you will hear a lot from, thing you will hear a lot from, conservative mps and spokespeople is tees valley. that will be the buzzword and that will be a protective shield for the prime minister if that is retained. that will last for a while but mps will still be nervous because looking at the underlying results on the local elections, what it means for them in the upcoming general election, that is what it will be of concern for them and they will also remember that ben houchen has complained without really even mentioning the prime minister or the government and has invoked borisjohnson to help him. so this does not bode well. ma him. so this does not bode well. mo hussein, thank you forjoining us and for your patience and hanging on. it makes me think of a minister said to me, there are lots of places where planet could come. let's see where planet could come. let's see where we are. we can bring you the result that

south tyneside has been held by the labour party, 28 seats, the number needed for a majority but 15 have been taken by independent candidates and the 11 seats to the green party. we knew the greens were doing well, but look at that, labour losing ten and the independent party is gaining nine and the tories losing one and we will try to get to the bottom of what has gone on for quite a dramatic shift, so that'll be interesting and we will try to get to the bottom of that in the next a while after the news and i will say welcome to mark harper, the transport secretary who has just joined us and jonathan reynolds is still here and sarah olney from the liberal democrats and we will talk to you in a while. let's tell you where things have got to in the total tally. where things have got to in the totaltally. labour where things have got to in the total tally. labour have a9, gaining one and the conservatives 19, losing

15. the lib dems 16. one and the conservatives 19, losing 15. the lib dems16. and the independence at 1a. and the greens up independence at 1a. and the greens up to seven. things are starting to come in an interesting picture shaking up and we will be back in a couple of minutes after the news. the first results are being declared in local elections. labour have retained control of councils in sunderland, newcastle, south tyneside and chorley. the conservatives said they're expecting a "difficult evening" but have held onto control of broxbourne. counting is also underway for the by—election in blackpool south, and results are expected overnight from around a third of the councils involved. our political correspondent, damian grammaticus has the latest

up upforgrabs in up for grabs in the elections, two and a half thousand council seats, 11 mayoraljobs and in blackpool south, there is one westminster seat, one of the consequential battles tonight and labour hope they can take it from the conservatives. the first result we look for is the blackpool by—election, which is the only result where rishi sunak and the government are really on the ballot paper. and if we can gain that, we can show progress in the coming general election. this is another place — coming general election. this is another place labour say - coming general election. this is another place labour say they l coming general election. this is l another place labour say they are making progress. hartlepool controlled by the conservatives, and wrestling it back would be symbolic for labour and tories hope the mayoral vote which is not being. labour have other targets too. but these receipts back when boris johnson was prime minister. the last time the seats were fought in 2021

when we had effectively a vaccine bounce as we rolled out the covert vaccine compared to that, it will be difficult to achieve on that. in whole, an alarm and an evacuation. —— in hulll. when the conservatives think the elections single trouble ahead for them will depend on the scale of any losses. in stockport, where they are counting on a car park, the liberal democrats can make gains from labour and lay—off facing off with the conservatives. gains from labour and lay-off facing off with the conservatives.— off with the conservatives. across the country _ off with the conservatives. across the country we've _ off with the conservatives. across the country we've heard _ off with the conservatives. across the country we've heard people i off with the conservatives. across l the country we've heard people are fed up with the conservatives and across the blue wall, lifelong conservatives are switching to the liberal democrats so we are very optimistic. people want to cast a verdict on the conservative's appalling record on nhs care and on

the fact they've allowed the water, is to pump sewage into the water and the cost of living crisis. in grimsby, conservatives face a tough night as they've controlled north east lincolnshire council since 2019 and might see support eroding here. exactly the sort of place labour will be targeting general election. in other news. john swinney looks set to become scotland's next first minister after his main potential rival, kate forbes, said she would not be standing for the leadership of the snp and instead gave him her support. mr swinney is the only candidate to put himself forward, but nominations are open until next week. he said the snp was not as "cohesive" as it should be and pledged to create a modern, diverse and dynamic scotland. a man has appeared in court, charged with the murder of the schoolboy, daniel anjorin in north east london. daniel, who was 1a, was on his way to school when he was fatally stabbed in hainault on tuesday. marcus monzo, who's 36, also faces several other charges,

including two counts of attempted murder. president biden has urged pro—palestinian protesters on university campuses to uphold the rule of law. there've been further clashes between police and demonstrators in a number of cities including portland in oregon and washington dc. earlier, riot police dismantled a camp at the university of california in los angeles. the protests against the war in gaza have spread to some fifty campus sites, with more than 2,000 people arrested across the us in the past fortnight. the foreign secretary has met with president zelensky in kyiv, to discuss the military equipment being sent to ukraine by the uk. lord cameron said it would include precision—guided bombs and air defence missiles, which could be used by ukraine against targets inside russia. in terms of what the ukrainians do,

in our view, it is their decision about how to use these weapons. they�* re defending their country. they were illegally invaded by putin and they must take those steps. we don't discuss any caveats that we put on on those things. but let's be absolutely clear. russia has launched an attack into ukraine, and ukraine absolutely has the right to strike back at russia. a hydroelectric dam has collapsed in southern brazil after days of heavy rains that have killed at least 31 people. at least 60 people are missing and 15,000 have been forced to leave their homes since the storms began on saturday. dozens of cities and towns have been flooded across the state of rio grande do sul. the extreme weather has been caused by a rare combination of hotter

than average temperatures, high humidity and strong winds. a reminder that you can follow all the election results overnight on the bbc news website or app. you can also see who's won and where using our postcode checker which is at bbc.co.uk/news or the app. now back to laura, and elections 202a. a warm welcome back to election night 202a. we will be with you until 6am as results start to come through the night. let's say you the tally so far. not that many results and, but still interesting to pick over and you can see the conservatives have lost 18 seats so far and conservatives have lost 18 seats so farand labour conservatives have lost 18 seats so far and labour have gained four and the liberal democrats have gained one. so a small number of results at

this stage of the night but we are seeing a share in the chains we have been talking about a lot and it might be kind of a status quo where the big parties were since this time last year but remember we are looking at the last time the seats were fought in 2021, so there are lots of comparisons and complexities and lots of different kinds of races, councils, mayoraland also and lots of different kinds of races, councils, mayoral and also a by—election. we can show you the scene in blackpool south where they are finally counting the votes after taking a long time to verify them but they are fully under way. that raises important because the consumptive former mp left in disgrace and labour believes they will win the westminster seat tonight and the battle there that is shaping up might be between the conservatives and the reform party which came out of the remains of the brexit party and the battle for second place. that's a really

interesting contest and we will be there soon. let's show you the scene in plymouth labour gained plymouth last year after splits in the tory group. interesting because it is likely to be a hard—fought area when it comes to the general election and the veterans ministerjohnny mercer has his seat there and the other seat is held by luca pollard, the shadow defence minister so the tories might expect heavy losses in plymouth in the south—west. let's show you the counting which is going on in exeter. look at all of those people who have been working so hard pounding the pavement and standing and looking anxious at what the next few hours will bring. let's take a breath and check—in withjohn curtis about what we can conclude, if very much at this stage at this stage of the night and just before we hear from you i want to show people the vote share change we have got since 2021 and we will keep it up on

