By Matthew Lodge
Printed: 15:42 EDT, 2 Might 2024 | Up to date: 23:03 EDT, 2 Might 2024
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The very important election battlegrounds
There’s lots occurring, however this graphic ought to make it easier to pinpoint what to maintain a watch out for and the place the important thing races could also be.
Pictured: Jubilation for Labour in Peterborough
Whereas Peterborough remained underneath no general management, Labour will nonetheless be heartened after turning into largest social gathering on the council for the primary time since 2000.
Lib Dems retain Eastleigh
The Liberal Democrats have additionally retained Eastleigh in Hampshire.
In what’s a rarity up to now tonight, no seats modified arms throughout yesterday’s vote.
The council is made up of 35 Lib Dems, one Tory and three Impartial councillors.
Conservatives retain management of Fareham
The Conservatives retained management of Fareham after successful 17 of the primary 22 seats to be declared on the council, which has 31 seats.
The social gathering went into polling day with 24 seats.
Lib Dems retain Hull
Regardless of the depend being evacuated as a consequence of a false hearth alarm within the constructing, the outcomes are actually in within the East Driving of Yorkshire for Hull.
The Lib Dems have retained management of Hull Metropolis Council after successful 33 seats, in comparison with Labour’s 24.
Key outcomes up to now
With 19 outcomes up to now, now we have already had some key outcomes tonight:
Labour acquire Rushmoor from the Conservatives for the primary time everLabour acquire Thurrock from no general management in an space that can be a key battleground on the subsequent Basic ElectionLabour acquire Hartlepool from no general management after shedding a by-election within the city final yearReform beat the Conservatives into third place in 16 of 25 seats in Sunderland as Labour maintain management of the council
‘An excellent day for Reform UK’, says social gathering chief
Richard Tice, social gathering chief of Reform UK, is in a superb temper after promising ends in council elections.
Chatting with PA information company in Blackpool forward of the declaration for the Blackpool South seat, he mentioned:
From what now we have seen from among the native elections within the north-east and from this by-election in Blackpool South is that Reform UK is quickly develop into the true opposition to Labour, whether or not it is within the North, the Midlands, we all know it is the case in Wales.
So, sure, we’re very excited. This can be a superb day for Reform UK.
It is also a superb day for democracy, really, as a result of the Nice British individuals have gotten a severe various to think about once they need to go and vote.
Pictured: Candidates collect in Blackpool
The candidates and social gathering activists are gathering in Blackpool as they await the results of the by-election which is able to put a brand new MP in parliament.
Nonetheless, they could possibly be ready for some time, with some estimates that the depend won’t be completed till 6am.
Breaking:Labour declare victory in Rushmoor
Labour are claiming victory in Rushmoor in what they’re calling a ‘actually historic end result’.
The world has been underneath Conservative management since 2000 and has by no means been underneath Labour management.
A celebration spokesperson mentioned: ‘Rushmoor – the house of the British Military – has by no means had a majority Labour council earlier than, and has been run by the Tories for the final 24 years.
‘This end result demonstrates simply how a lot the Labour Celebration has modified and other people in Rushmoor know that solely Labour can ship the change they need to see.
‘A Labour acquire for Rushmoor is a end result Rishi Sunak can’t ignore. It’s time for a common election.’
Labour holds Plymouth
Labour has saved management of Plymouth Metropolis Council after making good points within the two of the primary three seats to be declared.
Peterborough stays underneath no general management
Peterborough, which has been underneath no general management since 2019, is about to remain the identical manner following the newest outcomes.
Going into the election the Conservatives have been the most important single social gathering with 30 seats, however they’ve misplaced 5 of the eight wards declared up to now tonight.
Breaking:Tories lose North East Lincolnshire
The Conservatives have misplaced management of North East Lincolnshire Council.
The Tories wanted to win six seats to maintain management, however have had a dismal night time up to now after successful simply one of many first eight to be declared.
Labour have gained 5 seats, with the Lib Dems and Independents gobbling up one every with 4 outcomes left to return.
