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UK elections: Sadiq Khan 'has won' London mayoral race - live updates UK elections: Sadiq Khan 'has won' London mayoral race - live updates
(35 minutes later)
6.22pm BST
18:22
The turnout in London for the assembly elections has been 45.6% - up 7.6% on 2012.
6.19pm BST
18:19
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, has said the elections have been a “remarkable success” for Labour. He said:
I think we’ve had a remarkable success.
Pundits were predicting we’d be losing hundreds of seats and we haven’t, in fact we have gained many.
We’ve held on to councils we’ve targeted. It looks as though we’re going to take London, we’re going to take GLA (Greater London Authority) seats as well. So, no, overall I think the record’s been impressive.
But he did say that the result in Scotland was “sad” and that it would take the party “years to recover” there.
6.13pm BST
18:13
Unison leader Dave Prentis says Corbyn's Labour critics should 'back off'
Like his fellow union leader Tim Roache (see 5.58pm) Dave Prentis, the Unison general secretary, wants Labour MPs to rally behind Jeremy Corbyn.
This has been a tough night for Labour - especially in Scotland, but the results are at least better than many had predicted.
Labour now has to get back to focusing on the issues that matter to working people, and on getting rid of this government at the next general election.
Public sector workers aren’t interested in Labour politicians bickering in TV studios or in those who think that politics is a game. The baying hounds from across the party must now back off.
6.08pm BST
18:08
Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster has expressed confidence she will be returned as Northern Ireland’s first minister. As the votes continue to be counted across Northern Ireland, Foster said her party was on course to again emerge as the region’s largest party.
I am confident that I will be the first minister of Northern Ireland,” she said after topping the poll in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
Updated
at 6.14pm BST
6.02pm BST
18:02
The former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has paid tribute to Kirsty Williams following her decision to stand down as the party’s leader in Wales.
.@Kirsty_Williams has been a brilliant & formidable leader. Head & shoulders above other party leaders in Wales. Thanks for all you've done.
5.59pm BST
17:59
BuzzFeed’s Jim Waterson says he is finding it hard to find any Tories at City Hall willing to defend Zac Goldsmith’s campaign.
Any London Conservatives who *do* want to defend Zac Goldsmith's campaign? City Hall just full of Tories saying they're disgusted with him.
5.58pm BST
17:58
GMB leader says Corbyn has a year or so to show Labour can do better
Tim Roache, the general secretary of the GMB, has said that Labour “should be winning hundreds of seats” at this stage in the electoral cycle. But he said Jeremy Corbyn’s critics should give Corbyn a year or so to show the party can do better. Roache told the BBC:
We’re at the stage when we should be winning hundreds of seats. But I don’t think that’s just about Corbyn you know. People won’t vote for a divided Labour party. Therefore those on the right of the party - or place them where you like - who are pushing against Corbyn, I don’t think they’re doing themselves a service, they’re certainly not doing the party a service and most importantly, from the GMB union perspective, they’re not doing working people a service at all. It’s about time they rallied behind Corbyn. And let’s give it a go.
Let’s give it a go for a year or so. Who knows what might happen. Leicester City won the Premier League only the other day. Who knows.
5.53pm BST
17:53
Here’s my colleague Dave Hill on the London contest.
If you've yet to hear it, best quote on Zac campaign from senior London Tory: 'A dog whistle in a city with no dogs.' #londonmayor2016
5.50pm BST
17:50
LBC are saying Sadiq Khan is now definitely the next mayor of London.
It is now mathemetically impossible for Sadiq Khan to be beaten by Zac Goldsmith in the contest to become London Mayor.
5.48pm BST5.48pm BST
17:4817:48
Here’s the Guardian’s Politics Weekly podcast, with Severin Carrell, Anne Perkins, Martin Kettle and Tom Clark discussing the elections.Here’s the Guardian’s Politics Weekly podcast, with Severin Carrell, Anne Perkins, Martin Kettle and Tom Clark discussing the elections.
Related: SNP win historic third term - Politics Weekly podcastRelated: SNP win historic third term - Politics Weekly podcast
5.46pm BST5.46pm BST
17:4617:46
The BBC are saying we will get the London mayoral result at around 7 or 8pm, although colleagues at the count think it could come much earlier.The BBC are saying we will get the London mayoral result at around 7 or 8pm, although colleagues at the count think it could come much earlier.
5.45pm BST5.45pm BST
17:4517:45
Earlier we quoted the academic Tony Travers saying that Sadiq Khan would be “the first Muslim mayor of a major western city, certainly in Europe”.Earlier we quoted the academic Tony Travers saying that Sadiq Khan would be “the first Muslim mayor of a major western city, certainly in Europe”.