screen as we chat. the conservatives down by 12% since 2021 when they had a very good year for a government in local election results and labour up 5%, so labour had a terrible year in 2021 and lost the hartlepool by—election on the figures so far suggest they are only a 5% on that point. when we then look at the change since last year when the tories had a gruesome night and the labour party did pretty well. you can see the change in the vote share is 0.2% up by labour, so only a tiny fraction and the tories down 2% and the lib dems down by 3% and the green party by 2% and the reform party as we have mentioned by 3% so a really interesting context for that, even at 12 minutes past two. john, what do you make of those

numbers? we john, what do you make of those numbers? ~ ., ., _, , john, what do you make of those numbers? ~ ., ., , ,, , numbers? we are of course endlessly fixated with the _ numbers? we are of course endlessly fixated with the fight _ fixated with the fight between conservative and labour and we've been saying this about this being consistently 20 points difference in the opinion polls but however we also not noticed in the national opinion polls that they've been pointing for quite a while to allow one in three people saying that it's none of the above. the green party, reform, whatever and to that extent we should remember that neither the conservatives nor labour are necessarily dominating but now we come to these local elections and what do we find in terms of early headlines? reform, 15% and clearly doing damage to the conservatives where they are standing, possibly to the conservative good luck that they're only fighting one in six of

those wards. the green party with some spectacular gains in newcastle and you can see their vote is up since last year and they might be heading for their best performance yet on english local elections and if you look at the gains on the losses when i looked a moment or two ago, the green party were up four and labour were ago, the green party were up four and labourwere up ago, the green party were up four and labour were up four and the independent parties have made the most gains and the early results is a kind of reminder that in local elections, and also there in the national polls, british politics is not about the battle between labour and conservative, there are lots of other battles going on. all of that said, the change since 2023 comments not that great and if you actually strip out the impact of reform on the conservatives we look to be heading for something similar to the

local election results last year at least as far as labour are concerned and that is what the opinion polls have been saying in the last 12 months that nothing much has changed which again may be help explains why the interesting and intriguing and will headline grabbing results have been occurring elsewhere. in terms ofthe been occurring elsewhere. in terms of the relation _ been occurring elsewhere. in terms of the relation between _ been occurring elsewhere. in terms of the relation between local- been occurring elsewhere. in terms of the relation between local and i of the relation between local and general elections on the role of the smaller parties, how do you describe the connection because they are both connected and unconnected and smaller parties do better at local elections but how much can we read across to the likely results given that this is a general election year which does make a difference to the standard year?

there is a? about whether this will be true of reform, and the independent parties have done in local government and we are seeing that and i certainly not a straight read across, but i think certainly one of the lessons tonight is that, yes, there is a battle between reform in the conservatives and what we might call the right of british politics and we need out from the national polls. we've also learned tonight there is also potentially a battle between labour and the green party for those you might broadly regard as being on the progressive or left end of the spectrum and this is particularly an issue amongst younger people in university towns or among some of the muslim community. the labour comments not consistent everywhere but there's a number of wards where labour have

actually done quite badly. there will be a challenge to both the conservative and labour in the course of the next months trying to squeeze, as it were, those are geologically relatively close competitors who are much smaller but whose votes could still potentially have an impact on conservative and labour abilities to win seats. john. labour abilities to win seats. john, thanks we will be _ labour abilities to win seats. john, thanks we will be back _ labour abilities to win seats. john, thanks we will be back later- labour abilities to win seats. john, thanks we will be back later and we can give you a couple of results. colchester council still does not belong to any one party as none have managed to grab it for themselves so in no overall control and as bridget phillipson told us a while ago, labour has indeed taken control of hartlepool council, official confirmation as the county is complete. and there is a list of what we know so far so there you are. colchester is a hung council, hartlepool is labour. gateshead held

by labour, no surprise. decently held by the liberal democrats one of their strongholds, that area around bournemouth. newcastle has been held by the labour party but as we have been talking about thejohn there are some wards going to the smaller parties and there you can see pictures in blackpool south of the reform leader and i'm not sure if he looks happy orfull of looks happy or full of anticipation ridge is looking at something very carefully. 0h, laughing away. i don't know if he was looking at a funny post or some of the psalms. he shaking hands with supporters so blackpool south where a lot of the action will be tonight and we will be their soonest have any news, but i'm sure, richard tice, we will try to speak to him. going back to the councils, labour holding newcastle

and ipswich as well and labour holding south tyneside as we were talking about a couple of minutes ago on the problem that has so many independent votes has been the bins. there's been no collection collections today and we know how much people rightly care about their bins, so they have held south tyneside but lost a lot of seeds to the independent candidates and surely in lecture held by the labour party in rockford and essex no overall control and sunderland held by labour and broxbourne, ourfirst result of the type —— night, true blue tories and they held on. just result of the type -- night, true blue tories and they held on. just a cuick blue tories and they held on. just a . uick tidbit blue tories and they held on. just a quick tidbit we _ blue tories and they held on. just a quick tidbit we are _ blue tories and they held on. just a quick tidbit we are hearing - blue tories and they held on. jrgt —. quick tidbit we are hearing from labour sources that they think they will gain thurrock in essex which was under no overall control. they think they are going to gain latter and also it is the kind of place that they need to win to gain a majority in the general election so they are copying across from what seems to be claiming is progress to

a seat they would need to do well in in the general election. we a seat they would need to do well in in the general election.— in the general election. we can talk about that more _ in the general election. we can talk about that more of _ in the general election. we can talk about that more of a _ in the general election. we can talk about that more of a second - in the general election. we can talk about that more of a second as - about that more of a second as labour have taken five seats and were only short by six so it would be a real victory as they would definitely want to emphasise that to us all as we listen as the night goes on but let's look at what happened in hartlepool where labour is also happy to claim a victory and worth remembering it was held for a long time by the party, peter mandelson's old stomping ground, but what's going on behind the numbers? a big win for labour and they've predicted it for a fair few hours, but here is the absolute confirmation and can see all of the seats are counted and they have got 2a seats here, the conservatives are the independent parties on six and this used to be a labour party in 2018 and then it went to no overall control from 2019 onwards and they have gained a fair few seats as i

can show you now, they have gained eight seats on the conservatives have lost six and the independent parties have lost to so this will be a real boost for labour and goes some to lancing the boil of the by—election loss they suffered to conservatives with the house of commons seat back in 2020 world, so that's hartlepool, let me show you where we stand in terms of the state of the parties, so labour has gained 1a councillors on the conservatives have lost 28, so they've lost more councillors than they have gained. the night is still young, but that's not looking great for them. the lib dems have picked up one, and the green party appear to be having a good night of it and picked up four. thank you very much indeed. mark harper, let's talk to you. and it sounds like you have lost thurrock and labourare sounds like you have lost thurrock and labour are calling it for them is a game, exactly the kind of place