Breaking:Labour acquire Thurrock
Labour have gained Thurrock, having gained seven seats from the Conservatives within the Essex council with 14 of 17 outcomes declared.
They now have sufficient councillors to take over the council afetr it fell into no general management earlier this 12 months.
Labour maintain Gateshead
In one of many quickest confirmed council outcomes of the night time, Labour has held Gateshead after successful the primary two seats to be declared.
Breaking:Labour declare they’ve gained Thurrock
Keir Starmer’s social gathering additionally fancy their probabilities in Thurrock, with growing perception they will take the council from no general management.
Thurrock Council had been managed by the Conservatives from 2021 to 2024, nevertheless it reverted to general management earlier this 12 months.
The Conservatives are defending 13 seats within the Essex council tonight, in comparison with Labour’s 4.
A Labour spokesperson mentioned it’s ‘precisely the type of place we should be successful to realize a majority in a common election’.
They added: ‘The individuals of Thurrock have despatched the Conservatives a message that they need change.’
Breaking:Labour acquire Hartlepool
Labour have gained management of Hartlepool Council, it has now been confirmed.
Labour sources had been bullish about their probabilities earlier within the night time, and the outcomes have backed them up.
The social gathering gained eight seats – six fromt the Conservatives and two from the Independents to convey their complete on the council to 24.
Breaking:Labour maintain Ipswich
Labour have retained management of Ipswich Borough Council.
WATCH: Vote counting takes place throughout England and Wales
Labour retain management of South Tyneside and Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Labour retained management of South Tyneside, however misplaced a minimum of seven seats to independents.
The social gathering wanted to win 4 seats of the 14 seats it held stepping into to polling day, and whereas it achieved that, its majority can be diminished.
In Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Labour gained 12 of the primary 19 seats to be declared early on Friday morning.
The social gathering held 46 of the 78 council seats stepping into to polling day and wanted to win 10 of the 27 being contested to retain management.
The Liberal Democrats had gained 4, Greens two and independents one, with eight seats nonetheless to declare.
Breaking: Labour win Sunderland
The ultimate end in Sunderland was Labour 18, Liberal Democrats 4 and Conservatives three, with Reform UK beating the Tories in 16 of the 25 seats being contested.
Pictured: A take a look at councillors as they await their vote
Candidates from Southend, Blackpool and Peterborough eagerly anticipate the ultimate vote.
Breaking: Conservatives HOLD Broxbourne in first council election end result
The primary council to declare its full end result this morning was Broxbourne in Hertfordshire, the place the Conservatives gained 9 and Labour one of many 10 seats being contested, that means no seats modified arms.
The Conservatives couldn’t have misplaced management of the council regardless of the end result, because it began the night time with 27 of the 30 seats.
‘For those who vote Reform, you get Labour’
Cupboard minister Chris Heaton-Harris mentioned the ends in Sunderland confirmed “for those who vote Reform, you get Labour”.
The Northern Eire Secretary instructed the BBC: “It is a very simple equation for individuals on the subsequent common election.
“In the event that they need to vote Reform, they’re going to find yourself with Labour MPs, they usually’ll find yourself with a Labour authorities, after which they’re going to find yourself, in all probability, with the whole lot they did not need to vote for based mostly on the profile of Reform voters.”
Pictured: A eager eye on the ballots in Blackpool
Labour activists and members of different events are conserving a eager eye on the depend in Blackpool for the by-election tonight.
Breaking:Labour declare they’ve gained Hartlepool
Labour declare they’ve gained management of Hartlepool Borough Council tonight.
The council is at the moment of no general management, with a coalition of Conservatives and Independents working the administration in the mean time.
A Labour Celebration spokesperson mentioned:
Successful again Hartlepool council is a groundbreaking second after the disappointing outcomes we noticed right here in 2021.
Keir Starmer pledged to alter the Labour Celebration after that end result, and at the moment’s win exhibits that this modified Labour social gathering is able to ship the change that communities like Hartlepool are crying out for.
Making good points right here exhibits that the Celebration is on monitor to win a common election and is firmly again within the service of working individuals.”
