Can he rely on the same support . How close is labour really to number 10 . The lib dems want to get the big wheels turning their leader, sir ed davey, using a tractor on the Campaign Trail to smash through a metaphorical wall of tory support. In the next few hours, well know if hes been able to turn blue seats yellow. These elections will decide who runs more than 230 english councils, but also give us the biggest picture of Public Opinion since rishi sunak took over, and possibly the last before the general election. Reeta chakrabarti will have the results as we crunch the numbers from across the country. I will be analysing the results as they come in. I will be analysing the results as they come in i will be analysing the results as they come in. These are the seats that each party they come in. These are the seats that each party is they come in. These are the seats that each party is defending. They come in. These are the seats that each party is defending. We l that each party is defending. We will see how those numbers change overnight. Professor Sirjohn Curtice will steer us through with tips and trends as the night goes on. And our Political Editor, chris mason, will help us work out what it might all mean for those vying for power. Some of them will be with us live politicians willjoin us here and from around the country. So, stick with us its Election Night on the bbc. Weve not long to wait until the all important results start coming in. A very warm welcome to election 2023. Tens of millions of you have had the chance to have your say today after a wild year. Its the first time the ballot boxes have been out since the exit of borisjohnson, the implosion of liz truss, and the arrival in number 10 of rishi sunak only seven years after he became an mp. These elections are a reflection on his short time in office so far, but of course, local elections do what they say on the tin. They decide who runs the authorities that have big responsiblities for things that are important in our lives schools, care, of course, the bins. So the results are a judgement on what is going right, or wrong, in local areas too. We have got six seats in already. They are from sunderland, of course, the part of the country where the counters are always the fastest first. We have actuallyjust had a seventh result come in. We can see on our giant tower that labour have six seats and the lib dems won. Two of the seats and labour would have been taken from ukip, who did well last time. We are going to be out and about around the country throughout the night. The counters are hard at work in leicestershire. We can show you some pictures of stoke as well, which is the part of the country where politicians have been falling over themselves to press the flesh with voters, and medway in the south east, counting under way there as well. We will hear from under way there as well. We will hearfrom right under way there as well. We will hear from right across under way there as well. We will hearfrom right across england. With that in mind, lets start with chris. What is on the line for rishi sunak . It is the first verdict for him of the election, as it is for any political leader on a night like this, because all of the Focus In Westminster is on Opinion Polls. Those can be dismissed by a political leader who will say it is just an opinion poll. But these are real votes in real ballot boxes electing real politicians who are running vital public services, and that matters obviously at a local level, but it matters massively to the mood of the national parties. What rishi sunak has managed to do in stabilising the Conservative Party over the last seven months is put back any sense within the party that they are in the mood to start another civil war. That they are in the mood to start another civilwar. But that they are in the mood to start another civil war. But it matters massively for him and for the government to give them a sense of how they are faring. And obviously the other parties as well, in particular labour. The conservatives are expecting to go backwards and labour are expecting to go forwards, as are the Liberal Democrats and the greens. But in the conservative labour struggle, greens. But in the conservative labourstruggle, it greens. But in the conservative labour struggle, it will be, to what extent do the conservatives are backwards and labour go forwards and therefore, how do the parties feel by tomorrow teatime, when we have a proper sense of the spread of results, in terms of what it may or may not mean for the general election expected next year . So rishi sunak has to show the extent to which he has been able to slow the decline. For keir starmer, where is the pressure . He has been miles ahead in the National Opinion polls for such a long time, but what happens in the real world . Happens in the realworld . Exactly, is it real . Labour happens in the realworld . Exactly, is it real . Labour have happens in the realworld . Exactly, is it real . Labour have managed happens in the realworld . Exactly, is it real . Labour have managed to | is it real . Labour have managed to find themselves, over the last seven months, in a position by those Opinion Polls that they could never have dreams of a couple of years ago, given the whacking they took at the last general election. But so much about the psychology of politics is a sense of momentum. If you have, as labour have had in the last six months, massive opinion poll leads and then you get real votes in real ballot boxes and, maybe, its not as big as that, that will be tricky psychologically because there might be a sense that it is not as strong as they might have thought it might be. That is why you are already getting, on my phone, the spin coming from the various parties, lots of comparisons. This sounds wholesome, but it is an Election Night, there are lots of comparisons already being made with 1995. We are lots of comparisons already being made with 1995. Are lots of comparisons already being made with 1995. We will get to that. 1995, there being made with 1995. We will get to that. 1995, there was being made with 1995. We will get to that. 1995, there was a being made with 1995. We will get to that. 1995, there was a massive being made with 1995. We will get to that. 1995, there was a massive gap | that. 1995, there was a massive gap a coule that. 1995, there was a massive gap a couale of that. 1995, there was a massive Gap A Couale Of Years that. 1995, there was a massive gap a couple of years before that. 1995, there was a massive gap a couple of years before labour that. 1995, there was a massive gap a couple of years before labour did| a couple of years before labour did very well at a general election. The parallels will be drawn with sunlight and any prospective result next year. If sunlight and any prospective result next ear. ,. ,. Sunlight and any prospective result next ear. ,. , ~ next year. If you are a nerd like ou and next year. If you are a nerd like you and me. Next year. If you are a nerd like you and me. It next year. If you are a nerd like you and me, it has next year. If you are a nerd like you and me, it has been next year. If you are a nerd like you and me, it has been a next year. If you are a nerd like you and me, it has been a favourite parlour game to play. Im sure some of you are watching at home if you are watching a Election Programme at nearly midnight. Is this like 1992 or when 1995, nearly midnight. Is this like 1992 orwhen1995, labourwent nearly midnight. Is this like 1992 or when 1995, labour went on to have a landslide . Im sure we will get to that discussion later. We are hearing of labour gains in plymouth, where they have been busy and hopeful of trying to take that counsel back. We will be there on the ground later. Where else should we be looking out for, reeta . There is so much we be looking out for, reeta . There is so much going we be looking out for, reeta . There is so much going on we be looking out for, reeta . There is so much going on tonight. We be looking out for, reeta . There is so much going on tonight. I we be looking out for, reeta . There is so much going on tonight. I first want is so much going on tonight. I first want to is so much going on tonight. I first want to show you all the seats each party want to show you all the seats each party is want to show you all the seats each party is defending. You had a snapshot party is defending. You had a snapshot of the top of the programme. The conservatives are defending programme. The conservatives are defending 3300 or so. Labour onjust over 2000 defending 3300 or so. Labour onjust over 2000 and the lib dems 1200. Defending 3300 or so. Labour onjust over 2000 and the lib dems1200. But the councils over 2000 and the lib dems1200. But the councils we are going to be watching the councils we are going to be watching overnight, these are the councits watching overnight, these are the councils that each of the three main parties councils that each of the three main parties are councils that each of the three main parties are defending which are hung parties are defending which are hung. Lets start with the conservatives. We have brentwood in essex conservatives. We have brentwood in essex at conservatives. We have brentwood in essex at the conservatives. We have brentwood in essex at the top of the list. It is at the essex at the top of the list. It is at the top essex at the top of the list. It is at the top because it is a very marginat at the top because it is a very marginal council for the conservatives. They have a majority of three conservatives. They have a majority of three seats, and it is the liberat of three seats, and it is the Liberal Democrats who are their main opponents Liberal Democrats who are their main opponents here. The lib dems used to run this opponents here. The lib dems used to run this council in the 19905 and last year run this council in the 19905 and last year they started nibbling into the con5ervative5 5upport, last year they started nibbling into the con5ervative5 support, so we are watching that. The lib dems are also the are watching that. The lib dems are also the main opposition in windsor and south also the main opposition in windsor and South Gloucestershire, so windsor and South Gloucestershire, so Windsor And Maidenhead, theresa mays Windsor And Maidenhead, theresa may5 constituency 5eat, South Gloucestershire i5 may5 constituency 5eat, South Gloucestershire is near bri5tol. Glouce5ter5hire is near bri5tol. Both glouce5ter5hire is near bri5tol. Both of gloucestershire is near bri5tol. Both of those council5, there is a bil both of those council5, there is a big challenge being launched by the liberal big challenge being launched by the Liberal Democrats. Then in north west Liberal Democrats. Then in north west leicestershire, which is around ashhy west leicestershire, which is around ashby dill west leicestershire, which is around Ashby Dill I5 louche west leicestershire, which is around A5hby Dill I5 Louche and east lindsey. A5hby dill i5 louche and east lindsey, which is in lincoln5hire around lindsey, which is in lincoln5hire around skegne55, the conservatives are in around skegne55, the conservatives are in danger of losing those councils are in danger of losing those councils to know overall control. Then councils to know overall control. Then there councils to know overall control. Then there is a whole 5wathe of councils then there is a whole 5wathe of councils in then there is a whole 5wathe of councils in this conservative li5t councils in this conservative list which councils in this conservative list which are councils in this conservative list which are conservative now but used to he which are conservative now but used to he labour which are conservative now but used to be labour under tony blair. They include to be labour under tony blair. They include harlow, tammuz, ba5ildon, redditch. Include harlow, tammuz, ba5ildon, redditch, medway, ugly and for labour, redditch, medway, ugly and for labour, the challenge is to see whether labour, the challenge is to see whether they can come back in these councils whether they can come back in these councils and whether they can come back in these councils and improve on their performance if we are to believe that they performance if we are to believe that they are on their way back to national that they are on their way back to national power. Under the Labour Councils. National power. Under the Labour Council5, bolsoverat national power. Under the Labour Council5, bolsover at the top. That is a Labour Council5, bolsover at the top. That is a Labour Council in derby5hire. It is is a Labour Council in derby5hire. It is where is a Labour Council in derby5hire. It is where Dennis Skinner wa5 is a Labour Council in derby5hire. It is where Dennis Skinner was the mp for it is where Dennis Skinner was the mp for many years, but there is now a conservative mp 5ince mp for many years, but there is now a conservative mp since the last general a conservative mp since the last general election. Stevenage i5 lahour general election. Stevenage i5 labour as general election. Stevenage i5 labour as well and has been since the i970s, labour as well and has been since the 19705, but in 2021, the labour party the 19705, but in 2021, the labour party lost the 19705, but in 2021, the labour party lost five 5eat5 the 19705, but in 2021, the labour party lost five seats to the conservatives, so there clearly is con5ervative5, so there clearly is some con5ervative5, so there clearly is some volatility going on. Exeter, lincoln some volatility going on. Exeter, lincoln is some volatility going on. Exeter, lincoln is interesting too. That has been lincoln is interesting too. That has been labour 5ince lincoln is interesting too. That has been labour since 2011. But at the been labour 5ince 2011. But at the general been labour since 2011. But at the general election, they lost the seat to the general election, they lost the seat to the conservatives. And it is a fairly to the conservatives. And it is a fairly marginal 5eat. To the conservatives. And it is a fairly marginal seat. The mp has a fairly marginal 5eat. The mp has a majority fairly marginal 5eat. The mp has a majority of fairly marginal seat. The mp has a majority of 3500, so that is an area where majority of 3500, so that is an area where labour want5 majority of 3500, so that is an area where labour wants to be coming back strongly where labour wants to be coming back strongly for where labour wants to be coming back strongly. Forthe where labour wants to be coming back strongly. For the Liberal Democrats, we have strongly. For the Liberal Democrats, we have hull at the top because it is an we have hull at the top because it is an Ultra Marginal for them. They had a is an Ultra Marginal for them. They had a majority of one seat there. They had a majority of one seat there. They took had a majority of one seat there. They took this council from labour last year. They took this council from labour last year. So they took this council from labour last year, so labour will be taking the challenge that a lib dems there. In the challenge that a lib dems there. In north the challenge that a lib dems there. In north devon and cotswold, the lib dems in north devon and cotswold, the lib dems have in north devon and cotswold, the lib dems have a small majority as well ofjust dems have a small majority as well ofiust two dems have a small majority as well ofjust two seats, so we will be watching ofjust two seats, so we will be watching those. Among the hung councils. Watching those. Among the hung councils, plymouth i5 watching those. Among the hung councils, plymouth is a top labour target, councils, plymouth is a top labour target, as councils, plymouth is a top labour target, as laura has said. Portsmouth i5 target, as laura has said. Portsmouth is a lib dem target and a word for portsmouth is a lib dem target and a word for these three councils at the bottom word for these three councils at the bottom. Rochford in essex, west lindsey bottom. Rochford in essex, west lindsey and boston in lincoln5hire. They are lindsey and boston in lincoln5hire. They are all lindsey and boston in lincoln5hire. They are all hung but they were conservative at the last election and they conservative at the last election and they have become hung through defections. So we will have to wait and see defections. So we will have to wait and see whether the conservatives can take and see whether the conservatives can take them back. So a great deal to he can take them back. So a great deal to be watching. | can take them back. So a great deal to be watching to be watching. I am glad you are here to keep to be watching. I am glad you are here to keep us to be watching. I am glad you are here to keep us through to be watching. I am glad you are here to keep us through that to be watching. I am glad you are i here to keep us through that detail. In a couple of minutes, we will hear from our political guests, paul scully, the technology minister, Wes Streeting, the Shadow Health secretary who wants to be the labour Health Secretary if they win the election and sarah 0lson from the Liberal Democrats. We will hear from them soon. The first holder has come. Holton in cheshire, the liverpool side of cheshire, has been held by the labour party. Not a surprise, but that is the First Council hold result to come in tonight. Lets take a closer look at what has been happening in sunderland. They are still counting. There are still 10 seats to declare. That is somewhere that labour was always going to be the biggest party, but they wanted to show progress. They have 37 seats on a 12 to the Liberal Democrats, tend to the Liberal Democrats, tender the conservatives. You can see that labour have gained two and ukip, who had candidates in 2019, were down two. An interesting result in sunderland. Lets hearfrom somebody with a giant brain who is going to help us with all of this through the night, Sirjohn Curtice. From that initial result, john, does that suggest anything at this stage of the night . It suggest anything at this stage of the niuht . , ~ suggest anything at this stage of the niuht . ,. ,. , the night . It does. We have got these results the night . It does. We have got these results from the night . It does. We have got these results from sunderland | the night . It does. We have got i these results from sunderland and these results from sunderland and the couple from newcastle. 0ne these results from sunderland and the couple from newcastle. One is a very remain voting area, the other a leavevoting very remain voting area, the other a leave voting area, sunderland. However. Leave voting area, sunderland. However, we are looking at a consistent swing in these wards from conservative to labour around the order conservative to labour around the order of conservative to labour around the order of 5 conservative to labour around the order of 5 typically as compared with 2019 order of 5 typically as compared with 2019 and also three or four points with 2019 and also three or four points compared with last year. Its very early points compared with last year. Its very early doors, but certainly, the expectations of the Opinion Polls, which expectations of the Opinion Polls, which were that the labour party was going which were that the labour party was going to which were that the labour party was going to make a significant advance in these going to make a significant advance in these local elections and perhaps at this in these local elections and perhaps at this stage on a scale that might be commensurate with what we would expect be commensurate with what we would expect from the Opinion Polls, that so far expect from the Opinion Polls, that so far looks expect from the Opinion Polls, that so far looks possible for the results so far looks possible for the results in so far looks possible for the results in newcastle and sunderland. We should results in newcastle and sunderland. We should point out that the turnout is down we should point out that the turnout is down compared with last year and compared is down compared with last year and compared with 2019. Again, it is an early compared with 2019. Again, it is an early picture, but if that were to continue. Early picture, but if that were to continue, we might get some discussion during the course of the night discussion during the course of the night about whether or not the requirement to show voter id has in fact had requirement to show voter id has in fact had an requirement to show voter id has in fact had an impact on the level of participation in these local elections. | participation in these local elections participation in these local elections. Participation in these local elections. ,. , elections. I am sure we will discuss that. Elections. I am sure we will discuss that there elections. I am sure we will discuss that. There has elections. I am sure we will discuss that. There has already elections. I am sure we will discuss that. There has already been elections. I am sure we will discuss that. There has already been a that. There has already been a statement from the Electoral Commission about that and there have been anecdotal reports of things going on in the country and we will do our best to give people the full picture of what effect the introduction of voter id has had on these elections. Before we get into these elections. Before we get into the debate with the politicians, give us the real benchmarks we should be looking for. You give us the real benchmarks we should be looking for. Give us the real benchmarks we should be looking for. You will have heard a great should be looking for. You will have heard a great deal should be looking for. You will have heard a great deal about should be looking for. You will have heard a great deal about the should be looking for. You will have heard a great deal about the seats i heard a great deal about the seats that will heard a great deal about the seats that will be gained or lost. But we have that will be gained or lost. But we have to that will be gained or lost. But we have to gently point out that of the 8000 have to gently point out that of the 8000 seats that are up for election today, 8000 seats that are up for election today, 5000 of them are in the relatively today, 5000 of them are in the relatively small shia tory districts which relatively small shia tory districts which are relatively small shia tory districts which are not typical of the country as a whole which are not typical of the country as a whole. Many of them have councils as a whole. Many of them have councils where each word is not electing councils where each word is not electing one councillor but two or three electing one councillor but two or three so electing one councillor but two or three. So the picture created by seats three. So the picture created by seats gained and lost is frankly at risk of seats gained and lost is frankly at risk of not seats gained and lost is frankly at risk of not giving us a clear impression of whats going on in england. Impression of whats going on in england, let alone what the implications might be more broadly. So in the implications might be more broadly. So in the end, we will need to look at the so in the end, we will need to look at the votes so in the end, we will need to look at the votes and try to turn those votes at the votes and try to turn those votes into at the votes and try to turn those votes into a at the votes and try to turn those votes into a measure we use every year. Votes into a measure we use every year. The votes into a measure we use every year, the so called bbc projected national year, the so called bbc projected National Share, which is our attempt to say, National Share, which is our attempt to say, if National Share, which is our attempt to say, if the National Share, which is our attempt to say, if the whole of the country had local to say, if the whole of the country had local elections on thursday, given had local elections on thursday, given the had local elections on thursday, given the way that people behaved in the places given the way that people behaved in the places that did have local elections, what do we think the result elections, what do we think the result would be . The point about that is result would be . The point about that is that we are then no longer comparing that is that we are then no longer comparing with what happened in 2019. Comparing with what happened in 2019, which was a very unusual year, with both 2019, which was a very unusual year, with both conservative and labour doing with both conservative and labour doing badly. But rather, we can compare doing badly. But rather, we can compare across the piece. Chris mason compare across the piece. Chris mason has compare across the piece. Chris mason has been pointing out that some mason has been pointing out that some people are quite keen, im not sure why. Some people are quite keen, im not sure why. To some people are quite keen, im not sure why, to make a comparison with 1995. Sure why, to make a comparison with 1995. But sure why, to make a comparison with 1995, but doubtless we will get to that 1995, but doubtless we will get to that the 1995, but doubtless we will get to that. The crucial thing here to point that. The crucial thing here to point out that. The crucial thing here to point out is that the Opinion Polls are saying point out is that the Opinion Polls are saying labour are now in a stronger are saying labour are now in a stronger position relative to the conservatives than they have been at any point conservatives than they have been at any point since 2010. So in the simplest any point since 2010. So in the simplest of benchmarks, if labour are going simplest of benchmarks, if labour are going to prove that they are in are going to prove that they are in a better are going to prove that they are in a better position, then this should on the a better position, then this should on the p85 measure be doing better than any on the p85 measure be doing better than any points in 2010. Viewers might than any points in 2010. Viewers might want to take note that the best performance by labour since 2010 best performance by labour since 2010 was best performance by labour since 2010 was under ed miliband in 2012, when 2010 was under ed miliband in 2012, when they 2010 was under ed miliband in 2012, when they were seven points ahead. But we when they were seven points ahead. But we might also point out, and this gets but we might also point out, and this gets us back to 1995, before tony this gets us back to 1995, before tony blair this gets us back to 1995, before tony blair won in 1997, labour regularly tony blair won in 1997, labour regularly had double digit leads. The conservatives also had double digit leads under David Cameron double digit leads under David Cameron before 2010. So if labour really cameron before 2010. So if labour really want cameron before 2010. So if labour really want to demonstrate that they are breaking through amongst the electorate, they would probably like to be electorate, they would probably like to he at electorate, they would probably like to be at least in double digit territory to be at least in double digit territory. But it will be a long time territory. But it will be a long time before we can give you a clear idea of time before we can give you a clear idea of what time before we can give you a clear idea of what is going on. In the meantime. Idea of what is going on. In the meantime, if you hear us talking about meantime, if you hear us talking about swings to conservatives or labour about swings to conservatives or labour of about swings to conservatives or labour of 6 or 7 , you will know labour labour of 6 or 7 , you will know labour are labour of 6 or 7 , you will know labour are doing well. We labour of 696 or 7 , you will know labour are doing well. Labour are doing well. We will get to that in a labour are doing well. We will get to that in a few labour are doing well. We will get to that in a few minutes labour are doing well. We will get to that in a few minutes without i to that in a few minutes without panel. But i want to take you around the country and show you pictures of what is going on at the medway count. Of people across the country are getting on, cracking open the ballot boxes, that magical moment where the decisions that you made translated into real results. Keir starmer has been in medway. He was there yesterday. And when you see a political leader in a part of the country, that means it is somewhere they are hopeful of taking, because they are hopeful of taking, because they dont waste their time going to places where they dont think they have got a hope. And it is somewhere where they want to be seen pressing the flesh. 