they need if they are going to form a majority of the next general election and you've lost hartlepool. what is your take on what is happening tonight? i’m what is your take on what is happening tonight?— what is your take on what is happening tonight? what is your take on what is ha enin: toniaht? �* ., ., ., happening tonight? i'm not going to comment on — happening tonight? i'm not going to comment on results _ happening tonight? i'm not going to comment on results until _ happening tonight? i'm not going to comment on results until we've - happening tonight? i'm not going to comment on results until we've had| comment on results until we've had them declared.— them declared. we've 'ust had hartlepool. * them declared. we've 'ust had hartlepool. it them declared. we've 'ust had hartlepool. i go h them declared. we've 'ust had hartlepool. i go back_ them declared. we've just had hartlepool. i go back to - them declared. we've just had hartlepool. i go back to what i them declared. we've just had l hartlepool. i go back to what we said in the _ hartlepool. i go back to what we said in the clip _ hartlepool. i go back to what we said in the clip you _ hartlepool. i go back to what we said in the clip you played in - said in the clip you played in the news bulletin, it depends what you compare it to. your seat calculator, which it does, most of the councils, the mayoral contest, we won't get any of those tonight, and the police and crime commissioners elections most of which will come tomorrow, the last time there were 1a2021 and that was a very unusual thing is we had the vaccine bounce —— they were fought was 2021. we were the fastest of the world at rolling it out and independent commentators think it had a big impact on what was our best set of election results them since 2008, so that's a high base if you're going to compare, so i think

i said earlier, that's going to make it difficult to hit that level. that's the first point. we honestly fight very hard for every seat and those councils we run deliver better services at lower cost than the labour ones and police and crime commissioners that are conservative deliver lower crime than labour once. that is just evidence. you once. that is 'ust evidence. you know its — once. that is 'ust evidence. you know its not — once. that isjust evidence. you know it's not true. _ once. that isjust evidence. you know it's not true. they've - once. that isjust evidence. you j know it's not true. they've been once. that isjust evidence. you - know it's not true. they've been out campaigning — know it's not true. they've been out campaigning hard — know it's not true. they've been out campaigning hard across _ know it's not true. they've been out campaigning hard across the - campaigning hard across the country and we've had some results, not very many and it's early days. we won't reach a complete picture until saturday night. but reach a complete picture until saturday night.— saturday night. but the points ou've saturday night. but the points you've made _ saturday night. but the points you've made is _ saturday night. but the points you've made is that _ saturday night. but the points you've made is that you - saturday night. but the points you've made is that you are i saturday night. but the points l you've made is that you are less popular than you were in 2021 on the big difference to lots of people watching as you had a different leader as borisjohnson was in charge and rishi sunak has not been able to get anything like that level of popularity. in able to get anything like that level of popularity-— of popularity. in the local elections _ of popularity. in the local elections in _ of popularity. in the local elections in 2021- of popularity. in the local elections in 2021 big - of popularity. in the local- elections in 2021 big difference was we had rolled out the vaccine for the pandemic and had a massive bounce from that. that was by

independent experts are members across government effort and rishi sunak was only found the money to pay for it and that was a high water mark in our best set of local election results since 2008, the best said we'd had at any point. band best said we'd had at any point. and then it was — best said we'd had at any point. and then it was pretty much the worse you had. you mentioned thurrock, and chris is right, we can show you that thurrock is counting labour is on 23 seats and they need 25 for a majority but are on 23 and the conservatives just on 12 and the independent parties on six. let's show you how the seats have changed hands. labour has gained five on the conservatives have gained —— dropped six and the independent parties gaining one thurrock in south—east... yang labour make the argument this is the kind of place they need to win and a general election some conservative sources are making the point, and you can see other eat other examples that

this is a council with a bleak time and gone bankrupt effectively and had to crank up council tax, so with that we might be seeing an element of a local response to that. curiously a couple of hours ago talking to labour sources, they were saying the same in birmingham which is a labour—controlled council in terms of the effect they think that might have on their performance in that part of the west midlands in the mayoral contest, so in amongst the mayoral contest, so in amongst the national picture we are trying to paint there might be significant local factors to paint there might be significant localfactors that might to paint there might be significant local factors that might sway voters injudging local factors that might sway voters in judging the pasty of a previous administration to run their local service of swell or the amount they tracks —— injudging the capacity. this we saw a significant change around there, but to be clear, is labour calling the thurrock results because by our numbers they might be short of a majority even though they

have gained seats? thea;r short of a majority even though they have gained seats?— have gained seats? they think they have gained seats? they think they have the numbers _ have gained seats? they think they have the numbers for _ have gained seats? they think they have the numbers for them - have gained seats? they think they have the numbers for them to - have gained seats? they think they have the numbers for them to gain | have the numbers for them to gain control of the counsellor. the spokesman saying the people of the recap said the conservatives a message they want to change —— control of the council there. but some very particular local factors, and it would seem to be playing at least some role. by, and it would seem to be playing at least some role.— least some role. a council tax rise of 896 is not _ least some role. a council tax rise of 896 is not insignificant - least some role. a council tax rise of 896 is not insignificant but - of 8% is not insignificant but sickly when people have lived through hugely high inflation —— particularly when people have lived through high inflation. we see some counting around the country and blackpool south, they are really getting busy now after a bit of delay in the night and perhaps we can show you the scene in oldham. people are busy there as well getting on with it and the r may be some results flowing through a bit faster. there is the scene in exeter

than you always wonder what is going on in peoples minds and are they thinking about the cameras being on them or are theyjust looking nervous. i want to say no, they are not. let's ask you, what does it feel like when you are at a count? you really are and focusing on the account, you are focusing on the result. just to pick up one point you are saying, talking about the results and what they tell you about the conversations we had about the general election are labour doing well enough and how are we doing and you are looking at council results and i would say you you have to look at some of the mayoral contest, some of the bigger ones up when i was campaigning last week in bed mahout should's —— in ben houchen area. arnie should's -- in ben houchen area. we talked a should's —— in ben houchen area. we talked a lot at the beginning of the programme. talked a lot at the beginning of the programme-— programme. forgive me, i was on another channel. _ programme. forgive me, i was on another channel. our—

programme. forgive me, i was on another channel. our friend - programme. forgive me, i was on another channel. our friend said l another channel. our friend said this on another— another channel. our friend said this on another channel- another channel. our friend said this on another channel but - another channel. our friend said this on another channel but we i another channel. our friend said - this on another channel but we don't get the results until tomorrow or saturday. i get the results until tomorrow or saturda . ., ., , saturday. i agree what we will see ho efull saturday. i agree what we will see hopefully in _ saturday. i agree what we will see hopefully in those _ saturday. i agree what we will see hopefully in those places - saturday. i agree what we will see hopefully in those places is - saturday. i agree what we will see l hopefully in those places is perhaps the full _ hopefully in those places is perhaps the full mayoral results as we said earlier_ the full mayoral results as we said earlier in_ the full mayoral results as we said earlier in tees valley is probably beyond — earlier in tees valley is probably beyond labour but will we see a swing _ beyond labour but will we see a swing that will take the key parliamentary seats, redcar, stockton, hartlepool into having labour _ stockton, hartlepool into having labour mps and i agree your assessment is spot on with what you said and _ assessment is spot on with what you said and we — assessment is spot on with what you said and we will see when we get the results _ said and we will see when we get the results what is happening to the labour— results what is happening to the labour and conservative vote share in those _ labour and conservative vote share in those areas and well the seats switch _ in those areas and well the seats switch or— in those areas and well the seats switch or not. if in those areas and well the seats switch or not.— in those areas and well the seats switch or not. if you cannot win a mayoralty _ switch or not. if you cannot win a mayoralty like — switch or not. if you cannot win a mayoralty like tees _ switch or not. if you cannot win a mayoralty like tees valley - switch or not. if you cannot win a mayoralty like tees valley which | switch or not. if you cannot win a i mayoralty like tees valley which not long ago every single parliamentary seatin long ago every single parliamentary seat in the area was held by the labour party, you are not doing very well. ., ., , ., , :: , labour party, you are not doing very well. ., ., , .,, i: , ., well. the ma'ority was 7096 of the government — well. the majority was 7096 of the government has _ well. the majority was 7096 of the government has made _ well. the majority was 7096 of the government has made it - well. the majority was 7096 of the government has made it their - well. the majority was 7096 of the government has made it their pet| government has made it their pet project _ government has made it their pet project more than everything else. the point — project more than everything else. the point i — project more than everything else. the point i was making is it is early days. we will have three days of elections. it early days. we will have three days of elections-— of elections. it is, but we been askin: of elections. it is, but we been asking you _ of elections. it is, but we been asking you about _ of elections. it is, but we been asking you about the _ of elections. it is, but we been asking you about the results i of elections. it is, but we been | asking you about the results we of elections. it is, but we been - asking you about the results we have had through and they are not

