see the alliance party getting first mla being elected and symbolically it is very significant, marking a shift in the landscape — significant, marking a shift in the landscape of northern ireland politics — landscape of northern ireland politics. if sinn fein, as expected, and it— politics. if sinn fein, as expected, and it looks — politics. if sinn fein, as expected, and it looks like it is going that way. _ and it looks like it is going that way, becomes the largest party in the assembly, committee is responsible for nominating the first minister _ responsible for nominating the first minister if— responsible for nominating the first minister. if you have the alliance party— minister. if you have the alliance party doing well, it would also be responsible for nominating ministerial positions so it would expect— ministerial positions so it would expect to — ministerial positions so it would expect to have more power coming into this _ expect to have more power coming into this new assembly on the basis of an— into this new assembly on the basis of an executive being formed and this is— of an executive being formed and this is where we look to the dup and ask what— this is where we look to the dup and ask what they will do in response to sinn fein _ ask what they will do in response to sinn fein. ., ., ~' ask what they will do in response to sinn fein. ., ., ~ ., ask what they will do in response to sinn fein. ., ., , , sinn fein. looking at unionists, we had a lot of— sinn fein. looking at unionists, we had a lot of conversations - sinn fein. looking at unionists, we had a lot of conversations in - sinn fein. looking at unionists, we had a lot of conversations in this i had a lot of conversations in this coverage about disunity within unionism, the ulster unionist party who have issues with the protocol but say they would work with those issues within the power—sharing assembly, and then the dup and the tuv, traditional unionist voice, how are they doing?— tuv, traditional unionist voice, how are they doing? second behind kellie armstron: are they doing? second behind kellie armstrong is — are they doing? second behind kellie armstrong is the _ are they doing? second behind kellie armstrong is the tuv _ are they doing? second behind kellie armstrong is the tuv and _ are they doing? second behind kellie armstrong is the tuv and their - armstrong is the tuv and their straptine — armstrong is the tuv and their strapline is no sea border, anti—protocol and standing on that platform _ anti—protocol and standing on that platform and likely to take some votes _ platform and likely to take some votes away from the dup. this adds to pressure — votes away from the dup. this adds to pressure on the dup and we will see how— to pressure on the dup and we will see how well the tuv does, bearing in mind _ see how well the tuv does, bearing in mind it _ see how well the tuv does, bearing in mind it comes into this election with only— in mind it comes into this election with only one mla. find in mind it comes into this election with only one mla.— in mind it comes into this election with only one mla. and what happens when the counting _ with only one mla. and what happens when the counting is _ with only one mla. and what happens when the counting is done _ with only one mla. and what happens when the counting is done and - with only one mla. and what happens when the counting is done and the - with only one mla. and what happens when the counting is done and the 90 | when the counting is done and the 90 seats are built? we talk about a power—sharing government but will that actually happened? that power-sharing government but will that actually happened?— power-sharing government but will that actually happened? that is the ruestion. that actually happened? that is the question- the _ that actually happened? that is the question. the first _ that actually happened? that is the question. the first thing _ that actually happened? that is the question. the first thing that - that actually happened? that is the question. the first thing that would happen— question. the first thing that would happen is— question. the first thing that would happen is in theory, if sinn fein is largest— happen is in theory, if sinn fein is largest party, nominate the first minister— largest party, nominate the first minister and the second largest nominate the deputy minister —— first _ nominate the deputy minister —— first minister and the dup is unlikely— first minister and the dup is unlikely to do that so we have the talks _ unlikely to do that so we have the talks about forming the new executive and alliance will really important in those talks as it does as well— important in those talks as it does as well as — important in those talks as it does as well as it— important in those talks as it does as well as it looks like it's going to. as well as it looks like it's going to but — as well as it looks like it's going to but we — as well as it looks like it's going to. but we have a caretaker executive _ to. but we have a caretaker executive rolling over from the existing — executive rolling over from the existing assembly, so in that sense there _ existing assembly, so in that sense there is— existing assembly, so in that sense there is a _ existing assembly, so in that sense there is a space up to six months possibly. — there is a space up to six months possibly, maybe even longer, of ongoing — possibly, maybe even longer, of ongoing talks for the formation of the new— ongoing talks for the formation of the new executive is. what happens to public— the new executive is. what happens to public opinion in the middle of a fuel crisis— to public opinion in the middle of a fuel crisis and cost of living crisis — fuel crisis and cost of living crisis and _ fuel crisis and cost of living crisis and health care crisis is a bil crisis and health care crisis is a big question. crisis and health care crisis is a big question-— crisis and health care crisis is a bi ruestion. ., , ., ,, ,, big question. professor, thank you for our big question. professor, thank you for your thoughts _ big question. professor, thank you for your thoughts on _ big question. professor, thank you for your thoughts on all _ big question. professor, thank you for your thoughts on all of - big question. professor, thank you for your thoughts on all of that. i l for your thoughts on all of that. i have to tell you that on tuesday, when i talk to a whole range of people from different political traditions at the top of their agendas with the issue of the cost of living crisis and of course health care and education, all the things you would expect a government to deal with. they really want, whatever political background they are from, a functioning assembly at stormont so let's see where this election takes that idea. indeed, many thanks. — election takes that idea. indeed, many thanks, and _ election takes that idea. indeed, many thanks, and we _ election takes that idea. indeed, many thanks, and we will- election takes that idea. indeed, many thanks, and we will be - election takes that idea. indeed, | many thanks, and we will be back with anita soon. one of the results which is causing a few eyebrows rise quite sharply is in somerset, the big new authority vicki was telling us about a while ago where the lib dems have had a rather stunning range of successes. reeta as more details. �* , , . details. are very eye catching result, details. are very eye catching result. they _ details. are very eye catching result, they are _ details. are very eye catching result, they are still- details. are very eye catching result, they are still counting | details. are very eye catching - result, they are still counting but the lib dems have gone past the winning post have been needed 56 seats and they have got 60. still quite a few to be declared yet. what is really interesting about this is that the conservatives have built up big majorities in westminster seats that come within this area. seats that come within this area. seats that used to be lib dems. there may well be some read across this, if the lib dems feel they are coming back against the conservatives but what is also really interesting to look at, notjust what is also really interesting to look at, not just the figures but the seats change, look at that! the conservatives are plummeting, losing 33 and pretty much all that support going to be lib dems, also helped by three independents who lost their seats to the lib dems as well so when eye—catching win for the liberal democrats. when eye-catching win for the liberal democrats.— when eye-catching win for the liberal democrats. thank you very much. liberal democrats. thank you very much- let's _ liberal democrats. thank you very much- let's get — liberal democrats. thank you very much. let's get a _ liberal democrats. thank you very much. let's get a flavour- liberal democrats. thank you very much. let's get a flavour of- liberal democrats. thank you very much. let's get a flavour of the i much. let's get a flavour of the events on the ground and go to the count in taunton to join amanda park. count in taunton to 'oin amanda park. , , park. interesting times indeed here in somerset — park. interesting times indeed here in somerset where _ park. interesting times indeed here in somerset where the _ park. interesting times indeed here in somerset where the lib - park. interesting times indeed here in somerset where the lib dems, . park. interesting times indeed here| in somerset where the lib dems, as you have heard, have reached their majority. has been incredible excitement as the results have been rolling in and we have also seen a fair few tears with lib dems candidates completely overwhelmed by what has been happening. the tories have helped the county council here for 13 years and it has a long and traditionally been a lib dems tory battleground. things have been particularly unpredictable this time round because they're getting rid of county and district councils and bring in a unitary authority instead so 110 councillors are being elected, two for each of the 55 electoral areas. and voters have been showing that they care deeply who gets those jobs because the turnout figures have been in the high 30%, 38-39%. but the lib turnout figures have been in the high 30%, 38—39%. but the lib dems now have their majority, 60 seats. the tories have held in some places and also enjoyed some surprised gains but with just over 30 seats so far, it has not been enough. lib dems leader ed davey must have been fairly confident about what was going to happen here because he jumped on a train to taunton a while back and i think we can speak to him a little while. back and i think we can speak to him a little while-— a little while. amanda, you very much, amanda _ a little while. amanda, you very much, amanda parr— a little while. amanda, you very much, amanda parr in - a little while. amanda, you very much, amanda parr in tauntonl much, amanda parr in taunton reflecting on the fact that the lib dems have won a majority of the new unitary council there, and with some heavy losses for the conservatives. 0f heavy losses for the conservatives. of course, notional in the sense that it of course, notional in the sense thatitis of course, notional in the sense that it is a new authority so it is not comparing exact like with like because obviously the configuration is different. put the notional losses are certainly significant. we can talk about a different kind of loss, this time for the labour party, hastings, if we look at hastings, down in the south of england we have 15 seats to labour, 12 for the tories, five for the greens, laboura 12 for the tories, five for the greens, labour a short bike two and that means that we can look at the change —— labour short by two "labour have lost three and the greens have gained three soap labour have lost control of hastings. we will a response from emily thornberry in a moment but i want to remind everyone watching of the projected national share showed you earlier. this is calculator by sir john curtice and the team, showing labour on 35% after this election in 2022, the conservatives on 30, the lib dems on 19 and the others on 16, so showing labour have won the election with a five—point lead over the conservatives butjohn then adding his own comment, which was that the gains made by labour, in his view, were nothing spectacular. that were some eye—catching ones of course, including the councils in london, westminster especially, but he was merely talking about potential springboard for a general election victory. that is the context for the comments. emily, thank you for waiting. let's deal with hastings, was it expected? the greens were with hastings, was it expected? tt;e: greens were working with hastings, was it expected? tt9 greens were working really hard in hastings there is some support for them digitally on the south coast in local elections. the point is it is local elections. the point is it is local elections. the point is it is local elections and smaller parties tend to do well in local elections and it does not translate into general elections. we are certainly very hopeful of winning hastings at the next general election.- the next general election. looking at the projected — the next general election. looking at the projected national - the next general election. looking at the projected national share, i the next general election. looking at the projected national share, it| at the projected national share, it is clearly useful as a yardstick because it allows us to compare performances year after year in different elections, so people have something to go on which is more reliable. is a five—point lead, labour clearly winning the local elections, that is absolutely right, it is whether it is enough, whether it is whether it is enough, whether it excites you enough to think that you are on the right course and you are getting there at a speed which is necessary. john curtice suggested that you probably were not on the basis of that but what would your response be? t basis of that but what would your response be?— basis of that but what would your response be? i think what i would sa , i'm response be? i think what i would say. i'm sure _ response be? i think what i would say. i'm sure john _ response be? i think what i would say, i'm sure john will— response be? i think what i would say, i'm sure john will remember| response be? i think what i would i say, i'm sure john will remember how say, i'm surejohn will remember how everybody felt the morning after the election in 2019. some people were even saying it was the end of the labour party, we would not go anywhere, that was it. and we are turning things around. yes, we have had some spectacular results in london but also in the london suburbs also as far as carlisle, down as far as southampton. all sort of results and i have been putting together a list of the seats we lost last time which, on the basis of last time which, on the basis of last time, we would win, places like workington and rossendale, great grimsby, hartlepool, peterborough, bromley east, wolverhampton west, all of these places which obviously they are not the london seats, the tories are trying to put it that they did well in london but not really doing that well across the rest of the country. we are not saying we would win the general election tomorrow but what we are saying is we are on our way. we know we have more work to do and the work that needs to be done, we will do. but it gives us great hope. and we are really encouraged. and i'll be honest with you, in the shadow cabinet when we were having presentations about how well we might do and what we could expect, this is most definitely at the top end. oliver dowden is not going to get the same response as we will be getting, giving the leader of our election campaign at the cabinet. because the real story, step back, the real story is the decimation of the real story is the decimation of the tory vote up and down the country. the tory vote up and down the count . �* . :, ., the tory vote up and down the count . �* i :, ., ,:, country. but john made the point aaain country. but john made the point again cautiously, _ country. but john made the point again cautiously, that _ country. but john made the point again cautiously, that on - country. but john made the point again cautiously, that on the i country. but john made the point| again cautiously, that on the basis of this pns, it wasn't even certain that labour would be the biggest party in the new parliament so it's notjust party in the new parliament so it's not just doubts about whether you would be on course to win an election you have openly conceded, it is even to do with whether it would be the biggest party. the oint is, would be the biggest party. the point is. if _ would be the biggest party. the point is. if you _ would be the biggest party. tt9 point is, if you start off... the baseline is we lost appallingly in 2019 and so we need to go from that point they had an 80 seat majority and we need to do the most externally thing to go from that low point to winning the next general, and we are on the right trajectory. we have more work to do, we know that, we are not complacent. the next election will be the first one for i don't know how long where the tories will be running a defensive campaign and they have shown that they don't even know how to do a defensive campaign whereas we know how, up and down the country, talking to people about the issues that matter, which is cost of living. and putting forward to them suggestions as to what could be done. what are the tories doing? divisive politics and culture war, blaming the electorate. what are they actually offering? tsn’t blaming the electorate. what are they actually offering?— they actually offering? isn't the truth that in _ they actually offering? isn't the truth that in a _ they actually offering? isn't the truth that in a large _ they actually offering? isn't the truth that in a large part - they actually offering? isn't the truth that in a large part of i truth that in a large part of england. _ truth that in a large part of england, it's not a new challenging the liberat— england, it's not a new challenging the liberal democrats and if we look at the _ the liberal democrats and if we look at the next _ the liberal democrats and if we look at the next election, 0k, it might be two _ at the next election, 0k, it might be two years away but that is a lot of work _ be two years away but that is a lot of work you — be two years away but that is a lot of work you have to do between now and then _ of work you have to do between now and then so — of work you have to do between now and then so isn't the truth that you need _ and then so isn't the truth that you need the _ and then so isn't the truth that you need the lib dems if you are going to oust _ need the lib dems if you are going to oust the — need the lib dems if you are going to oust the conservatives? no, need the lib dems if you are going to oust the conservatives?- to oust the conservatives? no, we are auoin to oust the conservatives? no, we are going for _ to oust the conservatives? no, we are going for this _ to oust the conservatives? no, we are going for this election... i to oust the conservatives? no, we are going for this election... so i are going for this election... so what will change, given it is the lib what will change, given it is the lib dems — what will change, given it is the lib dems challenging and awful lot of parts _ lib dems challenging and awful lot of parts of southern england? we go in with confidence _ of parts of southern england? we go in with confidence and _ of parts of southern england? we go in with confidence and knowing i of parts of southern england? 9 gr? in with confidence and knowing that things are so much in flux, 2019 really the first single issue election that we had had for a hundred years. we have had ukip and the brexit party people moving backwards and forwards, really volatile. but we know we are going in the right direction and we are increasing the amount of support we are getting and that we are doing it up are getting and that we are doing it up and down the country and that is really important. ts up and down the country and that is really important.