Pictured: Smiles aplenty amongst Labour and Reform
Labour and Reform activists look like in a superb temper in Sunderland tonight.
Labour has saved management of Sunderland Metropolis Council and is taking seats from the Tories, whereas Reform has overwhelmed the Conservatives into third place in quite a few wards.
Reform doing properly in ‘very Eurosceptic a part of the nation’, says Sir John Curtice
A giant story tonight could possibly be the efficiency of Reform UK, because the social gathering seems to take voters from each the Conservatives and Labour.
Polling guru Sir John Curtice instructed the BBC that its good early ends in Sunderland ought to keep in mind the character of the realm.
‘Above all this can be a very Eurosceptic a part of the nation,’ he provides. ‘It is usually someplace the place UKIP has achieved properly in native elections previously.
‘We have now now seen Reform outpoll the Conservatives in every of the ward outcomes now we have bought in for Sunderland up to now.’
He added that the social gathering had managed area candidates in each ward within the metropolis.
‘Maybe a significant query is what will occur within the majority of wards the place Reform isn’t current,’ he added.
Reform declare they’ll beat Tories in Sunderland
Reform UK’s chief Richard Tice mentioned his social gathering was outperforming the Tories in Sunderland.
‘Excellent early ends in Sunderland,’ he mentioned. ‘We count on to beat Tories in majority of 25 seats in Sunderland.’
Within the first few seats declared, Reform UK got here second behind Labour.
Labour gained the primary 4 seats to be declared at Sunderland, to make sure the social gathering retains management of the council.
The social gathering entered polling day with 47 of the 75 seats on the council, and holding 4 of the 12 it was defending ensured it retained its majority. A complete of 25 seats have been being contested.
Breaking:Labour maintain Sunderland
Our first results of the night time has come from the north east, the place Labour have saved management of the Sunderland Metropolis Council.
It’s maybe unsurprising on each counts – Sunderland has a fame for counting votes rapidly, and Labour has managed the council for 50 years.
When will the important thing outcomes be introduced?
With greater than 2,600 council seats up for grabs, it may be simple to lose monitor of the place you need to be in search of the outcomes to return in.
We have put collectively this checklist of battles to keep watch over – these embody councils the place the Tories is likely to be wanting nervously over their shoulders and mayoral elections that could possibly be a bellweather for the Conservative’s Basic Election hopes.
That is after we can count on the outcomes from among the key battles to be introduced:
Broxbourne council – 12.30am on FridayNorth East Lincolnshire council – 2am on Friday Thurrock council – 3am on FridayReading council – 3.15am on FridayPeterborough council – 4am on FridayBlackpool by-election – 4.30am on FridayTees Valley mayor – 12.30pm on FridayEast Midlands mayor – 2.30pm on FridayLondon mayor – 1.30pm on SaturdayWest Midlands mayor – 3pm on Saturday
Pair of mayoral votes are key for Conservatives, polling guru says
Polling guru Sir John Curtice has mentioned the Tories can be taking a look at a pair of mayoral elections to get a glimpse of what a Basic Election might maintain for them.
He instructed an Institute for Authorities occasion this week the Tories have been emphasising two mayoral battles in West Midlands and Tees Valley, the place they’re at the moment in cost, ‘as a result of they suppose they may handle to win the competition and subsequently they’re going to have the ability to cowl no matter disasters occur elsewhere’.
He added: ‘Due to the private votes of those two, (these contests are) going to be the least dependable indicator.
‘Equally, conversely right here in London, Sadiq Khan is not going to do in addition to the Labour Celebration would do in a common election as a result of Sadiq has a adverse private vote. However this metropolis is now so robust Labour, he will win anyway.’
Polls have been ‘quiet in lots of areas’, election chief says
Turnout in native elections tends to be decrease than in nationwide polls and this can be the case once more this time spherical.
The pinnacle of the Affiliation of Electoral Directors, which organises native elections, has mentioned individuals working on the polls had a ‘quiet’ day.