insignificant and every result is important in its own right because whatever happens in a general election the people who are our viewers have given jobs to or tomorrow or saturday, they will be a place for the next few years and the lib dems have held eastleigh. why do you think you managed to do it? there's been a significant presence in eastleigh — there's been a significant presence in eastleigh for— there's been a significant presence in eastleigh for a _ there's been a significant presence in eastleigh for a while _ there's been a significant presence in eastleigh for a while and - in eastleigh for a while and we've been _ in eastleigh for a while and we've been in _ in eastleigh for a while and we've been in control of— in eastleigh for a while and we've been in control of the _ in eastleigh for a while and we've been in control of the council- in eastleigh for a while and we've been in control of the council and in eastleigh for a while and we've. been in control of the council and i think— been in control of the council and i think local— been in control of the council and i think local people _ been in control of the council and i think local people like _ been in control of the council and i think local people like what - been in control of the council and i think local people like what we - been in control of the council and ij think local people like what we are doing _ think local people like what we are doing and — think local people like what we are doing and they _ think local people like what we are doing and they like _ think local people like what we are doing and they like having - think local people like what we are doing and they like having a - think local people like what we are | doing and they like having a liberal democrat— doing and they like having a liberal democrat council— doing and they like having a liberal democrat council and _ doing and they like having a liberal democrat council and those - democrat council and those counsellors _ democrat council and those counsellors work _ democrat council and those counsellors work hard - democrat council and those counsellors work hard and i democrat council and those l counsellors work hard and we are getting _ counsellors work hard and we are getting rewarded _ counsellors work hard and we are getting rewarded at _ counsellors work hard and we are getting rewarded at the - counsellors work hard and we are getting rewarded at the ballot - counsellors work hard and we are i getting rewarded at the ballot box but i think— getting rewarded at the ballot box but i think there _ getting rewarded at the ballot box but i think there is _ getting rewarded at the ballot box but i think there is a _ getting rewarded at the ballot box but i think there is a lot— getting rewarded at the ballot box but i think there is a lot of- but i think there is a lot of disillusionment— but i think there is a lot of disillusionment with - but i think there is a lot of disillusionment with the i disillusionment with the conservatives— disillusionment with the conservatives and - disillusionment with the conservatives and we i disillusionment with the i conservatives and we are disillusionment with the - conservatives and we are finding this time — conservatives and we are finding this time of— conservatives and we are finding this time of ago _ conservatives and we are finding this time of ago and _ conservatives and we are finding this time of ago and i'm - conservatives and we are finding| this time of ago and i'm certainly finding— this time of ago and i'm certainly finding it— this time of ago and i'm certainly finding it speaking _ this time of ago and i'm certainly finding it speaking to— this time of ago and i'm certainly finding it speaking to voters - this time of ago and i'm certainly finding it speaking to voters on i this time of ago and i'm certainly i finding it speaking to voters on the doorsteps— finding it speaking to voters on the doorsteps in— finding it speaking to voters on the doorsteps in richmond park- finding it speaking to voters on the doorsteps in richmond park and i doorsteps in richmond park and across— doorsteps in richmond park and across london— doorsteps in richmond park and across london and _ doorsteps in richmond park and across london and i've - doorsteps in richmond park and across london and i've mostly. doorsteps in richmond park and . across london and i've mostly been in london _ across london and i've mostly been in london for— across london and i've mostly been in london for the _ across london and i've mostly been in london for the local elections - in london for the local elections but to— in london for the local elections but to go— in london for the local elections but to go back— in london for the local elections but to go back to _ in london for the local elections but to go back to mark's - in london for the local elections but to go back to mark's point, i in london for the local elections i but to go back to mark's point, we expect— but to go back to mark's point, we expect to — but to go back to mark's point, we expect to see _ but to go back to mark's point, we expect to see the _ but to go back to mark's point, we expect to see the games - but to go back to mark's point, we expect to see the games as - but to go back to mark's point, we expect to see the games as we - but to go back to mark's point, we expect to see the games as we go| expect to see the games as we go through— expect to see the games as we go through and — expect to see the games as we go through and we — expect to see the games as we go through and we haven't _ expect to see the games as we go through and we haven't seen - expect to see the games as we go through and we haven't seen a - expect to see the games as we go i through and we haven't seen a huge amount— through and we haven't seen a huge amount as _ through and we haven't seen a huge amount as these _ through and we haven't seen a huge amount as these are _ through and we haven't seen a huge amount as these are not necessarily our areas _ amount as these are not necessarily our areas of— amount as these are not necessarily our areas of strength _ amount as these are not necessarily our areas of strength but _ amount as these are not necessarily