— really important. is not in somerset- _ really important. is not in somerset. not _ really important. is not in somerset. not in - really important. is not in i somerset. not in somerset but throughout _ somerset. not in somerset but throughout and _ somerset. not in somerset but throughout and what _ somerset. not in somerset but throughout and what about i somerset. not in somerset but. throughout and what about results somerset. not in somerset but - throughout and what about results we are hoping we make in scotland? the second party in scotland and that also makes things very different. we come from a high point in wales but we are looking at what happens in the north of wales, we hope we do well there. and people want to caricature that we have no chance any more in the red wall but we do, we are in play and people are thinking about us and at the next general election, what they have to do is think about, we don't want this tired, dishonest government any more. is there an alternative, is it viable, can we rely on it and believe in it? that is what our challenge is and that will be the decision next time.— challenge is and that will be the decision next time. overnight there was a lot of — decision next time. overnight there was a lot of talk _ decision next time. overnight there was a lot of talk about _ decision next time. overnight there was a lot of talk about it _ decision next time. overnight there was a lot of talk about it to - decision next time. overnight there was a lot of talk about it to what . was a lot of talk about it to what extent party leaders could impact local campaigns. can they be a positive influence or a distraction? we had a big debate about boris johnson and the conservatives and of course some people did make comments about keir starmer, saying that people are not quite sure what he is about. people think he is a bit bland, somebody used the word weak. where are we, where are you in terms of labour's leadership issue and whether keir starmer had put his stamp on things to the extent he needs to? i think when you are looking for a prime minister it's a good starting point to want someone who is honest, straightforward and principled, and thatis straightforward and principled, and that is a stark contrast between keir starmer and our current prime quite frankly, but you also need to have ideas and be able to show you can change people's life and politics can change people's lives for the better and that is what this is about —— and our current prime minister, quite frankly post up some national elements were involved yesterday and some local ones, always a mixture and difficult to unpick it, but today i'm not going to say, you know, ithink... we unpick it, but today i'm not going to say, you know, i think... we were saying before the election how much boris johnson's saying before the election how much borisjohnson�*s behaviour and the behaviour of others within the conservative party was impacting on tory voters. i don't have to say that today vista i can just quote all these tory leaders of local councils on what they are saying today and they are saying the appalling behaviour of the leadership has certainly impacted locally on local conservative voters. like matt emily, we will pause there for a second, thank you. -- and, emily, we will positive for a second- — -- and, emily, we will positive for a second- a _ -- and, emily, we will positive for a second. a quick _ -- and, emily, we will positive for a second. a quick look _ -- and, emily, we will positive for a second. a quick look at - -- and, emily, we will positive for a second. a quick look at the - a second. a quick look at the parties, the state of the parties in wales, because emily mentioned the north of wales and labour's prospects. two out of 22 councils declared, plaid cymru on 53 at the moment plus ten, and the independents, strung traditionally independents, strung traditionally in wales, down eight, labour up three, and the conservatives down three, and the conservatives down three, very early days of course. the lib dems on two, down two at the moment. 20 councils get to declare, but let's bring in the leader of the welsh conservatives who is andrew rt davies, good enough to talk to us. good afternoon. how does it look for you? good afternoon. how does it look for ou? ~ ~, good afternoon. how does it look for ou? ~ . ., ., good afternoon. how does it look for ou? ~ ., ., ., you? welcome a hard night at the office. accounts _ you? welcome a hard night at the office. accounts obviously - you? welcome a hard night at the office. accounts obviously are - you? welcome a hard night at the| office. accounts obviously are still continuing — office. accounts obviously are still continuing and there are a lot more to continue — continuing and there are a lot more to continue in the next couple of hours _ to continue in the next couple of hours so — to continue in the next couple of hours so the picture will become far ciearen _ hours so the picture will become far ciearen the — hours so the picture will become far clearer. the national message was a difficult _ clearer. the national message was a difficult one for us to walk through this campaign but we fielded a record — this campaign but we fielded a record number of candidates, 669, and the _ record number of candidates, 669, and the only major party to grow our candidate _ and the only major party to grow our candidate base, but i have to say the national picture was difficult for us _ the national picture was difficult for us to— the national picture was difficult for us to deal with.— the national picture was difficult for us to deal with. when we look at the overall picture, _ for us to deal with. when we look at the overall picture, andrew, - for us to deal with. when we look at the overall picture, andrew, i'm - the overall picture, andrew, i'm just wondering, because of your detailed knowledge of events on the ground, there is likely to be the most challenging part for you? where do you expect to have the most difficult experience in these results during the course of this afternoon and this evening? istui’eiiii. afternoon and this evening? well, someone who _ afternoon and this evening? well, someone who has _ afternoon and this evening? well, someone who has gone _ afternoon and this evening? well, someone who has gone through various local elections in wales this does look local elections in wales this does took very— local elections in wales this does look very similar to the 2012 election. _ look very similar to the 2012 election, because in that election we also _ election, because in that election we also had some difficult headlights around the caravan tax, and this— headlights around the caravan tax, and this time round it is obviously around _ and this time round it is obviously around other issues so i think across— around other issues so i think across wales —— headlines around the carbon— across wales —— headlines around the carbon tax _ across wales —— headlines around the carbon tax. we are being challenged on various— carbon tax. we are being challenged on various points in wales but when i on various points in wales but when i have _ on various points in wales but when i have ireen— on various points in wales but when i have been going around wales i have _ i have been going around wales i have picked up at the welsh conservative brand is very strong and welcome welsh conservative candidates have received is very warm _ candidates have received is very warm trut— candidates have received is very warm but it is that national picture people _ warm but it is that national picture people have been saying they want to send a _ people have been saying they want to send a message about an so that warmth _ send a message about an so that warmth to— send a message about an so that warmth to the welsh conservative brand _ warmth to the welsh conservative brand is— warmth to the welsh conservative brand is something we have to embrace — brand is something we have to embrace and take forward whilst understanding the national message beobie _ understanding the national message people have wanted to say via the ballot _ people have wanted to say via the ballot box — people have wanted to say via the ballot box at these local elections. is ballot box at these local elections. is the _ ballot box at these local elections. is the message you want to send to westminster that boris johnson is the message you want to send to westminster that borisjohnson has not been helpful to you? itruieiiii. westminster that boris johnson has not been helpful to you?— not been helpfulto you? well, i wouldn't say _ not been helpfulto you? well, i wouldn't say that. _ not been helpfulto you? well, i wouldn't say that. he _ not been helpfulto you? well, i wouldn't say that. he obviously| not been helpfulto you? well, i- wouldn't say that. he obviously won the general election with a record number— the general election with a record number of— the general election with a record number of conservative mps returned in 2019 _ number of conservative mps returned in 2019. governments have difficult mid-term _ in 2019. governments have difficult mid—term elections but that is not dismissing — mid—term elections but that is not dismissing the message coming out these _ dismissing the message coming out these elections. what i want to do obviously— these elections. what i want to do obviously is go forward building on the election success and the general election— the election success and the general election at— the election success and the general election at 2019 recognising the voice _ election at 2019 recognising the voice of— election at 2019 recognising the voice of people at the ballot box in these _ voice of people at the ballot box in these local elections and we bring a strong _ these local elections and we bring a strong conservative brand to take into the _ strong conservative brand to take into the general election whenever that is— into the general election whenever that is called in 18 months or two yours' _ that is called in 18 months or two yours' time _ that is called in 18 months or two yours time-— that is called in 18 months or two ours'time. ., , ., . , yours' time. has that strong welsh conservative _ yours' time. has that strong welsh conservative brand _ yours' time. has that strong welsh conservative brand you _ yours' time. has that strong welsh conservative brand you have - yours' time. has that strong welsh conservative brand you have been| conservative brand you have been talking about been strong enough to stem to withstand all the talk of the cost of living crisis, partygate and all the rest of it? you seem to be suggesting it has been rather strained. it be suggesting it has been rather strained. . , , be suggesting it has been rather strained. ., , , , ., ., strained. it has been strong enough, uuite strained. it has been strong enough, quite simply- — strained. it has been strong enough, quite simply- the — strained. it has been strong enough, quite simply. the two _ strained. it has been strong enough, quite simply. the two main - strained. it has been strong enough, quite simply. the two main issues i strained. it has been strong enough, quite simply. the two main issues in| quite simply. the two main issues in this campaign have been around the cost of— this campaign have been around the cost of living and because of the issues _ cost of living and because of the issues that number ten, and every time a _ issues that number ten, and every time a spokesperson has gone understanding have been talking about— understanding have been talking about issues that obviously are important to the electorate but not obviousiv _ important to the electorate but not obviously talking about the policy positions — obviously talking about the policy positions we have taken to help with the cost _ positions we have taken to help with the cost of _ positions we have taken to help with the cost of living and that has proved — the cost of living and that has proved challenging for candidates on the doorsteps, but we have listened and we _ the doorsteps, but we have listened and we will — the doorsteps, but we have listened and we will learn from these etections _ and we will learn from these elections and ultimately we will go forward _ elections and ultimately we will go forward as a stronger party, hopefully building on the success of 2019 and _ hopefully building on the success of 2019 and 2021, learning from 2022 and building momentum into the generai— and building momentum into the general election. and and building momentum into the general election.— and building momentum into the general election. and we will keep an e e on general election. and we will keep an eye on the _ general election. and we will keep an eye on the results _ general election. and we will keep an eye on the results clearly - general election. and we will keep an eye on the results clearly and i an eye on the results clearly and closely as they come in. thanks for joining for now. andrew rt davies, the leader of the welsh conservatives. the conservatives in the welsh senedd. error thanks to him vista i want to remind you about the breaking story as we came on air, the statement from durham constabulary —— our thanks to him. now i want to remind you. the constabulary has reviewed the position in relation to allegations of breaking the rules, in terms of sir keir starmer and some party workers, and following the conclusion of the pre—election period we can confirm that an investigation into potential breaches of covid—19 regulations relating to this gathering, which was the one i think we said in april 2021, vicki, is now being conducted. we discussed this earlier. this has happened today. it was a statement put out at lunchtime and, clearly, it has been at the heart of a debate over the last few weeks following the fact that the prime minister, the fact that the prime minister, the chancellor, had been fined for breaking the rules and terms of gatherings, and of course the metropolitan police investigations i still ongoing, they are still not at an end. but now durham police, at one point, looked at this meeting and said they found no problem with it, and they have now gone back to it, and they have now gone back to it and said they had significant new information over recent days. now, given emily as with us here and is a senior member of the party, were you surprised by this?— surprised by this? there has been a camaian surprised by this? there has been a campaign from _ surprised by this? there has been a campaign from conservative - surprised by this? there has been a campaign from conservative mps i surprised by this? there has been a campaign from conservative mps in j campaign from conservative mps in the run—up to the selection and supported by a lot of conservative supporting newspapers to get this investigation reopened and it has been reopened. share investigation reopened and it has been reopened.— investigation reopened and it has been reopened. are you annoyed by it? listen. — been reopened. are you annoyed by it? listen. we _ been reopened. are you annoyed by it? listen, we will— been reopened. are you annoyed by it? listen, we will answer _ been reopened. are you annoyed by it? listen, we will answer any - it? listen, we will answer any questions _ it? listen, we will answer any questions the _ it? listen, we will answer any questions the police - it? listen, we will answer any questions the police have - it? listen, we will answer any questions the police have for| it? listen, we will answer any i questions the police have for us, and we are completely confident that no rules have been broken, so it is... ~ , no rules have been broken, so it is... . , no rules have been broken, so it is... when it says receipt of significant _ is... when it says receipt of significant new _ is... when it says receipt of significant new information | is... when it says receipt of- significant new information over recent days, do you find that intriguing? puzzling? i recent days, do you find that intriguing? puzzling?- recent days, do you find that intriguing? puzzling? i don't know what that is- _ intriguing? puzzling? i don't know what that is. but _ intriguing? puzzling? i don't know what that is. but we _ intriguing? puzzling? i don't know what that is. but we will - what that is. but we will be there to answer any questions they have got. to answer any questions they have not. ., ., to answer any questions they have rot, ., ., ., to answer any questions they have not. ., ., ., ., ., ., got. you have no idea what that new information — got. you have no idea what that new information could _ got. you have no idea what that new information could be? _ got. you have no idea what that new information could be? no. _ got. you have no idea what that new information could be? no. and i got. you have no idea what that new information could be? no. and your| information could be? no. and your view information could be? iiif7. and your view of the original meeting, a gathering or whatever you want to call it, hasn't changed, has it? no rules were broken?— call it, hasn't changed, has it? no rules were broken? absolutely not. we are absolutely _ rules were broken? absolutely not. we are absolutely confident - rules were broken? absolutely not. we are absolutely confident there l rules were broken? absolutely not. | we are absolutely confident there is nothing to answer here. the police investigated, there was nothing there, and there is nothing now. when rishi sunak was fined, or investigated first of all, in fact, and sir— investigated first of all, in fact, and sir keir starmer said just because _ and sir keir starmer said just because they were being investigated, they should resign, do you investigated, they should resign, do vou think— investigated, they should resign, do you think you should now?— you think you should now? know, because the _ you think you should now? know, because the context _ you think you should now? know, because the context is _ you think you should now? know, | because the context is completely different, if you think about it. in number 10 there are seas of these things being organised, organised in advance. we knew for example the birthday cake one, which was supposed to be one of the lesser offences, there were invitations sent out on the basis of it being a celebration. we understand there were e—mails, there were photographs which also support this. and it is just like the women who arrived at a friend's house with birthday card, just going to hand in a birthday card, and there was a birthday party going on, shejoined then and she got fined. it is not fairfor her to be fined and for rishi sunak not to be fined and for rishi sunak not to be fine. i even though he was there for a meeting? be fine. i even though he was there fora meeting? but be fine. i even though he was there for a meeting? but once he realised there was a party, you know, he was involved in the party. it wasn't just work colleagues, it was the decorator, the wife and the dog and everything else. it was certainly different and certainly not a work meeting to stop on the face of it, it is totally different, in that it was pre—organised and organised as a celebration. d0 was pre-organised and organised as a celebration. , ., ,, , celebration. do you think there is another parallel, _ celebration. do you think there is another parallel, which _ celebration. do you think there is another parallel, which is - celebration. do you think there is another parallel, which is very i another parallel, which is very similar. — another parallel, which is very similar, because the met police didn't— similar, because the met police didn't initially investigate what was happening in number 10 then after pressure from various newspapers they did then start asking — newspapers they did then start asking questions. what about keir starmer— asking questions. what about keir starmer answering the fact deliver questions — starmer answering the fact deliver questions about how many people where _ questions about how many people where they are, the fact angela rayner— where they are, the fact angela rayner was there, what they were doing. _ rayner was there, what they were doing, should he have done that earlier— doing, should he have done that earlier rather than letting it drag on to— earlier rather than letting it drag on to this — earlier rather than letting it drag on to this point and now it looks a bit like _ on to this point and now it looks a bit like the — on to this point and now it looks a bit like the answers are having to be forced — bit like the answers are having to be forced out of him? i bit like the answers are having to be forced out of him?