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Labour gains pass 100 council seats in early election results Labour gains pass 100 council seats in early election results
(about 1 hour later)
Labour strategists say they can win the general election if they "take the right steps" after the party gained council seats in England.Labour strategists say they can win the general election if they "take the right steps" after the party gained council seats in England.
With 62 councils declared, the party had gained 127 seats and lost 25, taking control of four authorities.With 62 councils declared, the party had gained 127 seats and lost 25, taking control of four authorities.
Gains included the flagship Tory council Hammersmith and Fulham, but overnight its share was on average just 3% up on 2010.Gains included the flagship Tory council Hammersmith and Fulham, but overnight its share was on average just 3% up on 2010.
And it lost control of Thurrock under pressure from UKIP.And it lost control of Thurrock under pressure from UKIP.
Leader Ed Miliband faced criticism from his own side but his party is expecting a strong vote in London.Leader Ed Miliband faced criticism from his own side but his party is expecting a strong vote in London.
Labour had hoped to make gains in Swindon, Walsall and Tamworth but fell short - in part - because of UKIP, according to one former minister.Labour had hoped to make gains in Swindon, Walsall and Tamworth but fell short - in part - because of UKIP, according to one former minister.
"There's no doubt about it, UKIP are biting into parts of Labour's working-class vote," David Lammy said."There's no doubt about it, UKIP are biting into parts of Labour's working-class vote," David Lammy said.
Cost of livingCost of living
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander, Labour's election strategist, said the results reflected an "anger and alienation" among the electorate, saying "politics as usual is not an adequate response".Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander, Labour's election strategist, said the results reflected an "anger and alienation" among the electorate, saying "politics as usual is not an adequate response".
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Labour can win the general election if we take the right steps between now and a year's time".He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Labour can win the general election if we take the right steps between now and a year's time".
Labour pointed to its increased vote share in Swindon and other marginal areas.Labour pointed to its increased vote share in Swindon and other marginal areas.
By early on Friday morning it had made 78 net gains and gained Cambridge, as well as Hammersmith and Fulham.By early on Friday morning it had made 78 net gains and gained Cambridge, as well as Hammersmith and Fulham.
But backbench MP and longstanding critic of his party's leader Graham Stringer said Labour's election campaign had been "unforgivably unprofessional".But backbench MP and longstanding critic of his party's leader Graham Stringer said Labour's election campaign had been "unforgivably unprofessional".
The Blackley and Broughton MP pointed to an appearance by Mr Miliband on breakfast television when he was asked about how much he spends on groceries.The Blackley and Broughton MP pointed to an appearance by Mr Miliband on breakfast television when he was asked about how much he spends on groceries.
"The centrepiece of our campaign has been the cost of living and Ed didn't know his own cost of living, he didn't know how much he was spending on shopping.""The centrepiece of our campaign has been the cost of living and Ed didn't know his own cost of living, he didn't know how much he was spending on shopping."
Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna rejected the criticisms, but with UKIP performing well he said it was now clear the UK was in an "era of four-party politics".Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna rejected the criticisms, but with UKIP performing well he said it was now clear the UK was in an "era of four-party politics".
Job guaranteeJob guarantee
Overnight, senior party figures tried to downplay expectations - insisting a gain of 150 seats would be a success.Overnight, senior party figures tried to downplay expectations - insisting a gain of 150 seats would be a success.
But election experts have said the party should be looking in the region of 300 - 500 if it wants to show its on course to win the 2015 general election.But election experts have said the party should be looking in the region of 300 - 500 if it wants to show its on course to win the 2015 general election.
The party is confident of doing well in London, particularly in Tower Hamlets and the key target of Croydon.The party is confident of doing well in London, particularly in Tower Hamlets and the key target of Croydon.
During the campaign Mr Miliband focussed on telling voters he would bring the cost of childcare and renting a home down, and push the minimum wage up. During the campaign Mr Miliband focused on telling voters he would bring the cost of childcare and renting a home down, and push the minimum wage up.
He also highlighted his party's pledges to freeze energy bills, build more homes, ban zero-hours contracts, cut business rates, and introduce a "job guarantee" for young people.He also highlighted his party's pledges to freeze energy bills, build more homes, ban zero-hours contracts, cut business rates, and introduce a "job guarantee" for young people.
Labour is hoping to top the poll in the UK in the European elections, which also took place on Thursday, although the final opinion poll in the campaign put UKIP ahead by 1%.Labour is hoping to top the poll in the UK in the European elections, which also took place on Thursday, although the final opinion poll in the campaign put UKIP ahead by 1%.
Results from the European election are not expected until late on Sunday when the rest of the continent has been to the polls. Results from the European election are not expected until late on Sunday when other nations have been to the polls.