our areas of strength but we - amount as these are not necessarily our areas of strength but we expect| our areas of strength but we expect to see _ our areas of strength but we expect to see those — our areas of strength but we expect to see those games _ our areas of strength but we expect to see those games and _ our areas of strength but we expect to see those games and good - to see those games and good progress but specifically— to see those games and good progress but specifically in _ to see those games and good progress but specifically in the _ to see those games and good progress but specifically in the areas _ to see those games and good progress but specifically in the areas where - but specifically in the areas where we hope _ but specifically in the areas where we hope to— but specifically in the areas where we hope to win _ but specifically in the areas where we hope to win parliamentary- but specifically in the areas where i we hope to win parliamentary seats. talking _ we hope to win parliamentary seats. talking of— we hope to win parliamentary seats. talking of which, _ we hope to win parliamentary seats. talking of which, eastleigh, - talking of which, eastleigh, right now you have two conservative mps, paul holmes and steve brian in winchester, a minister who is standing down next time. how confident are you that you can turn your success at the local authority level into taking those seats? going to continue working hard campaigning _ going to continue working hard campaigning it— going to continue working hard campaigning. it is _ going to continue working hard campaigning. it is an— going to continue working hard| campaigning. it is an important going to continue working hard - campaigning. it is an important part of building— campaigning. it is an important part of building towards _ campaigning. it is an important part of building towards general- campaigning. it is an important part of building towards general electionj of building towards general election success _ of building towards general election success we — of building towards general election success. we continue _ of building towards general election success. we continue to— of building towards general election success. we continue to be - success. we continue to be optimistic— success. we continue to be optimistic and _ success. we continue to be optimistic and i— success. we continue to be optimistic and i think- success. we continue to be optimistic and i think we i success. we continue to be. optimistic and i think we will success. we continue to be - optimistic and i think we will see the results — optimistic and i think we will see the results start _ optimistic and i think we will see the results start to _ optimistic and i think we will see the results start to bear - optimistic and i think we will see the results start to bear fruit - optimistic and i think we will see the results start to bear fruit in. the results start to bear fruit in some _ the results start to bear fruit in some of— the results start to bear fruit in some of those _ the results start to bear fruit in some of those places - the results start to bear fruit in some of those places we - the results start to bear fruit in some of those places we wantl the results start to bear fruit in. some of those places we want to the results start to bear fruit in- some of those places we want to see a good _ some of those places we want to see a good result— some of those places we want to see a good result in— some of those places we want to see a good result in late _ some of those places we want to see a good result in late in _ some of those places we want to see a good result in late in the _ some of those places we want to see a good result in late in the air. - a good result in late in the air. would — a good result in late in the air. would you _ a good result in late in the air. would you be _ a good result in late in the air. would you be brave _ a good result in late in the air. would you be brave enough i a good result in late in the air. would you be brave enough to| a good result in late in the air. - would you be brave enough to give as a number you would be hoping for?

what i would say, it's not going... we had _ what i would say, it's not going... we had some _ what i would say, it's not going... we had some spectacular- what i would say, it's not going... we had some spectacular gains. what i would say, it's not going... i we had some spectacular gains last year and _ we had some spectacular gains last year and the — we had some spectacular gains last year and the year— we had some spectacular gains last year and the year before. _ we had some spectacular gains last year and the year before. it's - we had some spectacular gains last year and the year before. it's not i year and the year before. it's not going _ year and the year before. it's not going to — year and the year before. it's not going to be — year and the year before. it's not going to be at _ year and the year before. it's not going to be at that _ year and the year before. it's not going to be at that level, - year and the year before. it's not going to be at that level, not - year and the year before. it's not going to be at that level, not soi going to be at that level, not so many— going to be at that level, not so many seats _ going to be at that level, not so many seats up _ going to be at that level, not so many seats up for— going to be at that level, not so many seats up for election - going to be at that level, not so many seats up for election thisi many seats up for election this year~ _ many seats up for election this year~ but— many seats up for election this year. but we _ many seats up for election this year. but we will— many seats up for election this year. but we will see - many seats up for election this year. but we will see steady i year. but we will see steady progress _ year. but we will see steady progress towards _ year. but we will see steady progress towards our - year. but we will see steady progress towards our goal i year. but we will see steady| progress towards our goal of year. but we will see steady - progress towards our goal of winning more _ progress towards our goal of winning more mps _ progress towards our goal of winning more mps at — progress towards our goal of winning more mps at the _ progress towards our goal of winning more mps at the next _ progress towards our goal of winning more mps at the next general- more mps at the next general election _ more mps at the next general election. ~ ., ., election. when i said that earlier, talkinu election. when i said that earlier, talking about _ election. when i said that earlier, talking about the _ election. when i said that earlier, talking about the longevity - election. when i said that earlier, talking about the longevity of - election. when i said that earlier, talking about the longevity of the | talking about the longevity of the tale of these results, it was pointed out to me that the count for the crime and police commissioner doesn't start until sunday. and that's after your show is finished. you will all have to stay until the bitter end. let's talk to our labour peen bitter end. let's talk to our labour peer. we have talked quite a lot about the impact of the labour

leadership's position of foreign affairs might have. we have seen in some places what looks like some voters turning away from them because of that, how significant is an issue do you think it will be for the labour party? it is an issue do you think it will be for the labour party?— the labour party? it is a situation labour strategists _ the labour party? it is a situation labour strategists will _ the labour party? it is a situation labour strategists will be - labour strategists will be monitoring. labourwants labour strategists will be monitoring. labour wants to be winning as broad coalition possible. i think this is something they will be concerned about and they will have to keep monitoring certain areas, particularly the west midlands, because if the race is tight, particularly for the mayoral thing, they will be interested in that. but their eyes will be on the bigger picture, hartlepool, what a turnaround in fortunes from just a few years ago at that point when keir starmer was actually at his lowest ebb. people were saying he was considering quitting at that point. and now, here vr a few years on and the party has changed so

much. the other thing i think is interesting is thurrock. an area which labour has always wanted to get back and it is one of those very important seats. i don't think labour can ignore the impact of foreign affairs. we are early in this process and it won't be until the weekend we can properly assess the weekend we can properly assess the situation. but the rise of reform will be an interesting part of the story as well. if you look at some of the results coming in, yes, you are seeing the labour vote going up you are seeing the labour vote going up but you are also seeing the reform vote going up massively as well and that will have a big hit on the conservatives.— well and that will have a big hit on the conservatives. what do you think the conservatives. what do you think the labour the conservatives. what do you think the labour party _ the conservatives. what do you think the labour party should _ the conservatives. what do you think the labour party should do _ the conservatives. what do you think the labour party should do about - the labour party should do about trying to win the trust back, perhaps, particularly with some voters who clearly have felt discomfort and unease with the leadership's position on the israel gaza conflict? you leadership's position on the israel gaza conflict?— leadership's position on the israel gaza conflict? ., ., ., .,

gaza conflict? you made an important oint, gaza conflict? you made an important point. many — gaza conflict? you made an important point. many people — gaza conflict? you made an important point, many people stereotype - gaza conflict? you made an important point, many people stereotype this i point, many people stereotype this and say it is just muslim voters who care about this, but there is a brother coalition across society of different ages and backgrounds who are really traumatised by what is happening in the middle east. also, people can see it is a very difficult issue and there are two people in a lot of pain, thejewish community and you look at what is happening in gaza as well. what the labour party has to do, it has started to do it more, reaching out to people and have more nuanced conversations about this. they have now called for a ceasefire and david lammy is out talking to people a lot. but this is going to be a very sensitive issue and if labour does win power at the next general election, foreign affairs and foreign policy is something which historically is difficult for labour. i think labour will want to win all across the country, but it will want a broad coalition of support from different backgrounds

and different communities. thank you ve much and different communities. thank you very much indeed _ and different communities. thank you very much indeed for— and different communities. thank you very much indeed forjoining - and different communities. thank you very much indeed forjoining us - and different communities. thank you very much indeed forjoining us and i very much indeed forjoining us and being patient. a couple of minutes ago we were talking about thurrock. the reports coming in from labour sources on the ground but we can confirm, we can show you the seat count, labour has gained thurrock and they will be cock—a—hoop about that. 25 seats for the labour party, 13 for the conservatives, six for the independents. let's look at the way they have changed hands. labour has gained six and the conservatives have lost seven. thurrock council has had a shocker, people who live there have had to have an 8% rise in their council tax. they have had to content with a big rise of that during a cost of living crisis. in terms of the national sorry, thurrock will be seen as a big victory for the labour party that

