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Local elections: Tories and Labour hit by Brexit backlash in polls Local elections: Tories and Labour hit by Brexit backlash in polls
(32 minutes later)
The Conservatives and Labour have faced a backlash at the ballot box over the Brexit deadlock, with smaller parties and independents winning seats.The Conservatives and Labour have faced a backlash at the ballot box over the Brexit deadlock, with smaller parties and independents winning seats.
In England so far, the Tories have lost more than 500 seats and 19 English councils, while the Liberal Democrats have gained more than 300 seats. In England so far, the Tories have lost more than 530 seats and 22 English councils, while the Liberal Democrats have gained more than 340 seats.
National politics seems to have been a deciding factor for voters, with Labour also losing over 70 seats to date. National politics seems to have been a deciding factor for voters, with Labour also losing almost 80 seats to date.
Council results continue to come in for England and Northern Ireland.Council results continue to come in for England and Northern Ireland.
More than 120 English councils had declared by 12:30 BST, with counting under way in many of the other local authorities. Almost 130 English councils had declared by 12:50 BST, with counting under way in many other local authorities.
The first Northern Irish results are also starting to be announced. No local elections are taking place in Scotland and Wales.The first Northern Irish results are also starting to be announced. No local elections are taking place in Scotland and Wales.
Speaking in Greater Manchester, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he "wanted to do better" and conceded voters who disagreed with its backing for Brexit had deserted the party.
But Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable, in Chelmsford Essex, where his party took control of the council, said it had been a "brilliant" result for his party and that "every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for stopping Brexit".
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.
While local elections give voters the chance to choose the decision-makers who affect their communities, the national issue loomed large on the doorstep.While local elections give voters the chance to choose the decision-makers who affect their communities, the national issue loomed large on the doorstep.
Brandon Lewis, Conservative Party chair, said voters had given his party a very clear message they were "fed up" with the Brexit deadlock and "they want us to get it done". Key developments so far:
There are predictions that the Conservatives could suffer a net loss of 1,000 councillors by the end of the day. The party has gained two councils. Theresa May, appearing at the Welsh Conservative conference, said voters had sent the "simple message" that her party and Labour had to "get on" with delivering Brexit.
The Lib Dems have enjoyed their best local electoral performance in years - and control of eight councils. "These were always going to be difficult elections for us," she added, "and there were some challenging results for us last night, but it was a bad night for Labour too."
North/south divide A heckler shouted at the prime minister: "Why don't you resign?" He was then ushered out of the conference hall in Llangollen, North Wales.
Speaking in Greater Manchester, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he "wanted to do better" and conceded voters who disagreed with its backing for Brexit had deserted the party.
But Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable, in Chelmsford Essex, where his party took control of the council, said it had been a "brilliant" result and that "every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for stopping Brexit".
Polling expert Prof Sir John Curtice said the days of the Conservatives and Labour dominating the electoral landscape, as happened in the 2017 election, when they won 80% of the vote between them, "may be over".Polling expert Prof Sir John Curtice said the days of the Conservatives and Labour dominating the electoral landscape, as happened in the 2017 election, when they won 80% of the vote between them, "may be 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," he said."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," he said.
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.
Brandon Lewis said he was "very sorry" that Conservative councillors had lost their seats because of public anger over the Brexit impasse.
He said MPs had a responsibility to "honour and respect" the 2016 referendum result and he hoped the current talks with Labour would agree a way forward within weeks.
He rejected suggestions Theresa May was an impediment to a breakthrough, saying she was "determined" to see through the process.
But ex-minister Crispin Blunt said told BBC Radio 4's Today the leadership question was set to "rumble on", causing "significant instability" for the party.
Key developments so far:
Labour's loss of seats to the Lib Dems in places such as Sunderland and Bolsover have led to calls from pro-Remain MPs for it to decisively throw its weight behind another referendum.
Labour MP Bridget Phillipson, who supports another referendum, said that Brexit "was the elephant in the room".
"I fear Labour's position has been too hesitant and lacking in clarity over the past few months, depressing support among our voters at a time when they expect strength and leadership from my party rather than fudge," she said.
But Mr Corbyn said his policy remained to "bring together" Leave and Remain voters behind a negotiated exit from the EU.
"Our policy is that we are the only party that speaks to people however they voted in 2016 and to try and ensure we defend jobs and working conditions," he said.
He suggested "local factors" had been to blame for the loss of seats in places like Walsall and Hartlepool and the legacy of cuts to services made by the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition.
"I am very sorry we lost them (seats). We will fight and win them back...Of course we wanted to do better. Of course we did. We always want to do better."
Green Party co-leader Sian Berry said she was confident her party would end the day with a "record number of councillors on a record number of councils".Green Party co-leader Sian Berry said she was confident her party would end the day with a "record number of councillors on a record number of councils".
She told BBC Breakfast the Greens were not simply benefiting from a protest vote over Brexit and their gains reflected "huge new concerns" about climate change as well as the strength of their local campaigning on a range of issues.She told BBC Breakfast the Greens were not simply benefiting from a protest vote over Brexit and their gains reflected "huge new concerns" about climate change as well as the strength of their local campaigning on a range of issues.
UKIP is down by more than 60 seats on its 2015 performance so far, but leader Gerard Batten hailed its "great result" in Sunderland, where it added three seats.
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.
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.
Council leaders from both parties are saying openly that voters can't trust them any more because of how they have dealt with Brexit. This is a verdict on the competence of Westminster's biggest parties - on the mess of handling Brexit.Council leaders from both parties are saying openly that voters can't trust them any more because of how they have dealt with Brexit. 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.