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Local elections: Main parties hit by Brexit backlash in polls Local elections: Main parties hit by Brexit backlash in polls
(32 minutes later)
The Conservatives and Labour have faced a backlash at the ballot box over Brexit, with smaller parties and independents taking seats countrywide.The Conservatives and Labour have faced a backlash at the ballot box over Brexit, with smaller parties and independents taking seats countrywide.
Results are coming in after local elections in England and Northern Ireland, and national politics seems to have been a deciding factor for voters.Results are coming in after local elections in England and Northern Ireland, and national politics seems to have been a deciding factor for voters.
Polls took place for 248 English councils, six mayors and all 11 councils in Northern Ireland.Polls took place for 248 English councils, six mayors and all 11 councils in Northern Ireland.
Both parties admitted they were dealt blows due to the Brexit deadlock.Both parties admitted they were dealt blows due to the Brexit deadlock.
MPs have yet to agree on a deal for leaving the European Union, and as a result, the deadline of Brexit has been pushed back from 29 March to 31 October.MPs have yet to agree on a deal for leaving the European Union, and as a result, the deadline of Brexit has been pushed back from 29 March to 31 October.
And while local elections give voters the chance to choose the decision-makers who affect their communities, the national issue looms large on the doorstep.And while local elections give voters the chance to choose the decision-makers who affect their communities, the national issue looms large on the doorstep.
About 100 English councils had declared by 06:30 BST, with the other 140 results expected throughout Friday.About 100 English councils had declared by 06:30 BST, with the other 140 results expected throughout Friday.
The Northern Irish results will take longer to come in. No local elections are taking place in Scotland and Wales.The Northern Irish results will take longer to come in. No local elections are taking place in Scotland and Wales.
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg says results so far suggest both of the two main parties are being punished for their handling of Brexit, with the Liberal Democrats, Green Party and independents benefitting from their losses. BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the results so far suggested both of the two main parties are being punished for their handling of Brexit, with the Liberal Democrats, Green Party and independents benefitting from their losses.
The Conservatives have lost more than 350 seats so far, with some predicting that could rise to at least 800 in the end. The Lib Dems have already gained more than 270 - but it is still too early to assess the overall picture. The Conservatives have lost around 400 seats so far, with some predicting that could rise to at least 800 in the end.
The Lib Dems have already gained more than 270 seats - and control of eight councils - but it is still too early to assess the overall picture.
North/south divideNorth/south divide
Polling expert Prof Sir John Curtice agreed it will be the smaller parties celebrating on Friday. Polling expert Prof Sir John Curtice agreed it would be the smaller parties celebrating on Friday.
"One of the major features of the 2017 general election was that, between them, the Conservatives and Labour dominated the election, winning over 80% of votes - the biggest combined share since 1970," he said."One of the major features of the 2017 general election was that, between them, the Conservatives and Labour dominated the election, winning over 80% of votes - the biggest combined share since 1970," he said.
"We might be saying those days are over. It looks as though the key message from the voters to the Conservatives and Labour is 'a plague on both of your houses', as they find themselves losing both votes and seats on an extensive basis.""We might be saying those days are over. It looks as though the key message from the voters to the Conservatives and Labour is 'a plague on both of your houses', as they find themselves losing both votes and seats on an extensive basis."
But he warned it could be even worse for the two main parties at the European elections on the 23 May, when "new kids on the block", The Brexit Party and Change UK, also compete for votes alongside the Greens and Lib Dems. But he warned it could be even worse for the two main parties at the European elections on the 23 May, when "new kids on the block", the Brexit Party and Change UK, also compete for votes alongside the Greens and Lib Dems.
Prof Curtice said there was a north/south divide emerging in the losses too, with the Conservatives shedding more seats in the South - especially in areas that voted Remain - and Labour losing more in the North.Prof Curtice said there was a north/south divide emerging in the losses too, with the Conservatives shedding more seats in the South - especially in areas that voted Remain - and Labour losing more in the North.
Brexit Minister James Cleverly said he hoped local councillors would be judged on their individual performance, but told BBC News: "It is unrealistic for me to pretend that with nine years in government and Brexit as a backdrop, [it will] be anything other than a tough night for [the Conservative Party]."Brexit Minister James Cleverly said he hoped local councillors would be judged on their individual performance, but told BBC News: "It is unrealistic for me to pretend that with nine years in government and Brexit as a backdrop, [it will] be anything other than a tough night for [the Conservative Party]."
Sir Graham Brady, who chairs the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee, said Brexit had been a "massive frustration" for voters and affected the number of Tory supporters coming out.Sir Graham Brady, who chairs the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee, said Brexit had been a "massive frustration" for voters and affected the number of Tory supporters coming out.
He told the BBC: "We need to be more obviously competent as a government and we need to make progress - crucially on the central issue of Brexit."He told the BBC: "We need to be more obviously competent as a government and we need to make progress - crucially on the central issue of Brexit."
Key developments so far:Key developments so far:
Labour's shadow international development secretary Barry Gardiner said his party may have struggled because of its effort to please both Remain and Leave voters.Labour's shadow international development secretary Barry Gardiner said his party may have struggled because of its effort to please both Remain and Leave voters.
"There are two competing principles here and we are trying to hold them in tension," he told the BBC. "We are trying to say there is a way to reconcile them [but] if a party is seen to be speaking with two voices, it's very difficult to communicate the policy.""There are two competing principles here and we are trying to hold them in tension," he told the BBC. "We are trying to say there is a way to reconcile them [but] if a party is seen to be speaking with two voices, it's very difficult to communicate the policy."