they will be delighted about, as i am sure we will hear in the next few minutes. let's remind you of the scene in blackpool south, where accounting is under way in the by—election and that will be a big headline in the results. whispers on the ground there suggest that labour is miles ahead in terms of first place, but it may be too close to call between the conservative party and the reform party for second. not long ago we were talking to the reform candidate on the ground who suggested second place might be within their reach. that result would give conservative mps the proper collie wobbles. so they will be hoping that isn't what comes to pass, but that could be extremely significant if that happens. we are going to talk to the new labour leader of hartlepool council. before you do that, i want to say thank you and goodbye to sarah, the lib dems treasury spokesperson who has been

here. thank you for being in the studio. jonathan reynolds and mark harper, you are not off the hook, remaining in your seats for now. sarah, thank you for your time. we are gratefulfor you sarah, thank you for your time. we are grateful for you being with us. as promised, let's talk to one of the first victors of the night, the new labour leader of hartlepool council. brenda, congratulations, what do you think swung it for you? thank you very much. i think probably we have worked so hard to get the trust of the people in hartlepool back to labour. i think thatis hartlepool back to labour. i think that is probably what has done it tonight. it that is probably what has done it toniaht. . , . that is probably what has done it toniaht. ., , ., ., ~ that is probably what has done it toniuht. ., , ., ., ~' ., tonight. it was hard work rather than the leadership _ tonight. it was hard work rather than the leadership change? i tonight. it was hard work rather than the leadership change? al tonight. it was hard work rather l than the leadership change? a lot tonight. it was hard work rather - than the leadership change? a lot of hard work, laura. _ than the leadership change? a lot of hard work, laura. a _ than the leadership change? a lot of hard work, laura. a lot _ than the leadership change? a lot of hard work, laura. a lot of— than the leadership change? a lot of hard work, laura. a lot of hard - hard work, laura. a lot of hard work. we have been trying to engage with people for a long time, not

just the last few weeks, showing them that we do have a labour group in hartlepool who can lead the council well and that we have committed people he will do the best for the residents of hartlepool. just describe for us how difficult that journey just describe for us how difficult thatjourney has been. jonathan that journey has been. jonathan reynolds thatjourney has been. jonathan reynolds with us were saying we were coming from such a low base it was very, very difficult, you wouldn't believe the transformation in the labour party but a lot of our viewers might think hang on a minute, it has been peter mandelson's seat and labour for as long as you can remember until the jeremy corbyn years. how would you describe the journey you have been on? describe the “ourney you have been on? ., , . ., , describe the “ourney you have been on? , . ., , ., on? locally it reflected really what was happening _ on? locally it reflected really what was happening nationally, - on? locally it reflected really what was happening nationally, as - on? locally it reflected really what was happening nationally, as far. on? locally it reflected really what| was happening nationally, as far as the labour party was concerned. we had quite a difficult time in

hartlepool going back a few years, where we actually dropped to six councillors in the labour party in the labour group and we have risen up the labour group and we have risen up over the years bit by bit and got back to actually, i think, making people realise we are to be trusted and we can do thejob people realise we are to be trusted and we can do the job that we are now going to be doing.— and we can do the job that we are now going to be doing. from this, do ou think now going to be doing. from this, do you think you — now going to be doing. from this, do you think you will— now going to be doing. from this, do you think you will be _ now going to be doing. from this, do you think you will be able _ now going to be doing. from this, do you think you will be able to - now going to be doing. from this, do you think you will be able to take - you think you will be able to take back the parliamentary seat when it comes to the general election? i think that is highly likely. i think knocking on the doors and talking to a lot of people over the last weeks and months, there are people here who want change and they feel the labour party has changed enough to put their trust by black brexit

change that very significant, do you think brexit has disappeared as an issue on the doorstep and that is part of why you have managed to win again? ithink part of why you have managed to win again? i think certainly it has had again? i think certainly it has had a big effect. i think the fact that brexit really didn't happen as people thought it would happen. and that people are still waiting for it to happen and i do think that has had a big effect. so the swing that happened in hartlepool, for example, over the brexit period has really gone. we have swung back again. brenda, thank you very much for joining us. our brenda, thank you very much for joining us. 0urfirst victor of brenda, thank you very much for joining us. our first victor of the nightjoining us here on bbc news election night. night joining us here on bbc news election night.— night joining us here on bbc news election night._ lets i night joining us here on bbc news election night._ lets goj election night. thank you. lets go to 0ldham — election night. thank you. lets go to oldham where _ election night. thank you. lets go to oldham where it _ election night. thank you. lets go to oldham where it sounds - election night. thank you. lets go to oldham where it sounds there i election night. thank you. lets go i to oldham where it sounds there is less good news for the labour party. we have talked a lot, shelly phelps is on the ground and we have been

talking about the possibility of losing ground because of its policy on israel and gaza, what are you hearing? on israel and gaza, what are you hearin: ? . , , hearing? that is right, multiple labour sources _ hearing? that is right, multiple labour sources say _ hearing? that is right, multiple labour sources say they - hearing? that is right, multiple labour sources say they think l hearing? that is right, multiple i labour sources say they think they have lost control of the council. they only had a majority of one before tonight because two councillors quit the party over its stance on gaza. i was talking to one council and asking if they have lost control, why did they think it was? they said they think it was because of gaza and it was used as a protest vote. 0ne of gaza and it was used as a protest vote. one interesting thing they were telling me is, their opponents on the leaflets had actually been putting the lbc interview keir starmer did, when he appeared to suggest israel had the right to withhold food and water. but then he clarified those comments and said he only meant to suggest that israel had the right to defend itself. this council are telling me he felt the damage and those comments had been done and it was difficult to recover

trust after that. i was asking them if the party has lost the trust of muslim voters, how would that affect the general election and what this council said was interesting. he was saying, labourare council said was interesting. he was saying, labour are far council said was interesting. he was saying, labourare farahead in council said was interesting. he was saying, labour are far ahead in the polls and so they would... it might not affect their chances of getting a majority and they might not lose seats, but they would lose loyal voters and damage relationships and the trust would be hard to win back. what is happening here, the messages from the councillors will feed back to the top because we havejim mcmahon, he is a labourfrontbencher in westminster. he is here at the counter. angela rayner isn't here but i westminster seat, a bit of that falls into this council. thank ou ve that falls into this council. thank you very much — that falls into this council. thank you very much indeed, _ that falls into this council. thank you very much indeed, let's - that falls into this council. thank you very much indeed, let's put. that falls into this council. thank i you very much indeed, let's put that to jonathan reynolds, you very much indeed, let's put that tojonathan reynolds, shadow business secretary. shelly was

saying people in oldham or putting keir starmer�*s comments on leaflets and that seems to have lost you votes, do you accept that? this i and that seems to have lost you votes, do you accept that? as i said at the start — votes, do you accept that? as i said at the start it _ votes, do you accept that? as i said at the start it has _ votes, do you accept that? as i said at the start it has been _ votes, do you accept that? as i said at the start it has been an _ votes, do you accept that? as i said at the start it has been an issue, i at the start it has been an issue, no denying that whatsoever. 0ld at the start it has been an issue, no denying that whatsoever. old and, next door to me in tame side, i think we will maintain control of the council, lose a couple of seats but gain others. it has been challenging. look at the results we have seen tonight, one area where it was the bins major issue, now we're talking about a major foreign was the bins major issue, now we're talking about a majorforeign policy issue and this is why local politics can be hard. but there will be a particular issue around the middle east. locate particular issue around the middle east. ~ ., , ., ., east. we were hearing before, a baroness in _ east. we were hearing before, a baroness in your _ east. we were hearing before, a baroness in your party _ east. we were hearing before, a baroness in your party and - east. we were hearing before, a baroness in your party and she i east. we were hearing before, a i baroness in your party and she was saying it is significant, notjust for muslim voters but for other voters who have been concerned about the leadership stance. what do you have to do? do you feel you have to do something to make up for those comments that keir starmer may? yes.