— bit like the answers are having to be forced out of him? i hear what ou sa . be forced out of him? i hear what you sav- i — be forced out of him? i hear what you sav- ithink— be forced out of him? i hear what you say. i think there _ be forced out of him? i hear what you say. i think there was - be forced out of him? i hear what you say. i think there was a i be forced out of him? i hear what i you say. i think there was a mistake made at the beginning when i think that a press officer was asked by some journalists about whether angie was there and they said no without checking, but it was all on the intranet, you know, it was an open meeting, it was done on the web, so it was quite clear that angie had been there and then when we were asked three months later her office said, yeah, she was there. there really isn't a cover up here. what can i tell you? that is the situation.— can i tell you? that is the situation. ~ , ., ., ,, , situation. we will see what happens then, situation. we will see what happens then. emily. — situation. we will see what happens then. emily. but— situation. we will see what happens then, emily, but many _ situation. we will see what happens then, emily, but many thanks i situation. we will see what happens then, emily, but many thanks for. then, emily, but many thanks for responding to it. hot then, emily, but many thanks for responding to it.— then, emily, but many thanks for responding to it._ lots | responding to it. not at all. lots of viewers _ responding to it. not at all. lots of viewers will _ responding to it. not at all. lots of viewers will be _ responding to it. not at all. lots of viewers will be interested i responding to it. not at all. lots of viewers will be interested in l of viewers will be interested in your thoughts on it given it has happened in the last few hours. we will be talking to douglas ross, the leader of the scottish conservatives, in a short while. he of course put in a letter of no confidence in the prime minister performance in scotland. before then i think we can have the state of the parties in scotland and we can join reeta. parties in scotland and we can 'oin reeta. , ., ., ., reeta. yes, huw, we have over half ofthe reeta. yes, huw, we have over half of the councils— reeta. yes, huw, we have over half of the councils declared _ reeta. yes, huw, we have over half of the councils declared now. i of the councils declared now. proportional representation used in scotland of course. this is how the parties are looking at the moment. the snp has gained 21 councillors, labour has gained 1a. the conservatives have lost a9, and you can see the lib dems and the greens have picked up councillors as well. i want to show you the councils that have changed hands. never very much movement in scotland, again because of proportional representation, but the snp has gained one and labour has also gained one. interesting, too, in terms of the state of the parties, is the change in the share of the vote from last time round, 2017. you can see the snp are up by two, labourup 2017. you can see the snp are up by two, labour up by one, but the conservatives down by six. in the last election the conservatives came second to the snp. does this mean that labour will now overtake them and take that second place? i also have some individual results to bring you. so dundee we have reported already is an snp gain from no overall control, west dunbartonshire a party might gain from no overall control and south ayrshire, clackmannanshire, east ayrshire, clackmannanshire, east ayrshire, they remain hung and they are still counting in glasgow and glasgow are also no overall control. in the previous election. let's just take a look behind the results, though, and see what has happened to the vote. here, the conservatives are the biggest party, but short by five seats. what has happened to the tory vote here? they have lost two seats since last time. the snp are actually a smidgen ahead in terms of the first preference votes, but look at that. an 11 percentage point fall in the conservative first preference share since 2017, so that is pretty grim reading for the conservatives. let's look at another one and see what is going on in glasgow. try that again. this is great because they are still counting. the winning post is a3 seats and they are not quite halfway through yet, but we can still see what is happening i think to the share of the vote. let me take you through this. the conservatives have lost three seat so far. labour have gained two, the group might have gained two, the group might have gained two, the group might have gained two and that is the way in which the first preferences have divided up —— and greens have gained tonight. this shows you the change in the share and the greens are a great beneficiary this time round, up great beneficiary this time round, up six percentage points, but the conservatives down by five points. reeta, many thanks. there are quite a few elements of the scottish results which are interesting, and indeed we are now getting a few results in as well from northern ireland which... both of which i want to talk tojohn curtice about. thanks forjoining again, john. 0n scotland, how do you read the picture there?— scotland, how do you read the icture there? ~ ., ., ., ~' picture there? well, we are looking at a modest — picture there? well, we are looking at a modest increase _ picture there? well, we are looking at a modest increase in _ picture there? well, we are looking at a modest increase in snp - picture there? well, we are looking i at a modest increase in snp support. that would _ at a modest increase in snp support. that would be enough for the party to get— that would be enough for the party to get a _ that would be enough for the party to get a record share of the vote, but as— to get a record share of the vote, but as we — to get a record share of the vote, but as we have seen particularly in glasgow— but as we have seen particularly in glasgow their coalition partners, the greens, are also advancing by at least _ the greens, are also advancing by at least as— the greens, are also advancing by at least as much as the snp so far, and on occasion— least as much as the snp so far, and on occasion it — least as much as the snp so far, and on occasion it seems pretty clear, particularly — on occasion it seems pretty clear, particularly in glasgow, that the green _ particularly in glasgow, that the green advance has come at the expense — green advance has come at the expense of the snp and they should not surprise first night because those _ not surprise first night because those who vote green might be concerned about the environment, but they also— concerned about the environment, but they also tend very much to be those on that— they also tend very much to be those on that yes— they also tend very much to be those on that yes side of the argument, given— on that yes side of the argument, given the — on that yes side of the argument, given the polarisation of scottish politics _ given the polarisation of scottish politics -- — given the polarisation of scottish politics —— that should not surprise us. politics —— that should not surprise us the _ politics —— that should not surprise us the big — politics —— that should not surprise us. the big losers are the conservatives, and it looks as though. — conservatives, and it looks as though. it _ conservatives, and it looks as though, it still looks as though the conservatives will come third, perhaps— conservatives will come third, perhaps by no more than a couple of points— perhaps by no more than a couple of points or— perhaps by no more than a couple of points or so — perhaps by no more than a couple of points or so. 0ne perhaps by no more than a couple of points or so. one thing particularly making _ points or so. one thing particularly making life — points or so. one thing particularly making life difficult for them, illustrated by that south ayrshire result _ illustrated by that south ayrshire result reeta hasjust shown us, the party— result reeta hasjust shown us, the party support is particularly falling _ party support is particularly falling back in the areas where it's going _ falling back in the areas where it's going particularly well five years a-o. going particularly well five years ago. south ayrshire is one of those parts _ ago. south ayrshire is one of those parts of— ago. south ayrshire is one of those parts of scotland that could still provide — parts of scotland that could still provide quite a lot of conservative votes. _ provide quite a lot of conservative votes. even — provide quite a lot of conservative votes, even in the dark days of the 1997 general election, but you can see how— 1997 general election, but you can see how strongly it has fallen back. the interesting thing therefore is that on— the interesting thing therefore is that on the unionist side, the political— that on the unionist side, the political fragmentation of that side of the _ political fragmentation of that side of the scottish constitutional argument i think has been exacerbated, if they come second, it will be _ exacerbated, if they come second, it will be a _ exacerbated, if they come second, it will be a struggle to get the unionist parties to agree which one should _ unionist parties to agree which one should be _ unionist parties to agree which one should be taking the lead in the campaign in defence of the union, let alone _ campaign in defence of the union, let alone them actually being able to come _ let alone them actually being able to come to an agreement about any kind of— to come to an agreement about any kind ofjoint_ to come to an agreement about any kind ofjoint campaign if there were to be _ kind ofjoint campaign if there were to be a— kind ofjoint campaign if there were to be a referendum. but the interesting thing perhaps on the national— interesting thing perhaps on the national side, on the one hand, these _ national side, on the one hand, these results do i think confirm that alex— these results do i think confirm that alex salmond's attempt to fragment the nationalist vote is going _ fragment the nationalist vote is going nowhere, his party has got very low— going nowhere, his party has got very low vote shares, but that the greens, _ very low vote shares, but that the greens, in— very low vote shares, but that the greens, in contrast, are now providing — greens, in contrast, are now providing some competition to the snp and _ providing some competition to the snp and to that extent at least these — snp and to that extent at least these elections will indicate that these elections will indicate that the snp — these elections will indicate that the snp are not quite so dominant on the snp are not quite so dominant on the yes _ the snp are not quite so dominant on the yes side — the snp are not quite so dominant on the yes side of the argument and i suspect— the yes side of the argument and i suspect some in the snp will be asking _ suspect some in the snp will be asking themselves whether or not in allowing _ asking themselves whether or not in allowing the greens to enter the holvrood — allowing the greens to enter the holyrood government, they have given them a _ holyrood government, they have given them a bit _ holyrood government, they have given them a bit of a leg up perhaps that them a bit of a leg up perhaps that the snp's — them a bit of a leg up perhaps that the snp's own expense. for them a bit of a leg up perhaps that the snp's own expense.— them a bit of a leg up perhaps that the snp's own expense. for now, many thanks. we the snp's own expense. for now, many thanks we will — the snp's own expense. for now, many thanks. we will talk _ the snp's own expense. for now, many thanks. we will talk about _ the snp's own expense. for now, many thanks. we will talk about later - the snp's own expense. for now, many thanks. we will talk about later on i thanks. we will talk about later on about northern ireland. let's stay with scotland for the moment. we are joined from glasgow by the labour leader there, anas sarwar. thank you forjoining us. let's have your readout on labour's performance so far. , , ., ., ., readout on labour's performance so far. ,,., ., ., far. this is for almost a decade the first positive _ far. this is for almost a decade the first positive and _ far. this is for almost a decade the first positive and cheerful- far. this is for almost a decade the first positive and cheerful day i far. this is for almost a decade the first positive and cheerful day for. first positive and cheerful day for the scottish labour party and i am very confident that by the end of today, we will be the comfortable second place both in terms of lotscher and in terms of seats but to be really clear, i don't aspire for labour to be in second place, i aspire for us to be in first place. we had a mammoth task when i took over atjust over a year ago, we were in 1a% in the opinion polls and were in 1a% in the opinion polls and we managed to stop armageddon last year and we we managed to stop armageddon last yearand we can we managed to stop armageddon last year and we can demonstrate progress this year, making gains from the snp and the tories, winning in parts of scotland we have not won in in a very long time but now we want to move forward and think about the next general election and scottish parliament election and how we continue to build support in scotland so we can number one, put boris out of downing street and elect a uk wide labour government but so we have the position to say to people across scotland, we don't have to carry on with the same dinner and division we have had from the snp and the toys, we have a chance to change and that can come from the scottish labour party. just bear with us — from the scottish labour party. just bear with us because i'm going to put up some of the latest figures from scotland so the viewers can see them clearly. we have 18 out of 32 local authorities declared and in terms of councillors, 362 snp, up 21, labour up terms of councillors, 362 snp, up 21, labourup15 terms of councillors, 362 snp, up 21, labour up 15 on 217 and the tories, down 50 on 168 and the independents are down 13 and the lib dems are up 17 and the greens are up ten. if we look at that, on plus 15, four labour at the moment in terms of councillors, you are very confident, you say, that you will end up at the end of the 32 declarations in a clear second place, is that right?— place, is that right? yes, so i think we _ place, is that right? yes, so i think we still _ place, is that right? yes, so i think we still have _ place, is that right? yes, so i think we still have a - place, is that right? yes, so i think we still have a numberl place, is that right? yes, so i l think we still have a number of declarations to come. we know from the mood music in different counts across the country that it seems we will see more gains across the country so i am confident by the end of the day that we will be clear in terms of second in terms of vote share but also in terms of seats but i repeat again, that is not my ambition. of course i am pleased by that and pleased that we have a cheerful day for the scottish labour party after for almost a decade, people writing us off as if we are no longer on the pitch or relevant to scotland but i want us to build on this now and demonstrate we can make a real difference to people's lives, we are on people's side and we aspire to win across the country. it is an interesting question about the nature of your campaign, there, given that of course there has been a kind of, you know, a series of very big headlines from westminster to do with party—gate and the cost of living especially which is affecting people right across the uk and then of course in scotland, you are also dealing with a matrix of elections there with the scottish government and the snp empower. how did the dynamics of the campaign work in terms of labour in scotland? what was your main focus? i work in terms of labour in scotland? what was your main focus?— what was your main focus? i think the sinale what was your main focus? i think the single biggest _ what was your main focus? i think the single biggest issue _ what was your main focus? i think the single biggest issue for - what was your main focus? i thinkj the single biggest issue for people across the country is not the usual political machinations but clearly was the cost of living crisis. people in scotland by a clear majority felt that the uk government was not doing enough to support but also did not feel that nicola sturgeon and the snp were doing enough to support the cost of living crisis and i am hoping that in this election campaign, we have sent a deliberate message to rishi sunak and borisjohnson that they have to do more to address the cost of living crisis but also in scotland, the snp needs to use its powers rather than replicating the rishi sunak model to provide more support to people in scotland so the cost of living was the single biggest issue. there's another couple of things to mention, though, one is, it is clear now the nasty party is back in terms of the conservatives and it is clear the ruth davidson project is dead and there is now more progressive, future —looking, forward—looking alternative in scotland and that is the scottish labour party and in our eyes are firmly set on the snp so we can change the way we do our politics but more importantly, change the country so we get the issues to people —— that matter to people but as i was not this constitutional obsession that the snp and the scottish tories have played for almost a decade in scotland. ~ ., , ., played for almost a decade in scotland. ~ ., , ., ,, ., scotland. we hope to be talking to the snp in a _ scotland. we hope to be talking to the snp in a short— scotland. we hope to be talking to the snp in a short while _ scotland. we hope to be talking to the snp in a short while but i scotland. we hope to be talking to the snp in a short while but thank| the snp in a short while but thank you forjoining us for the moment. the scottish labour leader, anas sarwar, there. we were discussing earlier the strong lib dem performance in parts of england, certainly, when we were looking at the new authority in somerset and having a look at account in a quick reminder before i talk to the party leader, sir david, that the somerset result looked like this. eight seats yet to declare. —— sur ed davey. clearly, it is a lib dems —controlled new authority in somerset. if we look at the change, this is notional because of course it is a new authority, it is not based on comparisons with directly comparable previous wards, lib dems up comparable previous wards, lib dems up 36 and three down, the conservatives. —— 33 down. let's go to taunton and speak to the liberal democrat leader, congratulations on the results when you have done very well, what led to it?