Preliminary suggestions from our members is that this polling day has been quiet in lots of areas, with out main points.
The dedication and laborious work electoral directors and their suppliers have put into planning and working these elections – in opposition to the backdrop of the uncertainty of when the final election can be referred to as – must be acknowledged.
Whereas at the moment’s polls are actually closed, the work is much from over. Outcomes can be declared in a single day and into the weekend.
WATCH: Playful canine have enjoyable at polling stations
As counting takes place and we await the primary outcomes, maybe now is an efficient time to check out in all probability the preferred sight on election day – canine at polling stations:
Tories anticipating ‘vital losses’ in native elections
The temper among the many senior Conservatives isn’t one among optimism, with recommendations they may lose a whole bunch of council seats.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has sought to mood expectations, telling Sky Information’ Politics Hub: ‘We expect to see vital losses. That always occurs in native elections.’
Tory peer and polling knowledgeable Lord Hayward mentioned: ‘I count on the Tories to lose upwards of 400 seats.’
However he recommended that Mr Sunak’s place was not in quick jeopardy.
‘In current days I’ve been left with the very clear impression that, amongst Tory MPs, the ‘let’s have a management election’ balloon has been considerably deflated,’ he mentioned.
Nonetheless, ‘an audible, very small, group will disagree and possibly accomplish that early’.
Why is there a by-election in Blackpool South?
Whereas many of the counts tonight are for council and mayoral elections, the outlier is in Blackpool South, the place residents have voted for a brand new MP.
The vote within the constituency was organised after the previous Tory MP Scott Benton resigned.
He had been topic of a recall petition after he was suspended for 35 days following allegations he instructed undercover reporters he could be keen to foyer ministers on behalf of playing corporations in return for cash.
It means the coastal constituency is up for grabs as soon as extra, 5 years after it swung Conservative within the 2019 Basic Election.
Rishi Sunak might face ‘Armageddon’ if outcomes go in opposition to him
George Osborne has claimed Rishi Sunak might face ‘Armageddon’ if outcomes go in opposition to him tonight.
Talking on the Political Forex podcast, the previous Tory Chancellor instructed his co-host Ed Balls, that the mayoral elections in West Midlands and Tees Valley can be essential bellweathers.
If Andy Road loses within the West Midlands that is fairly unhealthy for Sunak. It’d properly provoke quite a lot of discuss a management contest.
I feel in the event that they lose Teesside, which isn’t in the mean time on the playing cards, but when Ben Houchen loses it will likely be Armageddon as a result of at that time individuals will say we’re completely now heading for a large landslide defeat.
And there can be individuals within the Conservative parliamentary social gathering saying ‘change course, change chief’.
Pictured: Counting properly underneath manner in council elections
Counting is continuous throughout the nation, with volunteers laborious at work in Southend-on-sea (high), Peterborough (center) and Sunderland (backside).
London mayoral candidates thank voters
The 2 frontrunners to be Mayor of London have tweeted out their due to voters who got here out and had their say within the capital at the moment.
Underneath guidelines introduced in by the Tory Authorities everybody eager to vote in at the moment’s native elections, in addition to future Basic Electiosn, should take phot ID with them to a polling station.
The change might have caught some individuals out, together with Tom Hunt who misplaced his type of identification regardless of being the Conservative MP for Ipswich.
The 35-year-old was compelled to hunt an emergency proxy and blamed his dyspraxia, a situation that impacts victims’ organisational expertise.
You’ll be able to learn the complete story right here:
Pictured: Counting underway in Blackpool South by-election
The ballots are already being counted within the Blackpool South by-election, the place candidates are vying to switch Tory MP Scott Benton who resigned earlier this 12 months.
The constituency had been a protected Labour seat earlier than Benton’s election in 2019, the place the Conservatives acquired 49.6% of the vote and gained with a majority of three,690.
Nonetheless, the omens aren’t wanting good for one more Tory victory tonight, with forecasts suggesting it is going to swing again to Labour.