0ur reporter Anna Collinson is in medway for us tonight. What is the significance of that part of the country . That part of the country . Yeah, welcome to that part of the country . Yeah, welcome to a that part of the country . Yeah, welcome to a bustling that part of the country . Yeah, welcome to a bustling count. That part of the country . Yeah, welcome to a bustling count in | welcome to a bustling count in gillingham. We were expecting it to be a very long night of counting and not to get a result until about 7am. The returning officer said at the beginning that while speed is important, accuracy is more so, so everyone is taking heed of his words. Forthose everyone is taking heed of his words. For those who dont know much about medway, aside from a blip in the 90s, about medway, aside from a blip in the 905, it has been dominated by the 905, it has been dominated by the conservatives since the 70s and the conservatives since the 70s and the local authority has been in power for 20 years. The local authority has been in powerfor 20 years. It the local authority has been in power for 20 years. It has three local mps, all conservative, as is its mayor. As you mentioned, sir keir starmer and the labour party see this as an ambitious target. Keir starmer came here on his first day of campaigning and was here yesterday afternoon, hours before polls opened with angela rayner, his deputy leader. They see this as an important area to take hold of. I have been speaking to some Labour Activists, who told me they have been speaking to people at the door, a lot of lifelong tory voters who say they have turned their backs on the conservatives. They will not be voting tory this time after all that has happened with borisjohnson and partygate and with liz truss and the emergency budget. There is also a sense of voter apathy, and that is a big concern for the Labour Activists tonight, that people might not turn out. ,. ,. , tonight, that people might not turn out. ,. , out. Have you heard anything even anecdotally out. Have you heard anything even anecdotally about out. Have you heard anything even anecdotally about voter out. Have you heard anything even anecdotally about voter id . Out. Have you heard anything even anecdotally about voter id . That i anecdotally about voter id . That might be a theme of the night. It is interesting might be a theme of the night. It 3 interesting. When i was in medway yesterday, i did one walk from one end to the other and i asked every Single Person whether they were going to vote or not about photo id and every Single Person knew they needed it. So that was my very unscientific take on what is going on. But i was speaking to a Labour Activist this evening and he said he was very concerned about voter id, that people had told them they wouldnt be voting because they didnt have the id and he was worried they wouldnt appear in the data. a , worried they wouldnt appear in the data. ,. , data. Thanks very much. I am sure we will check in data. Thanks very much. I am sure we will check in with data. Thanks very much. I am sure we will check in with you data. Thanks very much. I am sure we will check in with you later. Data. Thanks very much. I am sure we will check in with you later. Sarah, will check in with you later. Sarah, Wes Streeting and paul, welcome to you here in the studio. Lets start on that issue. We do not know at this stage if voter id is going to be a big problem. But sarah, i heard you to saw you nodding. Have the lib dems had significant evidence of this, do you have a picture of it . I have heard of voters, for example who are registered under their married name, but the passport they brought with them is in their maiden name, a lot of women will be in that situation and havent been allowed to vote. Am only talking anecdotally, but1 of the things that really concerns me is i dont think the government has planned to really collect the robust data that we really need to see to see what kind of impact this has had. We know there has been a bit of confusion about the role of greeters, for example, outside the Polling Station, and if you have arrived at your Polling Station today and then greeted by someone and told that you dont have the appropriate id, then the Polling Center staff wont be writing down your name as somebody who has been turned away. So we wont even know after the election quite what impact it has had, never mind come as a reporter was saying there, people who havent even come to the Polling Station because they didnt have the right id to start but. ~. ,. ,. ,. , ,. , but. We have no idea how widespread it is, but its but. We have no idea how widespread it is, but its interesting but. We have no idea how widespread it is, but its interesting the it is, but its interesting the Electoral Commission has put out a statement. We already they had said. Paul, there was a pretty vigorous debate in westminster about whether this was the right thing to do. The Opposition Party has articulated concerns committee Electoral Commission is admitted tonight that there are some people who are not to vote. , vote. The Chief Executive of the electrode returning vote. The Chief Executive of the electrode returning officers vote. The Chief Executive of the electrode returning officers has| electrode returning officers has said in his view that its worked pretty well. We do need to see. We clearly need to see after this. I think when it was introduced by a labor Government Back in Northern Ireland. Llp labor Government Back in Northern Ireland. Labor Government Back in Northern Ireland. ,. ,. , ireland. Up and running there for a while. Ireland. Up and running there for a while that ireland. Up and running there for a while. That the ireland. Up and running there for a while. That the Northern Ireland. Up and running there for a while. That the Northern Ireland i while. That the Northern Ireland minister said while. That the Northern Ireland minister said at while. That the Northern Ireland minister said at the while. That the Northern Ireland minister said at the time while. That the Northern Ireland minister said at the time it while. That the Northern Ireland minister said at the time it Wasl Minister said at the time it was introduced to him it was introduced well, and it had no effect on suppressing the vote there. Some Eo Le Suppressing the vote there. Some people where suppressing the vote there. Some people where unable suppressing the vote there. Some people where unable to suppressing the vote there. Some people where unable to vote, suppressing the vote there. Some people where unable to vote, and thats not good enough, is it . What thats not good enough, is it . What we have got thats not good enough, is it . What we have got to thats not good enough, is it . What we have got to find thats not good enough, is it . What we have got to find out thats not good enough, is it . What we have got to find out is we have got to find out is whether those people were not able to vote at the time or whether they went back and got their id. We have heard a couple of examples, but its not good enough to use anecdotes. Weve got to make sure that we can. Stand got to make sure that we can. And we should be got to make sure that we can. And we should be very clear that we have to wait and see, but clearly the Electoral Commission are saying on the record there has been an issue, important to point out, we dont know how big it is. We can see some shots in bolton, the part of the country where people have been working hard. That is a council that has been in overall control for the last while. From what we have seen so far, what would be your expectation of the night . I think labor has been expectation of the night . I think labor has been a expectation of the night . I think labor has been a good expectation of the night . I think| labor has been a good campaign. Weve labor has been a good campaign. Weve stayed throughout the issues that voters really care about, cutting that voters really care about, cutting The Cost Of Living, cutting nhs waiting times, cutting crime, and whether its holding the conservatives to account for the record conservatives to account for the record of conservatives to account for the record of failure over the last 13 years record of failure over the last 13 years are record of failure over the last 13 years are putting across labors positive years are putting across labors positive plan nationally as well as all the positive plan nationally as well as all the brilliant local campaigns, i think all the brilliant local campaigns, i think we all the brilliant local campaigns, i think we can be really proud of the campaign think we can be really proud of the campaign. With reflecting the results campaign. With reflecting the results overnight. I think it demonstrates, actually, from where we are demonstrates, actually, from where we are in demonstrates, actually, from where we are in 2019 when these elections are last we are in 2019 when these elections are last fight, which, of course, was are last fight, which, of course, was before are last fight, which, of course, was before we were brought to a crushing was before we were brought to a Crushing Defeat in the general election Crushing Defeat in the general election that the labour party in terms election that the labour party in terms of election that the labour party in terms of policy, in terms of organization and in terms of leadership is very much back in Business Leadership is very much back in business and in a position where we can win business and in a position where we can win the business and in a position where we can win the next general election and beyond tonight, that will be the focus and beyond tonight, that will be the focus of and beyond tonight, that will be the focus of the coming months, i got the prime focus of the coming months, i got the Prime Minister is in a hurry to call 1 the Prime Minister is in a hurry to calli hy the Prime Minister is in a hurry to calli by the the Prime Minister is in a hurry to call1 by the time he sees how the results call1 by the time he sees how the results come in, but whenever that Election Results come in, but whenever that election is. Results come in, but whenever that election is, we will be ready. Election is, we will be ready. Labor activists looking election is, we will be ready. Labor activists looking happy election is, we will be ready. Labor activists looking happy in election is, we will be ready. Labor activists looking happy in stow, activists looking happy in stow, hugs all around, it appears. We dont know anything about the results that come about people are clearly happy about something. Interesting, john curtis, very clearly laying down the gauntlet, he said you have to be looking at a double digit lead in the projected share, which is a long way off. That will be sometime tomorrow afternoon, but are you confident . But are you confident . Whether its a very respected but are you confident . Whether its a very respected people but are you confident . Whether its a very respected people like but are you confident . Whether its a very respected people like john i a very respected people like john curtis a very respected people like john curtis are a very respected people like john curtis are some of the absolutely shocking curtis are some of the absolutely shocking punditry the parties have been shocking punditry the parties have been putting out in the last few hours. Been putting out in the last few hours. We been putting out in the last few hours, we know what the challenge is. Hours, we know what the challenge is were hours, we know what the challenge is. Were looking at these results i5. Were looking at these results closer i5. Were looking at these results closer than i5. Were looking at these results closer than anyone else because what we will closer than anyone else because what we will be closer than anyone else because what we will be judging ourselves against his rv we will be judging ourselves against his Rv Making Progress in those communities, in those constituencies that labor communities, in those constituencies that labor will need to win in order to form that labor will need to win in order to form a that labor will need to win in order to form a government . That is a test we set to form a government . That is a test we set ourselves regardless of a test anyone else sets i. It� s test anyone else sets i. Its important test anyone else sets i. Its important for test anyone else sets i. Its important for our test anyone else sets i. It� s important for our viewers. Its important for our viewers. Its important for our viewers. Its important for our viewers to understand what the benchmarks are. John curtis says this is a double digit lead, you confident youre going to get that. Im doubledigit lead, you confident youre going to get that. Youre going to get that. Im not daft enough youre going to get that. Im not daft enough to youre going to get that. Im not daft enough to make youre going to get that. Im notj daft enough to make predictions youre going to get that. Im not i daft enough to make predictions at this time daft enough to make predictions at this time of night. I think we are in for this time of night. I think we are in for a this time of night. I think we are in for a good night, this time of night. I think we are in fora good night, and i am this time of night. I think we are in for a good night, and i am very proud in for a good night, and i am very proud of in for a good night, and i am very proud of the in for a good night, and i am very proud of the campaign, the labour party has proud of the campaign, the labour party has run. I have not seen a Campaign Party has run. I have not seen a Campaign Like this from the labour party Campaign Like this from the labour party for Campaign Like this from the labour party for some years can actually command party for some years can actually command i party for some years can actually command i think that will be reflected in the results that we see reflected in the results that we see l reflected in the results that we see. ,. ,. Reflected in the results that we see. , reflected in the results that we see. 1 source chipping in from labor hq. See. 1 source chipping in from labor ho, watching see. 1 source chipping in from labor hq, watching our see. 1 source chipping in from labor hq, watching our analysis see. 1 source chipping in from labor hq, watching our analysis and hq, watching our analysis and hearing the analysis a little earlier around what was described as a very high bar of a double digit lead and saying that in each plane to read would be their best results since 1997. A couple of other things im hearing, laura. Lib dems getting very excited about Hinckley And Bosworth in the midlands. I think there has been our claim there has been a total Trade Collapse as it was described to me. The conservatives are nervous, very nervous but windsor in maidenhead and bits of canned. More optimistic in the northeast of england dan darling and red car. Labor pretty chipper about to play match. Triage. Chipper about to play match. Now, lets test that chipper about to play match. Now, lets test that out chipper about to play match. Now, lets test that out with chipper about to play match. Now, lets test that out with sarah. Lets test that out with sarah. Chris just gave a list of places where the Lib Dems Sound pretty happy. Where the Lib Dems Sound pretty ha. ,. , b where the Lib Dems Sound pretty happy by all means happy. Can i add when . By all means. We are here happy. Can i add when . By all means. We are here for happy. Can i add when . By all means. We are here for tips happy. Can i add when . By all means. We are here for tips and happy. Can i add when . By all means. We are here for tips and trends we are here for tips and trends and your insights. I we are here for tips and trends and your insights your insights. I have ust heard from sunderland. Your insights. I have just heard from sunderland. Weve your insights. I have just heard from sunderland. Weve taken| your insights. I have just heard l from sunderland. Weve taken a your insights. I have just heard from sunderland. Weve taken a seat at the from sunderland. Weve taken a seat at the tories from sunderland. Weve taken a seat at the tories there, it makes us the official at the tories there, it makes us the Official Opposition now, which is fantastic Official Opposition now, which is fantastic news and really, really a huge fantastic news and really, really a huge tribute to sunderland Liberal Democrats. We are really looking forward democrats. We are really looking forward to democrats. We are really looking forward to the results coming in. We are preparing ourselves for a really. Are preparing ourselves for a really, really good night. We have had a really, really good night. We have had a Brilliant Campaign up and down the country had a Brilliant Campaign up and down the country. We think we are going to make the country. We think we are going to make real progress, real gains, and that to make real progress, real gains, and that is to make real progress, real gains, and that is coming off the back of 700 seats and that is coming off the back of 700 seats that we won the last time these were 700 seats that we won the last time these were up. So notjust holding onto those these were up. So notjust holding onto those fantastic gains we made, but making onto those fantastic gains we made, but making more progress. I rgrill but making more progress. I will ress ou but making more progress. I will press you and but making more progress. I will press you and your but making more progress. In ii. Press you and your adjectives, so a good night, what does that mean . Someone in your party said, if we get over 200, that will be pretty good. Less than that. I get over 200, that will be pretty good. Less than that. Get over 200, that will be pretty good. Less than that. I would be ha good. Less than that. I would be happy with good. Less than that. I would be happy with 200 good. Less than that. I would be happy with 200. That good. Less than that. I would be happy with 200. That sounds good. Less than that. I would be| happy with 200. That sounds good good. Less than that. I would be i happy with 200. That Sounds Good To Me. Happy with 200. That Sounds Good To Me i happy with 200. That Sounds Good To Me Ithink happy with 200. That Sounds Good To Me. I think the important thing for us as me. I think the important thing for us as we me. I think the important thing for us as we are me. I think the important thing for us as we are not only making progress us as we are not only making progress and some of those constituencies that we are looking to win constituencies that we are looking to win at constituencies that we are looking to win at the next general election, but we to win at the next general election, but we are to win at the next general election, but we are making progress in all sorts of but we are making progress in all sorts of places where target seats arent a sorts of places where target seats arent a priority for us. Windsor and maidenhead i5 arent a priority for us. Windsor and maidenhead is not somewhere where and maidenhead is not somewhere where we and maidenhead is not somewhere where we have had much representation before, but we are hoping representation before, but we are hoping that we might take that, in places hoping that we might take that, in places like hoping that we might take that, in places like the coram, hartford chair places like the coram, hartford chair going really, really well. South chair going really, really well. South gloucestershire weve mentioned committees temperature, all across mentioned committees temperature, all across the country. And some labor all across the country. And some labor facing seats, although primarily, were looking at taking seats primarily, were looking at taking seats off primarily, were looking at taking seats off of the tories. That challenge seats off of the tories. That challenge for seats off of the tories. That challenge for the seats off of the tories. That challenge for the lib seats off of the tories. That challenge for the lib dems, j seats off of the tories. Tryst challenge for the lib dems, trying to paste both ways, but not a big party are doing that. You are trying to hold off the Liberal Democrats while taking seats off tories in other places. Fighting other parties on several fronts. All 3 of you thank you very much for now. A worth reminding that the last time that these Council Seats where fight was in 2019. Thats not too thousand 19 when there was a general election when there was a general election when borisjohnson stormed it and seemed to be able to draw the map. It was the 2019 local elections, cast your mind back. That was a completely different political world. To be some he was still in charge, though, hanging on by her fingernails. Jeremy corbyn was still the leader of the labour party, thence cable was still the leader of thence cable was still the leader of the Liberal Democrats. So we must remember that when we are talking about the last time these Council Seats where fight, it was a completely different political universe. So bear that in mind when we are thinking about things and seats changing hands around the country. Lets get out around the country. Lets get out around the country now. Lets go to our correspondent in northwest leicestershire. Currently the council there has got a small conservative majority but are those with the blue rosettes looking nervous tonight . Filth. With the blue rosettes looking nervous tonight . With the blue rosettes looking nervous tonight . With the blue rosettes looking nervous toniaht . ,. Nervous tonight . 0h, they very much are. This particular nervous tonight . 0h, they very much are. This particular area, nervous tonight . 0h, they very much are. This particular area, there nervous tonight . 0h, they very much are. This particular area, there are i are. This particular area, there are 38 Council Seats up for grabs. So it is quite a simple one to understand 38 Council Seats, each ward has one counsellor. And as he said, in 2019, the conservatives just held onto a majority of 20 seats. Later, two Labour Counsellors actually defected to the tories, but that is the picture here tonight. The tories are very much worried that labour are going to gain here. Interestingly enough, i turned up he and i wasnt expecting as many tory candidates as i have seen. And i havejust spoken to the District Council leader, richard blunt, and he basically said we are going to need some independence. So suggesting that it is going to know overall control, and that is what we are seeing here. I wonder also, there has been controversy there locally because the mp, who was a conservative mp, hes recently been booted out of the party over some of the controversial things he said. But it was, you know, i rememberfrom covering the referendum campaign, a place where borisjohnson turned up with huge excitement for him. It was a place where the conservatives felt were pretty secure in terms of the results. Do you think whats happened with inter bridge and come and maybe also its happened with inter bridge and come and maybe also its happened with borisjohnson has had an impact on peoples he was there . Boris johnson has had an impact on peoples he was there . Peoples he was there . Well, definitely peoples he was there . Well, definitely. Because peoples he was there . Well, definitely. Because if peoples he was there . Well, definitely. Because if we peoples he was there . Well, definitely. Because if we look peoples he was there . Well, definitely. Because if we look back to 2019 when it was all about bragg sates, boris and andrew were very much hand in hand. Many people back to him on that, and they voted to come out of brexit in northwest leicestershire. At that has changed now, and many people are saying to him is this going to be an intro effective . Because as you said, because of the commons on coated, he was basically expelled from the tory party. So hes now standing as an independent. I havent seen him just yet, but it will be interesting to see whether that has had an impact. I did ask some people in the x mining town of colville, normally a labour stronghold, mining town of colville, normally a labourstronghold, i mining town of colville, normally a labour stronghold, i asked, mining town of colville, normally a labourstronghold, iasked, has andrew had an effect here . They said they dont really care about him so much. So thats quite interesting. Perhaps for local people, you know, i have also heard that he has been seen as a Pantomime Dame over the years. He has very much supportive of local people believe in, especially in issues like hs two, which is very much opposed to, as well as moche recently integrity sobhy village town, issue over Asylum Seekers being housed in a local hotel there, which happened overnight, and end there was very much against that, so he has been at loggerheads with the National Government decisions over the years. So perhaps there may be some people who do support him despite the fact that he is now defected, hes been expelled from the tory party stop i thank you so much. Interesting stuff. I remind her white in any election, there is always contributions from both the local and the National Contributions from both the local and the National Going contributions from both the local and the National Going on contributions from both the local and the National Going on in contributions from both the local. And the National Going on in voters brains. Lets go to another part of the country, not that far from where our correspondent was. Lets talk to our correspondent was. Lets talk to our Political Editor in the midlands. Now, you are in stokes, and staffordshire. As he set a bit earlier, its a part of the country where people are innocently going about their business and it might be challenged by a political leader almost any time of day or night, because they fight very bitterly over it. What does yours sense of the way it will go tonight . Absolutely. You could meet at front bench absolutely. You could meet at front bench or absolutely. You could meet at front bench or on absolutely. You could meet at front bench or on any corner in stoke on trent over the last few weeks stoke on trent over the last few weeks this stoke on trent over the last few weeks. This is very hotly contested election weeks. This is very hotly contested election here. So, labour lost this Council Election here. So, labour lost this council back election here. So, labour lost this council back in 2015. That was kind at the council back in 2015. That was kind at the beginning of a downward spiral at the beginning of a downward spiral for at the beginning of a downward spiral for labour in this part of the world spiral for labour in this part of the world. In 2019, thats council went the world. In 2019, thats council went to the world. In 2019, thats council went to know overall control. The same went to know overall control. The same year went to know overall control. The same year that all three of the mp5 in the 5ame year that all three of the mp5 in the city same year that all three of the mp5 in the city which had been labour went in the city which had been labour went conservative. And the conservatives are the Largest Party on the conservatives are the Largest Party on the council, so they have been running on the council, so they have been running it on the council, so they have been running it for the last four years. Labour running it for the last four years. Labour have running it for the last four years. Labour have their own resources here over the labour have their own resources here over the last labour have their own resources here over the last few weeks, lots of campaigning, The Labour Leader, sir kier starmer, launched his crime platform kier starmer, launched his crime platform here in the city, no coincidence, and a big focus, because coincidence, and a big focus, because they would love to take back control because they would love to take back control here. I dont know if they are going control here. I dont know if they are going to have it all their own way are going to have it all their own way there are going to have it all their own way. There is an added complication here of way. There is an added complication here of quite a number of very well known. Here of quite a number of very well known, embedded in the community independents, which will make it more independents, which will make it more difficult for them, and also we think more difficult for them, and also we think that more difficult for them, and also we think that turn out, we are hearing that we think that turn out, we are hearing that we think turn out is going to be quite that we think turn out is going to be quite low here in the city, so that be quite low here in the city, so that may be quite low here in the city, so that may make things difficult for labour that may make things difficult for labour as that may make things difficult for labour as well. However, very early days, labour as well. However, very early days. But labour as well. However, very early days. But as labour as well. However, very early days, but as you saw, there was some celebrating days, but as you saw, there was some celebrating going on here earlier. That was celebrating going on here earlier. That was a celebrating going on here earlier. That was a labour hold, and we are hearing that was a labour hold, and we are hearing from that was a labour hold, and we are hearing from conservative sources that they hearing from conservative sources that they think they have lost one of their that they think they have lost one of their seats to labour. They think theyve of their seats to labour. They think theyve lost of their seats to labour. They think theyve lost abby hole ten. We dont know theyve lost abby hole ten. We dont know that theyve lost abby hole ten. We dont know that yet for certain, but it is conservative sources who are telling us that conservative sources who are telling us that. Very early days here, but its definitely one to watch. Its definitely one to watch. When we think more its definitely one to watch. When we think more broadly its definitely one to watch. When we think more broadly about its definitely one to watch. cannery we think more broadly about that part of the country, we are showing the way some of the councils in that part of the world. Youve got deadly, red h, wester, these are important, of course, for local reasons, but youve a roll call also of those kinds of places that will be vital marginal seats when it comes to general election. Redditch. And where they lost out the last time around. What this eerie sense of the wider balance of support there at the moment . Yeah, it is very interesting. It is very interesting. Traditionally, you would think of the midlands as the bill weather in england the midlands as the bill weather in england for elections anyway. I think england for elections anyway. I think that england for elections anyway. I think that is perhaps even more so the case think that is perhaps even more so the case now as well as the traditional bellweather, places like stafford. Traditional bellweather, places like stafford, we have got these areas that are stafford, we have got these areas that are formerly referred to as the red wall. That are formerly referred to as the red wall, where labour have to get back red wall, where labour have to get back. Theyve got to show progress here. Back. Theyve got to show progress here. If back. Theyve got to show progress here, if they have any hope of finding here, if they have any hope of finding the next government after the next finding the next government after the next general election. Now, i think the next general election. Now, i Thinkthe The Next general election. Now, i think the sense on the ground is that people are a little bit trepidation us. Weve got those national trepidation us. Weve got those National Polling for garys that show National Polling for garys that show labour far ahead, but in some of these show labour far ahead, but in some of these communities, we are still trying of these communities, we are still trying to of these communities, we are still trying to sense whether the changes that happened over the last 5 60 is has committed a big shift we saw in 2019. Has committed a big shift we saw in 2019, whether for some people that is a permanent shift on issues like immigration. Do some of the people who voted immigration. Do some of the people who voted for the conservatives for the first who voted for the conservatives for the first time in 2019, do they now feel more the first time in 2019, do they now feel more at home with the Conservative Party down with the Labour Conservative Party down with the labour party who they may have voted for previously for the rest of their lives for previously for the rest of their lives because mexico that is a kind of interesting thing to watch here in the of interesting thing to watch here in the midlands. Because that is a kind in the midlands. Because that is a kind of in the midlands. Because that is a kind of interesting thing to watch here a kind of interesting thing to watch here. Labourare hoping to a kind of interesting thing to watch here. Labour are hoping to make gains here. Labour are hoping to make gains there, but because the councils gains there, but because the councils are on the up by thirds, we are less councils are on the up by thirds, we are less likely to see perhaps labour are less likely to see perhaps Labour Taking Control of those councils Labour Taking Control of those councils. However, if they do have a stormy councils. However, if they do have a stormy night councils. However, if they do have a stormy night and do brilliantly well. Stormy night and do brilliantly well, there is a chance they could take back well, there is a chance they could take back control and some way. Lizzie take back control and some way. Lizzie thank you for that. We know where it came from a new beginning. We have some more results coming through. Lets take a skip through some of the latest ones. New castle county has been held by labour, tyneside two and holds on to in cheshire on the liveable inside. None are of those are surprised. Brooks born held by the conservatives and labour holding a majority and sunderland, so some of the latest results. As lizzie was saying, a reminder that only a third of the konsa seats up for grabs in some parts of the Country Number so we may not see many consuls themselves change hands. It mayjust be a change here or there in a number of seats but will make that clear for you as the night goes on. I want to show you brentwood in essex. The count is going on there and the reason we are telling you thatis and the reason we are telling you that is there is an interesting result there. Brentwood is somewhere the conservatives have been pretty secure but there are changes already. The lib dems have gained as seat from the tories and interesting is they have taken it on a 24 swing. In another war there the lib doves have had another seat and theyve had a 14 swing there. So, those are pretty big numbers when it comes to elections. 