— well, what led to it? thank you very much, we well, what led to it? thank you very much. we have _ well, what led to it? thank you very much, we have done _ well, what led to it? thank you very much, we have done really - well, what led to it? thank you very much, we have done really well- much, we have done really well across the country and i am here in somerset where we have taken control of the council... somerset where we have taken control of the council. . ._ of the council... cheering i canvassed _ of the council... cheering i canvassed across - of the council... cheering i canvassed across the i of the council... cheering . i canvassed across the country of the council... cheering - i canvassed across the country with lots of people and the biggest issue across the country was the cost of living and urgency. millions of families and pensioners are really struggling and a conservative government was not doing anything near enough to help those people and liberal democrats were saying, you have got to give them a tax cut, a cut in vat were £600 to the average family, that is the kind of positive measure the liberal democrats were arguing for. and i'm afraid the conservatives were taking people for granted, that is what we heard. lstallion granted, that is what we heard. when ou look at granted, that is what we heard. when you look at the _ granted, that is what we heard. when you look at the kind _ granted, that is what we heard. when you look at the kind of _ granted, that is what we heard. when you look at the kind of campaign you have been fighting there and indeed in other parts of the south of england, how does it work in terms of your own issues and then personality. how much did you focus for example on borisjohnson as a leader and his values as prime minister or indeed on your own policies to do with local areas like somerset and the issues that are relevant to people there? they will include the cost of living but other things as well, how did the campaign divide? ~ , ., things as well, how did the campaign divide? ~ ,, ., ., ~' things as well, how did the campaign divide? ~ ,, ., ., ,, ., divide? well, if you look at the leaflets the _ divide? well, if you look at the leaflets the liberal _ divide? well, if you look at the leaflets the liberal democrats | divide? well, if you look at the i leaflets the liberal democrats were putting out across the country, they normally focus on local issues. we are community politicians. if you elect a liberal democrat councillor, you elect a strong local champion who will fight for you, your family and your community. that is exactly what people get when they vote lib dems so we were focusing on many local issues, yes, the cost of living has a national element to it, of course and the environment is always big for the liberal democrats and we have been pointing out in parliament and on the leaflets the fact the conservatives were letting the water utilities get away with pumping filthy, raw sewage into rivers and lakes and that is not acceptable. we have been standing up for people and their communities, offering them a fair deal and that is what we have been talking about. of course, back in the westminster of course, back in the westminster bubble, there has been the story of party gait and the appalling behaviour of the prime minister, lawbreaking, the lies and sleaze and scandal of the conservative mps, that obviously was on some people's mines but we were not campaigning on that, we were campaigning on the issues that mattered to people, the cost of living, the nhs and the environment. it cost of living, the nhs and the environment.— cost of living, the nhs and the environment. it is vicki young in the studio _ environment. it is vicki young in the studio here _ environment. it is vicki young in the studio here and _ environment. it is vicki young in the studio here and you - environment. it is vicki young in the studio here and you have i the studio here and you have obviously _ the studio here and you have obviously had some really big successes, particularly in areas like somerset which were strongholds for the _ like somerset which were strongholds for the lib— like somerset which were strongholds for the lib dems for many years. you will be _ for the lib dems for many years. you will be looking to the next general election. _ will be looking to the next general election, you know, we know there is a by election— election, you know, we know there is a by election coming up in devon, near— a by election coming up in devon, near where — a by election coming up in devon, near where you are and you has been in wimbledon today and you are looking — in wimbledon today and you are looking at— in wimbledon today and you are looking at parliamentary seats of course _ looking at parliamentary seats of course but ultimately, even if you do well _ course but ultimately, even if you do well next time around, you know you can't— do well next time around, you know you can't do— do well next time around, you know you can't do enough to form the next government— you can't do enough to form the next government and it looks on these projections that labour can't do it on their— projections that labour can't do it on their own eitherand projections that labour can't do it on their own either and the inevitable question is, is there some — inevitable question is, is there some kind _ inevitable question is, is there some kind of agreement between you about— some kind of agreement between you about what— some kind of agreement between you about what you would do, given you both want _ about what you would do, given you both want to oust the conservatives? know, _ both want to oust the conservatives? know, there — both want to oust the conservatives? know, there isn't. as liberal democrat leader, i am focusing on winning more liberal democrat council seats and more mp5. what was really interesting in the liberal democrat results last night was in seats that we need to take from the conservatives, here in taunton, for example, but in places like wimbledon where i was earlier, these are key seats for the liberal democrats at the next election which i believe we can win and get boris johnson out of downing street, to get the conservatives out of power, all the arithmetic shows we need a strong liberal democrat performance and there are seats across the country, up in the north, like cheadle and hazel grove, harrogate, lots of places where liberal democrats are the only ones who can beat the sitting conservative mp and if we do, we can oust the conservatives from government. that is my focus. conservatives from government. that is my focus-— is my focus. you will oust them from government. — is my focus. you will oust them from government, that _ is my focus. you will oust them from government, that is _ is my focus. you will oust them from government, that is what _ is my focus. you will oust them from government, that is what you - is my focus. you will oust them from government, that is what you want l is my focus. you will oust them from | government, that is what you want to achieve _ government, that is what you want to achieve but— government, that is what you want to achieve but then what? that is what the voters _ achieve but then what? that is what the voters want to know, of course. if the voters want to know, of course. if you _ the voters want to know, of course. if you vote — the voters want to know, of course. if you vote for liberal democrats, you get to liberal democrats arguing for liberal democrat policies, our policies, whether they are trying to help people on the cost of living, our proposal for a tax cut, for example, our proposers to help more vulnerable families and pensioners by taking money directly from their energy bills, our proposals to clean up energy bills, our proposals to clean up our energy bills. our proposals to clean up our environment, proposals for the nhs and care, these are the issues which really matter to people. they will be what we will focus on before the election and afterwards. focus on before the election and afterwards-— focus on before the election and afterwards. thank you for “oining us. the clock i afterwards. thank you for “oining us. the clock is i afterwards. thank you for “oining us. the clock is slightly i afterwards. thank you forjoining us. the clock is slightly against l afterwards. thank you forjoiningl us. the clock is slightly against us but once again, congratulations to you and the team on what you have done well and good for you to bring along a band of supporters to support you in the interview which is great stage management, an exceptional level.— is great stage management, an exceptional level. they are a great band. in somerset. _ exceptional level. they are a great band. in somerset. but— exceptional level. they are a great band. in somerset. but in - exceptional level. they are a greatj band. in somerset. but in woking, exceptional level. they are a great i band. in somerset. but in woking, we have taken control of woking... cheering so it looks like we might have won four metro councils, hull from labour in the north, westmorland and furnace in the north, in woking in surrey and of course, somerset! cheering before you get overexcited, we are going to leave it there. thank you forjoining us. ed davey with his team in taunton, there, having notched up that victory in the new authority in somerset. earlier, we were talking to the labour leader in scotland, anas sarwar and now we can talk to douglas ross, the leader of the scottish conservatives who joins us from elgin. thank you forjoining us. i am just wondering, what is your readout of how your party has donein your readout of how your party has done in scotland overnight? ltrefoil. your readout of how your party has done in scotland overnight? well, it has been a difficult _ done in scotland overnight? well, it has been a difficult night _ done in scotland overnight? well, it has been a difficult night and - done in scotland overnight? well, it has been a difficult night and the i has been a difficult night and the results coming in today are very disappointing, we have got some areas where it has been very good, here in moray, we recorded our best ever result, more councillors than ever result, more councillors than ever before can every one of our candidates elected and the snp went backwards and in aberdeenshire, we are making gains but into many parts of scotland, we have lost excellent candidates and councillors have not been re—elected because it seems many of our supporters decided to sit this one out, to protest and not cast their vote and we have lost out as a result of that. that cast their vote and we have lost out as a result of that.— as a result of that. that is one factor that _ as a result of that. that is one factor that you _ as a result of that. that is one factor that you have _ as a result of that. that is one factor that you have outlined l as a result of that. that is one i factor that you have outlined for us but where there others? factors that are outside your control, for example, lots of your party colleagues in england were telling us overnight that they had had trouble distancing themselves from some of the events at westminster, to do with party gait and others telling us that the government had not done enough in terms of the cost of living crisis. were those factors that troubled you as well? it was certainly the partygate issue that dominated the discussions i had with voters who were reluctant to come out and support us as they have in the past. in 2015 we had a record result here in scotland. we were coming into these elections on the back of a very strong set of results five years ago, but there is absolutely no doubt that people have sent a message to the prime minister and the government can particularly around partygate, that is what came out loud and clear. fin around partygate, that is what came out loud and clear.— out loud and clear. on the cost of livin: out loud and clear. on the cost of living crisis _ out loud and clear. on the cost of living crisis were _ out loud and clear. on the cost of living crisis were again _ out loud and clear. on the cost of living crisis were again some i out loud and clear. on the cost of living crisis were again some of l living crisis were again some of your colleagues were telling us that in their view, despite what the chancellor has put in place, voters were saying that there simply wasn't enough help available, certainly in terms of helping with sharply rising fuel bills, etc. again, is that something that voters were saying to you was a reason not to vote conservative. ?_ you was a reason not to vote conservative. ? , ., ., , , ., conservative. ? yes, again this is a thing people _ conservative. ? yes, again this is a thing people are — conservative. ? yes, again this is a thing people are experiencing, i conservative. ? yes, again this is a thing people are experiencing, be i conservative. ? yes, again this is a| thing people are experiencing, be it in their domestic heating bills or when they go to fill their car. i represent a very rural area here in marion across the highlands and islands people rely on their car, it isn't a luxury, it is a necessity and they are seeing a real increase in the cost of living and the cost of energy, and i believe the chancellor and the government have made some attempts to deal with that, but clearly more must be done and i think the government accept that as well. it and i think the government accept that as well-— that as well. it is vicki young in the studio- _ that as well. it is vicki young in the studio. you _ that as well. it is vicki young in the studio. you have _ that as well. it is vicki young in the studio. you have talked i that as well. it is vicki young in i the studio. you have talked before about borisjohnson resigning as leader. you withdrew that because of what is going on in ukraine, but there are lots of people who sadly feel that situation will go on for months and if not years. are you saying boris johnson months and if not years. are you saying borisjohnson should leave your party into the next general election? i your party into the next general election? ., , ., your party into the next general election? ., . election? i hope that conflict doesnt election? i hope that conflict doesn't go — election? i hope that conflict doesn't go on _ election? i hope that conflict doesn't go on for _ election? i hope that conflict doesn't go on for months i election? i hope that conflict | doesn't go on for months and election? i hope that conflict - doesn't go on for months and years, but we have to be realistic. however, we are at a crucial stage, we know in the next few days the russians want to claim victory in their annual victory day, and we have got to do everything possible to support president zelensky and the people of ukraine who have been able to defend their country for far longer than many of us expected. however, the prime minister simply can't ignore the message that is being sent from voters, notjust here in scotland but across the uk. we see the conservatives lost westminster council last night, that is a council that even in the peak labour years under tony blair the party held onto. 50 there has been a very strong message from the public to the prime minister and to the party. to the prime minister and to the .a _ , to the prime minister and to the -a . , ., to the prime minister and to the party. interesting to talk to you, douilas party. interesting to talk to you, douglas ross. — party. interesting to talk to you, douglas ross, thank— party. interesting to talk to you, douglas ross, thank you - party. interesting to talk to you, douglas ross, thank you for i party. interesting to talk to you, i douglas ross, thank you forjoining us. in elgin, douglas ross, the leader of the scottish conservatives there. earlier on we were discussing prospects in northern ireland which are notoriously difficult to predict of course, because of the complexity of course, because of the complexity of the political setup, not least with the assembly elections affecting the way the protocol and of the way that brexit is being disputed and people there questioning whether the government has shown goodwill towards the protocol and the way they have dealt with it, a rather multilayered campaign. and of course, still the prospect, and historic prospect, that sinn fein could come at the top of the pole for the first time pushing the unionists into second place. we don't know yet. butjohn curtice isjoining us once again. are you in a position to shed any light on what is likely to happen in northern ireland?— northern ireland? yes, i think we can. we northern ireland? yes, i think we can- we have _ northern ireland? yes, i think we can. we have been _ northern ireland? yes, i think we can. we have been looking i northern ireland? yes, i think we can. we have been looking at i northern ireland? yes, i think we can. we have been looking at a l can. we have been looking at a series of results. we have now got against half of the 18 constituencies in northern ireland with what we call the first preference vote, and anywhere where there was anything very much in the way of a dup vote, anywhere apart from west belfast, has witnessed a marked decline in the vote support for the party including in sir jeffrey donaldson's own constituency, while in particular the traditionalist unionist voice, which is the party that is even more adamantly opposed to the northern ireland protocol and what they call the border across the irish sea that creates, they oppose it even more than the dup, and are often also picking up significant shares of the vote. meanwhile, sinn fein appear to be at least, and indeed in some instances, even managing to increase their share of the vote, including in very nationalist places like belfast west. 50 putting all those things together, we are now convinced, as indeed are our colleagues who are assisting bbc northern ireland in belfast in doing the coverage there, that sinn fein will emerge at the top of the pole so far as votes are concerned. and this of course would be the first time that this has happened since the partition of ireland and the creation of northern ireland in 1922. we suspect, but we cannot be is adamant about the fact that we anticipate that sinn fein will also be the largest party in the assembly, but we can't be quite so sure of that because, for example, the traditional unionist voice is running at around 7%—8% of the vote. that probably isn't going to be enough for it to pick up a seat in many places. so the question then arises, where will that boat go during the transfer process. the answer according to the opinion polls is that a lot of it will go back to the dup. the gap between sinn fein and the dup is perhaps probably going to be too close for such transfers to close the gap between sinn fein, the dup entirely. we can't be entirely sure so we are not saying definitely sinn fein will have the most seats and that is what matters in terms of who has the right to the first minister position. but that certainly is the direction in which the wind is seeming to blow. they are in a tough battle with the ulster unionists who are the most moderate unionist party. the alliance party is tending to do relatively well in more middle—class but also more unionist constituencies and it seems to be eating into the ulster unionist vote in such seats but it is too close to say whether or not the alliance will make it into third place, which if they were would also be something of a historicalfirst they were would also be something of a historical first as well. i’m a historical first as well. i'm aioin a historical first as well. i'm going to _ a historical first as well. i'm going to stop you _ a historical first as well. i'm going to stop you there, if you don't mind, to get some reaction. let's go straight to annita mcveigh who is in belfast. let's address the issue of where the alliance party will become of the cross community party, at the end. at three centres around northern ireland including in belfast. with me i have the leader of the alliance party naomi long who has been returned with a comfortable number in her east belfast constituency, congratulations on that, naomi long. thank you forjoining us. at this stage the polls have predicted you will do very well. are you going to put a number of seats on it at this stage? it put a number of seats on it at this state? ., , , ., stage? it would be unwise, with an stv election _ stage? it would be unwise, with an stv election so _ stage? it would be unwise, with an stv election so much _ stage? it would be unwise, with an stv election so much will- stage? it would be unwise, with an stv election so much will rely i stage? it would be unwise, with an stv election so much will rely on i stv election so much will rely on transfers further down the line, and it would be foolish now to predict exact numbers. but it has certainly been a very strong pole for alliance in terms of first preferences, and we have seen a number of our candidates top the poll, myself and kellie armstrong, we are the largest party in my own constituency in east belfast and i think we will see over the day that we are hopeful of returning two candidates in a number of seats we targeted, and new candidates in a number of the seats, so i think it will be a good day for alliance but how good remains to be seen. ~ , , ., ~ ., alliance but how good remains to be seen. ~ i, . m ., , seen. why is that? what is driving voters