This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/may/06/uk-elections-sadiq-khan-ahead-in-london-mayoral-race-live-updates
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| UK elections: Sadiq Khan 'has won' London mayoral race - live updates | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.58pm BST | |
| 15:58 | |
| Khan 'has won without question', says Peter Kellner | |
| Here is out latest story on the London race. | |
| Related: Sadiq Khan pulls ahead of Zac Goldsmith in London mayoralty vote | |
| And it includes this quote from the pollster Peter Kellner. | |
| With almost 80% of first-preference votes counted, Sadiq has won without question. He is well ahead on the first count and that’s not going to change radically. | |
| 3.55pm BST | |
| 15:55 | |
| Tories would be largest party in a hung parliament on basis of these results, BBC says | |
| The BBC has broadcast figures showing a projection for what the House of Commons would look like if Britain voted in a general election today as it did in the local elections. Here are the figures. | |
| Conservatives: 301 | |
| Labour: 253 | |
| SNP: 53 | |
| Lib Dems: 19 | |
| Ukip: 1 | |
| Given that Labour are ahead of the Tories on projected national share of the vote (see 2.43pm), you may wonder why the Tories would be so far ahead. | |
| The explanation lies in the fact that currently the election system favours the Conservatives. They need fewer votes to win a seat in the Commons than Labour do. The system used to favour Labour, but underlying “bias” (if you can call it that) has changed. | |
| There are two key reasons for that. First, the collapse of Labour in Scotland means that, in a general election, they “waste” lots of votes there in seats they do not win. | |
| And, second, the collapse of the Lib Dems has helped the Tories. Previously the Tories used to “waste” a lot of vote in seats won by the Lib Dems, especially in the south west. But in 2015 the Lib Dems were wiped out in the south west, and almost everywhere else. | |
| 3.44pm BST | |
| 15:44 | |
| Tony Travers says Tory campaign in London probably backfired | |
| Robert Booth | |
| Prof Tony Travers, the London School of Economics professor and a sagacious commentator on London politics, has arrived at City Hall to shed light on the numbers as a Sadiq Khan victory looms. He’s interested in Khan being “the first Muslim mayor of a major western city, certainly in Europe” and what that says about London voters and Goldsmith’s campaign. | |
| He points out that with London having a 13% Muslim population, and a disproportionate number of them below voting age, if Khan gets 40%, then he must have a majority of non-Muslims among his supporters, “which might surprise some international observers”. | |
| Even if it comes across as quite self-satisfied, cosmopolitan London will be reflecting on this result that London is capable of putting race, religion and identity to one side. This is concrete evidence of that. | |
| Of Goldsmith’s campaign which was widely seen as “dog-whistling” about Khan’s religion, he said: | |
| For every one vote it gained it probably lost one or two. The Conservatives will have to have a postmortem. They would have been better hacking away at Jeremy Corbyn day and night as a strategy. | |
| Updated | |
| at 3.52pm BST | |
| 3.40pm BST | |
| 15:40 | |
| My colleague John Harris was at the Plymouth count last night. Here is his Anywhere but Westminster video about the election there. | |
| 3.39pm BST | |
| 15:39 | |
| In London the Tories have held the Bexley & Bromley seat in the London assembly. But their share of the vote was down seven points. Ukip are up 10 points. | |
| Updated | |
| at 3.53pm BST | |
| 3.38pm BST | |
| 15:38 | |
| Here is a Guardian clip of Ken Livingstone earlier defending his comments last week about Hitler. | |
| 3.36pm BST | |
| 15:36 | |
| Sadiq Khan 'will win London', BBC says | |
| John Curtice on the BBC says it is now “pretty clear” that Sadiq Khan will win in London. | |
| 3.34pm BST | |
| 15:34 | |
| Ken Livingstone, Labour’s former mayor of London, is on the BBC’s election programme and – yes, you’ve guessed it – he’s brought up Hitler again. To be fair, Jo Coburn, the presenter, asked him about last week’s row, and whether Livingstone’s comments damaged Sadiq Khan’s campaign in London. The tactful thing would have been to draw a line under the whole affair. But Livingstone said Khan could be forgiven for knowing little about this because he was just a boy when the Marxist Lenni Brenner published his book on the relationship between Zionism and Nazism. And then he was off on a Hitler history lecture … | |
| Here is the New Statesman’s George Eaton on the exchanges. | |
| Labour about to retake City Hall for first time since 2008. Ken reminding them how they lost it. | |
| Updated | |
| at 3.37pm BST | |
| 3.26pm BST | 3.26pm BST |
| 15:26 | 15:26 |
| Kezia Dugdale, Labour’s leader in Scotland, has sent an email to party members saying the party will keep fighting for its values. | Kezia Dugdale, Labour’s leader in Scotland, has sent an email to party members saying the party will keep fighting for its values. |