0n the very early whispers in the wind, crisp but whatever you make of what youve seen so far . Seen so far . Loud whisper as if such a thin is seen so far . Loud whisper as if such a thing is possible seen so far . Loud whisper as if such a thing is possible when seen so far . Loud whisper as if such a thing is possible when you seen so far . Loud whisper as if such a thing is possible when you look i seen so far . Loud whisper as if such a thing is possible when you look at | a thing is possible when you look at the numbers. The conservative mp in brentwood seen at the comments he fears the results could be worse than expected with the conservatives losing their majority there. One nugget from the southwest of england in plymouth. Senior concert there are approaching a wipe out with a big majority for labour. You known about the row about trees over there which is a hugely contentious local issue which may have informed voters mind. B. Issue which may have informed voters mind. �. , issue which may have informed voters mind. ,. , mind. A significant boon over there. That would be mind. A significant boon over there. That would be interesting mind. A significant boon over there. That would be interesting and that would be interesting and plymouth importance of both those parties with the general elections because at the moment labour represented there and it is somewhere on labours target list. We will talk with rita in a moment about projected National Share. That concept was introduced to us, they count will go into giant calculator and sometime in the afternoon tomorrow we will come up with a look at what the whole country would be looking at. And how much i shared they would have had . How much would they would have had . How much would they look at that . They look at that . Through the small hours and tomorrow they look at that . Through the small hours and tomorrow the they look at that . Through the small hours and tomorrow the different hours and tomorrow the different results will have a big impact. 0nce results will have a big impact. Once you throw into that computer all of these numbers it gives a broader sense of how things might have been today, tonight, tomorrow had it been a general election. Its clearly not a general election. Its clearly not a general election and people are voted for Different Reasons but they would take account of that and, with a number which is a massive mood makerfor the parties and gives maker for the parties and gives them a sense of, firstly, whether their own intelligence turned out to be right and secondly, is there come banding ortake right and secondly, is there come banding or take needs or ground operations or local Media Officers or digital approach are working or not . Are they focusing on the right areas and put in their resources into areas they can maximise the benefit . Its a hugely important intelligence for them in the year or 18 months whatever it turns out to be, in a general election. Iloathe be, in a general election. Who knows what will happen be, in a general election. Who knows what will happen by be, in a general election. Who knows what will happen by then . Be, in a general election. Who knows what will happen by then . But be, in a general election. Who knows what will happen by then . But it be, in a general election. Who knows what will happen by then . But it is i what will happen by then . But it is a statistic people look at. Rita, give us a history of the statistic people to obsess over so much. Here is the Graphic People to obsess over so much. Here is the graphic going people to obsess over so much. Here is the graphic going back two decades is the graphic going back two decades. Projected National Share as laura decades. Projected National Share as laura has decades. Projected National Share as laura has described is our extrapolation of what wouldve happened if the whole country had voted happened if the whole country had voted in happened if the whole country had voted in local elections in any one year~ voted in local elections in any one year~ you voted in local elections in any one year. You can see that last year, 2022. Year. You can see that last year, 2022, labour was on 35 and conservatives on 30 and lib dems are 19 conservatives on 30 and lib dems are i9 and conservatives on 30 and lib dems are 19 and others on 16 . What we are19 and others on 16 . What we actually are 19 and others on 16 . What we actually want to compare with are the elections that took place in 2019 the elections that took place in 2019 because the vast majority of seats 2019 because the vast majority of seats that 2019 because the vast majority of seats that are up tonight were voted on in seats that are up tonight were voted on in 2019. Seats that are up tonight were voted on in 2019, and there you can see that both on in 2019, and there you can see that both labour and the conservatives had he poured nights. A very conservatives had he poured nights. A very poor conservatives had he poured nights. A very poor night. Neither of them et5 a very poor night. Neither of them gets in a very poor night. Neither of them gets in more than 30 of the vote. The others. Gets in more than 30 of the vote. The others, who include the greens and the the others, who include the greens and the independence, actually had a much and the independence, actually had a much better performance that time. So, much better performance that time. So. We much better performance that time. So, we would be looking to see whether so, we would be looking to see whether both parties do better than they did whether both parties do better than they did in whether both parties do better than they did in 2019 and particularly with labour given the big lead in the Opinion Polls. We want to see how far the Opinion Polls. We want to see how far ahead of the conservatives, should how far ahead of the conservatives, should this how far ahead of the conservatives, should this be what happens, how far ahead should this be what happens, how far ahead they are. It is the gap between ahead they are. It is the gap between the two that is so important. Is it the dutch of a double edged digit lead some people are talking about . Is it 8 . Will be in a position are talking about . Is it 8 . Will be in a position to know that in a few hours in a position to know that in a few hours time in a position to know that in a few hours time. It is important, deleted. Hours time. It is important, deleted, because if you go back to the high deleted, because if you go back to the high point of this graph for labour. The high point of this graph for labour. In the high point of this graph for labour, in 2012, when they had a seven labour, in 2012, when they had a seven point labour, in 2012, when they had a seven point lead over the conservatives. But as we all know ed miliband conservatives. But as we all know ed miliband did not become Prime Minister. Miliband did not become Prime Minister, seven Percentage Points at that point minister, seven Percentage Points at that point was not enough to get him into Downing Street stop a word to about into Downing Street stop a word to about the into Downing Street stop a word to about the democrats performance over time. About the democrats performance over time. 90 about the democrats performance over time, 90 last year, the Liberal Democrats time, 90 last year, the Liberal Democrats usually hold, do well in terms democrats usually hold, do well in terms of democrats usually hold, do well in terms of the share of the vote in local elections. But 19 compared to what local elections. But19 compared to what they local elections. But 19 compared to what they were getting into thousand four and what they were getting into thousand four and 2005, where at one point they overtook the labour party, well. They overtook the labour party, well. You they overtook the labour party, well, you can see, if you follow the yellow well, you can see, if you follow the yellow line well, you can see, if you follow the yellow line down, the plummeting in lib dems yellow line down, the Plummeting In Lib Dems Support that happened after they went lib dems support that happened after they went into governments with the conservatives. So, they went into governments with the conservatives conservatives. So, lots of food for thou. Ht conservatives. So, lots of food for thought there. Conservatives. So, lots of food for thought there. Thank conservatives. So, lots of food for thought there. Thank you conservatives. So, lots of food for thought there. Thank you very conservatives. So, lots of food for i thought there. Thank you very much rita. That is a big historical picture and what we are doing in the next few hours is looking at lots of Individualjigsaw Pieces as they emerge. 0ne Individualjigsaw Pieces as they emerge. One has Individualjigsaw Pieces as they emerge. 0ne hasjust popped up. We were talking about brentwood in essex and theres been another lib debit getting there which means the conservative majority is likely to go. Not confirmed but as chris was suggesting a moment ago another jigsaw piece has me that more likely and the local mp has been treating about that. Also want to bring you the first news of the greens. The first green seat has been won. They have gained the west part award from labour in South Tyneside. So, up in a northeast of england. The first green again of the night and there may well be, the green party has had on the record they hope to take another 100 seats in the local Council Elections. They have hopes of taking the first majority counsel, which would be Making History for them. We are keeping a close eye on whats happening to the green party and talking to them through the course of the night. Right, lets get a bit of processed perspective about what may be going on in side the Political Party as they are watching, nervously, in their headquarters. Maybe people can see few things privately to each other. Thats talk to sonja soda, the cheap writer and agricultural, the cheap writer and agricultural, the Political Editor of the sun. Welcome to both. Good to have you with us. Harry, so far, what are you here from tory hq. With us. Harry, so far, what are you here from tory hq. They have gone a bit auiet, i here from tory hq. They have gone a bit quiet. I have here from tory hq. They have gone a bit quiet, i have to here from tory hq. They have gone a bit quiet, i have to say. Here from tory hq. They have gone a bit quiet, i have to say. There bit quiet, i have to say. There was an initialflurry bit quiet, i have to say. There was an initial flurry activity after ten p m. Where the said labour had to need thousands of seats but rishi sunak put a publicly last night, he was out and about on the party circuit, he said this could be a very tough evening for the Conservative Party. So far, weve seen this or to disprove that. I think hes probably right. The results from sunderland which are the only release date so we have so far, with you kip, at the high point of theresa may and her administration in 2019 window seats were less part, that you get vote seems to be splitting with labour and is a very bad sign for tories. I cant resist mentioning the poster behind your head says loose lives shrink ships. If the tories at up as much as people in party hq think they might with a thousand seats lose, with experts saying that over the last few days. The tory chatter, if this is a bad night, from your assessment of the current state of the party, could rishi sunak could end up in trouble . If they are in 800 or 900 seats down . I end up in trouble . If they are in 800 or 900 seats down . I dont think so. 800 or 900 seats down . I dont think so frankly. 800 or 900 seats down . I dont think so frankly. The 800 or 900 seats down . I dont think so. Frankly, the tories 800 or 900 seats down . I dont think so. Frankly, the tories have 800 or 900 seats down . I dont think so. Frankly, the tories have had so. Frankly, the tories have had a fairly hectic year of change and the leader last year. I think they lose any shred of credibility if they were even to try to move against another leader at the site of an election. I cant see typing but thatis election. I cant see typing but that is not to say there wont be grumbling about direction of trumbull and the ambition of rishi sunak and sticking to those five pages youre having a sub some mps would want to hear more of his vision and leadership and help you win the next election and turn it around. Frankly, ithink win the next election and turn it around. Frankly, i think the tories have made their bed now and it is hard for them to even begin to contemplate a massive change of direction. Rishi sunak is beginning to edge a hedge in some Opinion Polls nationally, he is close the gap and nudging ahead as the best leader, but tonight it looks like so far and obvious his early days, very little so far in these results for the tory sequential. And it would be a Deaf A Rough Year for them. The tory sequential. And it would be a deaf a Rough Yearfor them. The election is basically 11t a deaf a Rough Yearfor them. The election is basically 10 months away and on these results it does look great. And on these results it does look areat. , ~ and on these results it does look treat. , ~. , great. Son yet when we think about the lib dems great. Son yet when we think about the lib dems. They great. Son yet when we think about the lib dems. They traditionally, i the lib dems. They traditionally, local government is where they build it back and have their foot soldiers. It is where they fight, often very successful sometimes quite testy campaigns. Do you think that they might end up by tomorrow afternoon be the ones who feel it massively cheaper but you might well, obviously we havent had enough resulting so far but the couple we have had our looking quite good, it has to be said. For couple we have had our looking quite good, it has to be said. Good, it has to be said. For the lib dems. I good, it has to be said. For the Lib Dems Lthink good, it has to be said. For the lib dems. I think the good, it has to be said. For the lib dems. I think the real good, it has to be said. For the lib dems. I think the real test good, it has to be said. For the lib dems. I think the real test for good, it has to be said. For the lib dems. I think the real test for the | dems. I think the real test for the lib dems in dems. I think the real test for the lib dems in the local elections i5 lib dems in the local elections is can they lib dems in the local elections is can they build on where they work in 2019 . Can they build on where they work in 2019 . Really cute to look for will be where 2019 . Really cute to look for will be where they are competitive against be where they are competitive against the conservatives. That be would against the conservatives. That be would a against the conservatives. That be would a real sign, i think, against the conservatives. That be would a real sign, ithink, of whether would a real sign, ithink, of whether my we might see a bit of a comeback whether my we might see a bit of a comeback for them in the next General Comeback for them in the next general election when it comes to parliamentary seats. I think they did better parliamentary seats. I think they did better than many were expecting when the did better than many were expecting when the seats were last contested in 2019~ when the seats were last contested in 2019. Weve seen some positive by election in 2019. Weve seen some positive by Election Results for them in a less few years Election Results for them in a less few years and it does feel like the lib dems really did hitch themselves to brexit lib dems really did hitch themselves to brexit and being on the remaining side of to brexit and being on the remaining side of the to brexit and being on the remaining side of the equation in recent years side of the equation in recent years. There is no question that that harm years. There is no question that that harm them somewhat. Now, if your site that harm them somewhat. Now, if your site if that harm them somewhat. Now, if your site if you look at seats where they are your site if you look at seats where they are against conservatives, it feels they are against conservatives, it feels like they are against conservatives, it feels like local elections, theyve always feels like local elections, theyve always done best on local excuse and that is always done best on local excuse and that is what always done best on local excuse and that is what our coming to the fore again that is what our coming to the fore again in those seats where they are competitive against the conservatives. Competitive against the conservatives. � ,. ,. , conservatives. Thats think for a second about conservatives. Thats think for a second about the conservatives. Thats think for a second about the camping conservatives. Thats think for a second about the camping in. Conservatives. Thats think for a | second about the camping in the conservatives. Thats think for a second about the camping in the last few weeks. We are showing the people some latest results that have coming but Something Interesting that the conservatives have held harlow, labour were hoping for a gain there but conservatives had held onto it. We will see later if seats have changed hands or not and other results there with charlie and sunderland held by labour and Bronx Born In Hartford Shirt by the tories. In the last few weeks in this campaign, what tested out to you . Do this campaign, what tested out to ou . ,. ,. , this campaign, what tested out to ou . Y. ,. ,. , this campaign, what tested out to ou . ,. , you . Do you mean from the labours perspective . You . Do you mean from the labours perspective . L you . Do you mean from the labours perspective . Ithink you . Do you mean from the labours perspective . I think it you . Do you mean from the labours perspective . I think it is perspective . I think it is really, actually, perspective . I think it is really, actually, if perspective . I think it is really, actually, if you look at the polling and in actually, if you look at the polling and in recent weeks the gap has closed a and in recent weeks the gap has closed a little bit but labour have been closed a little bit but labour have been so closed a little bit but labour have been so far ahead in the way that i think been so far ahead in the way that i think lots been so far ahead in the way that i think lots of people simply wouldnt have addicted given the general election have addicted given the general Election Results in 2019 under Boris JohnsonElection Results in 2019 under Boris Johnson. Obviously, so much has happened johnson. Obviously, so much has happened since then but to me that has been happened since then but to me that has been the standout of our politics has been the standout of our politics over the next few weeks. These politics over the next few weeks. These sets politics over the next few weeks. These sets of elections, of course, our keir these sets of elections, of course, our Keir Starmer I5 these sets of elections, of course, our keir starmer is a big test. It is one thing our keir starmer is a big test. It is one thing when people say in an opinion is one thing when people say in an opinion poll, yet if there was a general election tomorrow i would vote labour, but with internal and vote . Vote labour, but with internal and vote . Local vote labour, but with internal and vote . Local elections are a perfect predictor vote . Local elections are a perfect predictor of vote . Local elections are a perfect predictor of that but they are a more predictor of that but they are a more reliable predictor that many people more reliable predictor that many people think of Opinion Polls. The question people think of Opinion Polls. The question is, his labours lead that we have been seen in the polls will extend we have been seen in the polls will extend up we have been seen in the polls will extend up in the set of lightning thank you both very much forjoining lightning thank you both very much forjoining us at this late hour. A5 sonia forjoining us at this late hour. As sonia. Forjoining us at this late hour. As sonia. , forjoining us at this late hour. As sonia. ,. ,. ,. Sonia was saying, these are Magic Moments in sonia was saying, these are Magic Moments in elections, sonia was saying, these are Magic Moments in elections, your sonia was saying, these are Magic Moments in elections, your votes| moments in elections, your votes going to the ballot box and the politicians can only wait and see what you have told them. We can see votes being counted in bowl ten. Critical part of the country when it comes to the labour conservative one on one fights. Ipswich will be there a little bit later on in suffolk, all sorts of interesting things happening in that part of the country. We mentioned earlier the greens hoping to take the First Council as a majority in need suffolk and also busy bees in leicestershire. Although, maybe some nervous faces. Im trying to see if there is a resident on that person chatting there. Looks like a green rosette. People waiting nervously to see what happens as the results start streaming in. Lets go somewhere where we have already told you about, an interesting fight going on. Quite an exciting one that could be pretty tight. Lets go to planet in the southwest, our Political Editor, martin. Martin, we have already heard it is tight there. Its been a tough fight between labour and the conservatives. Local controversies, yes, but to what do you think this is going to end up being . What are people telling you right now . Well. People telling you right now . Well, we are in quite people telling you right now . Well, we are in quite a people telling you right now . Ii we are in quite a remarkable situation. Not a single seat has been declared. I spoke to a host of seniorfigures from both been declared. I spoke to a host of senior figures from both the labour and conservative camps commander seems to be a consensus that labour are heading for a very significant majority, and as one senior conservative told me, they are facing wipe out. Now, it is the case that uniquely in the southwest, plymouth is pretty much a straight fight between the two parties. It does seesaw between them. It is to some extent a barometer of the National Political mood, but on top of that, as you say, there have been some extraordinary local circumstances, that decision on the eve of the Election Campaign by that then conservative leader to remove all of those trees in the city centre. But that was just the latest act, if you like in an unfolding performance of tory discord and chaos here in plymouth. A lot of Tory Counsellors leaving the group to become independents, and in fact, this is the second year in elections where the tories have gone into an Election Campaign having just lost their leader. Leicester, the leader was toppled with a vote of no confidence. This year, he resigned. You cant imagine a circumstance in which a party was in more disarray going into an election. More disarray going into an election more disarray going into an election. ,. ,. , election. Interesting that you use the word wipeout, election. Interesting that you use the word wipeout, that election. Interesting that you use the word wipeout, that sounds l election. Interesting that you use i the word wipeout, that sounds like the word wipe out, that sounds like it could be something very embarrassing for the Conservative Party. Embarrassing for the conservative pa. , embarrassing for the conservative pa. Party. Indeed. One detail, i saved the caveat party. Indeed. One detail, i saved the caveat here party. Indeed. One detail, i saved the caveat here is party. Indeed. One detail, i saved the caveat here is not party. Indeed. One detail, i saved the caveat here is not a party. Indeed. One detail, i saved the caveat here is not a single party. Indeed. One detail, i saved| the caveat here is not a single seat has been declared. Hearing from labour sources that they have done extremely well in the area of the city which is represented by the Veterans Minister and mpjohnny Veterans Minister and mp johnny mercer, Veterans Minister and mpjohnny mercer, inevitably, with these elections, potentially being the penultimate test of the mood before the general election, there will be a great deal of interest in whether these kind of results can be carried across onto a potential general Election Results. Across onto a potential general Election Results. Interesting. The wider regional Election Results. Interesting. The wider Regional ImplicationsElection Results. Interesting. The wider Regional Implications as Election Results. Interesting. The. Wider Regional Implications as well are interesting. It wasjust suggested to me that there is a massive rate for the tory party in the southwest in general, we will see if that picture is burn out. Just picking up on the conversation you are highlighting there, which is conservatives in northeast somerset, very nervous. I should say this is one of the lib dems best performances back in 2019 when they flipped the council from the conservatives, but the conservatives locally they� re very conservatives, but the conservatives locally theyre very nervous about how they are going to fare. Brute how they are going to fare. We talked a little bit about brentwood and essex. Lets take you there and checkin and essex. Lets take you there and check in with harry who is there for us tonight. Can you describe what you are hearing on the ground . We talked about an interesting picture developing. Talked about an interesting picture develoain. , talked about an interesting picture develoain. , , developing. Yes, very interesting. This is one developing. Yes, very interesting. This is one of developing. Yes, very interesting. This is one of those developing. Yes, very interesting. This is one of those seats developing. Yes, very interesting. This is one of those seats that developing. Yes, very interesting. This is one of those seats that in l this is one of those seats that in the general election, the conservatives have quite a strong majority. Conservatives have quite a strong majority, but in the locals here tonight. Majority, but in the locals here tonight, the lib dems are doing very well. Tonight, the lib dems are doing very well they tonight, the lib dems are doing very well. They are pushing them hard. The conservatives have a wafer thin majority the conservatives have a wafer thin majority and brentwood borough Council Majority and Brentwood Borough Council ofjust three. Lib dems have already council ofjust three. Lib dems have already tonight made two games out of the already tonight made two games out of the conservatives. They are pushing of the conservatives. They are pushing the conservatives out. They are trying pushing the conservatives out. They are trying to take the conservatives majority are trying to take the conservatives majority off them, take it to overall majority off them, take it to overall control. And even hearing some overall control. And even hearing some very overall control. And even hearing some very optimistic whispers from left some some very optimistic whispers from left some lib dems tonight to think they might be able to gain a majority they might be able to gain a majority when the next set of seats come majority when the next set of seats come up majority when the next set of seats come up next year. So its a very interesting picture here in brentwood. The conservatives looking very nervous. The local mp alex said to me very nervous. The local mp alex said to me earlier very nervous. The local mp alex said to me earlier he thinks the results are going to me earlier he thinks the results are going to be worse than he fears. We are are going to be worse than he fears. We are just are going to be worse than he fears. We are just going to show the change in the vote share there and brentwood, because it is very clear when you see it. The Liberal Democrats of 3 . Labour up 1t . The conservatives down 6 . Now, they are still counting votes. This is not the final picture. But why do you think that has happened from people you have spoken to in that part of the world . The world . Well, we talk about whether people the world . Well, we talk about whether people vote the world . Well, we talk about whether people vote over the world . Well, we talk about. Whether people vote over National Issues whether people vote over National Issues are whether people vote over National Issues are local issues. In this part issues are local issues. In this part of issues are local issues. In this part of the issues are local issues. In this part of the world, it is a green belt part of the world, it is a green belt area part of the world, it is