But my colleague points out that the mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb, is a Muslim, so that may be unfair on Rotterdam.But my colleague points out that the mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb, is a Muslim, so that may be unfair on Rotterdam.
5.33pm BST5.33pm BST
17:3317:33
Here is Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive at the Local Government Information Unit, complaining about the BBC’s projection for what the local elections would mean if translated into a general election result. (See 3.55pm.)Here is Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive at the Local Government Information Unit, complaining about the BBC’s projection for what the local elections would mean if translated into a general election result. (See 3.55pm.)
Jeremy Vine reporting local elections with a (rubbish) virtual House of Commons illustrates everything wrong with politics in this country.Jeremy Vine reporting local elections with a (rubbish) virtual House of Commons illustrates everything wrong with politics in this country.
His point is that journalists should be able to recognise that these results are interesting in their own right, and not just for what they have to say (or don’t have to say) about Westminster politics.His point is that journalists should be able to recognise that these results are interesting in their own right, and not just for what they have to say (or don’t have to say) about Westminster politics.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.36pm BSTat 5.36pm BST
5.25pm BST5.25pm BST
17:2517:25
Here are some more police and crime commissioner elections results.Here are some more police and crime commissioner elections results.
Labour candidates electedLabour candidates elected
Lord Willy Bach - LeicestershireLord Willy Bach - Leicestershire
David Jamieson - West MidlandsDavid Jamieson - West Midlands
Jane Kennedy - MerseysideJane Kennedy - Merseyside
Alan Billings - South YorkshireAlan Billings - South Yorkshire
Barry Coppinger - ClevelandBarry Coppinger - Cleveland
Ron Hogg - DurhamRon Hogg - Durham
Conservative candidates electedConservative candidates elected
Tim Passmore - SuffolkTim Passmore - Suffolk
David Lloyd - HertfordshireDavid Lloyd - Hertfordshire
Katy Bourne - SussexKaty Bourne - Sussex
Matthew Ellis - StaffordshireMatthew Ellis - Staffordshire
Stephen Mold - NorthamptonshireStephen Mold - Northamptonshire
Anthony Stansfeld - Thames ValleyAnthony Stansfeld - Thames Valley
Peter McCall - CumbriaPeter McCall - Cumbria
Matthew Scott - KentMatthew Scott - Kent
Philip Seccombe - WarwickshirePhilip Seccombe - Warwickshire
John-Paul Campion - West MerciaJohn-Paul Campion - West Mercia
Independent candidates electedIndependent candidates elected
Martin Surl - GloucestershireMartin Surl - Gloucestershire
Martyn Underhill - DorsetMartyn Underhill - Dorset
5.16pm BST5.16pm BST
17:1617:16
Kirsty Williams resigns as leader of Welsh Lib DemsKirsty Williams resigns as leader of Welsh Lib Dems
Kirsty Williams has resigned as leader of the Lib Dems in Wales, Sky reports.Kirsty Williams has resigned as leader of the Lib Dems in Wales, Sky reports.
#KirstyWilliams has stood down as leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats after the party lost four seats in the Welsh Assembly elections#KirstyWilliams has stood down as leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats after the party lost four seats in the Welsh Assembly elections
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.36pm BSTat 5.36pm BST
5.13pm BST5.13pm BST
17:1317:13
Ben QuinnBen Quinn
Labour MPs in the Midlands have been voicing discontent with the party’s performance in the region, with one suggesting Jeremy Corbyn should step down as leader.Labour MPs in the Midlands have been voicing discontent with the party’s performance in the region, with one suggesting Jeremy Corbyn should step down as leader.
Steve McCabe, Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, told the Birmingham Mail that the party had to end its internal battles and “start listening to the people we seek to represent”.Steve McCabe, Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, told the Birmingham Mail that the party had to end its internal battles and “start listening to the people we seek to represent”.
“Where we have already been doing quite well, and Birmingham is a good example, we have continued in that vein,” he added.“Where we have already been doing quite well, and Birmingham is a good example, we have continued in that vein,” he added.
“But if you are thinking about where Labour needs to start winning in order to be general election winners, there is no evidence we are making headway in the areas where we have to reach beyond our current base, and that is a problem for us.”“But if you are thinking about where Labour needs to start winning in order to be general election winners, there is no evidence we are making headway in the areas where we have to reach beyond our current base, and that is a problem for us.”
