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Conservatives hail election gains Conservatives hail election gains
(20 minutes later)
The Conservatives say they have made stunning gains in the English local elections which will pave the way to victory at the next general election.The Conservatives say they have made stunning gains in the English local elections which will pave the way to victory at the next general election.
With many results still to come in, the Conservatives have made a net gain of more than 360 seats and have seized control of councils across the country. With many results still to come in, the Conservatives have made a net gain of more than 360 seats and have seized control of councils across England.
Labour suffered a net loss of more than 160 council seats, but has held its own in many local authorities.Labour suffered a net loss of more than 160 council seats, but has held its own in many local authorities.
Labour said the Tories would need to do better to win the next election. Tony Blair said Labour recovered from worse results to win the last election.
The Liberal Democrats have hailed wins in Hull, Rochdale, Eastbourne and Hinckley and Bosworth, but overall have lost more than 140 seats. The Liberal Democrats hailed wins in Hull, Rochdale, Eastbourne and Hinckley and Bosworth, but overall lost more than 140 seats.
BBC research suggests the Tories are on course to win 41% of the vote. BBC research suggests the Tories are on course to win 41% of the local election vote.
The projection suggests the Conservatives are 14% ahead of Labour, which has a share of 27%.
Although they again failed to win any seats on Manchester City Council, Conservatives 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, Conservatives gained seats in nearby Trafford and gained control in Chester and South Ribble.
David Cameron described the Tory results as stunningDavid Cameron described the Tory results as stunning
Tory leader David Cameron said his party had secured a great set of results.Tory leader David 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 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 took control of the East Riding of Yorkshire on the other side with also stunning results," he said.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "For the Liberal Democrats I think it's been a dreadful set of results and the Tories have not broken through, particularly in the northern cities, in the way they wanted to.Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "For the Liberal Democrats I think it's been a dreadful set of results and the Tories have not broken through, particularly in the northern cities, in the way they wanted to.
"I think people will understand that if we could come from worse results in 2004 to win a general election, we can do that now.""I think people will understand that if we could come from worse results in 2004 to win a general election, we can do that now."
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell admitted the elections had delivered a "mixed bag", but said there had been some results to be cheerful about.
The Tories took control of Oswestry Borough Council for the first time in the council's history and gained North Warwickshire, Gravesham and Plymouth.The Tories took control of Oswestry Borough Council for the first time in the council's history and gained North Warwickshire, Gravesham and Plymouth.
They also became the largest party in Birmingham for the first time in 24 years - holding on to power as part of a coalition with the Lib Dems.They also became the largest party in Birmingham for the first time in 24 years - holding on to power as part of a coalition with the Lib Dems.
Won no votesWon no votes
It did not all go the Tories' way - the Conservative candidate who stood in Tony Blair's home ward in County Durham failed to poll a single vote.It did not all go the Tories' way - the Conservative candidate who stood in Tony Blair's home ward in County Durham failed to poll a single vote.
Shirley Bowes was not able to vote for herself as she does not live in the ward.Shirley Bowes was not able to vote for herself as she does not live in the ward.
In a Lincolnshire council seat, Conservative Christopher Underwood-Frost held on - by winning on the toss of a coin.In a Lincolnshire council seat, Conservative Christopher Underwood-Frost held on - by winning on the toss of a coin.
He had tied with his Lib Dem rival on 781 votes, forcing the spin of a coin to decide the winner.He had tied with his Lib Dem rival on 781 votes, forcing the spin of a coin to decide the winner.
Electronic countingElectronic counting
Across England 32.8m people were able to vote and about 10,500 councillors will be elected.Across England 32.8m people were able to vote and about 10,500 councillors will be elected.
Five English councils trialling new ways of electronic voting have been forced to hold recounts after a series of glitches.Five English councils trialling new ways of electronic voting have been forced to hold recounts after a series of glitches.
The votes will be counted by hand, delaying the declarations in Warwick and Stratford district councils, Warwick town council, South Buckinghamshire and Breckland. The votes will be counted by hand, delaying the declarations in Warwick and Stratford district councils, Warwick Town Council, South Buckinghamshire and Breckland.
Almost half of the counts started straight after polls closed, but other authorities delayed their counts until later on Friday because of a new postal voting system.Almost half of the counts started straight after polls closed, but other authorities delayed their counts until later on Friday because of a new postal voting system.
Election officers must double check at least 20%, but preferably 100%, of signatures accompanying ballot papers with those on the original applications for a postal vote.Election officers must double check at least 20%, but preferably 100%, of signatures accompanying ballot papers with those on the original applications for a postal vote.
It means a clear picture of the results will be unlikely to be available before Friday afternoon.It means a clear picture of the results will be unlikely to be available before Friday afternoon.