a green belt area on the edges of london u5t belt area on the edges of london just outside the 25. Housing is a key issue. Just outside the 25. Housing is a key issue, im told, from people across key issue, im told, from people across the key issue, im told, from people across the different here. Two new developments approved by council. Voters developments approved by council. Voters in developments approved by council. Voters in particular are concerned about voters in particular are concerned about that voters in particular are concerned about that. They dont like the new development in their local area, and the lib development in their local area, and the lib dems have been campaigning hard against that to new development. Housing, a key issue in this part development. Housing, a key issue in this part of development. Housing, a key issue in this part of the world in particular. This part of the world in particular this part of the world in articular. ,. ~ ,. , particular. Harry, thank you very much. Particular. Harry, thank you very much we particular. Harry, thank you very much. We will particular. Harry, thank you very much. We will come particular. Harry, thank you very much. We will come back particular. Harry, thank you very much. We will come back to particular. Harry, thank you very much. We will come back to a i particular. Harry, thank you very i much. We will come back to a little bit later on. Paul, you have been the ministerfrom london, youve done lots of differentjobs and the government, but we have heard a few times already tonight how much discontent there seems to be bubbling up, and particularly an issue of housing and for people in the southeast. Are you worried about what youre hearing . I the southeast. Are you worried about what youre hearing . What youre hearing . I think we know, what youre hearing . I think we know. We what youre hearing . I think we know, we have what youre hearing . I think we know, we have known what youre hearing . I think we know, we have known this what youre hearing . I think we know, we have known this is i what youre hearing . I think we i know, we have known this is going what youre hearing . I think we know, we have known this is going to be a bad night for us, absolutely. A bad night for us because we are midterm. It is a difficult sent of elections for us. Professors where talking about losses of 1000 for us. White mexican session that the consensus is that it is very much at the west end of chemically mccormick nonetheless, thatis chemically mccormick nonetheless, that is still there figures. And so there is lots of good counsellors losing their seats tonight. It is very early losing their seats tonight. It is very early days losing their seats tonight. It is very early days. Lots losing their seats tonight. It is very early days. Lots of good counsellors losing their seats. Weve heard where they talked about the nhs and all things like that. None of that is going to change as a result of this election. There will be good counsellors are running dead public services. I say that as an ex counsellor myself, having lost my seat on the same day as a general election, you tend to find constituents often get by as a regret three and half years into it when realising what happened. In terms of housing, there is a difficult balance to be struck here. This isnt about what happens within one Political Party or even across the parties. Its actually communities. Everybody wants more houses, they dont necessarily want them next to them. Them next to them. Theyve had 13 ears to them next to them. Theyve had 13 years to come them next to them. Theyve had 13 years to come up them next to them. Theyve had 13 years to come up with them next to them. Theyve had 13 years to come up with this. Them next to them. Theyve had 13 years to come up with this. How. Them next to them. Theyve had 13| years to come up with this. How do ou years to come up with this. How do you square years to come up with this. How do you square that years to come up with this. How do you square that circle . Years to come up with this. How do you square that circle . We years to come up with this. How do you square that circle . We build i you square that circle . We build more houses last year than i think that third highest House Building over the last year over the last 30 years. So we are doing our best to try to build supply, but it is incredibly difficult. Ii try to build supply, but it is incredibly difficult. Try to build supply, but it is incredibly difficult. If you lose those 1000 incredibly difficult. If you lose those 1000 seats, incredibly difficult. If you lose those 1000 seats, and i incredibly difficult. If you lose those 1000 seats, and a i incredibly difficult. If you lose those 1000 seats, and a to i incredibly difficult. If you lose i those 1000 seats, and a to that is a possibility that rare those 1000 seats, and a to that is a possibility tha possibility that we are in midterms and rishi sunak possibility that we are in midterms and rishi sunak has possibility that we are in midterms and rishi sunak has coming i possibility that we are in midterms and rishi sunak has coming with i possibility that we are in midtermsl and rishi sunak has coming with his five points plan, having inflation growing the economy, reducing the debt, cutting the backlog in the nhs and stopping the boats. But if debt, cutting the backlog in the nhs and stopping the boats. And stopping the boats. But if you lose 1002 we and stopping the boats. But if you lose 1002 we are and stopping the boats. But if you lose 1002 we are only and stopping the boats. But if you lose 1002 we are only a and stopping the boats. But if you lose 1002 we are only a quarter. Lose 1002 we are only a quarter throu h lose 1002 we are only a quarter through the lose 1002 we are only a quarter through the year, lose 1002 we are only a quarter through the year, it lose 1002 we are only a quarter through the year, it is lose 1002 we are only a quarter through the year, it is early i lose 1002 we are only a quarter. Through the year, it is early days. When therese and he was fighting these seats, shall lost 1300. If you lose 1000 seats, whatever rishi sunak is saying, what hes got a five point plan, 1000 point plan, people are not going for it. Itrufhat five point plan, 1000 point plan, people are not going for it. What i am sa in people are not going for it. What i am saying is people are not going for it. What i am saying is that people are not going for it. What i am saying is that plan people are not going for it. What i am saying is that plan has people are not going for it. What i am saying is that plan has specific outcomes that can be measured. We are at a quarter of the way through, even that being able to deliver that. Its really early days. We have seen the polls start to close, the National Polls start to close, but as chris was saying early on, these are far more measurable when you get the results tomorrow, but nonetheless, the fact is that people are seeing rishi sunak. They like what they see, but it is very much job unfinished. Weve got to go through that process. Job unfinished. Weve got to go through that process. Whats on your mind . I through that process. Whats on your mind . I find through that process. Whats on your mind . I find this through that process. Whats on your mind . I find this totally mind . I find this totally impossible. Mind . I find this totally impossible. On mind . I find this totally impossible. On one i mind . I find this totally i impossible. On one hand, mind . I find this totally impossible. On one hand, paul is saying impossible. On one hand, paul is saying local impossible. On one hand, paul is saying local conservative counsellors are being punished for National Counsellors are being punished for National Issues. In the next breath, he says National Issues. In the next breath, he says the National Issues. In the next breath, he says the voters like rishi sunak. Lets he says the voters like rishi sunak. Lets remember that teresa may had to apologise to conservative counsellors who lost their seats in that terrible election in 2019 when we were that terrible election in 2019 when we were told that the conservatives had hit we were told that the conservatives had hit rock bottom. And now they are plummeting to new depths. Theresa are plummeting to new depths. Theresa may. When the Party Chairman said that theresa may. When the Party Chairman said that we theresa may. When the Party Chairman said that we are expecting to lose 1000 said that we are expecting to lose 1000 seats whether that was an expectation or an impatient, because they have expectation or an impatient, because they have done precisely nothing to speak they have done precisely nothing to speak to they have done precisely nothing to speak to the voters concerns during the course speak to the voters concerns during the course of this election. They try to the course of this election. They try to pretend the elections werent happening at one point my rishi sunak happening at one point my rishi sunak launched his campaign but didnt sunak launched his campaign but didnt tell sunak launched his campaign but didnt tell anyone about it, because he was didnt tell anyone about it, because he was so didnt tell anyone about it, because he was so confident about delivering against he was so confident about delivering against his he was so confident about delivering against his priorities. Against his priorities. These are local elections against his priorities. These are local elections but against his priorities. These are local elections but you against his priorities. These are local elections but you have i local elections but you have acknowledged local elections but you have acknowledged that local elections but you have i acknowledged that conservative counsellors are losing their seats because counsellors are losing their seats because of your governments record. We are because of your governments record. We are not because of your governments record. We are not in because of your governments record. We are not in the midterm. We are at the end we are not in the midterm. We are at the end game. He been in government for 13 years the end game. He been in government for 13 years for 13 years. You have been waiting a finer for 13 years. You have been waiting a finger talking for 13 years. You have been waiting a finger talking about for 13 years. You have been waiting a finger talking about national a finger talking about National Issues come talking about local issues, and these are Council Elections about local issues. There are some factors can be talked about plymouth being a good example of where there is some local factors at play. Where there is some local factors at play, but can actually are going to be really, you are leading up a garden path if you think what you were talking about earlier on in the nhs is going to change tomorrow. It needs to change at a general election, im glad youve acknowledged that. It doesnt set anything in train that you are expecting people to be waking up tomorrow and thinking, oh thank goodness, i have not got a conservative counsellor, therefore we are changing the nhs. I do you believe in devolution, and therefore, when you allow councils and counsellors to be accountable for their decisions or you start muddying the water can as you have been doing throughout this campaign. He rightly said i was the first minister of london. Ive had three years of watching city con waving his finger at absolutely everybody. Theres no elections in london, lets be clear, today. Absolutely wagging a finger at everybody. Its a good hiding place for politicians when you muddy the water stop that ive never seen anything like this on Election Night where the conservatives come on and basically comlain conservatives come on and basically complain that conservatives come on and basically complain that their conservatives come on and basically complain that their opponents i conservatives come on and basically complain that their opponents ran i conservatives come on and basically complain that their opponents ran a | complain that their opponents ran a better complain that their opponents ran a Better Campaign than their opponents. Of, no, ilost Better Campaign than their opponents. Of, no, i lost the seats because opponents. Of, no, i lost the seats because they ran a Better Campaign. Im because they ran a Better Campaign. Im actually because they ran a Better Campaign. Im actually saying that you are dealing with the wrong campaign because you are dealing with the issues that are not actually. Im issues that are not actually. Im not sure the issues that are not actually. Im not sure the numbers will say that by the not sure the numbers will say that by the end not sure the numbers will say that by the end of the night. I am deafinr by the end of the night. I am dealing with by the end of the night. I am dealing with the by the end of the night. I am dealing with the issues i by the end of the night. I am dealing with the issues that. Dealing with the issues that actually those councils directly net cost of living, nhs, crime. These are the issues that those cost of living, nhs, crime. These are the issues that those these are the issues that are the issues that those these are the issues that the are the issues that those these are the issues that the voters are the issues that those these are the issues that the voters are i the issues that the voters are raising the issues that the voters are raisin. The issues that the voters are raisin. ,. ,. ,. , raising. There is a point here, you a campaign raising. There is a point here, you a campaign absolutely raising. There is a point here, you a campaign absolutely asking i raising. There is a point here, you i a campaign absolutely asking people to vote on things that are not directly in council control. Every day we heard kier starmer talk about The Cost Of Living. Now, most of the decisions related to that are made by National Government. He was talking about the nhs, crying. Now, most of the things, counsel has influenced all sorts of ways, but there is no doubt that you ran a nationally focused campaign. Is that fair . I nationally focused campaign. Is that fair . ,. , nationally focused campaign. Is that fair . , nationally focused campaign. Is that fair . ,. , fair . I will say two things. Local government fair . I will say two things. Local government does fair . I will say two things. Local government does have fair . I will say two things. Local government does have an i fair . I will say two things. Local. Government does have an impact fair . I will say two things. Local government does have an impact on cost of government does have an impact on cost of living and on the nhs and in terms cost of living and on the nhs and in terms of cost of living and on the nhs and in terms of crime, and has powers they can use terms of crime, and has powers they can use of terms of crime, and has powers they can use. Of course, nationally, we have been can use. Of course, nationally, we have been speaking to voters right across have been speaking to voters right across england with National Messages on the voters priorities, but down messages on the voters priorities, but down in messages on the voters priorities, but down in plymouth asked them if we have but down in plymouth asked them if we have been running a National Election . We have been running a National Election . Of course, in local communities, Labour Counsellors, labour communities, Labour Counsellors, labour candidates, labour Group Leaders labour candidates, labour Group Leaders have been running very effective. Leaders have been running very effective, i think we will see, local effective, i think we will see, local campaigns. But, of course, kier starmer i5 local campaigns. But, of course, kier starmer is the person who wants to be kier starmer is the person who wants to be our kier starmer is the person who wants to be our next Prime Minister, is talking directly to voters about the issues talking directly to voters about the issues that matter to them that they care about issues that matter to them that they care about and giving people a sense of labours care about and giving people a sense of labours direction so they can anticipate of labours direction so they can anticipate notjust what labour will deliver anticipate notjust what labour will deliver in anticipate notjust what labour will deliver in local government, should we win deliver in local government, should we win councils tonight, but will deliver we win councils tonight, but will deliver after next general election. We are deliver after next general election. We are not deliver after next general election. We are not midterm. This is end game we are not midterm. This is end game a we are not midterm. This is end game. A competent government because election game. A competent government because election after four years. We will be going election after four years. We will be going right until the tail end of this government. This government. When you find that ou aet a this government. When you find that you get a poll this government. When you find that you get a poll a this government. When you find that you get a poll a poll this government. When you find that you get a poll a poll after this government. When you find that you get a poll a poll after poll, i you get a poll a poll after poll, rishi sunak is around the area where he is seen as the best leader. That is not a consolation he is seen as the best leader. That is not a consolation to he is seen as the best leader. That is not a consolation to people here, is not a consolation to people here, is it . Is not a consolation to people here, is it . ~. , is not a consolation to people here, is it . ~. , is it . We will leave it there for now, is it . We will leave it there for now. You is it . We will leave it there for now. You are is it . We will leave it there for now, you are doing is it . We will leave it there for now, you are doing it is it . We will leave it there for now, you are doing it in i now, you are doing it in good spirits, but you will not agree. Sara, you are looking at your phone, what are you hearing . I am sara, you are looking at your phone, what are you hearing . What are you hearing . I am looking at the cotswolds, what are you hearing . I am looking at the cotswolds, we what are you hearing . I am looking at the cotswolds, we are what are you hearing . I am looking at the cotswolds, we are doing i what are you hearing . I am looking | at the cotswolds, we are doing well in the at the cotswolds, we are doing well in the cotswolds, at the cotswolds, we are doing well in the cotswolds, some at the cotswolds, we are doing well in the cotswolds, some good at the cotswolds, we are doing welli in the cotswolds, some good results coming in the cotswolds, some good results coming in in the cotswolds, some good results coming in there in the cotswolds, some good results coming in there. This in the cotswolds, some good results coming in there. This and in the cotswolds, some good results coming in there. This and the coming in there. This and the excellent coming in there. This and the excellent results coming in there. This and the excellent results we coming in there. This and the excellent results we have i coming in there. This and the. Excellent results we have from brentwood excellent results we have from brentwood really excellent results we have from brentwood really reflect excellent results we have from brentwood really reflect the i excellent results we have from i brentwood really reflect the sorts of things brentwood really reflect the sorts of things ive brentwood really reflect the sorts of things ive been brentwood really reflect the sorts of things ive been hearing brentwood really reflect the sorts of things ive been hearing on brentwood really reflect the sorts of things ive been hearing on the doorstep, of things ive been hearing on the doorstep, that of things ive been hearing on the doorstep, that so of things ive been hearing on the doorstep, that so many of things ive been hearing on the doorstep, that so many voters. Of things ive been hearing on the. Doorstep, that so many voters have been doorstep, that so many voters have been saying doorstep, that so many voters have been saying to doorstep, that so many voters have been saying to me. Doorstep, that so many voters have been saying to me, you doorstep, that so many voters have been saying to me, you know, doorstep, that so many voters have been saying to me, you know, they| been saying to me, you know, they ust been saying to me, you know, they just cent been saying to me, you know, they just cant vote been saying to me, you know, they just cant vote for been saying to me, you know, they just cant vote for the been saying to me, you know, they just cant vote for the tories been saying to me, you know, they just cant vote for the tories any i just cant vote for the tories any more just cant vote for the tories any more that, just cant vote for the tories any more that, i just cant vote for the tories any more. That, ithink just cant vote for the tories any more. That, i think tim just cant vote for the tories any more. That, i think tim is just cant vote for the tories any more. That, i think tim is really| more. That, i think tim is really being more. That, i think tim is really being reflected more. That, i think tim is really being reflected in more. That, i think tim is really being reflected in results more. That, i think tim is reallyl being reflected in results coming more. That, i think tim is really. Being reflected in results coming in from all being reflected in results coming in from all over being reflected in results coming in from all over the being reflected in results coming in from all over the country being reflected in results coming in from all over the country tonight. L being reflected in results coming in from all over the country tonight. I| from all over the country tonight. I didnt from all over the country tonight. I didnt expect from all over the country tonight. I didnt expect it from all over the country tonight. I didnt expect it to from all over the country tonight. I didnt expect it to be from all over the country tonight. I didnt expect it to be quite didnt expect it to be quite coming you know. Didnt expect it to be quite coming you know. That didnt expect it to be quite coming you know, that large didnt expect it to be quite coming you know, that large swing, didnt expect it to be quite comingl you know, that large swing, talking about you know, that large swing, talking about in you know, that large swing, talking about in brentwood you know, that large swing, talking about in brentwood early, you know, that large swing, talking about in brentwood early, i you know, that large swing, talking about in brentwood early, i wish i you know, that large swing, talking| about in brentwood early, i wish we could about in brentwood early, i wish we could see about in brentwood early, i wish we could see the about in brentwood early, iwish we could see the national about in brentwood early, i wish we could see the national predictor. Could see the national predictor. Lets could see the national predictor. Lets stop could see the national predictor. Lets stop the could see the national predictor. Lets stop the clock could see the national predictor. Lets stop the clock now. Could see the national predictor. Lets stop the clock now. 60 could see the national predictor. Lets stop the clock now. 60 minutes to one, that is it, predicted National Share based on. It to one, that is it, predicted National Share based on. It really does reflect National Share based on. It really does reflect everything National Share based on. It really does reflect everything i National Share based on. It really does reflect everything i have National Share based on. It really| does reflect everything i have been hearing does reflect everything i have been hearing peobte does reflect everything i have been hearing. People are does reflect everything i have been hearing. People are fed does reflect everything i have been hearing. People are fed up does reflect everything i have been hearing. People are fed up with does reflect everything i have beenj hearing. People are fed up with the conservatives. Hearing. People are fed up with the conservatives. They hearing. People are fed up with the conservatives. They feel hearing. People are fed up with the conservatives. They feel taken hearing. People are fed up with the conservatives. They feel taken for. Conservatives. They feel taken for granted conservatives. They feel taken for granted they conservatives. They feel taken for granted. They feel, conservatives. They feel taken for granted. They feel, you conservatives. They feel taken for granted. They feel, you know, conservatives. They feel taken for granted. They feel, you know, a l conservatives. They feel taken for. Granted. They feel, you know, a lot of the granted. They feel, you know, a lot of the people granted. They feel, you know, a lot of the people i granted. They feel, you know, a lot of the people i have granted. They feel, you know, a lot of the people i have been granted. They feel, you know, a lot of the people i have been talking i of the people i have been talking to, i have of the people i have been talking to, i have been of the people i have been talking to, i have been out of the people i have been talking to, i have been out in of the people i have been talking to, i have been out in places of the people i have been talking to, i have been out in places likej to, i have been out in places like surrey to, i have been out in places like surrey and to, i have been out in places like surrey and elm to, i have been out in places like surrey and elm bridge, to, i have been out in places like surrey and elm bridge, their surrey and elm bridge, their mortgages surrey and elm bridge, their mortgages are surrey and elm bridge, their mortgages are going surrey and elm bridge, their mortgages are going up surrey and elm bridge, their mortgages are going up i surrey and elm bridge, their mortgages are going up i so| surrey and elm bridge, their mortgages are going up i so much because mortgages are going up i so much because of mortgages are going up i so much because of the mortgages are going up i so much because of the tory mortgages are going up i so much because of the tory chaos mortgages are going up i so much because of the tory chaos that mortgages are going up i so much because of the tory chaos that wej because of the tory chaos that we saw last because of the tory chaos that we saw last autumn. People because of the tory chaos that we saw last autumn. People are because of the tory chaos that we saw last autumn. People are still| saw last autumn. People are still feeting saw last autumn. People are still feeting that saw last autumn. People are still feeling that and saw last autumn. People are still feeling that and will saw last autumn. People are still feeling that and will continue saw last autumn. People are still feeling that and will continue to. Feeling that and will continue to feeling that and will continue to feet it~ feeling that and will continue to feet it the feeling that and will continue to feel it. The taxes feeling that and will continue to feel it. The taxes are feeling that and will continue to feel it. The taxes are going feeling that and will continue to feel it. The taxes are going up, | feel it. The taxes are going up, prices feel it. The taxes are going up, prices at feel it. The taxes are going up, prices at the feel it. The taxes are going up, prices at the details feel it. The taxes are going up, prices at the details are feel it. The taxes are going up, prices at the details are going i feel it. The taxes are going up, i prices at the details are going up, and tories prices at the details are going up, and tories do prices at the details are going up, and tories do nothing prices at the details are going up, and tories do nothing about prices at the details are going up, and tories do nothing about it. I prices at the details are going up, i and tories do nothing about it. And i and tories do nothing about it. And i hear and tories do nothing about it. And i hear what and tories do nothing about it. And i hear what paul and tories do nothing about it. And i hear what paul is and tories do nothing about it. And i hear what paul is saying. And tories do nothing about it. And i hear what paul is saying. This and tories do nothing about it. And i hear what paul is saying. This is l i hear what paul is saying. This is a mixture i hear what paul is saying. This is a mixture of i hear what paul is saying. This is a mixture of local i hear what paul is saying. This is a mixture of local and i hear what paul is saying. This is l a mixture of local and national, but moderates a mixture of local and national, but moderates will a mixture of local and national, but moderates will make a mixture of local and national, but moderates will make their a mixture of local and national, but moderates will make their own moderates will make their own decision moderates will make their own decision about moderates will make their own decision about why moderates will make their own decision about why they moderates will make their own decision about why they made i moderates will make their own decision about why they made that choice. Decision about why they made that choice. And decision about why they made that choice, and they decision about why they made that choice, and they have decision about why they made that choice, and they have been decision about why they made thatl choice, and they have been sending a very clear choice, and they have been sending a very clear message. Choice, and they have been sending a very clear message. Is choice, and they have been sending a very clear message. Very clear message. As they have in fact in orbit. Very clear message. As they have in fact in orbit, where very clear message. As they have in fact in orbit, where we very clear message. As they have in fact in orbit, where we just very clear message. As they have in fact in orbit, where we just won very clear message. As they have in fact in orbit, where we just won a i fact in orbit, where we just won a seat off the lib dems. Obviously, you have been inserted to me to go to north murfitt and. Both marvellous to north murfitt and. Both marvellous parts to north murfitt and. Both marvellous parts of to north murfitt and. Both marvellous parts of the to north murfitt and. Both marvellous parts of the country, like everywhere here in the studio, there will be more vigorous conversation shortly. We should just remind everybody that it is still early, but we do have results coming in. Lets look at our big tower tally. Labour on 64 seats so far. Theyve gained two. About democrats and 25, gaining six. Thats why sarah is such chipper. The tories on 23 losing nine. The green party taking two, independents and other smaller parties gaining 108, and ra, thatis smaller parties gaining 108, and ra, that is an important acronym, we haveit that is an important acronym, we have it on local Election Night, residence associations who are a really strong and powerful factor in some parts of the country. All three positions were tangling over what we can read so far but i bet we all want to hear what sir john curtis things. He can read into what we are here and so far. John, you have been looking at some of the key wards of places that we select as Good Measures to put into your giant calculations to give us a flavour of what it might need. What are you seen so far . Are you seen so far . Lets remind viewers, are you seen so far . Lets remind viewers. We are you seen so far . Lets remind viewers. We are are you seen so far . Lets remind viewers, we are collecting are you seen so far . Lets remind viewers, we are collecting the viewers, we are collecting the detailed ward by ward results in 45 consuls that elected yesterday and we have now got the results from over 50 of the individual awards within those council. It is still the early doors but a pattern is emerging. First of all, lets look at the change since 2019, which is when the seats up for grabs on thursday where, for the most part, contested. Now, let me give mr scully a bit of good news. The conservative share of the wars is so far up. Of course, we have to remember about the may 2019 elections is that both conservative and labour did badly so it wasnt exactly terribly difficult for both of them to register something. The crucial thing is whats the difference between the two . If you take the nine up for labour and the one up for conservative, we are talking about a 4 swing so far from conservative to labour which is perhaps a little bit less than we expect from the National Opinion polls what it is enough to result in quite a lots of conservative loss during the course of tomorrow. 