‘Message was loud and clear’, say Lib Dems
The Liberal Democrats, who’re at all times competitve throughout the native elections, appear to be in a superb temper earlier than the outcomes are available in.
The social gathering’s chief Sir Ed Davey mentioned:
The message throughout the nation at the moment was loud and clear. Voters need an finish to this appalling Conservative authorities.
Individuals are sick of the Conservative social gathering’s limitless infighting, unaffordable mortgages, an NHS in freefall and filthy sewage being pumped into their rivers and seas.
They need change they usually need to see the tip of Rishi Sunak’s Conservative social gathering in workplace. That’s the reason, up and down the nation, so many lifelong Conservative voters backed the Liberal Democrats at the moment, as a result of they know Liberal Democrat councillors won’t ever take them as a right and battle for the problems they care about.
What did the polls say earlier than at the moment?
Labour appeared assured about their probabilities earlier than the polls closed, and given the voting forecasts, not many would argue their bullishness is misplaced.
Labour have held a lead within the polls over the Conservatives for greater than two years as individuals flip bitter on the Tory-led authorities.
One current ballot recommended Labour might acquire 44% of the vote on the subsequent Basic Election, with the Tories wallowing on 18%, squeezed by Reform UK polling at 15%.
Whereas native elections are a unique beast to nationwide votes – turnout tends to be decrease and other people are likely to vote on native points – the Conservatives are hopeful of shedding as few seats as attainable, versus successful extra.
Labour feeling assured as polls shut
Labour are in a assured temper after the closure of the polls, and say they’re anticipating to win seats in key battlegrounds.
Pat McFadden (pictured under outdoors Westminster this morning), Labour’s Nationwide Marketing campaign Coordinator, mentioned:
‘We’re pleased with the constructive marketing campaign now we have run, centered on turning the web page after fourteen years of decline underneath the Conservative Celebration.
These elections have been about providing change. We have now set out our plan to get Britain constructing once more, take again our streets, and produce alternative to each nook of the nation, whereas the Conservatives have as soon as once more stayed silent on the problems that matter.
Crucial election of the night time is the historic by-election in Blackpool, attributable to but extra Tory chaos and scandal. It’s the one election at the moment the place voters have had the chance to immediately reject Rishi Sunak’s social gathering in Westminster.
It’s going to be an extended night time and the complete image of outcomes from native elections will not be clear till over the weekend, however we count on to see Labour good points that present we’re making progress within the locations we have to win the following common election.
Polls have closed
Polls have now closed in at the moment’s native elections.
For those who have been in a position to get in line earlier than the clock hit 10pm, then keep as it is possible for you to to vote.
The primary outcomes are anticipated to return in by 12.30am.
Sadiq Khan bought in on the canine at polling stations motion when he and his spouse Saadiya introduced their canine together with them to vote this morning.
His Tory rival Susan Corridor additionally went out to vote this morning at her native polling station in Hatch Finish, as polls give the incumbant a big lead over his Conservative challenger.
Overlook canine at polling stations, now it is time for… donkeys?
We have all heard of canine at polling stations, however donkeys?
Folks heading to vote within the village of Godshill within the New Forest this morning have been greeted by an ass stood outdoors their polling station.
It is unclear whether or not his proprietor was inside or the donkey was attempting to solid its vote within the district election.
What are the opposite mayoral elections happening?
Whereas the race to develop into Mayor of London unsurprisingly takes probably the most consideration, there are 10 different mayoral races happening in England at the moment.
Most of those are to elect mixed authority mayors, also called metro mayors – politicians who will chair mixed authorities made up of a number of council areas.
The next areas are holding these polls at the moment:
East MidlandsGreater ManchesterLiverpool Metropolis RegionNorth EastSouth YorkshireTees ValleyWest MidlandsWest YorkshireYork and North Yorkshire
There’s additionally one mayoral election within the metropolis of Salford.
Triumph within the face of adversity
Whereas many citizens will solid their poll of their native village corridor or faculty, some individuals in Cambridge had a barely completely different expertise.
Attributable to points accessing the Milton Street Library within the morning, individuals who turned as much as vote have been instructed that they had to take action from the again of a volunteer’s automobile.