towards _ seen. why is that? what is driving voters towards you? _ seen. why is that? what is driving voters towards you? voters - seen. why is that? what is driving voters towards you? voters are i voters towards you? voters are concerned — voters towards you? voters are concerned about _ voters towards you? voters are concerned about issues - voters towards you? voters are concerned about issues like - voters towards you? voters are concerned about issues like the voters towards you? voters are - concerned about issues like the cost of living crisis, the state of the northern ireland health service, and what they have seen from alliance over the last two years in government is delivery on the issues that matter to people. so asjustice minister i was able to show what we can do when we are in government and i think people responded to what was a very positive message from us, constructive message, one that is about getting government up and running in northern ireland, which isn't a given, and make sure we can start to deliver on the priorities people have. i think people have had enough of the orange and green politics. they are tired of this constant binary division in our society. what they want to see is healing those divisions, working together in everyone�*s best interests and they know that alliance is the strongest way to voice that particular view. but how are ou voice that particular view. but how are you going _ voice that particular view. but how are you going to — voice that particular view. but how are you going to deliver— voice that particular view. but how are you going to deliver if- voice that particular view. but how are you going to deliver if the - are you going to deliver if the stormont executive after this election does not return in a functioning and functional way? we functioning and functional way? i've been ve functioning and functional way? if: been very clear with functioning and functional way? i";% been very clear with the irish and british governments about what needs to happen after this election. we need structures that are fit for purpose in 2020, what went before in 1998 provided a mechanism by which we could manage division in our society but that is not the ceiling of our ambition for northern ireland and never has been. we want to move beyond division to actually work together on delivery for the people here and so we need structures that encourage that cooperation. there are those who have said they will not go back into government because they either don't like who they will have to work with all they are concerned about the protocol, which clearly isn't a big concern with the public. so if they don't want to do government, fine, let them sit it out and let those who are willing to step up and shoulder the burden of government because we need government because we need government in northern ireland irrespective of whatever challenges we face. ~ ., ., , irrespective of whatever challenges weface. . irrespective of whatever challenges weface. ~ . ,, . ., , ., we face. what has the secretary of state brandon _ we face. what has the secretary of state brandon lewis _ we face. what has the secretary of state brandon lewis said - we face. what has the secretary of state brandon lewis said on - we face. what has the secretary of state brandon lewis said on that l state brandon lewis said on that issue? we are talking about a reformulation of the way the assembly runs. up until now it has been a unionist first minister, and a nationalist deputy first minister sharing power. the alliance party and others who don't designate themselves as unionist or nationalist have been described as exactly that, others. so how do you reformulate how the assembly works? we think it is simple, we need to offer people their place in government. if offer people their place in government.— offer people their place in government. offer people their place in covernment. , . government. if they re'ect it then ou move government. if they re'ect it then you move onto h government. if they re'ect it then you move onto the _ government. if they reject it then you move onto the next - government. if they reject it then you move onto the next largest l government. if they reject it then - you move onto the next largest party and offer them that place. you don't stop because one party wants to walk away. we shouldn't have a system of government here where a single party can hold government to ransom. it makes no sense and we also need to do away with the designation system. we split people into camps at the beginning of the assembly term and we set it up for failure to division. we need to have majority voting in the assembly on key issues that do affect particular northern ireland —based issues, and that would allow us to incentivise cooperation rather than actually entrenched division. that is what our ambition isn't what we'd said to the secretary of state and the secretaries of state before him, and that's the message i will be taken to him when i meet him on monday afternoon. ., ., ., ., ~ , ., afternoon. naomi long, thank you very much- _ afternoon. naomi long, thank you very much. naomi _ afternoon. naomi long, thank you very much. naomi long, - afternoon. naomi long, thank you very much. naomi long, the - afternoon. naomi long, thank you | very much. naomi long, the leader afternoon. naomi long, thank you - very much. naomi long, the leader of the alliance party, the cross community alliance party. you heard her say the structures in northern ireland and power—sharing assembly encourages division. she says there needs to be something in the process and structure of power sharing here that incentivises cooperation because at the moment the dup, which in the last assembly elections emerged as the biggest party, they are saying they will not go back into power sharing unless their concerns about the northern ireland protocol are addressed. those are the set of rules that deal with post—brexit trading arrangements. but when i talked to people earlier this week from all sorts of political backgrounds, they told me that the protocol was not front and centre of their thinking. they want politicians back at the assembly making decisions on things like the cost of living crisis, health care, education and so on. so let's see how the numbers shakedown today and where that leaves the respective parties, and what it will lead to, return to stormont or another stormont stalemate? we will see. back to you. studio: thank you, interesting to hear the interview and the response. annita mcveigh will be back in a short while. let's refocus having looked to scotland and then northern ireland of course, let's refocus on england and the state of the parties right now in england at this stage. 122 of 146 councils declared, so we are almost there in terms of the journey to completing the councils in england. in terms of councillors, labour have put on 57, they are on 1595 and the tories on 845, down 277 and the lib dems have gained 155. we heard from ed davey earlier, independents are up seven, the greens up 49, we hope to speak to them soon come the residents associations up ten. very quickly looking at the councils themselves, labour on 52 councils held, that's adding six to their tally of councils controlled. the conservatives on 30, having lost control of ten. the lib dems have added two and then two more hung councils. if you look at some of the labour gains, to give you 1's sense of where labour has been doing well across the uk, southampton we talked about because they took that from the conservatives. once worth over made headlines because once with had beenin made headlines because once with had been in conservative hands since 1978. westminster, even more of a surprise really, because there had beenin surprise really, because there had been in conservative hands since 64. barnet in north london as well. and then rossendale, crawley, worthing, kirklees where they have gained control from no overall control. so just a sense of where we are on england. let's talk about may be the performance of the conservative party. we are going tojoin performance of the conservative party. we are going to join the former conservative leader iain duncan smith who has kindly agreed tojoin us. good duncan smith who has kindly agreed to join us. good afternoon and thank you forjoining us. to join us. good afternoon and thank you forjoining us-— you for 'oining us. good afternoon. good you forjoining us. good afternoon. good to have _ you forjoining us. good afternoon. good to have you _ you forjoining us. good afternoon. good to have you with _ you forjoining us. good afternoon. good to have you with us. - you forjoining us. good afternoon. good to have you with us. can - you forjoining us. good afternoon. good to have you with us. can i - you forjoining us. good afternoon. | good to have you with us. can i ask, first of all, having gone through the night and seen what happened in some of those big london councils and then having a look at the rest of england as it has gone forward, what is your take on where the conservatives are right now? i think it is a story — conservatives are right now? i think it is a story of _ conservatives are right now? i think it is a story of two _ conservatives are right now? i think it is a story of two separate - conservatives are right now? i think it is a story of two separate areas. | it is a story of two separate areas. one is london. london has gone and all the opinion polls show it at the moment, strongly favours labour and the results i think last night showed that. elsewhere in the midlands and the north particularly labour didn't make big breakthroughs at all. and i think you had john curtice on earlier, who said in a previous interview he didn't think that labour overall had shown enough to be able to say they would have things stayed like this, or even got better for them things stayed like this, or even got betterfor them beyond things stayed like this, or even got better for them beyond the things stayed like this, or even got betterfor them beyond the route things stayed like this, or even got better for them beyond the route to form a government. mid—term is always difficult. mid—term after a terrible covid clampdown for two years, followed remorselessly now by this massive spike in the cost of living causing huge problems to people, plus all the issues going on previously in and around westminster, it is not a great time to have elections for the conservative party. but overall i think the conservative party would probably say they have done better than they might have feared and labour has done probably not as well as they'd hoped. when we talked to some of your party colleagues overnight, especially those who felt rather sore because they had either lost control of a council they had lost control of a council they had lost colleagues or lost their own seats, they did say— seats, they did say pretty consistently _ seats, they did say pretty consistently actually, - seats, they did say pretty| consistently actually, that seats, they did say pretty i consistently actually, that it seats, they did say pretty - consistently actually, that it was not to do with local issues, it was to do with the cost of living crisis and a feeling that the government, despite what it has already put in place, hadn't done enough and that people wanted more help, and in fact they expected more help, and the second element was they felt the prime minister, for various reasons including the allegations around the whole partygate thing, that he had been an unhelpful presence in the campaign. can i ask you to deal with those two things? maybe start with the cost of living and the government's response, and whether you think it has been adequate. first of all, you are right in that the cost of living was the biggest single issue that played out on the doorsteps in pretty much every constituency but that is not to say there were not localised issues where there was, for example, over much house—building in certain areas and some of the councils got punished for that, tower blocks across london are a big issue and so councils that were pushing that, labour all conservative, tended to feel a bit of a backlash from their constituents but there is no question that the cost of living was the main issue because it is growing in people's mines as their bills are going up and of course, people were still coming out of the annoyance and fury of the problems that existed at the time in downing street over the get—togethers that took place and all of that was featuring but i think the biggest one is cost of living and the government, i saw an interview earlier where someone was asked what they took from this and i think this is the big challenge for all governments if they want to be re—elected after a mid—term problem and the answer is, what do you take? the government has got to take this, that the public still does not believe that we have resolved enough for them over the cost of living crisis and i am one of those that believe is the single biggest thing we now need to revisit is the issue around taxation and we need to reduce, cut the taxation burden that is existing now on the public so we can help them through the covid outbreak by a very direct and simple measure and at the same time, give support to those who are in the lower income brackets for whom tax—cutting does not affect them but the universal credit levels could do. these are the two big things that i think are the takeaways and we now need to be bold and act on that and reduce the tax burden on those who are going to face bigger bills and bigger costs over the next year, 18 months. i bills and bigger costs over the next year, 18 months.— bills and bigger costs over the next year, 18 months. i am about to say, and we were — year, 18 months. i am about to say, and we were talking _ year, 18 months. i am about to say, and we were talking about - year, 18 months. i am about to say, and we were talking about this - and we were talking about this earlier to the chief secretary to the treasury, you may or may not have seen it, he was saying, of course, we understand people are under pressure but we are also mindful of the state of the public finances, which are not in a good way after the last couple of years with the extra spending that has been put in place and for that reason, a very strong hint from him that it would be budget time in the autumn before any other measures might be considered. would that timescale for you be acceptable or not? ~ , ., , not? well, it is not whether it is acceptable _ not? well, it is not whether it is acceptable to — not? well, it is not whether it is acceptable to me, _ not? well, it is not whether it is acceptable to me, it _ not? well, it is not whether it is acceptable to me, it is - not? well, it is not whether it is acceptable to me, it is whether| not? well, it is not whether it is| acceptable to me, it is whether i think events are going to allow that timescale and i'm afraid i don't think they will. the one thing i have known from the time i have been in government is the number of times government set out its timescale only to find what harold macmillan said, events, dear boy, events, push them in the other direction and it is always good for governments to act in advance of that issue. as they say, the known known four and they say, the known known four and the known unknowns, the known known is that the spike in inflation and the cost of living is going to relentlessly go on so i don't see why we need to wait some months down the road to see just how bad it is. we know it will be bad and we need to act early. we need to act in a conservative way which i believe is to reduce the burden on the public come on individuals, through taxation so i don't fully agree we have got the time to sit and consider our navels for the next four or five months while we figure out whether or not people are worse off. they will be worse off, we know that. here is the other problem that exists. we face a serious problem in the whole of the west, notjust the uk having a cost of living crisis, we know that, it is every country but the real issue here is most countries will probably face some monetary tightening. we have seen the bank of england is doing a bit of that now and they may do more and this puts pressure on already and what we don't need is what i would call the double whammy of monetary tightening and fiscal tightening, ie, tax increases. what we need to do is move on the bit we can really move otherwise we will end up in stagflation and that happens to be the fiscal area which the government controls so my personal view, the government may not listen to me at all and i'm government may not listen to me at alland i'm sure government may not listen to me at all and i'm sure they won't but the reality is i would say we have the headroom to cut those taxes because of our receipts being much greater previously. yes, we would love to resolve overnight all the problems that exist as a result of covid but the fact is, we won't be able to so we have to take a view that the most urgent issue we have to resolve is people's well—being over the next couple of years and that requires us to move. i am sorry if it sounds a bit like an election but that is my personal feeling. bit like an election but that is my personalfeeling. just bit like an election but that is my personal feeling.