| We could have fought an election that was about the arguments of two years ago but we chose to stand up for what we believe in. We will keep standing for our belief that we can choose to be better than this. Despite the disappointment of the final results, hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens stood with us. I’ll keep fighting for our values. | We could have fought an election that was about the arguments of two years ago but we chose to stand up for what we believe in. We will keep standing for our belief that we can choose to be better than this. Despite the disappointment of the final results, hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens stood with us. I’ll keep fighting for our values. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.28pm BST | at 3.28pm BST |
| 3.24pm BST | 3.24pm BST |
| 15:24 | 15:24 |
| Jon Trickett, the shadow communities secretary and Labour’s local elections coordinator, told the World at One earlier that he did not agree with Ian Murray about Labour not being seen as a credible party of government under Jeremy Corbyn. (See 2.19pm.) Trickett said: | Jon Trickett, the shadow communities secretary and Labour’s local elections coordinator, told the World at One earlier that he did not agree with Ian Murray about Labour not being seen as a credible party of government under Jeremy Corbyn. (See 2.19pm.) Trickett said: |
| No, I don’t agree with that. We are a credible party, but it takes time to lay out a new direction. | No, I don’t agree with that. We are a credible party, but it takes time to lay out a new direction. |
| The truth is, there is a lot of work to do, and if Ian Murray is suggesting there is more work to do to establish Labour’s credibility on the economy, on jobs, on the cuts which have been experienced, on debt, and all the rest of it, well I think there is some more work to be done. | The truth is, there is a lot of work to do, and if Ian Murray is suggesting there is more work to do to establish Labour’s credibility on the economy, on jobs, on the cuts which have been experienced, on debt, and all the rest of it, well I think there is some more work to be done. |
| On the question of credibility, we have set out a clear economic programme now. There is more to do. We will, over the whole course of this parliament, lay out a credible programme to change this country. | On the question of credibility, we have set out a clear economic programme now. There is more to do. We will, over the whole course of this parliament, lay out a credible programme to change this country. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.27pm BST | at 3.27pm BST |
| 3.19pm BST | 3.19pm BST |
| 15:19 | 15:19 |
| Government abandons plans to force all schools to become academies | Government abandons plans to force all schools to become academies |
| While the news is dominated by the elections, the government has chosen this afternoon to announce a major U-turn over its plans to force schools to become academies. Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, is saying that schools that are good or outstanding will not be forced to become academies. | While the news is dominated by the elections, the government has chosen this afternoon to announce a major U-turn over its plans to force schools to become academies. Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, is saying that schools that are good or outstanding will not be forced to become academies. |
| This is not just a moderate concession; essentially the government is dropping its core proposal. It is doing so because many Tory MPs and Tory councils objected to the plans, as Jeremy Corbyn successfully pointed out at PMQs two weeks ago. And it is announcing it this afternoon because, as the Labour aide Jo Moore once said, it’s “a good day to bury bad news”. | This is not just a moderate concession; essentially the government is dropping its core proposal. It is doing so because many Tory MPs and Tory councils objected to the plans, as Jeremy Corbyn successfully pointed out at PMQs two weeks ago. And it is announcing it this afternoon because, as the Labour aide Jo Moore once said, it’s “a good day to bury bad news”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.26pm BST | at 3.26pm BST |
| 3.11pm BST | 3.11pm BST |
| 15:11 | 15:11 |
| Police forces going to court to ensure possible prosecution of Tories over alleged election overspending can go ahead | Police forces going to court to ensure possible prosecution of Tories over alleged election overspending can go ahead |
| Turning away from the elections for a moment, the BBC’s Daniel Sandford says at least three police forces are going to court to seek an extension of a time limit rule to allow the Tories to be taken to court for breaking election expenses rules if an investigation finds enough evidence to justify prosecution. | Turning away from the elections for a moment, the BBC’s Daniel Sandford says at least three police forces are going to court to seek an extension of a time limit rule to allow the Tories to be taken to court for breaking election expenses rules if an investigation finds enough evidence to justify prosecution. |