50. During the course of tomorrow. So, john and i during the course of tomorrow. So, john and i just during the course of tomorrow. So, john and ijust want to take people john and i just want to take people through those numbers again. Youve mentioned them and we are showing them on the screen. So, that changed in 2019, when the seas were less work injeremy corbyn, terrys american era. They were up 9 and tories up 1 and lib dems of 2 . I can show people also that change since 2022, because thats another benchmark. Labour on the up so far, 1 from those key words you have explained, tories down 5 and lib dems up at 2 . So, just a show people the numbers as you are talking through them. 50. People the numbers as you are talking through them. People the numbers as you are talking through them. So, if we take the difference talking through them. So, if we take the difference between talking through them. So, if we take the difference between the talking through them. So, if we take the difference between the labour i the difference between the labour and conservative figure, we are talking about a 3 swing from conservative to labour as compared to compared to last year. On both measures we are not seen a dramatic swing to labour and you will notice the labour vote is onlyjust up on last year but we are certainly seen quite considerable progress by the labour party. We might also note that the whatever comes our up by both these points in various measures. Both nasser and in 2019, they are equally the best performance by Liberal Democrats since they entered into a coalition with the conservatives in 2010 so we might be looking at the best of the democrat performance since local election since then but not back to the level of before 2010. That said, before anyone gets too excited, if i were to tell you that ive also seen one or two results in brent with where there was a swing for it democrats over conservative and we have to think of local factors that make a difference and as a result, we never ever make too much of results into individual awards. That said, the democrats making progress. The other obvious thing, the greens, if you look at the places where the greens have fought this time and also last time, they are also not doing as well as he did in 2019, which is their best to look at 11 elections ever. Which is their best to look at 11 elections ever. ,. ,. ,. , elections ever. Thank you for taking us or that john. Elections ever. Thank you for taking us or that john. I elections ever. Thank you for taking us or that john, i think elections ever. Thank you for taking us or that john, i think sarah elections ever. Thank you for taking us or that john, i think sarah and i us or thatjohn, i think sarah and paul scully, paul back to crack a smile and sarah took a breath. I did want to bring in our Political Editor. Its early and some interesting things from whatjohn mentioned there. Abs, interesting things from what john mentioned there. Interesting things from what john mentioned there. A word by word calculation mentioned there. A word by word calculation followed mentioned there. A word by word calculation followed by mentioned there. A word by word calculation followed by eight calculation followed by eight national extrapolation is like is Good National extrapolation is like is good for national extrapolation is like is good for the soul in his own way, keeping good for the soul in his own way, keeping us good for the soul in his own way, keeping us all going through the small hours. To bring you and a few other small hours. To bring you and a few other nuggets was he retracting. Conservatives feeling pretty pessimistic in bulletin. They are repeating pessimistic in bulletin. They are repeating their pessimism from windsor repeating their pessimism from Windsor And Maidenhead in berkshire. His interesting, isnt it . As you begin his interesting, isnt it . As you begin to his interesting, isnt it . As you begin to see. Its in the early stage begin to see. Its in the early stage about what gap, if any, between stage about what gap, if any, between where it labour have been in the opinion between where it labour have been in the Opinion Polls and conservatives over the the Opinion Polls and conservatives over the last six or seven months and where over the last six or seven months and where we might get to when we start crunching through all of these results start crunching through all of these results by start crunching through all of these results by the tail end of tomorrow afternoon results by the tail end of tomorrow afternoon and teatime. Those beginning of straws in the wind, particularly asjohn was beginning of straws in the wind, particularly as john was saying particularly as john was saying particularly in the keywords that are looked at because they account for how are looked at because they account for how the are looked at because they account for how the rest of the country might for how the rest of the country might be for how the rest of the country might be reflective of things, including the parts that may not be voting including the parts that may not be voting as including the parts that may not be voting as of now yesterday. Sentiment is so important . Isnt it we are seen happy labour faces looking ipswich, measuring smiles people in leicestershire and stoke and around the country was up it is completely changed by two a m. , which is why its exciting. It could completely change by 6am tomorrow and by 6pm tomorrow evening, absolutely, but the sentiment of all of this is such a vote of the community, isnt it . Of this is such a vote of the community, isnt it . Yes because sentiment community, isnt it . Yes because sentiment builds community, isnt it . Yes because sentiment builds energy community, isnt it . Yes because sentiment builds energy or community, isnt it . Yes because sentiment builds energy or lack. Community, isnt it . Yes because| sentiment builds energy or lack of it. It sentiment builds energy or lack of it it builds sentiment builds energy or lack of it. It builds enthusiasm or the lack of it amongst a groups right grassroots Political Parties who are the doorknocker is an envelope stuffers the doorknocker is an envelope stuffers and the backbone of their campaigning enterprise of the party. The phone campaigning enterprise of the party. The phone tree party that give up their the phone tree party that give up their weekends and wednesday nights to o their weekends and wednesday nights to go out their weekends and wednesday nights to go out and campaign for their partv to go out and campaign for their party. When you get a set of results like this, party. When you get a set of results like this, and all of the analysis that comes afterwards, that would infuse that comes afterwards, that would infuse or that comes afterwards, that would infuse or otherwise those activists depending on how a party does. Obviously, that breaks down the road tocattv obviously, that breaks down the road locally and obviously, that breaks down the road locally and regionally and nationally but its important in setting nationally but its important in setting the sense of how a party thinks setting the sense of how a party thinks its setting the sense of how a party thinks its is going to do and for those thinks its is going to do and for those who thinks its is going to do and for those who might be marginal in their particular those who might be marginal in their particular Political Party it might send particular Political Party it might send them to get stuck in for the next send them to get stuck in for the next year send them to get stuck in for the next year or i will be around of lolf next year or i will be around of golf instead. So, its that kind of sentiment golf instead. So, its that kind of sentiment of enthusiasm which is so important sentiment of enthusiasm which is so important i sentiment of enthusiasm which is so important. I would see if theres anything important. I would see if theres anything a important. I would see if theres anything a second resume bring you but no anything a second resume bring you but no. ,. ,. ,. But no. Conservatives have ust read each in the but no. Conservatives have ust read each in the midlands, but no. Conservatives have just read each in the midlands, interesting. Each in the midlands, interesting marginal seat and no doubt about that lib dems getting excited about the cost was results. We can see you pictures of whats happening in scunthorpe. That is a part of the country where there has traditionally been a tussle over things. Tories very keen to hang on but we are hearing as chris was just saying in boats and worries therefore the conservatives. Lets take you straight to our colleague kevin who was in bulletin for us tonight. Kevin, bulletin is not currently held by anyone but is still been a tussle puts up what has happened . 50 still been a tussle puts up what has ha ened . ,. ,. , happened . So far, just talking to happened . So far, ust talking to the parties here happened . So far, just talking to the parties here and happened . So far, just talking to the parties here and you happened . So far, just talking to the parties here and you are happened . So far, just talking to l the parties here and you are right, the parties here and you are right, the conservatives are feeling pretty pessimistic about how this might unfold. The optimist amongst the labour party are hoping the air potentially can become the Largest Party because there has been no overall majority here since 2019 when a long serving Labour Council was pushed out. Since then, the conservatives have led a Minority Administration and a couple together coalition of smaller independent parties are the lib dems as well here. Odds are that is going to remain the case after tonight, but it does sound that the conservatives could be a few seats down, the Labour Party Six behind them at the moment. So, potentially, they could come up behind them but because its an all out election here, there are an all out election here, there are a number of Council Seats up for grabs and what that means is talking to some of the parties in some of the words, depending how it goes much the conservatives think they could hold onto all she three or lose all three and theres a bit of jeopardy and how very local swings could go here and there for or against the bigger parties. The key feature of bulletin over the last five or six years has been the growth of the hyper local independent parties sup many on the outskirts of the bulk of the town centre, in communities where they feel the larger parties, over the years, having paid that much attention in these hyper local parties, harwich and black road and other independents of come up and said we are to look at people and would represent you properly. Six of them have counsellors on boards and council and 11 a counsellors between them. They have become increasingly information over the last few years and others hoping to pick up more seats today. At the end of this election it could be the conservatives still in power, potentially the independence more info but also labour with potentially a bit of a comeback when you compare it with a few years ago. Kevin, thank you so much. Lots of jeopardy there and we would check in with nature reports in bulletin. I know is somewhere the big parties are watching carefully. Reach that we have the opportunity this look at some of the results will hide in. Youvejust said that some of the results will hide in. Youve just said that rage is a hold unless they youve just said that rage is a hold unless they got some of the figures tooking unless they got some of the figures looking behind that. Conservative hold looking behind that. Conservative hotd dear looking behind that. Conservative hold dear is read each in the midlands, you can see flashing. Thats midlands, you can see flashing. Thats take a look as what is happening. Conservatives have 15 seats happening. Conservatives have 15 seats and happening. Conservatives have 15 seats and labour eight. And this is the conservatives, lost two seats and labour the conservatives, lost two seats and labour getting them. Labour gained and labour getting them. Labour gained three seats from the conservatives last year but what is interesting conservatives last year but what is interesting is the change in the share interesting is the change in the share of interesting is the change in the share of the vote. Compared to four years ago share of the vote. Compared to four years ago and look at that. How dramatic years ago and look at that. How dramatic is years ago and look at that. How dramatic is that . The collapse in the independents boat and you keep woutd the independents boat and you keep would have been a large part of that and that would have been a large part of that and that has translated back to labour and that has translated back to labour. Labour up by16 and that has translated back to labour. Labour up by 16 Percentage Points labour. Labour up by 16 Percentage Points so. Labour. Labour up by 16 Percentage Points. So, does this mean a recovery points. So, does this mean a recovery for labour in areas, swinging recovery for labour in areas, swinging areas, like that in the west swinging areas, like that in the West Midlands . We watch and see whether West Midlands . We watch and see whether that is replicated in other, similar. Whether that is replicated in other, similar, consuls in that area. Want to show similar, consuls in that area. Want to show you similar, consuls in that area. Want to show you brentwood as well. We have been to show you brentwood as well. We have been hearing a lot about brentwood. The really tight race going brentwood. The really tight race going on brentwood. The really tight race going on there. Brentwood in excess you can going on there. Brentwood in excess you can see going on there. Brentwood in excess you can see flashing over there under you can see flashing over there under format. They are still three seats under format. They are still three seats are under format. They are still three seats are to under format. They are still three seats are to clear it with the conservatives on 17 and the lib dems on 15 conservatives on17 and the lib dems on 15 lets conservatives on 17 and the lib dems on 15. Lets do the same and look at the change on 15. Lets do the same and look at the change in the seats of the conservatives they have lost too, lib dems conservatives they have lost too, lib dems have picked those up and whatjust happened to lib dems have picked those up and what just happened to the lib dems have picked those up and whatjust happened to the share of the votes whatjust happened to the share of the votes here . Also fascinating, isnt it . The votes here . Also fascinating, isnt it . Conservatives down by five percentage isnt it . Conservatives down by five Percentage Points and labour up by five Percentage Points. Lib dems in a more five Percentage Points. Lib dems in a more mustard modest increase with sale a more mustard modest increase with sate three a more mustard modest increase with sale three seats a play for and we are watching that closely. Sale three seats a play for and we are watching that closely. Thank you ve much are watching that closely. Thank you very much reeta. Are watching that closely. Thank you very much reeta. Let are watching that closely. Thank you very much reeta. Let us are watching that closely. Thank you very much reeta. Let us talk are watching that closely. Thank you very much reeta. Let us talk to very much reeta. Let us talk to a few people who have got pretty good knowledge of what we will be going through. The politicians minds. Talk to aisha and 80 broadcaster who worked for ed miliband for long time and wrote hisjokes but worked for ed miliband for long time and wrote his jokes but also did a lots of his political strategy and mobile a conservative adviser who worked for amber road among other people during his time serving in government. Firstly to you mo, are you surprised at what seems in the early stage a pretty grim look, other colleagues looked downcast in the last half hour . Im other colleagues looked downcast in the last half hour . The last half hour . Im not surprised the last half hour . Im not surprised. It the last half hour . Im not surprised. It was the last half hour . Im not surprised. It was clear the last half hour . Im not surprised. It was clear it i the last half hour . Im not. Surprised. It was clear it was the last half hour . Im not surprised. It was clear it was going to be a difficult night for the government and for the Conservative Party even though there has been the usual expectation management with nets of numbers banded around. In reality, people were bracing themselves for others on the doorstep after being in government for 13 years and issues that people were facing in finding challenging right now. The government, under this Prime Minister, is trying to resolve those and clearly has made much more progress on that but i am not surprised at all. Not surprised at all. Aisha, in terms of not surprised at all. Aisha, in terms of what not surprised at all. Aisha, in terms of what labour not surprised at all. Aisha, in terms of what labour is not surprised at all. Aisha, in | terms of what labour is saying not surprised at all. Aisha, in terms of what labour is saying so far, do you think that they will. Mac i know its early but why we should say it again, is there much labour expectation question mark i think labour will be pretty pleased with how tonight goes with all the caveats that you just set out. For caveats that you ust set out. For a number of caveats that you just set out. For a number of reasons. Caveats that you just set out. For a number of reasons. I caveats that you just set out. For a number of reasons. I think caveats that you just set out. For a number of reasons. I think they. Number of reasons. I think they will feel vindicated about their broader potiticat feel vindicated about their broader political strategy pain off and some of those political strategy pain off and some of those red wallet seats. Very interesting scene injonathan got us to see interesting scene injonathan got us to see that interesting scene injonathan got us to see that big swing to labour. And another to see that big swing to labour. And another thing that they would be pleased another thing that they would be pleased about. It is interested scene pleased about. It is interested scene smaller partners doing. Again, it is early scene smaller partners doing. Again, it is early in scene smaller partners doing. Again, it is early in the night but it is interesting that former you keep votes interesting that former you keep votes is interesting that former you keep votes is to interesting that former you keep votes is to sunni behind labour it rather votes is to sunni behind labour it rather than votes is to sunni behind labour it rather than suing into the Conservative Party. Ithink rather than suing into the Conservative Party. I think as early as tonight Conservative Party. I think as early as tonight is, therell be some good green as tonight is, therell be some good green shoots for labour for some people green shoots for labour for some people have been but i think that they are also happy that they but i think that they are also happy that they have run this as quite a brutal, that they have run this as quite a brutal, ruthless petrol leaning ahead brutal, ruthless petrol leaning ahead of brutal, ruthless petrol leaning ahead of the general election. I have ahead of the general election. I have had ahead of the general election. I have had commentators make the point, have had commentators make the point, 0h. Have had commentators make the point, oh, well, labourdid have had commentators make the point, oh, well, labour did not go ona point, oh, well, labour did not go on a tocat point, oh, well, labour did not go on a local issues. And it is about that on a local issues. And it is about that messaging which taps into the concerns that messaging which taps into the concerns of people which, right now, are things concerns of people which, right now, are things like mortgages, the state of the are things like mortgages, the state of the nhs, crime, the general broken of the nhs, crime, the general broken britain narrative. So, i think broken britain narrative. So, i think the broken britain narrative. So, i think the fact that people are attacking labour for running quite a. Ood attacking labour for running quite a good campaign, i think quite ruthless good campaign, i think quite ruthless about those issues, they will ruthless about those issues, they witt feet ruthless about those issues, they will feel pleased about that because that means they are on the right track that means they are on the right track in that means they are on the right track in terms of this being a good dress track in terms of this being a good dress rehearsal for the next general election dress rehearsal for the next general election. , dress rehearsal for the next general election. ,. , election. There were a lot of people in the labour election. There were a lot of people in the labour party election. There were a lot of people in the labour party and election. There were a lot of people in the labour party and the election. There were a lot of people in the labour party and the wider. In the labour party and the wider public as well who looked at some of what labour was doing in the campaign and the adverts, i am sure viewers will remember, rishi sunak saying he did not care about certain kinds of offenders because of the various different crime rates and things and had they changed. Extremely personal. Also suggestions of going after rishi sunak� s wife. Do you think in the Labour Movement there will be unease about that if thatis there will be unease about that if that is how they run a general election . ,. ,. , election . There is two questions there. Annese election . There is two questions there. Annese are election . There is two questions there. Annese are monthly election . There is two questions i there. Annese are monthly Labour Movement, there is always a needs. There is lots of people who do not want stomach to do well who are a formerjeremy corbyn supporter they will always criticise what keir starmer does. He and his team are setting out ruthless red lines if you pardon the pun and they are also showing that they are prepared to go in and really fight hard and i think in and really fight hard and i think in the past, and i remember this from my time working with them, but you would feel that labour would turn up at a knife fight with a baguette. It was sort of not really ready to go in and fight hard and i think that keir starmer and his team are really focused on winning, however, and lots of caveats and john curtice supporters will be the expert in this, but labour has a big mountain to climb. If keir starmer gets the same swing that tony blair did in 1997, he only gets a working majority of one and yes there are things in his favour, the collapse of the s p and the fact that liz truss caused a huge amount of damage to the tory party but there is a long way to labour to go and i think these poor results will narrow as we get closer to the general election. I think rishi sunak, i think tonight might be terrible for the tories. But his personal ratings are creeping up again so labour will be pleased that there is no room for complacency. fiend pleased that there is no room for complacency complacency. And the general election is complacency. And the general election is still complacency. And the general election is still in complacency. And the general election is still in political complacency. And the general. Election is still in political terms centuries away. Briefly to you if labour continues setting out what a described as ruthless red lines, what will be tory response likely be . I what will be tory response likely be . ~ ,. , , what will be tory response likely be . ~ ,,. Be . I think they will probably have been through be . I think they will probably have been through think be . I think they will probably have been through think that be . I think they will probably have been through think that they be . I think they will probably have been through think that they will l been through think that they will throwback labour as well but it seems the focus for the conservatives and the government is to rebuild credibility after the mess that we saw under mistrusts and the legacy from Boris Johnson. Mess that we saw under mistrusts and the legacy from borisjohnson. Ms truss. After that we were looking for vision for the future and they played the what things would look like Going Forward but you cant do that until you build that credibility back so you see the Prime Minister rudd to get on with delivery, trying to get on with addressing the issues that matter to people, but there are questions being asked about is that enough, is that bold enough, is that ambitious enough . And i think that debate will continue to rage within the party. 