— bit like an election but that is my personal feeling. just to move on to a completely _ personal feeling. just to move on to a completely different _ personal feeling. just to move on to a completely different issue - personal feeling. just to move on to a completely different issue than i a completely different issue than what is _ a completely different issue than what is going on in northern ireland -- issue. _ what is going on in northern ireland —— issue, what is going on in northern— —— issue, what is going on in northern ireland and what do you think_ northern ireland and what do you think the — northern ireland and what do you think the government in westminster should _ think the government in westminster should do— think the government in westminster should do about the northern ireland protocol— should do about the northern ireland protocol because it is clearly causing _ protocol because it is clearly causing ructions within the unionist community, jeffrey donaldson talking about it _ community, jeffrey donaldson talking about it needs to be ditched, effectively. there was talk in the queen's— effectively. there was talk in the queen's speech next week of the government bringing in a bill to say that ministers could override their measures— that ministers could override their measures in the northern ireland prolocol~ — measures in the northern ireland protocol. that now seems to not be happening — protocol. that now seems to not be happening. what do you think the prime _ happening. what do you think the prime minister should do about this? it is interesting, the number one reason why the european union insisted on this really poorly thought through process and why it was agreed was because that was the claim, that it would protect the good friday agreement so if we just asked, what is it there to do? it is there to protect the good friday agreement but the problem is, it is not doing that, it is doing exactly the opposite, as you explained. the unionist side in northern ireland are now beginning to get very anxious and concerned and believe that it anxious and concerned and believe thatitis anxious and concerned and believe that it is damaging their right as members of the uk and wishing to have that open, free trade with the uk without checks. there is a solution to this. i and others have proposed it. it is called mutual enforcement, where you don't need to have these checks at the border. each side agreed they will enforce the rules of the other, such that anybody who then reaches those rules by shipping goods one way or the other will be prosecuted in the uk, in the case of the european breach and in europe in the case of a uk breach. and this would allow us to do this so that we don't have checks at the border. this should be proposed to the european union. the eu won't do that, will they? that is the problem the british government has got, _ the problem the british government has got, the eu won't agree to that so what _ has got, the eu won't agree to that so what do — has got, the eu won't agree to that so what do we do in the meantime? we so what do we do in the meantime? wrs. don't so what do we do in the meantime? don't know so what do we do in the meantime? - don't know that, like all these things, people start disobeying on something. if they really care about the good friday agreement, my personal view is we need now to resolve it. there is a part of the northern ireland protocol which nobody remembers, article 13 a which says if they both agree it isn't working, they can replace the protocol. it is part of the agreement, that you can replace it if you have a better system. there is a better system and i believe therefore, after this election, we should move swiftly to sit down with the eu and say, right, this is what we have got to do, let's work it out, thrash it out and then we can replace the protocol so that both sides can say they have protected the good friday agreement. that is the good friday agreement. that is the number one issue and we need to go to that. iain the number one issue and we need to no to that. . , .., the number one issue and we need to no to that. . , ,, go to that. iain duncan smith, good to seak go to that. iain duncan smith, good to speak to — go to that. iain duncan smith, good to speak to you _ go to that. iain duncan smith, good to speak to you and _ go to that. iain duncan smith, good to speak to you and thank _ go to that. iain duncan smith, good to speak to you and thank you - go to that. iain duncan smith, good to speak to you and thank you for. to speak to you and thank you for your time today. the conservative mp and former conservative leader, there. the time isjust and former conservative leader, there. the time is just about 4:25pm, let's take a pause as the results continue to come in and join martin for the news bulletin. here is a summary of the bbc news. police have said they are investigating the labour leader keir starmer over possible breaches of covert mackerels after he was pictured in durham last april drinking beer. he has insisted he stopped briefly for a meal and a drink while out campaigning for the hartlepool by—election before returning to work. the labour leader earlier hailed local election results which saw the party seized control of three flagship councils in london. borisjohnson has described the polls as a tough night for the tories after the liberal democrats and greens also made gains. nick eardley has a round—up of all the election news. election highs for some mean lows for others. labour picked up councils they have never held before in london, and across england, the conservatives have lost dozens of seats so far. what is the name of the queen? and some are questioning whether the prime minister is part of the problem. this has been a tough night for conservatives in some part of the country and in other parts of the country, we are actually moving forward, and so for mid—term, it is quite interesting that it is a mixed set of results. but the lesson is we have to get on with the stuff that matters to people. the result isn't as bad as some tories feared, but the final picture could be worse. more losses are likely in the coming hours. and after he was fined for parties in downing street, some are pointing the finger of blame at the prime minister. those in power in westminster really do need to take a good hard look- in the mirror because it is the rank and file grassroots members- they rely on that are actually losing their seats tonight. i labour are on the up, at least in some places. they have won westminster council for the first time ever. wandsworth, which had been conservative blue since the '70s, and barnet, where keir starmer visited this morning. but outside london it's not as rosy, with labour struggling to make gains. have you done enough outside london? this is a massive turning point for the labour party. from the depths of 2019, we are back on track now for the general election, showing that the hard change we have done in the last two years, what a difference it has made. but this afternoon, the police said they were opening an investigation into the labour leader over an event he attended during covid restrictions. have you heard from i durham police, sir keir? any comment on their investigation? no response from him but labour said they would answer questions and that no rules were broken. the biggest gains so far have been for the liberal democrats. they took hull council from labour, and won seats from the conservatives in their rural heartlands. what began as a tremor in chesham and amersham became an earthquake in north shropshire and has now turned into a shockwave across our country that could see this conservative government come tumbling down. the big picture so far is some bad results for the conservatives, but not a catastrophic fall in support. while borisjohnson is getting some of the blame, there has not been a clamour of senior tories saying that the prime minister needs to rethink his position. and although labour may be delighted with their result in london, in the wider country it's a mixed picture and some will think the party needs to do a lot better if it is going to win a general election. it has also been a good night for the greens, who have added to their vote share and number of councillors in places like amber valley. what they have seen is that greens have been working hard _ in their communities. there is no such thing as safe seats any more, only safe voters. - there is a lot more to come, with results pouring in this afternoon. the snp are continuing to dominate in scotland, but labour may stage something of a comeback and take second from the scottish tories. in wales, labour are eyeing up gains and there is also a test for plaid cymru and their popularity since entering into cooperation agreement in the senedd. and many eyes will be on northern ireland over the course of the afternoon. could sinn fein beat the dup into first place for the first time? nick eardley, bbc news. buckingham palace has announced that prince andrew, prince harry and his wife meghan will not make an appearance on the royal balcony during the trooping the colour ceremony for the queen's platinum jubilee next month. the palace said the decision to only include royals carrying out official public duties was taken "after careful consideration". the duke and duchess of sussex say they and their children will attend other celebrations injune as part of the official jubilee events. the convenience store chain mccoll�*s has collapsed into administration, putting 16,000 jobs at risk. the supermarket giant morrisons earlier proposed a rescue deal to try to save the firm, which has more than 1,000 stores. the accountancy firm pwc has been appointed as administrator, and will look for a buyer "as soon as possible". ukrainian soldiers who still control a huge steel plant in the port of mariupol have accused russian forces of breaching a ceasefire designed to enable the evacuation of civilians from the city. they said one soldier was killed and another six were wounded when russian troops fired on a car that was being driven towards the area where civilians were sheltering. if you want to find out the election result in your area ? head to the bbc news website or bbc news app ? and enter your postcode. you'll also find lots of election analysis and the latest reports from our teams around the country. now back to election 2022. welcome back to the bbc election studio. a few reflections over the next half an hour. the note from sir john curtice, professor sirjohn curtice, our expert on northern ireland to start with, because this is worth underlining. on the basis of the ten constituencies whose first preference votes have been declared, saysjohn, we are now forecasting that sinn fein will emerge as the party with the highest vote in the new northern ireland assembly. that of course in itself is a matter of history being made. so that's northern ireland. ten constituencies in, plenty more to come. that is sirjohn curtice's forecast along with the rest of the team, so it opens all kinds of questions about the future of the administration at stormont, and sinn fein having the right to nominate the first minister in michelle o'neill, and whether the unionists will take part in that process. they have suggested in the past they are not quite sure. so that's a very important development. and secondly of course, to think about the performance of the conservatives in england and where they have made losses, to what extent labour has been responsible, the lib dems and the greens. it is fair to say that we are now in a position to say that looking at the conservative performance, it does appear to be weaker at this end of the day then it appeared at the start of the day. so to have another look at these figures, and before i discuss that with vicky, because we have been talking about how we judge the conservative performance at this stage of the day, let's join reeta again for a look at some of these results. over to you. the scoreboard very much reinforces what you have just been saying, it is a snapshot of where we are now, the state of the parties. and as you see, labour has picked up 59 councillors. the conservatives, as you say, down quite considerably from where they were at the beginning of the day. they have lost 283 councillors. the bulk of those, i think almost all of them, in the south and slightly towards the east of england as well. labour in that case between the two parties the winner, in inverted commas, but look at the performance of the liberal democrats, they have gained nearly three times as many councillors as labour, and the greens on plus 52 have gained almost as many councillors as labour. so that will be pretty sobering for them. you mentioned some of the key results that have come in this afternoon. here are some of them. north yorkshire, this is a new unitary authority that has been set up, and it is a conservative when. but notionally, given the demographics and the electoral demographics of that area, notionally the conservatives should have had a 21 seat majority in north yorkshire. actually they have a four seat majority. so although they have won it they have rather squeaked home, lost control of huntingdonshire wherejohn major had his westminster seat. west oxfordshire where david cameron had his westminster seat, and also wokingham. so all of those three councils have now gone into no overall control. kirklees in west yorkshire. this is a labour gain from no overall control. ijust want to show you some of the figures behind that result. so as you can see, labour have a majority of three seats on kirklees council. but i want to show you something strange here. they have added two seats to their tally, here. they have added two seats to theirtally, come here. they have added two seats to their tally, come top of the share chart but actually lost share on last time the seats were fought. so what is that? is that because labour voters in some areas have stayed at home, or haven't voted labour? although there were strong enough in those wards to still hang the seats, it is curious that although it is a labour gain, theirshare it is curious that although it is a labour gain, their share change has actually gone down. so that's quite interesting. i will take you back to my list again. they have lost control of hastings, and that's due to a surge in support for the greens in hastings. and for the liberal democrats, as i was saying, they've had a good night and day of it, particularly in the south of england. they have gained woking and also won westmorland, and westmorland is another one of four new local authorities that have been fought over in this election. thank you, really useful to see the spread of the... the geographical spread of the... the geographical spread of the results affecting the conservatives and the factors at play. i'm going to be a bit daring or a bit provocative now, and say have we been in danger, certainly earlier today, whereas the day goes on, of underplaying the extent of the conservative losses? we have heard lots of conservatives coming on the programme and saying of course we expected london, we didn't expect westminster, but we expected some losses in london. but elsewhere the general message is it has not been too bad, really. that's been the kind of message. actually it has been quite bad, and the more we see of these results we realise that the kind of 3% gap we were talking about earlier, which is now the 5% gap in the p and s is telling is a rather different story about the tories' performance. different story about the tories' performance-— different story about the tories' performance. different story about the tories' erformance. ., ., , performance. you are right, it is in their interests _ performance. you are right, it is in their interests to _ performance. you are right, it is in their interests to underplay - performance. you are right, it is in their interests to underplay it, i performance. you are right, it is in their interests to underplay it, and| their interests to underplay it, and beforehand their expectation management, they talked about losing over 500 seats. i don't think anybody thought that was going to happen, if that did happen it would be really bad news, but we are heading to over 300 seat losses in england. the rest will come later on. but you know, it will end up being a very bad on. but you know, it will end up being a very had set of election results for the conservatives. if you look at it in terms of labour's performance, they've done ok but not brilliantly, and lots of people say they have done nowhere near well enough to seize control of the general election. but actually, if you look at the combined opposition to the tories, which is of course the lib dems doing extremely well, the lib dems doing extremely well, the greens doing pretty well, plus labour, then it shows you what the conservatives are up against. and if you are a conservative mp, and many of these southern english seats, you are going to be pretty worried. there are places when they might not even have lost the council, the conservatives, as we saw in north yorkshire, but they are losing an awful lot of councillors. so there is definitely a very obvious move against the conservative party. we are going to have that in scotland and wales as well, maybe not as marked, but certainly in england, and that's going to cause a lot of concern. the question for boris johnson, he will look at his own position, is he safe? at the moment it doesn't look as if conservative mps are willing to move against him but i don't think this will help the atmosphere that there was in parliament, after all the talk about party gait, they were very unhappy about that. they have to decide on an alternative leader and at the moment they haven't decided on that and that more than anything else at the moment is probably what is keeping borisjohnson in hisjob. vicki young, thank you for that. what i'd like to do now is take a quick look and remind ourselves what is going on in wales, let's look at the welsh councils and the state of the welsh councils and the state of the parties there. we are not halfway it in terms of councils declared. nine out of 22 local authorities in wales, labour at the moment in terms of councillors up 29. the independents are down 21, plaid cymru up five, the tories are down 27, and the lib dems up ten, the greens up four, and if you look at the councils themselves, labour having added one council in terms of control, plaid cymru on one, no change, the independence having lost two and conservatives and lib dems on no control at the moment. lots of hung councils in wales going into the selections. there are five at the selections. there are five at the moment, they have added one. i want to look at the result in blaenau gwent, this will be known to many viewers as ebbw vale, it is known delight be known as blaenau gwent for a long time now, back to its welsh name, labour on 21 seats. the independents on 12. there was a very big independent group there last time in charge of running the council there. the other parties on none at all. a majority of nine. look at what has happened to the labour vote. they have put on 12 seats, which is a very significant move there on blaenau gwent council, the independent group down 11 complied country down one, so a pretty significant shift in blaenau gwent, which mark drakeford and his team will be very happy with in cardiff, surveying the scene, and one of mark drakeford's ministerial colleagues, i'm pleased to say, vaughan gething, isjoining us now from cardiff. vaughan gething, thank you forjoining us and waiting to talk to us. let's have your readout of where you are in wales now. i think it's a good performance so far from a welsh labour point of view. in local elections it is always a more difficult fight between established parties and independents. in blaenau gwent i think that's a good result for us you have highlighted. but when it comes to the direct labour and conservative fights we appear to be doing particularly well. i have knocked doors in over half the authorities in wales as part of this campaign and there have been some consistent messages, both local issues that you can't replicate anywhere else, and i think three national teams that have really come over to me. one is the pandemic, if i'm on the doorstep people talk about it, but in particular people have talked about notjust the covid response in comparison to england, they've talked about the cost of living crisis and they have also talked about the prime minister not being an honest man. so those things are all combining in different ways, together with what i think has been a fantastic campaign on the ground by activists across the country. where is the sharpest confrontation you can pinpoint for us between labour and the conservatives in wales? if you look in the city of cardiff, and north cardiff in particular, we are seeing gains that i think at the top of our expectations.— i think at the top of our expectations. i think at the top of our exectations. ~ ., , ., , ., expectations. we won seats in a coule of expectations. we won seats in a couple of areas _ expectations. we won seats in a couple of areas and _ expectations. we won seats in a couple of areas and may - expectations. we won seats in a couple of areas and may win i expectations. we won seats in a | couple of areas and may win one expectations. we won seats in a i couple of areas and may win one in another area. you may know the geography, your viewers may or may not, but that is very significant in terms of the fight. and in seats which are marginal when it comes to a general election. i think that's good news for us, and in north wales in denbighshire we are the largest party. a really dreadful result for the tories, going from being the largest party to being the fourth party in denbighshire and labour is now the largest party, including a number of seats that went to the conservatives in the 2019 general election. the movement has shifted towards us when it comes to the labour and conservative contests. i look forward to seeing more of those results across bridgend in the vale of glamorgan and others as well. we are just looking at the denbighshire results, as you were speaking, underlining the fact and showing a labour gain of three seats, independents up four, the tories down nine, the greens up two. part of the red wall that we talked about and the fact that the tories, as you say, in 2019 made inroads into areas that had been rock—solid labourfor a long time, do you think that was a blip? is that gone now, or is the threat still there for you from the tories? there is definitely still a risk. ., ., ., ., ., , risk. you will not hear me or any labour risk. you will not hear me or any labour figure — risk. you will not hear me or any labour figure locally _ risk. you will not hear me or any labour figure locally or - risk. you will not hear me or any| labour figure locally or nationally take for granted we will win all of those seats back in a general election. it will still be really competitive. but it does show we are not in the position we were in 2019. that is real progress for us in wales and really important if we are going to have a uk labour government in the next general election. the good news is a year ago we won a number of those constituencies in the senedd election results. real progress being reinforced here, and when people see labour versus conservative on a constituency level in a general election these results give us real cause for optimism and something to build on moving forward. we mentioned cardiff and wrexham, obviously they are urban areas. �* , ., , , areas. i'm 'ust wondering because labour areas. i'mjust wondering because labour traditionally _ areas. i'mjust wondering because labour traditionally in _ areas. i'mjust wondering because labour traditionally in wales i areas. i'mjust wondering because labour traditionally in wales has l labour traditionally in wales has also had a presence in more rural areas, let's say carmarthenshire, for example. how have you done there? it for example. how have you done there? , ., , for example. how have you done there? , . , ., , , there? it is a mixed set of results and they are _ there? it is a mixed set of results and they are not _ there? it is a mixed set of results and they are not all _ there? it is a mixed set of results and they are not all complete i there? it is a mixed set of results| and they are not all complete yet. there? it is a mixed set of results i and they are not all complete yet. i think we will see some gains, it is a coalition between plaid cymru and independents, so it will be interesting to see where it lands. and in pembrokeshire there are two conservative seats covering pembrokeshire and one straddling carmarthenshire, as you know. so seeing that set of results, not how many we have won by the overall share will be important for us to understand if we are on track to be competitive in those constituencies come a uk general election. but i think this will be a good set of results for labour in wales, adding to the uk wide picture where we are making gains overall. lode to the uk wide picture where we are making gains overall.