Who’s working to develop into Mayor of London?
Among the many greatest votes happening at the moment is the London mayoral election.
Labour mayor Sadiq Khan headed to the polls at the moment in search of a 3rd four-year time period in command of Britain’s most populous metropolis.
He’s going through competitors from a number of candidates, together with Conservative Susan Corridor, Reform UK’s Howard Cox, the Inexperienced Celebration’s Zoe Garbett and Liberal Democrat Rob Blackie.
The total checklist of London mayoral candidates is as follows:
Sadiq Khan – Labour PartySusan Corridor – Conservative PartyZoe Garbett – Inexperienced PartyHoward Cox – Reform UKRob Blackie – Liberal DemocratFemy Amin – Animal WelfareCount Binface – Depend BinfaceNatalie Campbell – IndependentAmy Gallagher – Social Democratic PartyTarun Ghulati – IndependentAndreas Michli – IndependentBrian Rose – London RealNick Scanlon – Britain First
It would not be election day with out… canine at polling stations!
One of the vital comforting sights on election day is the canine of Britain sitting outdoors the polling station whereas their homeowners head inside to solid their vote.
When can we count on the primary outcomes?
With polls closing at 10pm, you is likely to be forgiven for pondering it might take some time for the outcomes to return by way of.
And whereas it might take a while for the bigger votes to be confirmed, the primary council outcomes might come simply after midnight.
There can be a gradual trickle of outcomes by way of the night time, with councils in Hartlepool, Sunderland, Bolton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Portsmouith, Southen-on-Sea and Exeter all anticipated to delcare earlier than 3am.
The end result within the Blackpool South by-election must be introduced by 4.30am.
Nonetheless, bigger votes corresponding to mayoral and PCC elections will take longer than this, with Londoners having to attend till Saturday for his or her mayoral election end result to be confirmed.
Pictured: Folks head out to vote
One of the vital attention-grabbing issues about voting day is the number of the place Britain’s polling stations are literally situated.
Whether or not or not it’s a neighborhood cafe (high), a Salvation Military workplace (second high) or a village corridor (backside), it appears there’s virtually no barrier with regards to discovering someplace to vote.
What time do the polls shut?
Polling stations throughout England and Wales opened at 7am this morning, giving the volunteers who run them out of your native church, faculty or social membership an early begin.
Regardless of that, greater than 12 hours later they’re nonetheless open and if you have not voted but you continue to have the chance to get out and accomplish that.
Polling stations do not shut till 10pm and so long as you in line by the point the clock strikes the hour you can solid your vote.
What’s on the road within the native elections?
It is a huge day for individuals with an curiosity in how their native space is run. That is what’s on the road:
In England greater than 2,600 council seats are up for grabs throughout 107 native authoritiesNearly a dozen mayoral elections are happening, together with for the London mayoralty and quite a few new mixed authority mayors in EnglandIn the capital 25 London Meeting seats are up for grabsVoters in England and Wales will elect 37 police and crime commissioners (PCC)And there is a by-election within the constituency of Blackpool South to elect a brand new MP
Good night
Good night and welcome to MailOnline’s reside protection of the UK native elections.
Thousands and thousands of individuals have gone to their native polling stations at the moment to make their vote depend in council, mayoral and PCC elections.
There’s even a by-election happening on what could possibly be a chastening night time for the Conservative Celebration, with predictions they could possibly be in line for large losses throughout the nation.
It will likely be an evening stuffed with intrigue and right here at MailOnline we’ll do our greatest to maintain you abreast of all of the developments as they occur.
Key Updates
Labour declare victory in Rushmoor
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Labour acquire Thurrock
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Labour acquire Hartlepool
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Labour maintain Sunderland
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When will the important thing outcomes be introduced?
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Tories anticipating ‘vital losses’ in native elections
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Polls have closed
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The very important election battlegrounds
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What’s on the road within the native elections?
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UK native elections 2024 LIVE: Assured Labour win Sunderland and declare Hartlepool