comments that keir starmer may? yes, it can be difficult _ comments that keir starmer may? yes, it can be difficult but _ comments that keir starmer may? yes it can be difficult but you still handle it in the right way. and when you see a conflict as difficult and frustrating as this is, we have got limitations as british politicians as to what we can deliver in the middle east. we have to be clear about that. i feel very strongly, when i look and talk to younger voters, notjust muslim voters but younger voters generally, they have never had in their political lives, and active peace process. in times of where there has been a process, not got is where we need to be, but they have had no experience of that. what israel need, what palestinians need, security, respect and dignity, two states alongside one another, thatis two states alongside one another, that is the issue we need to emphasise. it that is the issue we need to emphasise-— that is the issue we need to emhasise. , , . ., ., ,

emphasise. it is difficult for any olitician emphasise. it is difficult for any politician to _ emphasise. it is difficult for any politician to manage _ emphasise. it is difficult for any politician to manage it, - emphasise. it is difficult for any politician to manage it, we - emphasise. it is difficult for any i politician to manage it, we should not underestimate that. these are the numbers we have been able to crunch, this is the change in area since 2021. the greens up by 16%, labour down by 19%. i am not denying this is a difficult thing to do, but it appears there could be a really significant impact on your vote. this significant impact on your vote. as i sa , significant impact on your vote. is i say, it has been difficult. it is hard to take a view like that on the information we have seen so far. we have known this is difficult, we all know how people feel about this situation and how we want the conflict to come to an end. [30 situation and how we want the conflict to come to an end. do you feel this could _ conflict to come to an end. do you feel this could cost _ conflict to come to an end. do you feel this could cost you _ conflict to come to an end. do you feel this could cost you seat - conflict to come to an end. do you feel this could cost you seat at - conflict to come to an end. do you j feel this could cost you seat at the general— feel this could cost you seat at the general election?— general election? let's not get carried away. _ general election? let's not get carried away, let _ general election? let's not get carried away, let see _ general election? let's not get carried away, let see the - general election? let's not get. carried away, let see the results general election? let's not get - carried away, let see the results at the end. i still think, i would caution anyone in making assumptions about whole communities and an issue like this being the deciding issue

in a general election. people, when it comes to a general election, they think about the cost of living, public services and what it means to them and their family. public services and what it means to them and theirfamily. it public services and what it means to them and their family. it doesn't mean foreign policy isn't important, but it is only one of the factors. i want to say hello to baroness susan kramer from the liberal democrats who has joined us kramer from the liberal democrats who hasjoined us on the panel. let us remind you and where our seat totals are so far. labour has gained 23 and made it over the century, 109. the lib dems have gained five and the tories are on 25 and they have lost a8. the conservatives at this stage, they have just lost another one. the tories are losing more than 60% of the seats they are defending. at this very early stage, thatis defending. at this very early stage, that is the tories heading for what is worse than they would have expected, if they do lose 60% of the

seats they were defending. we may have zigzags up and down throughout the night. 0ne have zigzags up and down throughout the night. one result have zigzags up and down throughout the night. 0ne resultjust to bring you before we talked to reeta. north east lincolnshire, which was held by the conservatives, east of england has been a brexit stronghold, the tories have lost control of the council. not everything is counted so far, but they have lost their control, the conservatives on 17 seats and labour with 1a and the independents have four and the lib dems on three. we can show you what happened in the change, the tories lost six, labour gaining five. we were hearing from tim in grimsby, that was somewhere where labour fancied their chances and they were keen to do well. they have managed to knock the conservatives out of controlling that council. 0ne to knock the conservatives out of controlling that council. one of the parts of the country where the

conservatives are experiencing problems tonight, reeta, hampshire, different part of the country but the tories facing problems there? we are the tories facing problems there? - are being told it is too close to call, they are counting in rushmoor in hampshire. it will leap out if you just there at the bottom of the map. the conservatives have lost four seats. there is still another seven seats to be counted, but labour on 17, the conservatives on 12 and the lib dems three. the conservatives have held this council since 2000. it has never been labour, but let me show you what has happened to the share of the vote. this is since 2021, look at that. how striking that is, labour up 15 points in 2021 at the conservative down 1a points. this in a council thatis down 1a points. this in a council that is really very much a tory stronghold. it is too close to call,

we are being told, but we will come back to it as soon as we have more information. back to it as soon as we have more information-— information. thank you, that'll be the first time _ information. thank you, that'll be the first time that _ information. thank you, that'll be the first time that labour - information. thank you, that'll be the first time that labour has - information. thank you, that'll be | the first time that labour has held back council in hampshire. interesting, it is a military base, aldershot is the main town and interesting if labour managed to take that, as it appears they may be on course to do. let's take you to somewhere else that might be too close to call, but that has been very tightly fought, one of those labour conservative battlegrounds, redditch. what are you hearing james since we spoke to last?— since we spoke to last? counting has been under — since we spoke to last? counting has been under way _ since we spoke to last? counting has been under way for _ since we spoke to last? counting has been under way for about _ since we spoke to last? counting has been under way for about as - since we spoke to last? counting hasj been under way for about as minutes been under way for about a5 minutes and we should start to get the first results to add to your seat totals in the next hour or so and may be a final result between four o'clock or five o'clock. i have been speaking

to the different parties. the conservatives have had a slim majority on this council of three for the last year so they are up against it in terms of defending control for the council. they have not admitted defeat, they still think there is a chance they can hold onto some seats, even control. labour, quietly confident that the lib dems and the greens feel labour has done enough to take this council tonight. it is a council, redditch, that labour's national campaign is targeted as a place they can make gains in, both in this local election and the general election coming up. speaking to the smaller parties, it does sound as if labour has done enough tonight but we'll have to wait for those seats to come in. ~ ., , have to wait for those seats to come in. . ., , ., ~' have to wait for those seats to come in. ~ ., , ., ,, ., in. when he had been talking to --eole, in. when he had been talking to people. what — in. when he had been talking to people, what have _ in. when he had been talking to people, what have the - in. when he had been talking to people, what have the issues i in. when he had been talking to l people, what have the issues that have been shifting votes around, do you think? have been shifting votes around, do ou think? ., ,., have been shifting votes around, do ou think? ., , ., you think? there are some big local issues as well _ you think? there are some big local issues as well as _ you think? there are some big local issues as well as the _ you think? there are some big local issues as well as the national - issues as well as the national picture. the conservatives have tried to make a lot of the fact that