— making gains overall. we are 'ust lookinr making gains overall. we are 'ust looking again �* making gains overall. we are 'ust looking again at i making gains overall. we are 'ust looking again at the i making gains overall. we are just l looking again at the pembrokeshire result showing two gains for you and plaid cymru down four and the lib dems up to end, because just looking at a uk level and overnight people were looking at labour's gains and were looking at labour's gains and we were talking to emily thornberry and other colleagues of yours, but sirjohn curtice who is our respected expert on these things, was saying that labour's performance overnight, while being a winning performance in the sense that it is five points ahead on the projected national chef, is nonetheless not a performance that is pointing towards a general election victory at this point, and for that reason you shouldn't get too excited. do you accept that? i shouldn't get too excited. do you accept that?— accept that? i think we can be nositive accept that? i think we can be positive without _ accept that? i think we can be positive without being - accept that? i think we can be positive without being overlyl positive without being overly excited. we know that the road between here and a general election there is quite a lot of ground to cover. the local elections can only tell you part of the story. as i was saying on the doorstep there are lots of very local issues that are invoked as' mines when going to vote and in a general election you will not have a group of independents who are real contenders to win the seats, so the arithmetic in the way people think is different, and i've had on many doorsteps, people are prepared to vote to support local candidates in this election, including some conservatives, but would not countenance voting conservative in a general election. for us it shows the picture that we are moving the right direction. of course there is more to do but i also think it is a poor night for the conservatives. vaughan gething, many thanks forjoining us, the minister in cardiff, moron of mark drakeford's cabinet in “ one —— one of mark drakeford's cabinet. let's ta ke let's take a look at the parties in northern ireland, currently sinn fein on first preferences, up 2%, 27%, 13 of 18 constituencies declared and the dup, 23%, down 6%, and the alliance party which does not take a stance on the constitutional future of northern ireland on 15%, and the ulster unionists on 11%, the traditional unionists on 11%, the traditional unionist voice on 8%, a significant rise for them of 5% and the sdlp on 8%, down 3%. it is interesting to look at the seats, if we look at that, 15 of 90 in the assembly, sinn fein on ten as we stand and the dup on two, the alliance on two and the uup on one and i suppose in that sense, vicki young, when we look towards the rest of the evening, we don't want to get viewers to excited that we are going to get a complete set of results from northern ireland within a couple of hours because it is not going to happen, it will be into the early hours, probably, but just to underline for people joining us, sirjohn curtice has already said we are looking at history being made in northern ireland, we are looking at sinn fein, for the first time, topping the polls, and then we are into really quite a bit of a headache, i would are into really quite a bit of a headache, iwould have are into really quite a bit of a headache, i would have thought, around formation probably of —— possibly of a new administration and what happens to that problematic protocol that we were discussing earlier. we really are seeing history in the making in northern ireland. �* ., history in the making in northern ireland. �* ~' ., history in the making in northern ireland. �* ~ ., , ireland. and i think for the people of northern _ ireland. and i think for the people of northern ireland, _ ireland. and i think for the people of northern ireland, the _ ireland. and i think for the people of northern ireland, the main i ireland. and i think for the people | of northern ireland, the main thing would be a functioning stormont assembly which of course they have not had for a long time and i think the westminster government, above all, would like that to happen. it is worth explaining how it works, of course, if sinn fein were to be the biggest party, they would have the first minister but you have to have the deputy first minister as well so you have to make sure that they are involved, the unionists, and they nominate as well and of course the problem has been that the northern ireland protocol, and it is all to do with the brexit agreement of course, it means there are checks on goods going from great britain into northern ireland and it has caused an awful lot of unhappiness. the unionist community are completely against it and they want the westminster government to do something about it and the big question is, what will they do about it? i was told not very long ago that there would be something in the quaint�*s speech, a specific bill allowing ministers in westminster to override parts of the protocol. —— in the queen's speech. incredibly controversial, certainly the eu thought so, and now we are told that is not going to be the case but there will be some wedding around upholding the good friday agreement but it is how far they are going to go with that and how far they are going to go to resolve this issue and you feel until that happens, getting stormont up and running so they can function and spend money on they can function and spend money on the things that people want it to be spent on, like everywhere else, there is a cost of living crisis there, too, that is what they need to happen but that might not be resolved for many months. that countinr resolved for many months. that counting is _ resolved for many months. that counting is still _ resolved for many months. that counting is still going _ resolved for many months. that counting is still going on and let's go to county londonderry now, and tara mills is there, what is the latest you have? it tara mills is there, what is the latest you have?— latest you have? it is a very unusual _ latest you have? it is a very unusual election _ latest you have? it is a very unusual election but - latest you have? it is a very unusual election but of i latest you have? it is a very i unusual election but of course, as you only know too well, northern ireland is politically a very unusual place because we are going through the motions, we have the highs and lows, the cheers and the sobs in the background, but yet we are not sure if there will be a functioning executive, as vicki young spoke about, that will be up and running come next week so in very simple terms, michelle o'neill, the northern leader of sinn fein, has topped the poll in her constituency, jeffrey donaldson has done the same in his constituency, of course, the dup leader but it is much more complicated than that but the big story i think out of this election, there is no question, no matter what happens in the weeks and months ahead, the big story from this election will be the potential of a sinn fein first minister. i spoke to michelle o'neill a short time ago and she said she was not going to predict that at this stage but it looks highly likely. let’s but it looks highly likely. let's think about _ but it looks highly likely. let's think about the _ but it looks highly likely. let's think about the issue - but it looks highly likely. let's think about the issue that i but it looks highly likely. let's think about the issue that vicki young was mentioning, there, the issues opened up by the direction of this election, if you like and the fact that sirjohn curtice was telling us earlier that sinn fein are looking to top the poll, what do you think the likely course of events is going to be in the next few weeks? that is to say, with the actual, practical logistics of trying to put an administration in place and to get agreement on that. how do you see it going? it is incredibly _ how do you see it going? it is incredibly difficult _ how do you see it going? it 3 incredibly difficult and actually, it was the conservative northern ireland secretary brandon lewis who really put the cat among the pigeons on wednesday night by saying as vicki young explained there that we were expecting this legislation that would allow some kind of overriding of the protocol. that now appears to have gone away. really unusual timing, quite extraordinary for a conservative minister to come on the airwaves the night before a country decides in terms of the election but if we set that to one side for the moment, what is supposed to happen in an ideal scenario where we did not have all of these other factors, then there would be, the parties would be back at stormont on monday, they would have eight days to put together, nominate a first minister and deputy first minister and then there is this complicated process where they divvy up the ministerial posts, but that looks highly unlikely to happen. we have already had the mood music from jeffrey donaldson, in fact, had the mood music from jeffrey donaldson, infact, even had the mood music from jeffrey donaldson, in fact, even getting the sense he is a westminster mp as well, getting the sense he won't even give up his westminster seat so he may well not take his seat at stormont. ., ., he may well not take his seat at stormont-— he may well not take his seat at stormont. ., ,, , ., ., ., , stormont. thank you for 'oining us. and a last little i stormont. thank you for 'oining us. and a last little thing i stormont. thank you for 'oining us. and a last little thing on i stormont. thank you forjoining us. and a last little thing on timings, . and a last little thing on timings, how is it looking in terms of completing declarations, do you think? it completing declarations, do you think? , , . . ., think? it is difficult. we have these kind — think? it is difficult. we have these kind of— think? it is difficult. we have these kind of timings - think? it is difficult. we have these kind of timings from i think? it is difficult. we have. these kind of timings from the think? it is difficult. we have i these kind of timings from the last time around, which has all gone up in the air. we have a couple of very tight seats. as you know it is proportional representation, stv election so the seats in each of the 18 constituencies will be absolutely critical so i will give you an instance, in foil, there is a dup and a uup candidate and at the minute they are neck and neck and they have called for a recount at this stage and that is only at the first stage so it could go well into the night. first stage so it could go well into the nirht. ., ., first stage so it could go well into the nirht. . ~ ,, first stage so it could go well into the nirht. ., ~' ,, ., ., , the night. thank you for 'oining us. let's no the night. thank you for 'oining us. lot-s go o_ the night. thank you for 'oining us. lot-s go to t the night. thank you for 'oining us. let's go over to belfast i the night. thank you forjoining us. let's go over to belfast and - the night. thank you forjoining us. let's go over to belfast and join i let's go over to belfast and join annita mcveigh with a guest to talk to. thank you very much. we have just had a couple more results come in in the last few minutes, in the constituency of southdown, two mlas elected for sinn fein, sinead ennis with 14,381 votes, which was more than 5000 votes above the quota required to get elected so a huge result for fein, there. and of course, we have seen professor sir john curtice saying that on the basis of constituencies declared so far, that we are forecasting that sinn fein will indeed emerge as the biggest party in the northern ireland assembly. with me now is gerry kelly from sinn fein. thank you forjoining us. re—elected yourself in north belfast, so you must be very pleased with the results coming insofar, are you confident that sinn fein is indeed going to emerge as the biggest party at the end of the count? inunleii. going to emerge as the biggest party at the end of the count?— at the end of the count? well, i mean, at the end of the count? well, i mean. this _ at the end of the count? well, i mean. this is — at the end of the count? well, i mean, this is pr _ at the end of the count? well, i mean, this is pr so _ at the end of the count? well, i mean, this is pr so it _ at the end of the count? well, i mean, this is pr so it takes i at the end of the count? well, i l mean, this is pr so it takes quite at the end of the count? well, i i mean, this is pr so it takes quite a while, it will go on to the middle of the night but so for i'm very pleased with how we have done, in north belfast, southdown in a number of other constituencies, winning on first preference votes so i think it reflects... we went out to the electorate, saying what we need is the cost of living crisis and the health system, we need money and resources put into that and we have to have a government to do that. we want to be able to set up the executive and move forward on that basis. on every door, they were talking about the cost of living and i presume that is true across both islands. so we know what the issues are. it is getting to work. we islands. so we know what the issues are. it is getting to work.— are. it is getting to work. we are forecasting _ are. it is getting to work. we are forecasting higher _ are. it is getting to work. we are forecasting higher share - are. it is getting to work. we are forecasting higher share and i are. it is getting to work. we are forecasting higher share and we | are. it is getting to work. we are i forecasting higher share and we have to wait to see if that translates into the highest number of seats but certainly that is what the polls have been indicating. colum eastwood, the leader of the sdlp, was speaking to colleagues on bbc northern ireland earlier, and he was a little bit downbeat, i think it is fair to say. he felt the party was perhaps suffering because nationalist voters were lending their votes, nationalist voters were lending theirvotes, or giving nationalist voters were lending their votes, or giving their votes, in terms of first preference, to sinn fein because nationalist raw want to see a nationalist politician in the position of first minister. —— nationalists want to see. do you think that is part of what we are seeing here with these huge numbers for sinn fein? i seeing here with these huge numbers for sinn fein?— for sinn fein? i have to be frank, i think it is — for sinn fein? i have to be frank, i think it is an _ for sinn fein? i have to be frank, i think it is an excuse _ for sinn fein? i have to be frank, i think it is an excuse for— for sinn fein? i have to be frank, i think it is an excuse for his - think it is an excuse for his strategy and what the sdlp are doing, we did not ask for anybody, we did not ask to borrow anybody�*s vote, we spoke about our policies and where we wanted to go and that we wanted to work together. they had the chance to do that, that this could be a very important election and people came out and voted for us, in fact, they were telling us on the door is what we had been saying ourselves before the election. this was quite a long election, six weeks before the vote. i don't accept it is a borrowed vote because we do not ask for borrowed votes, we asked for people to vote on our view of the issues and they voted for us in much more numbers than they voted for the sdlp. �* , ., , ., . ., sdlp. and the dup has made it clear it does not want _ sdlp. and the dup has made it clear it does not want to _ sdlp. and the dup has made it clear it does not want to return _ sdlp. and the dup has made it clear it does not want to return to - sdlp. and the dup has made it clear it does not want to return to the i it does not want to return to the assembly unless its concerns about the protocol are addressed so at the end of the day, we are going through this voting and counting process and when i spoke to voters on tuesday in antrim, they all said to me, what they wanted first and foremost, irrespective of political background, is a functioning assembly so how on earth are all of you as politicians, whatever party you as politicians, whatever party you are from, going to get to that point? you are from, going to get to that noint? ~ ., ., you are from, going to get to that noint? ~ . ., ., you are from, going to get to that noint? . ., ., ., ., point? well, we have had a long histo of point? well, we have had a long history of having _ point? well, we have had a long history of having difficulties i point? well, we have had a long history of having difficulties and | history of having difficulties and we have always been able to sort them out. the dup has to be involved in that. the parties that are doing well are the parties who were talking about, let's get together and put the executive together and get a government. for the first time in over 20 years we are getting a three—year budget and the dup has to be involved in that. but three-year budget and the dup has to be involved in that.— be involved in that. but there has been huge _ be involved in that. but there has been huge periods _ be involved in that. but there has been huge periods of _ be involved in that. but there has| been huge periods of dysfunction, haven't they? you have had civil servants making decisions rather than elected representatives. pond servants making decisions rather than elected representatives. and we have a history. _ than elected representatives. and we have a history. if— than elected representatives. and we have a history, if we _ than elected representatives. and we have a history, if we go _ than elected representatives. and we have a history, if we go back, - than elected representatives. and we have a history, if we go back, we i have a history, if we go back, we want to go back in history, we have a history where unionism used to be a history where unionism used to be a very dominant force. the demographics have changed and people's policies have changed, social issues have changed, and the dup are suffering from that in this election so they need to know, they call themselves the democratic unionist party, but you have to listen to democracy and accept the result of this vote. the election is now over and they need to be a part of what ever going forward is. based on the good friday agreement and the other agreements.