0k. Mo continue to rage within the party. Ok. Mo and aisha, thank you for talking to us. Paul, mo hussein says there is people in the party already asking whose voices will get louder if what rishi sunak is wanting to do is ambitious enough . I if what rishi sunak is wanting to do is ambitious enough . Is ambitious enough . I think he set out those five is ambitious enough . I think he set out those five points is ambitious enough . I think he set out those five points that is ambitious enough . I think he set out those five points that are out those five points that are measurable. What he is doing, as mo said measurable. What he is doing, as mo said he measurable. What he is doing, as mo said he is measurable. What he is doing, as mo said. He is right to talk about the fact that said. He is right to talk about the fact that we are talking about credibility. It is alljust confidence, not politically, but economically. People look to governments and they dont worry about governments and they dont worry about some of the machinations and the mudslinging. What is happening to my the mudslinging. What is happening to my mortgage . What is happening to the backlog . What is happening to the backlog . What is happening to the small the backlog . What is happening to the small boats and these kinds of things the small boats and these kinds of things and the small boats and these kinds of things and that is what rishi sunak said he things and that is what rishi sunak said he will do. Clearly as you get close said he will do. Clearly as you get close to said he will do. Clearly as you get close to a said he will do. Clearly as you get close to a general election to regain close to a general election to regain the confidence you have to talk about regain the confidence you have to talk about what we are setting out for the talk about what we are setting out for the next few years, the hopes of constituents, and people across the country constituents, and people across the country for constituents, and people across the country for the next few years, you can only country for the next few years, you can only talk to that if you get the basics can only talk to that if you get the basics right and that is what he is concentrating on. He basics right and that is what he is concentrating on. Basics right and that is what he is concentrating on. He would have to ste it u concentrating on. He would have to step it up a concentrating on. He would have to step it up a bit concentrating on. He would have to step it up a bit. You concentrating on. He would have to step it up a bit. You are concentrating on. He would have to step it up a bit. You are looking step it up a bit. You are looking pretty chipper so far but how low counsel, basildon council, they are held by conservatives. Labour needs to be competitive but the tories have held them all. Labour as we saw in redditch there is improvement. This will be a target seat for the general election. We have ruthlessly targeted these elections, and if we sought an 8 improvement for example that would be the best result for labour since 1997. There are always local variables. You know, thinking about one of those seats in sunderland, one by the greens were under one of the candidates and the issues very well, very local issues. They will be some of those results throughout the night where local factors are at play, but overall i think this has been a Great Campaign for labour and think this has been a Great Campaign for labourand i think this has been a Great Campaign for labour and i think for the conservatives they have got a double punch in the gut, really, havent they . They have been let down by a leader they did not vote for and he has spent the last few days trying to sort of manufacture a controversy about things like sue gray the job of one person rather than the jobs at the livelihoods of millions. I at the livelihoods of millions. I dont think they manufactured that among themselves. Dont think they manufactured that among themselves. Dont think they manufactured that among themselves. Somebody from westminster among themselves. Somebody from westminster mention among themselves. Somebody from westminster mention something among themselves. Somebody from westminster mention something that | among themselves. Somebody from | westminster mention something that i think has been imported to some people but incomprehensible to a lot of people at home. In a minute were going to take people to the news, but, sarah, before you leave us, you are leaving tonight with a spring in your step, are leaving tonight with a spring in yourstep, it are leaving tonight with a spring in your step, it seems. Are leaving tonight with a spring in yourstep, it seems. I are leaving tonight with a spring in your step, it seems. I suppose the bigger question for you is if you have the set of results that you get, what would that mean for you in the coming months and years . I get, what would that mean for you in the coming months and years . I think it would just the coming months and years . I think it would just mean the coming months and years . I think it would just mean we the coming months and years . I think it would just mean we would the coming months and years . I think it would just mean we would be the coming months and years . I think it would just mean we would be able i it would just mean we would be able to send a positive message to the country that Liberal Democrats are working for you in your communities. We are here. We are your local champions and we really want to listen to the voters and respond to their concerns. I would like to think that going into the next general election, how ever Many Political lifetimes that is, people will take another look at the Liberal Democrats. We are, in certain parts of the country, we are the main contenders in many, many tory held seats and i want people to look at us at the, yes, i am going to vote for the Liberal Democrats because i think they are the right people to represent me in parliament. And we want more lib dems in parliament. You parliament. � and we want more lib dems in parliament. Parliament. And we want more lib dems in parliament. You are leaving me with a smile dems in parliament. You are leaving me with a smile on dems in parliament. You are leaving me with a smile on your dems in parliament. You are leaving me with a smile on your face. Dems in parliament. You are leaving me with a smile on your face. Lets i me with a smile on your face. Lets see if the others still do. Thank you for being with us for the first hour of our coverage here on elections 2023. We are about to go to the news but i want to give you the total as we leave you for a few minutes. The big tally there, labour and 87 having gained five seats. The Liberal Democrats on 38 having gained eight and the conservatives on 37 having lost 12. Now, lets take a pause. The news. Thank you. Here is a summary of the bbc news. As we have been hearing counting is under way in the local elections in england in one of the last major tests of Public Opinion before next years general election. Voters have been deciding who will run services at 230 local councils with around 8000 seats up for grabs. Mayoral elections have also been taking place in bedford, leicester, mansfield and middleborough. Here is our political correspondence jonathan blake. Voters have given their verdict and accounting can begin. Ballots have been cast in towns, cities and rural areas to elect around 8000 counsellors around england who will decide how local services are run. Some last minute campaigning from The Labour Leader keir starmer who knows a strong showing from his party is needed to prove it can turn a lead in Opinion Polls into results. The Liberal Democrats are hoping to make gains from the conservatives in their traditional territory, claiming voters are fed up with the tories. There was no sign of rishi sunak on the doorstep. The conservatives are expecting a tough night, hoping only to limit their losses, rather than count up the gains. In a first for elections in england, photo id was required at Polling Stations which left some unable to vote, but it is too soon to say what impact the change has had. Only around one quarter of the council is Holding Elections are counting votes overnight, so early results will not give anything like the full picture. But in the hours ahead, these local elections will be closely watched as a crucial test of the National Political picture. Jonathan blake, bbc news. And all the local results will be available online, of course. To see who won in your local area you can use our postcode checker which is available on the bbc news website and on our app. In other news, ukraines air force has shot down one of its ownjones widget said it lost control above central kyiv. Their work explosions yesterday evening as a defence tried to shoot it down in an area near the president s office. The air force later admitted it was ukrainian and had been destroyed to avoid undesirable circumstances. Members of the biggest rail workers union, rmt, have voted to renew the mandate for strike action. It is iii vote in a dispute over pay and conditions which began last year. It raises the prospects of strikes continuing until nearly the end of the year. The us court has ruled that ed sheeran did not copy marvin gayes lets get it on. He denied stealing elements of the song for his 2014 hit. Heirs of marvin gayes argued that Sony Music Publishing owed the money for copyright infringement. Midge ure and steve argued that the melodies are different at the elements used in both are common in p0p elements used in both are common in pop music. With the kings coronation approaching people hoping to get the best in person view on the day are camping in Central London as rehearsals and final preparations take place in and around westminster abbey. It is expected hundreds of thousands of people belied the root of the procession. It is really a journey down the bowl analogue whitehall and people are positioning for the best view. Meanwhile, the prince and princess of wales took the elizabeth lied on the tube to soho in london and went to the pub. We will be back in an hourwith and went to the pub. We will be back in an hour with the latest news updates but it is back to our special Election Night coverage with laura. A warm welcome back to elections 2023, just after 1am in the morning and we have had a fair number of resulting from local Council Elections happening right across england. More than 8000 seats were up england. More than 8000 seats were up for grabs. Were going to, in the next hour, have some lovely political conversation with our guests who have joined political conversation with our guests who havejoined us, Richard Holden, transport ministerfor the holden, transport minister for the governmentjoins holden, transport ministerfor the governmentjoins us. Bridget phillipson who wants to be the education secretary if labour does win the election and minera wilson who also speaks of education but what the Liberal Democrats. Thank you joining us. Before we do anything else, lets remind you of the total tally as the seeds start to come in. You can see the conservatives are a dozen seats down. Labour overall has gained five so far and the Liberal Democrats are up so far and the Liberal Democrats are up by eight seats. We have had another interesting result in. Brentwood in essex, in the last hour, we were talking about tory concerns that they might lose this council in essex. That should be the kind of parts of the country where they are pretty confident of holding on, but actually we can confirm they have lost control of brentwood council. They have still got 17 seats more than the others with muncie left to declare. You can see 17 into the Liberal Democrats 16 but look at the change in the seat. The tories have lost two and the Liberal Democrats have gained too. Then lets show you the vote share. This is interesting. The conservatives 37 and the Liberal Democrats, the largest share of 41 . Labour down on at 16, and lets look at the crucial change in the share of the vote. You can see it there. Labour up five. The conservatives down for. That is the change since 2019, the last time Council Elections were fought in may 2019, which is another political lifetime in so many ways. But lets hear about exactly what has happened in brentwood with harry farley who is on the ground with us tonight. Harry, what has happened . Yes. Is on the ground with us tonight. Harry, what has happened . Yes, well, laura, ou harry, what has happened . Yes, well, laura. You are harry, what has happened . Yes, well, laura, you are right. Harry, what has happened . Yes, well, laura, you are right. Lib harry, what has happened . Yes, well, laura, you are right. Lib dems harry, what has happened . Yes, well, laura, you are right. Lib dems have i laura, you are right. Lib dems have taken the conservative majority who now have no overall control. I was speaking to a number of conservatives here who thought they might just conservatives here who thought they mightjust hang on. They had a wafer thin majority of three. They thought they might be able to protect that if they could win a couple of key wards. They have not. The conservatives, they are still the Largest Party, but they have lost their majority here in brentwood. As you say, a part of the country where in general elections they are very comfortable. They tend to win the seats in general elections pretty easily but in the local elections the lib dems have pushed them very hard. They have taken away the majority and it is now no overall control in brentwood. Majority and it is now no overall control in brentwood. What you think was behind the control in brentwood. What you think was behind the result control in brentwood. What you think was behind the result from control in brentwood. What you think was behind the result from the was behind the result from the people you have spoken to . There is a few factors people you have spoken to . There is a few factors here. People you have spoken to . There is a few factors here. Housing people you have spoken to . There is a few factors here. Housing is people you have spoken to . There is a few factors here. Housing is a people you have spoken to . There is a few factors here. Housing is a big i a few factors here. Housing is a big thing in brentwood. We are outside the m25 which is a greenbelt area and under the conservative majority of the council to big Housing Developments have been granted and they have started to be built and they have started to be built and the lib dems campaigned hard against those developments against new houses in this area, so we have been talking about housing a lot of the programme throughout the night on an issue that is a national edit local one voters, with an a certainly big issue for the lib dems in particular. Another key issue directly ultra low emissions, the tax on some vehicles in london. That has been pushed out to the edges of this area, so another key local issue there but i think for the lib dems in particular it was housing that they campaigned against against those new developments in that area and that is paying dividends for them. They have taken the conservatives majority of them and it is now no overall control in brentwood. Housing we had already touched on. Interesting that harry mention ulez, if you dont live a part in the country where there is one of these low emission zones already, believe me, they have been a source of the controversy, and by a happy coincidence actually the roads and transport minister Richard Holden is in the studio with us so we will ask about that but i want to bring in chris mason at this moment. A lot of information coming in, 1 15am, are we cautious about the overall picture, but we are learning quite a lot, arent we . Just picture, but we are learning quite a lot. Arent we . Lot, arent we . Just to pick up on the conversation lot, arent we . Just to pick up on the conversation having lot, arent we . Just to pick up on the conversation having on lot, arent we . Just to pick up on the conversation having on the l lot, arent we . Just to pick up on the conversation having on the issue of planning, fascinating seeing the influence that harry was speaking to and political sources are acknowledging around the battle there in essex on Housing Development is and how it would appear the Liberal Democrats were able to politically weaponised that. We have seen the chesham and amersham by election of a couple of years ago where planning was a massive issue there as well. In such a source of political argument in so many of those battles between the conservatives and Liberal Democrats and a ring of suburban seats around london. Back to the Bigger Picture as you say, the numbers are still relatively small, almost as small as the hour of the night, as we trundle on into the small hours but we are beginning to get a sense of how things are panning out. So far, so expected, in that we are seeing labor labour making progress, the conservatives going backwards. By friday the extent to which that plays out will be the defining factor in i think the overall headline of these elections. What is intriguing and we have to underline it and put it in bold, it is very early, what is intriguing is there is a beginning of a sense of perhaps are getting relatively close to some of the Opinion Polls that have suggested they have a reasonable lead. But how does that carry on through the night . Who knows . There is one heck of a lot still to come. Lets address that issue of the ulez with our roads minister Richard Holden, on the specific issue, its interesting, people in one part of the country thinking changes that conservatives have made to charge people to come into paper driving their cars have cost you votes. Thea;r their cars have cost you votes. They are not changes their cars have cost you votes. They are not changes conservatives have made are not changes conservatives have made. They are not changes conservatives have made, they are changes that the labour made, they are changes that the labour mayor of london has made. Despite labour mayor of london has made. Despite the lib dems voting for ulez in london. Despite the lib dems voting for ulez in london, they are campaigning against in london, they are campaigning against it in london, they are campaigning against it at brentwood, just like at a National Level they but at a National Levelthey but our at a National Levelthey but your reporter at a National Levelthey but your reporter on at a National Level they but your reporter on the ground told us people are unhappy this has happened on your national watch. I people are unhappy this has happened on your national watch. On your national watch. I dont think you on your national watch. I dont think you can on your national watch. I dont think you can see on your national watch. I dont think you can see there on your national watch. I dont think you can see there has i on your national watch. I dont i think you can see there has been on your national watch. I dont think you can see there has been no massive think you can see there has been no massive labour surged there in brentford. In brentwood. But massive labour surged there in brentford. In brentwood. But you lost control brentford. In brentwood. But you lost control. Thats brentford. In brentwood. But you lost control. Thats true, brentford. In brentwood. But you lost control. Thats true, we brentford. In brentwood. But you lost control. Thats true, we are lost control. Thats true, we are down a copple lost control. Thats true, we are down a couple of lost control. Thats true, we are down a couple of seats lost control. Thats true, we are down a couple of seats in lost control. Thats true, we are down a couple of seats in brentwood. You took down a couple of seats in brentwood. You took in down a couple of seats in brentwood. You look in essex, in harlow, in basildon, you look in essex, in harlow, in basildon, where labour took to no overall basildon, where labour took to no overall control in 2019 and jeremy corbyn. Overall control in 2019 and jeremy corbyn, you are reporting at the moment corbyn, you are reporting at the moment that the conservatives are Holding Moment that the conservatives are holding onto control in basildon. It is one holding onto control in basildon. It is one thing when you are against the lib is one thing when you are against the lib dems who we all know say one thin the lib dems who we all know say one thing at the lib dems who we all know say one thing at a the lib dems who we all know say one thing at a National Level and another thing at a National Level and another at a local level because they usually avoid that scrutiny, it is not they usually avoid that scrutiny, it is not quite they usually avoid that scrutiny, it is not quite the same for the labor party is not quite the same for the labor party in is not quite the same for the labor party in fairness, who do get that scrutiny party in fairness, who do get that scrutiny on party in fairness, who do get that scrutiny on the National Level. When it comes to scrutiny on the National Level. When it comes to something scrutiny on the National Level. When it comes to Something Like scrutiny on the National Level. Hisiezsi it comes to Something Like housing targets, which we have also heard from several places in the country tonight is also a big problem, your party has big problems on this. A whole load of mps quoted in the newspapers being very critical of the National Leadership for dropping local housing targets, acknowledging lots of people, including in the Conservative Party, think you have nowhere near building enough houses, so you are split on that. Can nowhere near building enough houses, so you are split on that. So you are split on that. Can see what is down so you are split on that. Can see what is down there so you are split on that. Can see what is down there in so you are split on that. Can see| what is down there in brentwood exactly what weve been doing, we have been fulfilling what people want with more housing. Obviously these will be weaponised at a local level by lib dems who faced two ways in every issue they come across. Lets put that accusation to minera, he is accusing you of hating two ways. I he is accusing you of hating two wa s. ~ he is accusing you of hating two wa s. ~. ,. Ways. I think the tories are struggling ways. I think the tories are struggling. On ways. I think the tories are struggling. On ulez ways. I think the tories are struggling. On ulez i ways. I think the tories are | struggling. On ulez i would ways. I think the tories are struggling. On ulez i would like to ust struggling. On ulez i would like to just correct struggling. On ulez i would like to just correct what struggling. On ulez i would like to just correct what richard struggling. On ulez i would like to just correct what richard said, just correct what richard said, there just correct what richard said, there was just correct what richard said, there was not just correct what richard said, there was not even just correct what richard said, there was not even a just correct what richard said, there was not even a vote just correct what richard said, there was not even a vote on. Just correct what richard said, i there was not even a vote on this just correct what richard said, there was not even a vote on this at there was not even a vote on this at the london there was not even a vote on this at the london assembly, there was not even a vote on this at the london assembly, sadiq there was not even a vote on this at the london assembly, sadiq khan. There was not even a vote on this at l the london assembly, sadiq khan has done this the london assembly, sadiq khan has done this by the london assembly, sadiq khan has done this by his the london assembly, sadiq khan has done this by his executive the london assembly, sadiq khan has done this by his executive powers,. Done this by his executive powers, one thing done this by his executive powers, one thing we done this by his executive powers, one thing we have done this by his executive powers, one thing we have been done this by his executive powers, one thing we have been very done this by his executive powers, one thing we have been very clear| one thing we have been very clear about, one thing we have been very clear about, was one thing we have been very clear about, was we one thing we have been very clear about, was we support one thing we have been very clear about, was we support cleaning i one thing we have been very clear| about, was we support cleaning up londons about, was we support cleaning up londons air, about, was we support cleaning up londons air, the about, was we support cleaning up londons air, the timing about, was we support cleaning up londons air, the timing and about, was we support cleaning up londons air, the timing and the i londons air, the timing and the speed londons air, the timing and the speed at londons air, the timing and the speed at which londons air, the timing and the speed at which it londons air, the timing and the speed at which it has londons air, the timing and the speed at which it has been londons air, the timing and the speed at which it has been done londons air, the timing and the i speed at which it has been done as far too speed at which it has been done as far too fast, speed at which it has been done as far too fast, terrible speed at which it has been done as far too fast, terrible in speed at which it has been done as far too fast, terrible in the speed at which it has been done as far too fast, terrible in the middlei far too fast, terrible in the middle of a cost of living far too fast, terrible in the middle of a cost of living crisis, far too fast, terrible in the middle of a cost of living crisis, and far too fast, terrible in the middle of a cost of living crisis, and we. Of a cost of living crisis, and we have of a cost of living crisis, and we have actually of a cost of living crisis, and we have actually amended of a cost of living crisis, and we have actually amended the of a cost of living crisis, and we i have actually amended the mayors bridget have actually amended the mayors bridget to have actually amended the mayors bridget to put have actually amended the mayors bridget to put more have actually amended the mayors bridget to put more money have actually amended the mayors bridget to put more money to have actually amended the mayors bridget to put more money to help| bridget to put more money to help people bridget to put more money to help people change bridget to put more money to help people change their bridget to put more money to help people change their cars bridget to put more money to help people change their cars and bridget to put more money to help people change their cars and had l people change their cars and had better people change their cars and had better Public People change their cars and had better public transport people change their cars and had better public transport in people change their cars and had better public transport in place i people change their cars and had i better public transport in place but unfortunately better public transport in place but unfortunately the better public transport in place but unfortunately the mayor better public transport in place but unfortunately the mayor of better public transport in place but unfortunately the mayor of londonj unfortunately the mayor of london has blocked unfortunately the mayor of london has blocked that unfortunately the mayor of london has blocked that unfortunately the mayor of london has blocked that the unfortunately the mayor of london has blocked that the mayors i has blocked that the mayors budget~ has blocked that the mayors budget~ so has blocked that the mayors budget. So we havent has blocked that the mayors budget. So we havent been has blocked that the mayors i budget. So we havent been facing two ways budget. So we havent been facing two ways at budget. So we havent been facing two ways at all. Budget. So we havent been facing two ways at all, and budget. So we havent been facing two ways at all, and actually budget. So we havent been facing two ways at all, and actually as i budget. So we havent been facing two ways at all, and actually as a i two ways at all, and actually as a transport two ways at all, and actually as a transport minister, two ways at all, and actually as a transport minister, one two ways at all, and actually as a transport minister, one of two ways at all, and actually as a transport minister, one of the i transport minister, one of the things transport minister, one of the things i transport minister, one of the things i would transport minister, one of the things i would like transport minister, one of the things i would like to transport minister, one of the things i would like to say transport minister, one of the things i would like to say to i transport minister, one of the things i would like to say to which it is the things i would like to say to which it is the government things i would like to say to which it is the government has things i would like to say to which it is the government has put things i would like to say to which i it is the government has put money into helping it is the government has put money into helping people it is the government has put money into helping people change it is the government has put money into helping people change their into helping people change their cars and into helping people change their cars and all into helping people change their cars and all sorts into helping people change their cars and all sorts of into helping people change their cars and all sorts of parts into helping people change their cars and all sorts of parts of into helping people change their cars and all sorts of parts of the | cars and all sorts of parts of the country cars and all sorts of parts of the country like cars and all sorts of parts of the country like in cars and all sorts of parts of the country like in manchester cars and all sorts of parts of the country like in manchester and i country like in manchester and bristol, country like in manchester and bristol, but country like in manchester and bristol, but outside country like in manchester and bristol, but outside of country like in manchester and bristol, but outside of london| country like in manchester and bristol, but outside of london and the areas bristol, but outside of london and the areas that bristol, but outside of london and the areas that border bristol, but outside of london and the areas that border on bristol, but outside of london and the areas that border on to bristol, but outside of london and i the areas that border on to london, the areas that border on to london, the liberal the areas that border on to london, the Liberal Democrats the areas that border on to london, the Liberal Democrats have the areas that border on to london, the Liberal Democrats have called i the Liberal Democrats have called for that the Liberal Democrats have called for that and the Liberal Democrats have called for that and they the Liberal Democrats have called for that and they would the Liberal Democrats have called for that and they would support i for that and they would support that for that and they would support that. ,. ,. ,. ,. , for that and they would support that. ,. ,. , that. How much are you going to put into that, that. How much are you going to put into that. How that. How much are you going to put into that, how much that. How much are you going to put into that, how much tax that. How much are you going to put into that, how much tax do that. How much are you going to put into that, how much tax do you that. How much are you going to put into that, how much tax do you want to raise into that, how much tax do you want to raise to into that, how much tax do you want to raise to pay for that . To raise to pay for that . Well, look, to raise to pay for that . Well, look. There to raise to pay for that . Well, look, there are to raise to pay for that . Well, look, there are plenty to raise to pay for that . Well, look, there are plenty of to raise to pay for that . Well, look, there are plenty of ways to raise to pay for that . Well, look, there are plenty of ways you can pay look, there are plenty of ways you can pay for look, there are plenty of ways you can pay for that, look, there are plenty of ways you can pay for that, whether look, there are plenty of ways you can pay for that, whether it look, there are plenty of ways you can pay for that, whether it is look, there are plenty of ways you can pay for that, whether it is by. Can pay for that, whether it is by rolling can pay for that, whether it is by rolling back can pay for that, whether it is by rolling back things can pay for that, whether it is by rolling back things like can pay for that, whether it is by rolling back things like the can pay for that, whether it is by rolling back things like the cut i can pay for that, whether it is by rolling back things like the cut in bank rolling back things like the cut in bank ass rolling back things like the cut in bank ass surcharge, rolling back things like the cut in bank ass surcharge, and rolling back things like the cut in. Bank ass surcharge, and increasing the Windfall Bank ass surcharge, and increasing the windfall tax. Bank ass surcharge, and increasing the windfall tax. If bank ass surcharge, and increasing the windfall tax. If you bank ass surcharge, and increasing the windfall tax. If you are bank ass surcharge, and increasing the windfall tax. If you are serious. The windfall tax. If you are serious about the windfall tax. If you are serious about is the windfall tax. If you are serious about. ,. , the windfall tax. If you are serious about. ,. , the windfall tax. If you are serious about. ,. Y about. Is that actually a policy proposal . About. Is that actually a policy proposal . Red about. Is that actually a policy proposal . Red if about. Is that actually a policy proposal . Red if youre about. Is that actually a policy proposal . Red if youre serious| proposal . Red if youre serious about proposal . Red if youre serious about cleaning up the air and tackling about cleaning up the air and tackling climate change, you would invest tackling climate change, you would invest in tackling climate change, you would invest in those sorts of schemes. What invest in those sorts of schemes. What we invest in those sorts of schemes. What we are seeing in brentford and across what we are seeing in brentford and across the what we are seeing in brentford and across the country what we are seeing in brentford and across the country in what we are seeing in brentford and across the country in conservative i across the country in conservative facing across the country in conservative facing areas