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Tories 'could win next election' Cameron hails 'stunning' results
(about 3 hours later)
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. The Conservatives say they are on course to win the next General Election as they head towards winning 41% of the vote in the English local election.
Vice chairman of the party Eric Pickles said would give them a "significant working majority" in Parliament. As senior Tory figures said the results would give them a "significant working majority" in Parliament, leader David Cameron said they were "stunning".
The BBC projection suggests the Tories are 14% ahead of Labour, which has a share of 27%. The BBC projection suggests the Conservatives are 14% ahead of Labour, which has a share of 27%.
But Tory frontbencher Theresa May said the party had not done as well as it would have liked in some areas. But Labour said the Tories needed to do better to win the next election.
'New dawn' 'Speaking for Britain'
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 gained seats in nearby Trafford and gained control in Chester and South Ribble. Although they again failed to win any seats on Manchester City Council they gained seats in nearby Trafford and gained control in Chester and South Ribble.
It's exciting that the Conservative Party is really where it should be at the moment and I'm very pleased about that David Cameron
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.
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." Mr Cameron said his party had secured "a great set of results".
"We took control of South Ribble with stunning results on one side of the Pennines. We took control of the East Riding of Yorkshire on the other side with also stunning results..." he said.
"We're the one national party speaking up for all of Britain.
"And I think we can really build from this point, really go forward and I think that's exciting that the Conservative Party is really where it should be at the moment and I'm very pleased about that."
'Not a brilliant night'
Eric Pickles, the party's vice chairman, 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."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. Labour chairman Hazel Blears said that while it had "not a brilliant night" for Labour, Mr Cameron had not enjoyed the "surge" he needs to win at a general 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'
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 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. 'Rebuild'
if I was David Cameron tonight, I would be content that we were making progress Ian Duncan SmithFormer Tory leader The Conservatives took control of Oswestry Borough Council for the first time in the council's history.
They also won control of North Warwickshire, Gravesham and Plymouth.They also won control of North Warwickshire, Gravesham and Plymouth.
If I was David Cameron tonight, I would be content that we were making progress Iain Duncan SmithFormer Tory leader
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.