Walsall North Labour MP David Winnick went even further however, suggesting that Corbyn should consider resigning for the good of the party.Walsall North Labour MP David Winnick went even further however, suggesting that Corbyn should consider resigning for the good of the party.
He told the Press Association: “The party faces a crisis and the onus is on Jeremy himself. He should decide whether his leadership is helping or hindering the party. I think all the evidence shows that it is not helping.”He told the Press Association: “The party faces a crisis and the onus is on Jeremy himself. He should decide whether his leadership is helping or hindering the party. I think all the evidence shows that it is not helping.”
Wolverhampton MP Emma Reynolds, who resigned from the shadow cabinet after Corbyn became leader, said earlier that Labour should not be content with “standing still” at a time when the Tories are in “disarray”.Wolverhampton MP Emma Reynolds, who resigned from the shadow cabinet after Corbyn became leader, said earlier that Labour should not be content with “standing still” at a time when the Tories are in “disarray”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.35pm BSTat 5.35pm BST
5.07pm BST5.07pm BST
17:0717:07
The Labour peer George Foulkes thinks the media are to blame for the fact that Ken Livingstone keeps banging on about Hitler on TV.The Labour peer George Foulkes thinks the media are to blame for the fact that Ken Livingstone keeps banging on about Hitler on TV.
Why is private citizen Ken Livingstone on Radio & TV so often? Surely the media are not deliberately trying to cause trouble for @UKLabourWhy is private citizen Ken Livingstone on Radio & TV so often? Surely the media are not deliberately trying to cause trouble for @UKLabour
5.06pm BST
17:06
Here is an extract from the Lib Dems’ afternoon briefing about the elections
The task of turning things around after last year is gargantuan, but it’s under way. We have taken control of Watford where we have wiped out the Conservatives, making us the only party to gain a council so far. The BBC national projection gives us 15% of the vote – virtually double our percentage share in 2015, and better than the last three years. In 2010 we lost 411 council seats – by mid-afternoon the BBC said we had made 30 seat gains, more than any other party. We are also the only party so far to have gained a council.
This is not entirely accurate. The Lib Dem GB national share of the vote in the 2015 general election was 8% (almost half 15%), but its projected national share for the 2015 local elections (the relevant figure for comparison purposes) was 11%. That’s because the Lib Dems tend to do better in local elections than in national elections.
Updated
at 5.15pm BST
4.58pm BST
16:58
Robert Booth
Andrew Boff, the former Conservative leader in the London assembly, has renewed his criticism of Zac Goldsmith’s campaign. He says he is certain the campaign cost the party votes, particularly second preferences.
I hope we don’t do this stupid thing again by trying to bring Sadiq [Khan] down by saying he is an extremist. He is not an extremist. He went out and engaged with people with orthodox religious views. Dialogue is not assisted by shutting people out.
4.55pm BST
16:55
In London the Tories have held West Central. Earlier, by mistake, we said Labour had held it. Sorry.
4.51pm BST
16:51
Helen Pidd
There were few big upsets in the north of England’s town halls. Labour held on to all of its northern councils and its two directly elected mayors in Liverpool and Salford. But it failed to make serious gains from the Tories in target seats.
In marginal councils, such as Calderdale in West Yorkshire and Pendle in east Lancashire, Labour lost ground to the Tories. Labour’s complete grip over Manchester also came to an end with the former Liberal Democrat MP John Leech becoming a one-man opposition to the Labour hegemony. The Lib Dems also made two gains in both Hull and Liverpool.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester a Labour councillor in Bury blamed Ken Livingstone for two Labour colleagues losing their seats in a heavily Jewish populated ward. Alan Quinn told the Manchester Evening News his party had lost two “hard-working and proud” councillors in Prestwich because of a “backlash against the Labour party”. Stockport remains in no overall control, despite Labour becoming the biggest party after unseating the Lib Dem council leader, Sue Derbyshire.
In Carlisle, another target marginal Labour failed to win from the Tories in last year’s general election, the party lost one seat to an independent but remains the largest political grouping.
But in Bradford, Labour gained three seats. There are now no councillors for George Galloway’s Respect party in the West Yorkshire city: of the five elected in the so-called Bradford Spring of 2012, four did not seek re-election. The other, Mohammed Shabbir, defected to Labour but is currently suspended as part of the row about antisemitic posts on Facebook.
Updated
at 5.05pm BST
4.46pm BST
16:46
Henry McDonald
Martin McGuinness has topped the poll on first preference votes with 5,037. His two Sinn Féin running mates, Maeve McLaughlin and Raymond McCartney, got 3,062 and 3,198.