across the country in conservative facing areas is across the country in conservative facing areas is that across the country in conservative facing areas is that people across the country in conservative facing areas is that people are across the country in conservativej facing areas is that people are fed up facing areas is that people are fed up with facing areas is that people are fed up with the facing areas is that people are fed up with the tories, facing areas is that people are fed up with the tories, whether facing areas is that people are fed up with the tories, whether it facing areas is that people are fed up with the tories, whether it is i up with the tories, whether it is The Cost Of Living up with the tories, whether it is The Cost Of Living crisis, up with the tories, whether it is i The Cost Of Living crisis, sewage, nhs waiting The Cost Of Living crisis, sewage, nhs waiting lists, The Cost Of Living crisis, sewage, nhs waiting lists, thats The Cost Of Living crisis, sewage, nhs waiting lists, thats what The Cost Of Living crisis, sewage, j nhs waiting lists, thats what ive been nhs waiting lists, thats what ive been hearing. Nhs waiting lists, thats what ive been hearing. I nhs waiting lists, thats what ive been hearing, i have nhs waiting lists, thats what ive been hearing, i have been nhs waiting lists, thats what ive been hearing, i have been out nhs waiting lists, thats what ive been hearing, i have been out in| been hearing, i have been out in that blue been hearing, i have been out in that blue wall, been hearing, i have been out in that blue wall, campaigning been hearing, i have been out in that blue wall, campaigning in i that blue wall, campaigning in places that blue wall, campaigning in places like that blue wall, campaigning in places like esher that blue wall, campaigning in places like esher and that blue wall, campaigning in places like esher and walton i that blue wall, campaigning in i places like esher and walton and elsewhere places like esher and walton and elsewhere in places like esher and walton and elsewhere in surrey, places like esher and walton and elsewhere in surrey, and places like esher and walton and elsewhere in surrey, and in elsewhere in surrey, and in hertfordshire, elsewhere in surrey, and in hertfordshire, and elsewhere in surrey, and in hertfordshire, and it elsewhere in surrey, and in hertfordshire, and it is elsewhere in surrey, and in| hertfordshire, and it is very elsewhere in surrey, and in hertfordshire, and it is very clear that people hertfordshire, and it is very clear that people are hertfordshire, and it is very clear that people are fed hertfordshire, and it is very clear that people are fed up hertfordshire, and it is very clear that people are fed up with hertfordshire, and it is very clear that people are fed up with the i that people are fed up with the conservatives, that people are fed up with the conservatives, they that people are fed up with the conservatives, they are that people are fed up with thel conservatives, they are sending that people are fed up with the conservatives, they are sending them a message, conservatives, they are sending them a message, they conservatives, they are sending them a message, they are conservatives, they are sending them a message, they are coming conservatives, they are sending them a message, they are coming over conservatives, they are sending them a message, they are coming over to. A message, they are coming over to us, and a message, they are coming over to us, and many a message, they are coming over to us, and many of a message, they are coming over to us, and many of them a message, they are coming over to us, and many of them are a message, they are coming over to us, and many of them are frankly. Us, and many of them are frankly staying us, and many of them are frankly staying at us, and many of them are frankly staying at home us, and many of them are frankly staying at home because us, and many of them are frankly staying at home because they us, and many of them are franklyj staying at home because they are us, and many of them are frankly staying at home because they are too ashamed staying at home because they are too ashamed to staying at home because they are too ashamed to vote staying at home because they are too ashamed to vote for staying at home because they are too ashamed to vote for the staying at home because they are too ashamed to vote for the conservative j ashamed to vote for the Conservative Party, ashamed to vote for the Conservative Party, people ashamed to vote for the Conservative Party. People feel ashamed to vote for the Conservative Party, people feel taken ashamed to vote for the Conservative Party, people feel taken for party, people feel taken for granted party, people feel taken for granted party, people feel taken for granted. I met party, people feel taken for granted. I met lifelong party, people feel taken for granted. I met lifelong conservative voters granted. I met lifelong conservative voters in granted. I met lifelong conservative voters in dominic granted. I met lifelong conservative voters in Dominic Raabs granted. I met lifelong conservative voters in Dominic Raabs patch granted. I met lifelong conservative voters in Dominic Raabs patch who| voters in Dominic Raabs patch who said absolutely voters in Dominic Raabs patch who said absolutely i voters in Dominic Raabs patch who said absolutely i cannot voters in Dominic Raabs patch who said absolutely i cannot support voters in Dominic Raabs patch who| said absolutely i cannot support the conservatives said absolutely i cannot support the conservatives. Said absolutely i cannot support the conservatives. News from hartlepool council, still conservatives. News from hartlepool council, still in conservatives. News from hartlepool council, still in no conservatives. News from hartlepool council, still in no overall council, still in no overall control. What you make of that . Isnt that exactly the kind of place where labour needs to be making progress . It was labourfor so where labour needs to be making progress . It was labour for so long, grabbed sensationally by the conservatives under borisjohnson. Dont you really need to be making big progress in parts of the country like that . Taste big progress in parts of the country like that . ~. , big progress in parts of the country like that . ~. ,. , like that . We have made big progress in hartlepool. Like that . We have made big progress in hartlepool. We like that . We have made big progress in hartlepool, we have like that . We have made big progress in hartlepool, we have taken like that . We have made big progress in hartlepool, we have taken a in hartlepool, we have taken a number of seats later, because we elect on the basis of thirds it is more difficult to control but we have made some important gains in hartlepool and across the country where ive been campaigning. I am confident we will see gains this evening and there is a key Battle Ground seats ahead of the next general election and thats what im most interested in looking at, not so much the numbers of councillors with a kind of percentages, but actually where are we making gains, and how is that elaine align with the seats we need to gain for the next general election . 50 the seats we need to gain for the next general election . Next general election . So the geography next general election . So the geography is next general election . So the geography is more next general election . So the geography is more important| next general election . So the i geography is more important to next general election . So the geography is more important to you that the overall total, because there are some very important benchmarks you have to hit, are they not . It benchmarks you have to hit, are they not . ,. ,. ,. , not . It is the geography that does matter, not . It is the geography that does matter. We not . It is the geography that does matter, we want not . It is the geography that does matter, we want to not . It is the geography that does matter, we want to see not . It is the geography that does matter, we want to see more matter, we want to see more councillors than we are in the process of electing more this evening but actually it is the geography, those Battle Ground key seats, whether it is swindon, hartlepool, darlington, telford. They are the areas i will be looking to see how labour is doing and on the basis of hartlepool so far it looks to be a really strong result and enrich a s backyard in durham, we took a seat in the by election there from them, so were making progress in the north and im looking to seeing some in richards backyard in durham. Looking to seeing some in richards backyard in durham. Almost nei. Hbours, richards backyard in durham. Almost neighbours. Not richards backyard in durham. Almost neighbours, not near richards backyard in durham. Almost neighbours, not near neighbours. Richards backyard in durham. Almost neighbours, not near neighbours. Im| neighbours, not near neighbours. Im not sure you will have a pop round for a cup of tea. Thank you for now, we will be back with you on a little bit but reeta, 84 delve into some of the numbers coming through. I bit but reeta, 84 delve into some of the numbers coming through. Bit but reeta, 84 delve into some of the numbers coming through. I have a coule of the numbers coming through. I have a couple of councils the numbers coming through. I have a couple of councils for the numbers coming through. I have a couple of councils for you the numbers coming through. I have a couple of councils for you couple of councils for you a deeper delve. Both still counting but always good to see whats going on behind the scenes. Colchester in essex, you can see it flashing. An interesting council, because it has been hung for the past quarter of a century, and it is quite a rare council, in many ways, because all three of the main parties are competitive here. They are really sort of neck and neck, and as you can see, with 11 seats still to declare, the conservatives on 14 and labour and the lib dems tying on 12, lets have a look and see what has happened to the share of the vote on the basis of what weve got insofar. Conservatives down by six Percentage Points, labourup conservatives down by six Percentage Points, labour up by nine, and lib dems up by eight, the green suffering there, we will keep an eye on colchester but looking like good news both for labour and the Liberal Democrats. I want also show you hull, a very tight race between the lib dems and labour. There are still 15 seats to declare, 29 seats for the winning post, and at the moment the winning post, and at the moment the lib dems are on 24 and labour in 18. Lets take a look at what has happened to the share of the vote. Lib dems up five Percentage Points and labour up two, green is down 5 . This result will be coming in soonish i hope that it gives you an indication of what is going on and indication of what is going on and in both cases looks like quite good news for the Liberal Democrats was to news for the Liberal Democrats was t. , news for the Liberal Democrats was to thank you, i know that hull is something to thank you, i know that hull is something that to thank you, i know that hull is something that labour to thank you, i know that hull is something that labour is to thank you, i know that hull is | something that labour is fighting very hard to get back after the lib dems did well to take it a few years ago, as reeta wasjust explaining dems did well to take it a few years ago, as reeta was just explaining to us. Lets go back to medway. We were talking to our report of their Anna Collinson a while ago, explaining why that part of the world was interesting, politically. But we can talk to the mp there, conservative mp, whojoins us from gillingham. Conservatives are already looking a bit downcast. At the moment that councillors held by the conservatives, it has been since 2003. Does your glum faces suggest thatis 2003. Does your glum faces suggest that is going to be changing tonight . That is going to be changing toniaht . ~ ,. ,. ,. Tonight . Well, it is certainly not a elum tonight . Well, it is certainly not a glum face. Tonight . Well, it is certainly not a glum face. Lm tonight . Well, it is certainly not a glum face, im trying tonight . Well, it is certainly not a glum face, im trying to tonight . Well, it is certainly not a glum face, im trying to listen tonight . Well, it is certainly not a glum face, im trying to listen to l glum face, im trying to listen to what you are saying and you are right, we have held the council since 2003. It has been a fantastic local conservative run council when you have a weekly rubbish and recycling collection, Excellent Service in the area and libraries across the medway towns that have been providing Excellent Service to the local community, so what we have now is these elections are taking place after 20 years of a conservative administration, 13 years of a conservative government, so yes of course we are going to get some challenges here in medway, like the rest of the country, but what i would say is i am the member of parliament for gillingham and rainham, and medway is composed of three parliamentary constituencies. I have been out across the constituency in gillingham today and i expect to retain all of the councillors in gillingham or rainham. There might be a tight call on one here or there but i expect to retain all of the sitting conservative councillors in gillingham and rainham who have been working exceptionally hard, and in the whiner wider medway towns, it will be a key factor in the local elections. In will be a key factor in the local elections elections. In your part of that area, elections. In your part of that area. Think elections. In your part of that area, think the elections. In your part of that area, think the conservativesj elections. In your part of that area, think the conservatives will hold onto the seats, what about the other parts of the area held by your colleagues . I other parts of the area held by your colleagues . Colleagues . I think what i have ust said that is with fl colleagues . I think what i have ust said that is with regards colleagues . I think what i have ust said that is with regards the i colleagues . I think what i have just said that is with regards the wider i said that is with regards the wider medway towns, gillingham and rainham, i expect from having been out on the doorsteps with our brilliant local candidates, to maintain those Council Seats, there will be challenges with one here or there, but i expect to maintain all of the sitting councils we have in gillingham and rainham. Brilliant team. The rest of the medway towns, you know, you have redrawn local boundary changes by the boundary commission, which are independently done, and that favours the labor the labour party here. That affects the labour party here. That affects the other counsel. It will only be right that you speak to the members of parliament for those areas but for me to comment on gillingham and rainham in this interview. You for me to comment on gillingham and rainham in this interview. Rainham in this interview. You have ex ressed rainham in this interview. You have expressed concerns rainham in this interview. You have expressed concerns previously expressed concerns previously however about making sure the Conservative Party is trying its utmost to represent and court votes in all parts of england and as an mp for the south east, do you have concerned that the focus on levelling up, the focus on holding parts of the country that shows brexit last time and chose conservatives for the first time could mean sometimes that the south east and constituencies like yours might lose out . I southeast and constituencies like yours might lose out . Yours might lose out . I think the wa ou yours might lose out . I think the way you have yours might lose out . I think the way you have put yours might lose out . I think the way you have put that yours might lose out . I think the way you have put that point yours might lose out . I think the way you have put that point is i way you have put that point is absolutely spot on. The government has put forward the levelling up agenda for the country across the board to level up all parts of the country and that is absolutely right, but what ive said before, and have set it across the board to the government and in articles, you cannot level up the north at the south. And for us here in gillingham and rainham, and in the south, we need ourfairshare of and rainham, and in the south, we need our fair share of allocation of resources. For example, levelling up funding, we have not that here in gillingham and rainham in the two rounds we have had, so for me, i want to make sure the government when they look at the wider strategy, ensures that when we level p strategy, ensures that when we level up the rest of the country in the north, we also level up the south east, and ensure that we get here in gillingham and rainham and the wider medway towns our fair share allocation of resources, whether it is regeneration funding, level three, or with regards to supporting a new hospital Buildings Programme here in the medway towns. So yes, you are absolutely right, i have said that. The government needs to ensure in its strategy of levelling up ensures that the south east of england gets its fair share and i will make sure that view gets taken back to the Prime Minister and any minister in government to make sure that is done fairly and properly. But government to make sure that is done fairly and properly fairly and properly. But if it is not a new fairly and properly. But if it is not a new raising fairly and properly. But if it is not a new raising that fairly and properly. But if it is not a new raising that i i fairly and properly. But if it is l not a new raising that i suggest fairly and properly. But if it is not a new raising that i suggest you have concerned it has not been done adequately enough, how important is it do you think that they switch that focus, in order to be able to keep seats like yours when it comes to the general election . What i would say on this specific point is this a local elections we are talking about. We are out another a0 months from a general election but absolutely the government needs to look at these results with great care and listen to members of parliament who say, we do not want any favours from the government. We only need fair allocation of resources and that means regeneration funding in gillingham and rainham with the high street, the town centres and with response to hospital programmes and we will fight for that at every level irrespective of who the Prime Minister and government is because that needs to be done and we need to make sure that money and the resources get done evenly across the board and we get it in gillingham and rainham and this results in the wider medway towns will send a clear message to the government if it is predicted where we are going on the wider scale than we need to relook at how we address those challenges on allocation of resources. On allocation of resources. Thank ou ve on allocation of resources. Thank you very much on allocation of resources. Thank you very much indeed on allocation of resources. Thank you very much indeed for on allocation of resources. Thank you very much indeed forjoining| on allocation of resources. Thank. You very much indeed forjoining us. Well, lets put that straight to a government minister. That is one of your mps seeing very, very clearly that the government needs to switch its focus multi parts of the country that feel a bit neglected because there has been so much focus on the north of england. I because there has been so much focus on the north of england. On the north of england. I dont auree on the north of england. I dont agree with on the north of england. I dont agree with ray on the north of england. I dont agree with ray on on the north of england. I dont agree with ray on that. On the north of england. I dont agree with ray on that. I on the north of england. I dont agree with ray on that. I think| on the north of england. I dont i agree with ray on that. I think the truth is that right across the country there will always be pockets and there are pockets in medway left the chatham area which do require extra focus on extra support and there are parts of the country, and there are parts of the country, and the Prime Minister said that, which will require that extra support in all sorts of different ways and different areas. But all sorts of different ways and different areas. All sorts of different ways and different areas. But he is saying the are different areas. But he is saying they are not different areas. But he is saying they are not getting different areas. But he is saying they are not getting it. Different areas. But he is saying they are not getting it. That different areas. But he is saying they are not getting it. That is l different areas. But he is saying l they are not getting it. That is the point he is making. If they are not getting it. That is the point he is making. They are not getting it. That is the point he is making. If you go down to the medway point he is making. If you go down to the medway towns, point he is making. If you go down to the medway towns, you point he is making. If you go down to the medway towns, you have i point he is making. If you go down | to the medway towns, you have the great train line that links into Central London and the motorway at the bottom of the medway towns which takes you straight into Central London. Yes, theyre obviously local challenges. I know having campaigned down there several years ago that the hospital has been a big issue down there, and ray was seeing some of his colleagues, ray was on the local council before he was a member of parliament. Well, he will obviously feel some of those losses keenly. But i would say that we need to look at the broader picture and the fact that since the end of last year we have made a stride to stabilise and turn around what has been a difficult Economic Situation, especially following russias invasion of ukraine. A huge amount of support forfamilies invasion of ukraine. A huge amount of support for families across the country stop but i think there will always be specific issues in specific areas which mps will want to campaign on. It is the same as they do in my own constituency. He is making a general point. He is not talking about specific issues. He was talking about specific issues. He was raising specific issues. Talking about specific issues. He was raising specific issues. He i talking about specific issues. He i was raising specific issues. He is makin a was raising specific issues. He is making a general was raising specific issues. He is making a general point was raising specific issues. He is making a general point that was raising specific issues. He is making a general point that he and others feel that some areas in the south of the country that have traditionally had more attention from conservatives in government have lost out partly because of the switch and focus in parts of the country. I switch and focus in parts of the count. , , � switch and focus in parts of the count. ,. , �. , country. I ust dont agree with that. You country. I just dont agree with that. You dont country. I just dont agree with that. You dont agree country. I just dont agree with that. You dont agree with country. I just dont agree with l that. You dont agree with him . Bridaet . That. You dont agree with him . Bridget . I that. You dont agree with him . Bridget . | think that. You dont agree with him . Bridget . I think everyone that. You dont agree with him . Bridget . I think everyone is that. You dont agree with him . Bridget . I think everyone is fed | that. You dont agree with him . I bridget . I think everyone is fed up everywhere bridget . I think everyone is fed up everywhere i bridget . I think everyone is fed up everywhere. I think bridget . I think everyone is fed up everywhere. I think it bridget . I think everyone is fed up everywhere. I think it will bridget . I think everyone is fed up everywhere. I think it will be i bridget . I think everyone is fed up everywhere. I think it will be new i everywhere. I think it will be new to the everywhere. I think it will be new to the people i represent that they are getting a great deal from the levelling are getting a great deal from the levelling up agenda and there is dissatisfaction in large parts of the south of england two. Richard is doing the south of england two. Richard is doing an the south of england two. Richard is doing an admirablejob the south of england two. Richard is doing an admirable job here but i do have to doing an admirable job here but i do have to say doing an admirable job here but i do have to say that when you talk about the Economic Situation that we have had since the Economic Situation that we have had since last year, it was the budget had since last year, it was the budget that because that instability and chaos and that has caused us so many and chaos and that has caused us so many problems, and right throughout this campaign we have been talking about this campaign we have been talking about the this campaign we have been talking about The Cost Of Living, about the challenges that people are facing riht challenges that people are facing right now. The conservatives have been right now. The conservatives have been nowhere on that. That has been the single been nowhere on that. That has been the single species issue that people will raise the single species issue that people will raise on the doorstep. We the single species issue that people will raise on the doorstep. Will raise on the doorstep. We put £92 billion into will raise on the doorstep. We put £92 billion into households i will raise on the doorstep. We put £92 billion into households and i £92 billion into households and supporting bills in the last few years which was broadly supported by labour in parliament. I dont think they voted against it, or for more, actually. Hate they voted against it, or for more, actuall. ~ , they voted against it, or for more, actuall. ~. ,. ,. , actually. We would have done the windfall tax actually. We would have done the windfall tax differently actually. We would have done the windfall tax differently and i actually. We would have done the windfall tax differently and have l windfall tax differently and have frozen windfall tax differently and have frozen council tax for one example. But when frozen council tax for one example. But when you speak to people. You have not done but when you speak to people. Gm. Have not done that while you were in local government, have you . Taste have not done that while you were in local government, have you . We would be doinu local government, have you . We would be doing that local government, have you . We would be doing that right local government, have you . We would be doing that right now local government, have you . We would be doing that right now if local government, have you . We would be doing that right now if we local government, have you . We would be doing that right now if we were i be doing that right now if we were in government. You hear time and again in government. You hear time and again from in government. You hear time and again from people on the doors that they are again from people on the doors that they are putting back food when they io they are putting back food when they go shopping, they cant afford to pay their go shopping, they cant afford to pay their bills, they are worried about pay their bills, they are worried about hitting their homes, and they feel the about hitting their homes, and they feel the government are not listening and do not have an idea about listening and do not have an idea ahoutiust listening and do not have an idea aboutjust how difficult it is for people aboutjust how difficult it is for people right now, and this is families people right now, and this is families and pensioners right across the board families and pensioners right across the board at my people who never imagined the board at my people who never imagined they would be in a position that they imagined they would be in a position that they would be struggling at such a that they would be struggling at such a degree and the way the government have approached this, ust government have approached this, just no government have approached this, just no understanding about how hard things just no understanding about how hard things are just no understanding about how hard things are for people right now and a complete rejection i think of some pretty a complete rejection i think of some pretty straightforward measures that would pretty straightforward measures that would really make life easier for people would really make life easier for people a would really make life easier for people. A really strong and positive campaign people. A really strong and positive campaign about the different choices we would campaign about the different choices we would be making in government iilht we would be making in government right now we would be making in government right now but deliver real benefits to people right now but deliver real benefits to people at a really tough time, but i to people at a really tough time, but i do to people at a really tough time, but i do have to come back to this point but i do have to come back to this point but i do have to come back to this point the but i do have to come back to this point the conservatives crashed the economy. They caused all of this instability the economy. They caused all of this instability and chaos. People are paying instability and chaos. People are paying more on their mortgages as a direct paying more on their mortgages as a direct result of the positions that the Conservative Party took last year the Conservative Party took last year and the Conservative Party took last year and for 13 years. You know that in saying year and for 13 years. You know that in saying that, the United States and in in saying that, the United States and in canada they have seen greater interest and in canada they have seen greater Interest Rate rises than we have sinned Interest Rate rises than we have sinned the Interest Rate rises than we have sinned the uk. The European Union is a slightly sinned the uk. The European Union is a slightly behind where we are. The entire a slightly behind where we are. The entire world has seen that change. In canada entire world has seen that change. In canada or america, are they doing a worse in canada or america, are they doing a worse joh in canada or america, are they doing a worse job because the Interest Rates a worse job because the Interest Rates have a worse job because the Interest Rates have gone up . | a worse job because the Interest Rates have gone up . A worse job because the Interest Rates have gone up . I would say good luck sellin rates have gone up . I would say good luck selling that rates have gone up . I would say good luck selling that to rates have gone up . I would say good luck selling that to people rates have gone up . I would say good luck selling that to people on rates have gone up . I would say good luck selling that to people on the i luck selling that to people on the doors. , , luck selling that to people on the doors. ,. ,. ,. , luck selling that to people on the doors. ,. ,. ,. ,. , doors. There is a problem for you, richard, doors. There is a problem for you, richard. Isnt doors. There is a problem for you, richard, isnt there . Doors. There is a problem for you, richard, isnt there . You doors. There is a problem for you, richard, isnt there . You can i doors. There is a problem for you, richard, isnt there . You can see| richard, isnt there . You can see the conservatives have a huge amounts of money into things like energy bills. That is true. Tens of billions of pounds of taxpayers money going into it but if you can also sit and say that and voter say, things are still hard, things are still difficult, that does not solve your political problem, does it . ,. , solve your political problem, does it . Y. ,. , solve your political problem, does it . ,. ,. , it . They are hard and difficult and i think what it . They are hard and difficult and i think what people it . They are hard and difficult and i think what people are it . They are hard and difficult and i think what people are looking i it . They are hard and difficult and| i think what people are looking for is who is going to lead the country, who can they trust to lead the country do what is a difficult time and i think usually the labour party except that most of those headwinds have been caused by russias illegal invasion of ukraine, and when you. There was a market meltdown in this country under a conservative Prime Minister who was at aa days later. Ukraine has obviously been significant but that is not everything that is happening. When ou look at everything that is happening. When you look at the everything that is happening. When you look at the asheville everything that is happening. Bg� ue� i you look at the asheville Interest Rates for example, compare us to canada, the us, it is a very similar situation right across the board. What i would say is that people will, at the next election, be looking for who is on their side and who is the right person to lead their country. That is going to be a truce between rishi sunak you had set forward some priorities around the country, but iran stopping the boats, getting hospital rating less under control and keir starmer who seems to change his mind on every policy, whether he is facing the labour membership all the country. And yet the Liberal Democrats, iii party in these english local elections, iii big party, might have a word or two to say about that as well from both of them . Absolutely. I aaree well from both of them . Absolutely. I agree with well from both of them . Absolutely. I agree with bridget. Well from both of them . Absolutely. I agree with bridget. Cost well from both of them . Absolutely. I agree with bridget. Cost of well from both of them . Absolutely. I agree with bridget. Cost of living i i agree with bridget. Cost of living is coming up on the doorstep and people have seen their mortgages go up people have seen their mortgages go up as a result of the conservatives crashing the economy under the disastrous leadership of this trust but also Health Services is something that i have heard time and again. Looking indoors on walton down in surrey, people really struggling to get a gp appointment. We know ambulance rating times across the country are a big issue. People are concerned about their local environment and sewerage in our rivers and waterways and the fact that conservatives frankly are not taking action on the big Water Companies because of that. And that complete dereliction of duty and people feeling that they have been taken for granted by the conservatives for so long, i think there is a real palpable anger on there is a real palpable anger on the doorstep that we are really picking up when we are out talking to people. {l3h picking up when we are out talking to eole. , ~ picking up when we are out talking to eole. ~ ,. To people. 