— other agreements. briefly because we're almost _ other agreements. briefly because we're almost out _ other agreements. briefly because we're almost out of _ other agreements. briefly because we're almost out of time, - other agreements. briefly because we're almost out of time, alliance | we're almost out of time, alliance leader naomi long told me a while ago that the process and system of stormont needs to be reconfigured to incentivise cooperation. would you welcome that? the incentivise cooperation. would you welcome that?— welcome that? the good friday agreement _ welcome that? the good friday agreement was _ welcome that? the good friday agreement was a _ welcome that? the good friday agreement was a very - welcome that? the good friday agreement was a very hard i agreement was a very hard instrument, a very hard agreement to come to. it was on the basis of a long period of conflict. it was on the basis of the history of the north of ireland and the relationship between ireland and britain. we got the good friday agreement under parties and the majority of the people voted on it, there was a referendum and it is a bespoke process to move forward and thatis bespoke process to move forward and that is the way we should move forward. just because the dup, political unionism aren't going to change that, i don't think that is an argument for changing it. thank ou for an argument for changing it. thank you forjoining _ an argument for changing it. thank you forjoining us. _ an argument for changing it. thank you forjoining us. the _ an argument for changing it. thank you forjoining us. the good i an argument for changing it. thank you forjoining us. the good friday agreement, it was set up to encourage power sharing. it hasn't always worked all the time, as i said, there have been periods when the stormont assembly has gone into the stormont assembly has gone into the deep freeze, effectively, civil servants have been making the decisions. trying to unpick that could be difficult but nonetheless, these parties that have up to now had to designate themselves as others rather than as unionists or nationalists, they are saying, maybe it is time for a change, to reflect that vote in northern ireland. we will be keeping across all of the results when they come in and try to keep you up—to—date with them. back to you. we will have more from you later as more results come in. many thanks. annita mcveigh in belfast, there. a look at the state of the parties in scotland. let's remind ourselves what is going on there, with 29 of the 32 local authorities declared so virtually a full set of results with the scottish national party again dominant, 434 councillors having added 23 to the tally. labour up 19, very much in second place, pushing the tories down to third place on 196, having lost 61 councillors in scotland and then we have the independents and the lib dems have gained 20 and the greens 13. in terms of councils being controlled, the independents are hanging on three, the snp right now are controlling one, having gained one, and labour having gained one, and the conservatives and the lib dems are none, and hung councils in scotland, by far the biggest group, 24 of them, down two. so let's look at the key wards. the vast majority of the key wards, these are the ones that hold a special significance, they have been selected to show us maybe which way the wind is blowing in a more focused way, based on the selected wards, with the snp on 34% of the vote, up 2%. that is based on a comparison with the last time they were contested. labour on 22%. that underlines the fact labour is back in second place in terms the parties in scotland, as anas sarwar was telling us a short while ago. the tories under douglas ross have gone down to 19%, they have lost 6% in those key wards based on a comparison with last time. so at the top of the list, as before, and indeed having strengthened the position on the basis of that analysis, the scottish national party command their leader at westminster is ian blackford. he has shown remarkable patience waiting to talk to us this afternoon, so i'm grateful to you for waiting to us. just your overview first of all, rather than you telling us how well you have done, i'd ratheryou you telling us how well you have done, i'd rather you give us an overview of what scottish politics looks like this evening. the overview of what scottish politics looks like this evening.— overview of what scottish politics looks like this evening. the snp has been in government _ looks like this evening. the snp has been in government for _ looks like this evening. the snp has been in government for a _ looks like this evening. the snp has been in government for a very i looks like this evening. the snp has been in government for a very long l been in government for a very long time, been in government in holyrood since 2007, and over the course of the last few years we have increased our vote and our representation. at holyrood, local council level, and we've done it again tonight and i'm so pleased we now have overall majority in dundee and increased our presence really up—and—down the country. i think what the people of scotland have done is given a clear message to borisjohnson and for the conservative government that we want action to deal with the cost of living crisis. people are really suffering, suffering to put food on the table, the choice between feeding and heating and we need cash help for families and businesses to come forward now. we have the opportunity next week in the queen's speech. secondly, ithink opportunity next week in the queen's speech. secondly, i think people have reflected on partygate that when everyone else was following the rules, making enormous sacrifices over the covid period, that it was one rule for the rest of us and another rule for borisjohnson, and that culture of partying that was going on at westminster. poor douglas ross, who seems to have flip—flopped between asking boris johnson to go and asking him to stay, and i saw your interview with him earlier, and he doesn't seem to know what he is asking borisjohnson to do. now let me be clear on behalf of those who have voted in the election in scotland today, boris johnson has to go. we cannot have a prime minister has repeatedly lied to parliament, that has acted in a way that he has mis—abused the trust that was putting him of being prime minister of the united kingdom, and if there is one lesson out of today, thatis if there is one lesson out of today, that is that borisjohnson has to go. the second lesson for us is that we have won this election, reaffirming the case that the people of scotland have got that right to determine their own future. my government led by the first minister nicola sturgeon has an absolute commitment based on that mandate given to us last year at the scottish elections of making sure that the people of scotland have that the people of scotland have that opportunity to vote in an independence referendum of taking us away from the sleaze and corruption of westminster and allowing us to become an independent country, and one that will be back in the family of nations in the european union. you mentioned party gait, i'm bound to ask, because we are asking people for reaction, we surprised durham police have announced they are a reopening or revisiting the issue around sir keir starmer and what people are calling ba gait, having at one point looked at it and said they didn't think there was anything to pursue was marketed that surprise you today? let to pursue was marketed that surprise ou toda ? to pursue was marketed that surprise outoda ? . you today? let me say, if the police have gathered _ you today? let me say, if the police have gathered evidence _ you today? let me say, if the police have gathered evidence that - you today? let me say, if the police i have gathered evidence that suggests they need to make inquiries then of course they should do that. the let's make a distinction between what may have gone on here and whether or not there is a case to be answered, because we are talking about the culture at westminster, the prime minister responsible, not just for putting rules and laws in place, and we know they systematically broke those laws, we know that more than 50 people have been fined for their behaviour around downing street, and the fact that we know this investigation has not finished running its course, there is more to come, and of course we are waiting on the sue gray report. it is that endemic culture and the fact that the prime minister is asking people to behave in a certain way, that they couldn't be with their loved ones when they were dying in hospital, couldn't be with them in care homes, couldn't even attend family funerals properly, and yet we know that the prime minister, through his office, was instigating a culture where people were being invited to parties. there is no equivalence with what may have happened elsewhere. but of course everyone has to be held accountable under the law. it is clear that the behaviour in downing street is not acceptable. flan behaviour in downing street is not acce table. . , acceptable. can i 'ust return, ifi ma , for acceptable. can i 'ust return, ifi may. forthis — acceptable. can ijust return, ifi may, for this final— acceptable. can ijust return, ifi may, for this final question - acceptable. can ijust return, ifi may, for this final question to i may, for this final question to scottish politics and the future of scotland. can we take it, that given your performance in the local elections, you have come out on top again and added a few percentage points, which in the rules of politics and governments and parties that are in powerfor a long time, is in itself something of note, can we take it that it is now full steam ahead with those plans for a referendum on independence, and that there is absolutely no holding you back on that? it is there is absolutely no holding you back on that?— back on that? it is full steam ahead, back on that? it is full steam ahead. the — back on that? it is full steam ahead, the boiler _ back on that? it is full steam ahead, the boiler has - back on that? it is full steam ahead, the boiler has been i back on that? it is full steam - ahead, the boiler has been stoked, and i can say to you that our government in edinburgh will publish a number of papers over the course of the coming months and we will be getting out, consulting with people, listening to people and having the debate about what kind of country people want to live in, one where we accept our responsibility is to deliver on the promise of green energy but to have an industrial strategy that sits alongside that, driving investment into the economy, dealing with poverty and contrasting what we are doing, increasing the scottish child payment up to £25, trying to make a difference for people that are struggling, and that vision of a wealthy scotland, one where we take our responsibilities to eradicate poverty. i'm looking forward to having that debate, and certainly our commitment to the people of scotland as we want to make sure we have that referendum on independence. whether it is boris johnson or his successor in westminster, any government in westminster, any government in westminster has got to respect democracy, has got to respect that in election after election people in scotland speak out and make it clear that they want that choice, to have that they want that choice, to have that say on their future, and woe betide anybody in westminster that seeks to do my democracy. ian blackford. _ seeks to do my democracy. ian blackford, good to talk to you again, thank you very much. the westminster leader of the scottish national party, our thanks to him. let's catch up with a few of these results are still coming in from the english councils. we havejust results are still coming in from the english councils. we have just got seven minutes or so left on air. reeta chakrabarti, back to you. i have one very eye—catching result, a glimmer of a silver lining in the otherwise dark cloud that is london for the conservatives, they have gained harrow from the labour party. this on a night when they have lost westminster, wandsworth and barnet, they have gained harrow. it has been labour since 2010 but they now have a majority on the council of seven seats. it is really interesting because in neighbouring boroughs like hillingdon and ealing we have seen the labour party going forwards, but in harrow, take a look at this, this is the seat change, the conservatives have swooped in and swiped eight seats off labour. a good news story for them in harrow, in stark contrast to a lot of other performance in london. reeta, thank you very much again, that result from harrow is in contrast with some of the others we have seen. we mentioned earlier the projected national share, and sirjohn curtice was explaining that to us, giving labour a five—point lead based on the projection thatjohn and the team had come up with. how would that translate into a house of commons scenario? the figures are going to go up on the screen for you and i'm going to askjohn to talk to them. talk us through these figures. we have taken the projected national share but then we have also taken into account the fact that we know from quite a few occasions over the last two decades when a general and local election has been held on the same day that people don't necessarily vote in the same way. and in particular liberal democrats tend to do better in local elections than they do in a general election held on the same day. so we have taken the historical experience, and, as it were, applied it to those estimates of labour 35, conservative 30, liberal democrat i9 estimates of labour 35, conservative 30, liberal democrat 19 that you saw a few hours earlier. that gives us, as it were, a revised set of likely votes for the parties and then we have used those to project what might the house of commons look like. this is what our former colleague peter snow would have called a little bit of fun. but as we are getting to the end of the programme we thought this was perhaps the do you moment to do so. in a sense it makes a serious point. crucial point number one is that the labour party on this performance isn't likely at the moment to be in a position to win an overall majority. but that said, it is in a position to have many more seats than the conservatives. and on the kind of performance we saw in yesterday's ballot boxes, the conservatives would have no prospect of being able to remain in office. labour's chances would depend on its ability to reach a deal with the other smaller parties. what i invite you to note is that if you add the labour figure of 291 and liberal democrat figure of 31 you get to 322, which means, once you take into account the fact that sinn fein don't take all their seats, and any sdlp mps that get elected from northern ireland will vote with labour, that probably, probably, sir keir starmer, mightjust have enough support from the liberal democrats, if he can get it, without having to look to the snp. if that were to happen, the implications would be that if he wished to deny the snp a second referendum he might be able to do so. but the liberal democrats will have their own price and it is widely thought that that would be a referendum on proportional representation. i will let labour members and voters decide which of those two options is to be preferred. but they both of course would potentially have important implications for the long—term future of the labour party, if not necessarily for sir keir starmer himself. , ., ., ., necessarily for sir keir starmer himself. ., ., ., , himself. great to have you with us toda . himself. great to have you with us today- thanks _ himself. great to have you with us today. thanks a _ himself. great to have you with us today. thanks a lot, _ himself. great to have you with us today. thanks a lot, john, - himself. great to have you with us today. thanks a lot, john, again . himself. great to have you with us l today. thanks a lot, john, again and we may talk later in the evening. but for now i'm going to say thank you, thank you to reeta at the touch screen for taking us through the results. she will be back with us at seven o'clock on the bbc news channel. a final word on simply have just picked up as well? just channel. a final word on simply have just picked up as well?— just picked up as well? just picking u . just picked up as well? just picking u- at what just picked up as well? just picking up at what he _ just picked up as well? just picking up at what he was _ just picked up as well? just picking up at what he was saying, - just picked up as well? just picking up at what he was saying, a - just picked up as well? just picking up at what he was saying, a bit - just picked up as well? just picking up at what he was saying, a bit of. up at what he was saying, a bit of fun and of course, but that's 112 seats lost for the conservatives under that estimate compared to the 2019 election, and that's the kind of thing that makes conservative mps very unhappy. a lot of them will look at the results today thinking that actually it has been a worse night than they were expecting. they will be very worried about the encroachment of the liberal democrats in many of those seats and they will feel under pressure, and that in turn puts the prime minister under pressure. we will have to see whether they actually act on it because that is not guaranteed. indeed. thank you very much again. back at seven o'clock on the bbc news channel. sophie will be here at six o'clock with bbc news at six. but the analysis continues. plenty of it on bbc news online as well. but from all of the team on bbc election day 2022, thank you for watching and bye for now. hello and welcome to bbc news. i'm jane hill with continuing coverage of the election results and further analysis between now and six. borisjohnson has admitted the conservative party's had a "tough night" in some parts of england in the local elections. labour has taken the london boroughs of westminster, wandsworth and barnet from the tories. but outside the capital, labour gains have been modest. the lib dems and the greens have made gains. the results in scotland, wales and northern ireland are starting to come through — with the full final picture unlikley until the early hours of tomorrow. lots to talk about, but first, jonathan blake has a round—up of all the election news. overnight success for labour in london as the first results came in. the party one councils they've never held in the capital as the conservatives lost long—held packets of control. celebrations in the sunshine for the labour leader, but there were questions early on about his party's limited gains further afield. . , ., his party's limited gains further afield. . ., his party's limited gains further afield. . , ., ., ., his party's limited gains further afield. . ., ., ., , afield. have you done enough outside london? this — afield. have you done enough outside london? this is _ afield. have you done enough outside london? this is a _ afield. have you done enough outside london? this is a massive _ afield. have you done enough outside london? this is a massive turning - london? this is a massive turning oint, london? this is a massive turning point. from _ london? this is a massive turning point. from the — london? this is a massive turning point, from the depths _ london? this is a massive turning point, from the depths of- london? this is a massive turning point, from the depths of 2019, i london? this is a massive turning. point, from the depths of 2019, we are back— point, from the depths of 2019, we are back on — point, from the depths of 2019, we are back on track now for the general— are back on track now for the general election, showing that change — general election, showing that change that we've done, the hard change _ change that we've done, the hard change we — change that we've done, the hard change we in the last two years. what _ change we in the last two years. what a — change we in the last two years. what a difference it has made. in what a difference it has made. cumbria, what a difference it has made. in cumbria, where they were labour did win control...

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