McGuinness is guaranteed a seat of course but the other interesting development in the Foyle constituency is the strong performance of the veteran civil rights campaigner Eamon McCann, who has come away with 4,176 first preferences.
Outside the declaration hall here in the brand new Foyle Arena leisure centre one of McCann’s supporters, the former civil rights icon and one time MP Bernadette McAliskey (formerly Devlin) spoke to one of her colleagues, stating: “We are on our way.”
The Democratic Unionist party, as predicted by the DUP MP Gregory Campbell, is on course to take a seat. Gary Middleton has taken 4,737 first preferences.
And there has been a political upset in West Belfast, the Sinn Féin heartland.
The leftwing People Before Profit candidate, Gerry Carroll, has topped the poll on first preference votes.
It is now possible – if Eamon McCann is elected in Derry – that we will have two Marxist assembly members on the opposition benches in the new Stormont parliament. Carroll was elected on the first count.
Updated
at 4.55pm BST
4.42pm BST
16:42
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, has said that Labour did well in these elections, and that Jeremy Corbyn’s critics should “put up or shut up”. Earlier he said:
I’ve been talking to Labour party members all over the country, they’re saying for those begrudgers – because that’s what they are – for goodness sake, get behind the leader of the Labour party that was democratically elected. It’s time to put up or shut up. I think most Labour party members are saying look, you’re damaging our campaign by the continuous carping.
I’ve never been in a situation where two days before a poll a group of them are talking to the media about a leadership coup – and yet we still do well. Look, get behind us and stop carping, there’s room for everyone in this Labour party. Everyone can make a constructive contribution. That’s what we expect them to do.
Updated
at 4.53pm BST
4.40pm BST
16:40
Chris Prosser, an academic who works with the British Election Study, thinks the local election results suggest Labour will lose the general election. He has developed a model for forecasting general election performance based on local election vote share which he says was successful in 2015, and he says there is a 92% probability the Tories will be the biggest party in 2020.
He explains it in a British Election Study blog here. Here is an excerpt.
Before the last election I developed a method for forecasting general election performance based on local election vote shares that takes these differences into account. The forecast uses local election vote share estimates and controls for party and incumbency differences in the relationship between local and general votes shares. It does not model the time until the next election because historically local elections four years before a general election are no better or worse predictors of future elections than those only one year before.
Although it was necessarily based on data that was at least years old by the time of the 2015 election the method performed remarkably well in 2015 – of the 12 academic forecasts submitted to a special symposium on forecasting the 2015 election my local elections method was the closest to the actual Conservative lead in the election and correctly forecasted that the Conservatives would win the most votes.
So what does my forecast tell us about what might happen in 2020? Using the PNS results my model predicts that the Conservatives will get 37% of the vote, Labour 30%, Liberal Democrats 11%, and Ukip 11%. Unsurprisingly given that the next general election is likely to be four years away there is a great deal of uncertainty in exact vote shares forecast, as illustrated in the figure below. Despite the uncertainty over the exact vote shares the forecast is very confident – with a 92% probability – that the Conservatives will be the largest party at the next general election.
Updated
at 4.52pm BST
4.31pm BST
16:31
In London Labour have gained Merton & Wandsworth from the Conservatives in the assembly.
Labour have held Lambeth & Southwark.
And the Conservatives have held West Central.
Updated
at 4.55pm BST
4.26pm BST
16:26
Labour’s Paddy Tipping has been re-elected as police and crime commissioner in Nottinghamshire.
4.25pm BST
16:25
Outgoing Tory deputy mayor of London says Goldsmith's campaign will leave 'negative legacy'
Roger Evans, who has been a Conservative deputy mayor of London under Boris Johnson for the last year, has joined those in his party criticising Zac Goldsmith’s campaign for the way it sought to depict Sadiq Khan as an extremist. Evans has told BuzzFeed:
I’m concerned that the campaign we’ve run is going to leave a negative legacy which we in London are going to have to clear up long after the people who ran Zac Goldsmith’s campaign have gone on their way.
I’ve been the deputy mayor for the last year and it’s been my job to go and talk to communities in London.
I’ve always been very pleased with the courtesy with which I was received and the hearing all communities were willing to give to a Conservative politician.
We’re going to have to do quite a lot of work to re-establish trust with a lot of communities in London. That’s a shame and an opportunity missed.
Last night Andrew Boff, the former Conservative leader in the London assembly, said the Goldsmith campaign was “outrageous”.
Updated
at 4.51pm BST