0k. Thank you very much for now indeed. To people. 0k. Thank you very much for now indeed. I to people. 0k. Thank you very much for now indeed. I want to people. 0k. Thank you very much for now indeed. I want to to people. 0k. Thank you very much for now indeed. I want to let to people. 0k. Thank you very much for now indeed. I want to let you i for now indeed. I want to let you know that if you are one of the people who likes to look on your phone while you are also watching the tv, we all know we do it, there is a huge amount of information there. Yeah, notjust you. On the bbc website, the live page, streaming all the tips and trends and information coming in from around the country. That is there for you throughout the around the country. That is there for you throughout the night. Around the country. That is there for you throughout the night. Dont turn off the tv and look at your phone. Keep watching as well as watching the lifestream but there is a huge amount of information there. Chris providing his information and just to bring you one tip a lib dem source has told me that they have three gains. The Liberal Democrats are apparently gaining three to hold onto holbert. Labour a protracted back that we do not have official confirmation. I think i can see minera nodding along so it seems indeed that the Liberal Democrats have held labour off there. Lets talk about one of the other parties involved. The green party. We mention them a little while ago and so far the greens are up two seats overall but it seems as though they are down a little bit in some of the wards where they did so well at the last time. So, it looks at this early stage that they might not be able to match the very good performance that they put in in 2019. Lets see what their coleader carla denyer has to say about that. Welcome to the programme. It is good to have you with us. From what you have heard so far, are you a little bit down, as the numbers suggest . No. I am still feeling very optimistic about our chances this evening. It is very early in the night and we know that many of our target seats, places like herefordshire in mid soffit, not going to be declaring until the afternoon tomorrow, so i am expecting based on the responses we have been getting on the doorstep, people are coming to us from across the political spectrum and in all kinds of different areas of the country. People are angry with the way the conservatives are running the country into the ground telling us that they do not feel inspired by keir starmer� s labour. Many are voting for the greens for the first time because they want to be inspired. They want to vote for a party they agree with and we are seeing a Record Number of candidates and we think that a lot of people are going to vote green for the first time and get more green counsellors than ever before. Your collea. Ue counsellors than ever before. Your colleague adrian counsellors than ever before. Your colleague Adrian Ramsey said on sunday to us at the bbc that he thought you were hopeful of getting about 100 seats. Does that still fill roughly on course . About 100 seats. Does that still fill roughly on course . Yes, i think so. We fill roughly on course . Yes, i think so we are fill roughly on course . Yes, i think so. We are defending fill roughly on course . Yes, i think so. We are defending a fill roughly on course . Yes, i think so. We are defending a record i fill roughly on course . Yes, i think i so. We are defending a Record Number of seats this time around. We are defending 280 seats which is more than ever before but we are notjust aiming to hold steady. We are expecting to make substantial gains. We have already made gains in South Tyneside where we were the opposition but we have cemented that now. There is a lot more exciting councils from pieces like lancaster, mid suffolk that i mentioned earlier which is a council where we have the potential to notjust become the administration but have a majority with over 50 of the Council Seats and if we do that that will be the First Council, notjust in the uk, but in the Northern Hemisphere where that has taken place. We will see, but i am feeling optimistic. I that has taken place. We will see, but i am feeling optimistic. just but i am feeling optimistic. I ust want to ask � but i am feeling optimistic. I ust want to ask you i but i am feeling optimistic. I ust want to ask you another i but i am feeling optimistic. Ijust want to ask you another council. | but i am feeling optimistic. Ijust want to ask you another council. You have been running brighton and hove council, not as a majority, because you hope to be in mid suffolk but labour have been trying to get control of brighton and hove council on the south coast back from the greens. What is your sense of whether you will be appointed there and lose control . It is whether you will be appointed there and lose control . And lose control . It is too hard to tell for brighton and lose control . It is too hard to tell for brighton and and lose control . It is too hard to tell for brighton and hove and lose control . It is too hard to tell for brighton and hove but i i and lose control . It is too hard to. Tell for brighton and hove but i am happy there are counsellors and the Green Administration have been getting investment to help improve homelessness and public transport, walking and cycling in the city, and, yeah. They have been doing fantastic work, and they are, although they are only full administration at the moment, we are part of the administration in 17 councils in england and we are the Official Opposition in a further ten, and we are expecting both of those numbers to go up significantly when we get the results in tomorrow. 0k. Colour, thank you very much. Could you happy with us. We will keep a close eye on those interesting races where the greens are a factor over the night. A couple of minutes ago we brought you what seemed like news that hull had been held with three extra seats by the Liberal Democrats. Now, it is a big city, northeast of england. Very important to the people who live there. A big area of the country. Lets take a look at the seeds as they are still counting. The lib dems there on 27. Labour on 18. Now, there are still at 12 seats to declare, but you can see there that the lib dems, we can confirm that they have gained two and that labour have lost two. Lets have a look at the boat shout so far. 52 for the Liberal Democrats. 39 for the labour party. The conservatives way behind on a six, and the changes since 2019 so often this is the critical thing. 6 up by the Liberal Democrats but they are still counting in hull. These are not complete figures but 6 up and labour only at 1 so lets go straight there and talked to Sarah Sanderson who is therefore the bbc tonight. Sarah, it sounds like a really exciting moment for the Liberal Democrats. All got broad smiles on theirfaces . filth. Liberal democrats. All got broad smiles on their faces . Smiles on their faces . 0h, they certainly have, smiles on their faces . 0h, they certainly have, laura. Smiles on their faces . 0h, they certainly have, laura. Good i smiles on their faces . 0h, they i certainly have, laura. Good morning. At the start of this local election it was a bitter battle between the labour party and the lib dems because last year the lib dems took control of Hull City Council under a deck decade long rain by labour and the declarations are coming through but the lib dems have taken two seats of labour. Jubilance of celebrations from the lib dems. Labour on 2a. There is still a vacancy which has been helped by labour. That is due to come in. Independents and another declaration coming in now, but it is safe to say the lib dems have held onto hull and given it last year the vote in hull, the voter turnout, was 23. 5 , that was the lowest in the country. This years turnout is 22. 01 a lower turnout, but in hull, laura, those boats are heading to the lib dems and as you say they have held onto the council. Lets see where we go from here but happy faces with the lib dems. ~ ,. , i. From here but happy faces with the lib dems. ~ ,. ,. ~. From here but happy faces with the lib dems. ~ ,. ,. , ~. , lib dems. Why do you think that is happened . I think, and i think a lot of people will say this, last year that labour were in power, they made a rather unpopular decision to extend the bus lanes and put cycle lanes within the bus lanes in parts of the city, and i have to say it caused a lot of congestion. Traffic slowed down, people were unhappy, people decided to turn their votes to the lib dems last year because they said to the voters they were the listening party. They told the voters they would talk to them before making any changes, and what was quite a controversial move by labour what they did. They were trying to make they did. They were trying to make the difference, but didnt go down too well for the people of hull, and i think that was a persuasive factor for the votes when the lib dems took power last year. What the lib dems will do with those bus lanes and cycle lanes in hull for the next couple of years, were not quite sure, but i can say this, they will be celebrating tonight, because they have retained control of Hull City Council, and there we will see whether they keep those votes in the coming years. Whether they keep those votes in the coming years coming years. Thank you very much indeed. Coming years. Thank you very much indeed we coming years. Thank you very much indeed. We dont coming years. Thank you very much indeed. We dont often coming years. Thank you very much indeed. We dont often on coming years. Thank you very much indeed. We dont often on a coming years. Thank you very much indeed. We dont often on a local i indeed. We dont often on a local Election Programme get glimpses of many of the declarations, they dont go in for the big, grand declarations, where mps have to stand nervously, wondering about theirfuture, we stand nervously, wondering about their future, we see those huge moments of drama, all those memorable ones that you stay up for, but it was nice to have a little flavour of a chair with some very happy Liberal Democrats in hull where they have held on despite labours efforts to get back with them. Chris, when we use think about them. Chris, when we use think about the lib dems, just look about them for a moment, they are in a tricky position, arent they, because they lost that status of being the third biggest party, they went down to a tiny rump in parliament. Did they see tonight as a really strategic opportunity for them . See tonight as a really strategic opportunity for them . Yes, and seeinr it opportunity for them . Yes, and seeing it as opportunity for them . Yes, and seeing it as a opportunity for them . Yes, and seeing it as a point, opportunity for them . Yes, and seeing it as a point, they i opportunity for them . Yes, and seeing it as a point, they hope, | seeing it as a point, they hope, that their Coalition Years proceed sufficiently far in the rear view mirror for plenty of their former boaters to perhaps return. Plenty of Liberal Democrats will talk about that im Coalition Government proudly but the numbers back in 2015, nearapocalypse, proudly but the numbers back in 2015, near apocalypse, speakfor themselves. Bud 2015, near apocalypse, speak for themselves 2015, near apocalypse, speak for themselves. . ,. ,. , themselves. And it was quite a long time auo. Themselves. And it was quite a long time ago. Exactly, themselves. And it was quite a long time ago. Exactly, and themselves. And it was quite a long time ago. Exactly, and had themselves. And it was quite a long time ago. Exactly, and had massivej time ago. Exactly, and had massive consequences. Time ago. Exactly, and had massive consequences, obviously time ago. Exactly, and had massive consequences, obviously in consequences, obviously in shrivelling their representation in westminster, it is edged up a bit, that means they get a lot less Media Attention so they have been trained to build their way back. What is fascinating about the situation in hull where they have done well, it is one of those areas and there arent all that many, where there is arent all that many, where there is a tussle between lib dems and labour. So much of the focus with the Liberal DemocratsBattle Grounds is with the conservatives and a ring of seats in Council Areas around london. Very, very few westminster seats are labour lib dem Battle Grounds, Sheffield Hallam being one of them. ~ , grounds, Sheffield Hallam being one ofthem. ~. Grounds, Sheffield Hallam being one of them that grounds, Sheffield Hallam being one of them. That we i of them. With a classic. That we have seen of them. With a classic. That we have seen the of them. With a classic. That we have seen the lib of them. With a classic. That we have seen the lib dems of them. With a classic. That we have seen the lib dems built i have seen the lib dems built themselves up as a prominent opposition voice, and gone beyond that in terms of the local authority. That in terms of the local authority that in terms of the local authori. , , authority. You can see this time round they authority. You can see this time round they have authority. You can see this time round they have been authority. You can see this time round they have been really i authority. You can see this time i round they have been really trying to, i suppose, round they have been really trying to, isuppose, trying round they have been really trying to, i suppose, trying some new ways of cutting through. We use to have ed davey, ithink of cutting through. We use to have ed davey, i think it started off with a small hammer for a blue door and ended up in this campaign, what if we can show the pictures, actually driving a giant tractor towards bales of hay, the sort of metaphorical tory blue wall, to use thatjargon, that he wanted to smash through. And yet the big thing for them last time round, say, i couldnt resist it, we havent even had dogs at Polling Stations yet but thatis had dogs at Polling Stations yet but that is coming, i promise you, at some point in the of the night. For ed davey, the lib dems previously you so much built their identity around what happened during brexit. Even at the last general election, they went in being the remain party. Is that something they still like to talk about. Hat is that something they still like to talk about. Talk about. Not really, no they dont, talk about. Not really, no they dont. So talk about. Not really, no they dont, so often, talk about. Not really, no they dont, so often, if talk about. Not really, no they dont, so often, if we talk about. Not really, no they dont, so often, if we go talk about. Not really, no they dont, so often, if we go back. Talk about. Not really, no they| dont, so often, if we go back the best part of 25 years, so often the Liberal Democrats have been associated at key elections with individual, simple to understand online policies, whether it be about brexit or in the past about a penny on income tax for provision for education for instance. Lotrolith on income tax for provision for education for instance. With their 0 osition education for instance. With their opposition to education for instance. With their opposition to the education for instance. With their opposition to the iraq education for instance. With their opposition to the iraq war education for instance. With their opposition to the iraq war even, l education for instance. With their| opposition to the iraq war even, if we go back. Opposition to the iraq war even, if we go back opposition to the iraq war even, if we to back. , we go back. Indeed. That is less the case now which we go back. Indeed. That is less the case now which causes we go back. Indeed. That is less the case now which causes some case now which causes some nervousness from some. 0n the brexit point what is fascinating is how politics does seem to have moved on. At least as far as plenty of the big parties at westminster, the snp would still make an argument they would still make an argument they would want to talk about brexit, but as far as labour and the conservatives and the lib dems are concerned, a real desire to move on, driven by, they would argue, a sense that lots of voters want to move on, however strongly held their view on brexit might have been, that they want to focus on other things, not least because as our politicians will be the first satellite, issues like The Cost Of Living are just so much more prominent in peoples mines, and perhaps there is a sort lethargy from people who are worn out by the noise of those brexit arguments over the last couple of years. Just a couple of other tidbits to bring you. In the last few minutes. Conservatives are a bit more upbeat in dudley and sandwell in the West Midlands key Battle Ground, of course, the West Midlands, a general election, they are more upbeat after their pessimism in other spots. In hartlepool, we were talking about hartlepool, we were talking about hartlepool a few minutes ago, hartlepool a few minutes ago, hartlepool remains under no overall control. Labourwhere hartlepool remains under no overall control. Labour where one seat short of a majority, and to give you a sense of the tightness of margins in these races, in one ward, labour lost by two votes after several recounts, those votes denying them the majority that they thought they were get. That council remains under no overall control, with labour gaining six, the conservatives down two, then be in one short. In redditch, another key Battle Ground, the conservative hold again, no change, but labour gaining five seats. So we are back to that point about extent, to what extent is labour moving forward . To what extent of conservatives moving backward . 0ne extent of conservatives moving backward . One more point, labour have gained some seats in tamworth. Have gained some seats in tamworth. Have gained some seats in tamworth. ,. ,. , have gained some seats in tamworth. ,. ,. , tamworth. Now, i was ust about to tell eole tamworth. Now, i was ust about to ten people about h tamworth. Now, i was ust about to tell people about that, i tamworth. Now, i wasjust about to tell people about that, because i tell people about that, because tamworth, a council in the midlands, also interesting for another reason. The mp there chris pincher were somebody was close to borisjohnson. You might remember he was involved in the pretty traumatic for the conservatives final weeks of Boris Johnsons time in office, he had to resign, after allegations were made about his behaviour, and he is going as an mp, and you can see in his localarea, the as an mp, and you can see in his local area, the conservatives have lost control of the council. The tories have m seats, labour ten, independence with tories have 14 seats, labour ten, independence with six, and i want to show you the change. Tories down six, labourup show you the change. Tories down six, labour up seven. Now as ever, wouldnt it be amazing if we were able to get into the polling booth and ask everybody individually what was in their minds when they make their decision, that after all the controversy around chris pincher in the national headlines, and his decision to quit, you cant help but wonder if there has actually been an impact on how people have chosen to vote, and you can see that resulting in conservative support falling away in conservative support falling away in tamworth. Now, chris was talking about brexit having been that strong line that carved out how people made their decisions politically in this country for such a long time. Whatever your view was, it certainly became very much part of peoples political identity, with huge sway over how they voted, culminating probably in the election result in 2019, that huge majority for Boris Johnson. But what kind of impact is it having tonight on how people are making their decisions . Is it perhaps fading a little bit, as chris was suggesting, and probably quite a lot of people in the westminster parties wish it would. Reeta, take it through that. We have enouah reeta, take it through that. We have enough information, reeta, take it through that. We have enough information, laura, reeta, take it through that. We have enough information, laura, even enough information, laura, even though the night is young. We have got enough information, in terms of how people are voting to be able to analyse this. So weve got councils by brexit vote and we have divided them up into councils where there was a high remain vote in 2016, versus those with a high leave vote in 2016. This is based on the change since 2019, because most of these seats were last fought in 2019, when brexit was still a very salient issue. Theresa may was trying to push her brexit legislation through parliament, it was all very turbulent. Now, weve taken this information from what we call key wards. These are hundreds of boards across the country, where we collect information over time hundreds of wards. What is happening to the share of support for each of the main Political Parties, and you can see that, so far, labour is up by seven Percentage Points, lib dems up by two, conservatives have dropped a little bit, and the independents have gone right down. Now, in high remain vote areas, you can see the labor party has picked up by four Percentage Points but compare that to the high leave vote areas, where labors advantage is double that. They are plus 8 in high leave areas was to look at the independent vote, down by 13 . That will have been a lot of ukip voters within that, and it does suggest, doesnt it, that some of those, a significant proportion of those ukip voters have drifted back to labour. That does not mean necessarily labour has picked up more seats, councillors or even more councils in those areas but it does mean there is a renewed enthusiasm, if you like, for labour in the high leave voting councils, on the basis of what we know so far. Really interesting to see how that is all unfolding. Lets talk to sir john curtice to see if he can give us an overview. If at this point we can make any sort of more concrete assumptions or conclusions that we did perhaps an hour ago. So from what we are seeing now at nearly 2am, time is whizzing by, the conservatives are losing around one in three of their seats. Does that mean they could be on course to meet that 1000 seat loss, which is something they like to talk about as being likely, but in reality was more like a worst Case Scenario . The more like a worstCase Scenario . The wa i more like a worstCase Scenario . The way i would more like a worst Case Scenario . Fie way i would put it, more like a worst Case Scenario . Iij way i would put it, laura, is as of two oclock this morning, the conservatives cannot be sure that they wont end up losing 1000 seats. I dont think i want to say more than that. It is worth perhaps however explaining why may be in the end their expectation management has not necessarily worked out in the way they were hoping. If we actually look at the swing since 2019 from conservative to labour, it is settling down pretty consistently down to around the 4 mark, sometimes a little bit less. If you take the 7 labour up and add to the 0. 2 drop in conservatives, divide by two, we are roughly at a 4 swing from conservative to labour, which in truth it is a little bit lower than we might have anticipated, given the state of Opinion Polls. It is certainly rather less than the swing that was being assumed when Colin Rawlings and michael thrasher, the well known local election experts, came up with the initial estimate that they might lose a thousand seats. Why might it still happen . The answer lies in the third column. You will see the Liberal Democrats are up by a couple of points, that is pretty consistent now. While may be in the end we will conserve discover that may be the conservatives dont lose so much to labor, they are at risk of losing more to the Liberal Democrats. To labour. If you look at the scoreboard of gains and losses, at the moment the Liberal Democrats and theyre pretty much sharing the gains between them. So it may well be in the end is not so much simply sir keir starmer who might be causing embarrassment to the labour party, so far as the thousand gains is concerned, but it might also be so ed davey, and oh yes, that tractor you are showing us a little while ago, laura. My feeling about that tractor is sir ed davey was desperate to prove he had an even bigger tractor than borisjohnson, bigger tractor than Boris Johnson, because during bigger tractor than borisjohnson, because during the 2019 general election, the way borisjohnson illustrated the way to get brexit done was to drive a tap a tractor not through a hay bail but through some plastic bricks. Maybe sir ed believes is slightly more environmentally friendly than the one borisjohnson had. Environmentally friendly than the one Boris Johnson had. Eyewitness Boris Johnsons one Boris Johnson had. Eyewitness Boris Johnsons tractor, one Boris Johnson had. Eyewitness Boris Johnsons tractor, and one Boris Johnson had. Eyewitness Boris Johnsons tractor, and it one Boris Johnson had. Eyewitness Boris Johnsons tractor, and it was | borisjohnson� s tractor, and it was enormous, driving through that wall of polystyrene bricks, but i didnt end well i see ed davey� s tractor, i have only seen that in the picture, so we cant give a qualitative, definitive answer on that question that sirjohn was raising. Really interesting, and if we were therefore to sketch out very, very carefully some headlines from what sirjohn was saying, he was sort of suggesting that what we are seeing so far is quite a slump for the conservatives, a step forward from labour but not a straight, and the Liberal Democrats also taking some decent steps forward but it is early, it is 2am, we have a fair amount of information coming in but by no means is this the complete picture but based on where we are at, lets get the inside of a couple of different people, jo tanner who used to work for borisjohnson, thanks forjoining us, and shawn kemp, who was one of the Liberal Democratss political advisers during that coalition period. Sean, from what you have seen so far, do you think this is some kind of concrete return for the lib dems . It is looking that way. They came in thinking the 2019th set of results in these same wards was a great result for them. It showed inaudible was making a comeback and what happened after that. I think if they make gains again from that said the results and keep showing momentum, its going to be great for them because what they are really looking at here is how they set up for the next election, are