But Labour MP Ruth Smeeth said voters just don't believe the party will deliver Brexit.But Labour MP Ruth Smeeth said voters just don't believe the party will deliver Brexit.
She told the BBC that spoiled ballot papers had messages like "we don't trust you", and support for other parties showed it was "anyone but the Tories or us".She told the BBC that spoiled ballot papers had messages like "we don't trust you", and support for other parties showed it was "anyone but the Tories or us".
She added: "My frustration is that we seem to have abandoned [voters]. No matter how hard we are working locally, we need clear messaging from the top and playing around just isn't working."She added: "My frustration is that we seem to have abandoned [voters]. No matter how hard we are working locally, we need clear messaging from the top and playing around just isn't working."
Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse described the results for her party so far as "fantastic".Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse described the results for her party so far as "fantastic".
"Voters have given their verdict on Brexit to the two main parties," she said. "The European elections are around the corner and after this exceptional night, we will do very well in the European elections because voters will come to the Liberal Democrats as a true Remain party."Voters have given their verdict on Brexit to the two main parties," she said. "The European elections are around the corner and after this exceptional night, we will do very well in the European elections because voters will come to the Liberal Democrats as a true Remain party.
"It is our big night. We have made the biggest gains since 2003. The Liberal Democrats are back.""It is our big night. We have made the biggest gains since 2003. The Liberal Democrats are back."
The Green Party's co-leader, Sian Berry, said she was excited by the breakthroughs her members were making onto new councils.The Green Party's co-leader, Sian Berry, said she was excited by the breakthroughs her members were making onto new councils.
She told the BBC: "[We have been] dealing with the problems that led to Brexit which were these big councils dominated by one party taking people for granted and not listening to them, while central government is ignoring whole swathes of the country.She told the BBC: "[We have been] dealing with the problems that led to Brexit which were these big councils dominated by one party taking people for granted and not listening to them, while central government is ignoring whole swathes of the country.
"People are swinging to other parties because of the Brexit mess but let's not forget it is also because of the problems that led to Brexit as well.""People are swinging to other parties because of the Brexit mess but let's not forget it is also because of the problems that led to Brexit as well."
And UKIP's Mike Hookem said his party was taking votes from both the main parties too, adding: "We've had two years of turmoil. We're back on the rise again."And UKIP's Mike Hookem said his party was taking votes from both the main parties too, adding: "We've had two years of turmoil. We're back on the rise again."
This is the biggest set of local elections in England's four-year electoral cycle, with more than 8,400 seats being contested.This is the biggest set of local elections in England's four-year electoral cycle, with more than 8,400 seats being contested.
A further 462 seats are up for grabs in Northern Ireland.A further 462 seats are up for grabs in Northern Ireland.
It's not over - it's far, far from over.It's not over - it's far, far from over.
Many hundreds of seats are yet to declare. Many individual political stories yet to be told. So be very aware - the final shape of wins and losses for the government and the main opposition is unclear.Many hundreds of seats are yet to declare. Many individual political stories yet to be told. So be very aware - the final shape of wins and losses for the government and the main opposition is unclear.
But at this stage of the morning, there is one message to both of the main parties at Westminster from this enormous set of elections - it's not us, it's both of you.But at this stage of the morning, there is one message to both of the main parties at Westminster from this enormous set of elections - it's not us, it's both of you.
Local elections are about different issues in our villages, towns and cities. But at count after count, Tory and Labour candidates have been paying the price for Westminster's failure so far to settle the Brexit question.Local elections are about different issues in our villages, towns and cities. But at count after count, Tory and Labour candidates have been paying the price for Westminster's failure so far to settle the Brexit question.
Council leaders from both parties are saying openly that voters can't trust them any more because of how they have dealt with the issue - whether that is a sentiment among Leave voters in Sunderland who don't trust that we'll ever leave, or Remain voters in Bath who are furious that we likely will.Council leaders from both parties are saying openly that voters can't trust them any more because of how they have dealt with the issue - whether that is a sentiment among Leave voters in Sunderland who don't trust that we'll ever leave, or Remain voters in Bath who are furious that we likely will.
Or more simply maybe, this is a verdict on the competence of Westminster's biggest parties - on the mess of handling Brexit.Or more simply maybe, this is a verdict on the competence of Westminster's biggest parties - on the mess of handling Brexit.
Read more from Laura here.Read more from Laura here.
Of the 248 elections in England, 168 have been district councils which are in charge of setting and collecting council tax, bin collections, local planning and council housing.Of the 248 elections in England, 168 have been district councils which are in charge of setting and collecting council tax, bin collections, local planning and council housing.
There were also elections taking place for 47 unitary authorities and 33 metropolitan boroughs which look after education, public transport, policing and fire services, as well as all the services of district councils.There were also elections taking place for 47 unitary authorities and 33 metropolitan boroughs which look after education, public transport, policing and fire services, as well as all the services of district councils.
In Northern Ireland, councils are responsible for services including local planning and licensing, waste collection and enforcing safety regulations to do with food, workplaces and the environment.In Northern Ireland, councils are responsible for services including local planning and licensing, waste collection and enforcing safety regulations to do with food, workplaces and the environment.
Either search using your postcode or council name or click around the map to show local results.Either search using your postcode or council name or click around the map to show local results.