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Tories 'could win next election' Tories 'could win next election'
(40 minutes later)
The Tories are on course to gain 41% of the vote in English local elections - which they say is enough to win the next general election. The Conservatives say they are on course to win the next general election as they head towards winning 41% of the vote in English local election.
Frontbencher Theresa May said the party had not done as well as it would have liked in some areas. Vice chairman of the party Eric Pickles said would give them a "significant working majority" in Parliament.
But she said it was still on course to gain 700 seats and had enough support to win a general election. He dismissed claims they had not increased their lead over Labour since last year's local elections.
Party chairman Francis Maude they were "making really serious" progress in its aim of regaining support in the north. But frontbench colleague Theresa May said the party had not done as well as it would have liked in some areas.
'New dawn'
BBC research suggests the Tories are on course to win 41% of the national vote - one point up on 2006.BBC research suggests the Tories are on course to win 41% of the national vote - one point up on 2006.
They again failed to win any seats on Manchester metropolitan council but it has taken control of Chester and South Ribble. They again failed to win any seats on Manchester metropolitan council but gained seats in nearby Trafford and gained control in Chester and South Ribble.
The party also pointed to "significant advances" in other northern councils including Bury, Crewe and Nantwich, Preston and Sunderland.The party also pointed to "significant advances" in other northern councils including Bury, Crewe and Nantwich, Preston and Sunderland.
"I am not saying we are doing fantastically well. I am saying we are making really serious progress," Mr Maude told BBC News. Mr Pickles said: "We've got 41% of the vote. We are now back in business. In the north of England we run more councils now than the Lib Dems do in the North West or Yorkshire. A new dawn is breaking."
He added: "There are now very large sections of the UK that don't have a single Labour councillor."
Labour chairman Hazel Blears said the Tories should be doing better if they hoped to win the next election.
But Tory chairman Francis Maude said: "I am not saying we are doing fantastically well. I am saying we are making really serious progress."
'Rebuild''Rebuild'
There were also signs of a strong Conservative revival in the south of England, gaining control of Plymouth from Labour and Torbay from the Lib Dems, who lost 14 seats. The Tories made their biggest advances in the south of England, gaining control of Plymouth from Labour and Torbay from the Lib Dems, who lost 14 seats.
The Conservatives tool control of Oswestry Borough Council for the first time in the council's history.The Conservatives tool control of Oswestry Borough Council for the first time in the council's history.
if I was David Cameron tonight, I would be content that we were making progress Ian Duncan SmithFormer Tory leaderif I was David Cameron tonight, I would be content that we were making progress Ian Duncan SmithFormer Tory leader
They also won control of North Warwickshire, Gravesham and Plymouth.They also won control of North Warwickshire, Gravesham and Plymouth.
Tory targets include Bournemouth, Bury and Brighton and Hove, where they hope to seize control.Tory targets include Bournemouth, Bury and Brighton and Hove, where they hope to seize control.
Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said the party was rebuilding and making slow but steady progress and had achieved some good results.Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said the party was rebuilding and making slow but steady progress and had achieved some good results.
Mr Duncan Smith said: "It takes time, I think frankly, for oppositions to rebuild.Mr Duncan Smith said: "It takes time, I think frankly, for oppositions to rebuild.
"Historically that's happened to Labour, and it's happening to the Conservative Party, but the key test for us is throughout all this process we make progress, and that we make advances."Historically that's happened to Labour, and it's happening to the Conservative Party, but the key test for us is throughout all this process we make progress, and that we make advances.
"And I think you know there have been some good results and if we end up in the North West outperforming Labour now, that's a good start there because the North West was a powerhouse for us when we were in power."And I think you know there have been some good results and if we end up in the North West outperforming Labour now, that's a good start there because the North West was a powerhouse for us when we were in power.
"So if I was David Cameron tonight, I would be content that we were making progress.""So if I was David Cameron tonight, I would be content that we were making progress."
The Conservatives are predicted to gain between 600 and 700 local council seats.The Conservatives are predicted to gain between 600 and 700 local council seats.