| There is more on the background to this here. | There is more on the background to this here. |
| At least seven police forces are actively investigating Conservative election expenses from the 2015 General Election | At least seven police forces are actively investigating Conservative election expenses from the 2015 General Election |
| 3 of the 7 forces are seeking an extension of the one year time limit on their investigations - GMP, Derbyshire and West Yorkshire | 3 of the 7 forces are seeking an extension of the one year time limit on their investigations - GMP, Derbyshire and West Yorkshire |
| The 7 forces investigating Tory expenses are West Yorks, Derbyshire, GMP, Devon & Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Northants, and Staffordshire | The 7 forces investigating Tory expenses are West Yorks, Derbyshire, GMP, Devon & Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Northants, and Staffordshire |
| Four further forces either considering their next steps, or waiting for more information - Wiltshire, Met, Kent Police and Nottinghamshire. | Four further forces either considering their next steps, or waiting for more information - Wiltshire, Met, Kent Police and Nottinghamshire. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.19pm BST | at 3.19pm BST |
| 3.02pm BST | 3.02pm BST |
| 15:02 | 15:02 |
| David Cameron has called Nicola Sturgeon to congratulate her on winning the election in Scotland. A No 10 spokesman said: | David Cameron has called Nicola Sturgeon to congratulate her on winning the election in Scotland. A No 10 spokesman said: |
| The prime minister congratulated Ms Sturgeon on her party having the largest representation in the Scottish parliament and, in return, Ms Sturgeon congratulated the prime minister on the gains made in Scotland by his party. | The prime minister congratulated Ms Sturgeon on her party having the largest representation in the Scottish parliament and, in return, Ms Sturgeon congratulated the prime minister on the gains made in Scotland by his party. |
| The prime minister and Ms Sturgeon agreed that the UK and Scottish governments must continue to work together constructively, most crucially in the short term on the future of the steel industry. | The prime minister and Ms Sturgeon agreed that the UK and Scottish governments must continue to work together constructively, most crucially in the short term on the future of the steel industry. |
| It was noted that the two governments sharing information and experience could be of benefit to the steel industry across the UK and they agreed to keep in touch on this issue. | It was noted that the two governments sharing information and experience could be of benefit to the steel industry across the UK and they agreed to keep in touch on this issue. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.09pm BST | at 3.09pm BST |
| 2.57pm BST | 2.57pm BST |
| 14:57 | 14:57 |
| This is from the Guardian’s Dave Hill. | This is from the Guardian’s Dave Hill. |
| As things stand, Khan/Goldsmith vote shares exactly the same as Lab/Con for 2015 GE in London: 44% plays 35%. #LondonMayor2016 | As things stand, Khan/Goldsmith vote shares exactly the same as Lab/Con for 2015 GE in London: 44% plays 35%. #LondonMayor2016 |
| 2.55pm BST | 2.55pm BST |
| 14:55 | 14:55 |
| Robert Booth | Robert Booth |
| My colleague Robert Booth has sent me this from the count at City Hall. | My colleague Robert Booth has sent me this from the count at City Hall. |
| There’s a lot of interest here at City Hall about the count in Barnet and Camden, which is looking like it could be a microcosm of Labour’s antisemitism row. At the moment with 74% of the first preference votes counted, electors in the north London areas are voting against Sadiq Khan in favour of Zac Goldsmith. | There’s a lot of interest here at City Hall about the count in Barnet and Camden, which is looking like it could be a microcosm of Labour’s antisemitism row. At the moment with 74% of the first preference votes counted, electors in the north London areas are voting against Sadiq Khan in favour of Zac Goldsmith. |
| Is this a reflection of the views of the large Jewish population in this constituency on Labour’s handling of the row that saw the suspension of Naz Shah MP and Ken Livingstone? Peter Kellner, the former president of YouGov who is poring over the results here, thinks so. Although I would add that when I was up at the Alexandra Palace counting centre where the Barnet and Camden votes were being processed, they appeared to be counting the Conservative-leaning Barnet votes before the Labour-leaning Camden ones. | Is this a reflection of the views of the large Jewish population in this constituency on Labour’s handling of the row that saw the suspension of Naz Shah MP and Ken Livingstone? Peter Kellner, the former president of YouGov who is poring over the results here, thinks so. Although I would add that when I was up at the Alexandra Palace counting centre where the Barnet and Camden votes were being processed, they appeared to be counting the Conservative-leaning Barnet votes before the Labour-leaning Camden ones. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.04pm BST | at 3.04pm BST |
| 2.53pm BST | 2.53pm BST |
| 14:53 | 14:53 |
| The Labour MP Graham Jones told the World at One that Labour should be doing much better in local elections. But he said he accepted that Jeremy Corbyn should be given more time to improve the party’s fortunes. He told the programme: | The Labour MP Graham Jones told the World at One that Labour should be doing much better in local elections. But he said he accepted that Jeremy Corbyn should be given more time to improve the party’s fortunes. He told the programme: |
| We should really be expecting to be above 40% and getting a good set of results, or we need to be. We have got to see progress. | We should really be expecting to be above 40% and getting a good set of results, or we need to be. We have got to see progress. |
| I think Jeremy will be given a pass on this one because he has only had the job for eight months. | I think Jeremy will be given a pass on this one because he has only had the job for eight months. |
| Of course, next year he will have had another 12 months and I think he will be seen more critically because he will have had more time. | Of course, next year he will have had another 12 months and I think he will be seen more critically because he will have had more time. |
| 2.51pm BST | 2.51pm BST |
| 14:51 | 14:51 |
| Libby Brooks | Libby Brooks |
| Speaking from the steps of the first minister’s official residence, Bute House, in Edinburgh a few minutes ago Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, insisted that the election results had been “emphatic”. | Speaking from the steps of the first minister’s official residence, Bute House, in Edinburgh a few minutes ago Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, insisted that the election results had been “emphatic”. |
| We won a clear and unequivocal mandate and I secured the personal mandate I sought to implement the bold and ambitious programme for government I asked this country to vote for. | We won a clear and unequivocal mandate and I secured the personal mandate I sought to implement the bold and ambitious programme for government I asked this country to vote for. |
| She confirmed that she would be asking the Scottish parliament to formally re-elect her as first minister of Scotland. She added: | She confirmed that she would be asking the Scottish parliament to formally re-elect her as first minister of Scotland. She added: |
| With such a large group of SNP MSPs elected, I don’t intend to seek any formal arrangements with any other parties. However, the government I lead will be an inclusive government. It will be firm on our determination to deliver on the commitments we made to the Scottish people but it will also reach out to others across the parliament to find common ground and build consensus. | With such a large group of SNP MSPs elected, I don’t intend to seek any formal arrangements with any other parties. However, the government I lead will be an inclusive government. It will be firm on our determination to deliver on the commitments we made to the Scottish people but it will also reach out to others across the parliament to find common ground and build consensus. |
| Sturgeon said education remained “my passion and priority” and she was pleased that all parties’ manifestos had shown similar concerns. In an apparent nod to the Greens, who will be key players in the new Holyrood arrangement, she added that she wanted to seek agreement on tackling climate change. | Sturgeon said education remained “my passion and priority” and she was pleased that all parties’ manifestos had shown similar concerns. In an apparent nod to the Greens, who will be key players in the new Holyrood arrangement, she added that she wanted to seek agreement on tackling climate change. |
| The government I lead will reach out. We will govern with conviction, with ambition and with determination, but also with humility and a willingness to listen and to learn from the ideas of others. | The government I lead will reach out. We will govern with conviction, with ambition and with determination, but also with humility and a willingness to listen and to learn from the ideas of others. |
| And on the question of independence, the SNP will always make our case with passion, with patience and with respect. But our aim is to persuade, not to divide. We will always respect the opinion of the people now and in the future and we simply ask that other parties do likewise. | And on the question of independence, the SNP will always make our case with passion, with patience and with respect. But our aim is to persuade, not to divide. We will always respect the opinion of the people now and in the future and we simply ask that other parties do likewise. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.06pm BST | at 3.06pm BST |