redditch has attracted £20 million of levelling up money to regenerate the town centre and the train station. labour have basically been arguing that that money hasn't been spent in the right place to achieve the levelling up people want to see. they have focused on the sentiment in the town centre, the district centres are not going in the direction people want them. both sides have admitted there hasn't been enough investment in reddish over the last couple of years. on the doorstep, you get the sense conservative voters will take convincing to come out and vote the conservatives this year. that'll be a lot an issue, conservative voters who will not come out and vote this time. . , . who will not come out and vote this time. ., , ., , time. that is an interesting battleground. _ time. that is an interesting battleground. the - time. that is an interesting battleground. the sofa - time. that is an interesting i battleground. the sofa vote, time. that is an interesting - battleground. the sofa vote, staying at home is a different vote, but one nonetheless. we can show you what is going on in plymouth. there is

counting going on and it looks like people are waiting for something that might be imminent. we will listen in carefully there and bring you it. someone coming onto the stage, let's take a listen in. it may be one ward, but let's listen. icama i cam a chase ealey being the returning officer for the ward councillor for the plympton earl ward, do hereby give notice that the number of votes recorded for each candidate is as follows. peta ending, reform uk, 221. suzanne glennie, the conservative party candidate, 336. michaela jakes, commonly known as jakes mickey,

green party candidate, 11a. andrea victoria loveridge, independent, 896. liberal democrats, 235. labour and co—operative party, a8a. that 896. liberal democrats, 235. labour and co-operative party, 484.- and co-operative party, 484. that is one ward result _ and co-operative party, 484. that is one ward result but _ and co-operative party, 484. that is one ward result but it _ and co-operative party, 484. that is one ward result but it sounds - and co-operative party, 484. that is one ward result but it sounds like i one ward result but it sounds like that ward was taken by an independent. very, very close call between the reform party and the liberal democrats, only four votes in it. but that particular situation, just one ward and giving you a flavour of some of the events going on and that ward was taken by an independent, something we have seenin an independent, something we have seen in a few places tonight, not least of south tyneside where we

have the story of the bins. at a time like this, activists have a reputation for working hard on the ground, do you think you have been able to capitalise on these guys' problems? i able to capitalise on these guys' roblems? ~ able to capitalise on these guys' problems?— able to capitalise on these guys' roblems? ~ . . able to capitalise on these guys' roblems? ~ ., , ., problems? i think we have, but in a tarueted problems? i think we have, but in a targeted way- _ problems? i think we have, but in a targeted way. we _ problems? i think we have, but in a targeted way. we have _ problems? i think we have, but in a targeted way. we have looked - problems? i think we have, but in a targeted way. we have looked at i problems? i think we have, but in a| targeted way. we have looked at the areas where we think we can win and the feedback we get is conservative voters want to switch. they are finding our party attractive and the answer. that is why we are putting out resource. many of those seats will come through tonight and on saturday. we knew some of the early returns would be the impact we have made and the feedback from places like 0xfordshire and parts of hampshire, where we have been looking at hertfordshire, early days and we are relying on people standing at the counter watching the boxes. the feedback is looking good. 0therwise

boxes. the feedback is looking good. otherwise we have been expecting a labour surge and it is somewhat surprised that the independents are pipping that at the post. toothy surprised that the independents are pipping that at the post.— surprised that the independents are pipping that at the post. why do you think that is? _ pipping that at the post. why do you thinkthat is? i— pipping that at the post. why do you think that is? i am _ pipping that at the post. why do you think that is? i am not _ pipping that at the post. why do you think that is? i am not in _ pipping that at the post. why do you think that is? i am not in the - pipping that at the post. why do you think that is? i am not in the mind i think that is? i am not in the mind ofthe think that is? i am not in the mind of the voters. _ think that is? i am not in the mind of the voters, with _ think that is? i am not in the mind of the voters, with a _ think that is? i am not in the mind of the voters, with a local - think that is? i am not in the mind of the voters, with a local electionj of the voters, with a local election you have to understand what the local issues are. you can easily be the bins. i do think where we have been focusing our efforts, we want to get rid of the tory government at the next general election, we also want to do right by people in their local area. essentially, we have to target our resources.— target our resources. what about tactical voting — target our resources. what about tactical voting because _ target our resources. what about tactical voting because small - tactical voting because small parties, whether it is the lib dems and the greens who cannot be everywhere, but you havejust and the greens who cannot be everywhere, but you have just said, you want to see the back of a conservative government and the greens will say they also want to see the back of the conservative government and jonathan reynolds,

you want to see the back of a conservative government, what about tactical voting and working together? i tactical voting and working together?— tactical voting and working touether? ., �* ~ ., together? i don't think we are workin: together? i don't think we are working together, _ together? i don't think we are working together, the - together? i don't think we are working together, the voters l together? i don't think we are - working together, the voters need the freedom to make their choice. when you have a first past the post system, people do it on a diy tactical, diy alternative voting almost. they do it themselves and i can understand perfectly why they do it. we find when people make that shift they then stick because they get to know lib dems who they might not be familiar with under other circumstances.— not be familiar with under other circumstances. voters make those decisions, circumstances. voters make those decisions. if _ circumstances. voters make those decisions, if you _ circumstances. voters make those decisions, if you are _ circumstances. voters make those decisions, if you are a _ circumstances. voters make those decisions, if you are a labour - decisions, if you are a labour candidate, _ decisions, if you are a labour candidate, you don't control the voters _ candidate, you don't control the voters and — candidate, you don't control the voters and transfer them to other parties _ voters and transfer them to other parties it— voters and transfer them to other parties. it is always a misconception. 0ne parties. it is always a misconception. one thing we saw last year and _ misconception. one thing we saw last year and the — misconception. one thing we saw last year and the year before, i think we will see _ year and the year before, i think we will see it _ year and the year before, i think we will see it again this year, greater

manchester, a huge amount of money has been _ manchester, a huge amount of money has been taken out of local councils _ has been taken out of local councils. a big proportion goes on stuff— councils. a big proportion goes on stuff and — councils. a big proportion goes on stuff and services people don't see, and the _ stuff and services people don't see, and the discretionary money the council— and the discretionary money the council is — and the discretionary money the council is spending on parks is much smaller~ _ council is spending on parks is much smaller. that is what has made local politics _ smaller. that is what has made local politics harder in the way you don't -et politics harder in the way you don't get an— politics harder in the way you don't get an honest extrapolation of the national— get an honest extrapolation of the national polling into those areas. go back— national polling into those areas. go back to — national polling into those areas. go back to the idea of tactical voting, it is one thing for you to say, people do it themselves. it is another thing for central parties to make decisions to campaign in a different way and quietly stand back. it doesn't have to be giving people an instruction to vote tactically, but it sounds like you are both comfortable with the idea? any political party looks at where the competitive races are and where resources _ the competitive races are and where resources will go. for my part, come

to where _ resources will go. for my part, come to where we — resources will go. for my part, come to where we are tonight, whether it is in thurrock, hartlepool or blackpool, when we get the result, redditch _ blackpool, when we get the result, redditch. is labour gaining in those seats— redditch. is labour gaining in those seats are _ redditch. is labour gaining in those seats are going to the conservative party— seats are going to the conservative party but _ seats are going to the conservative party but we want to replace conservative party of labour mps at the next _ conservative party of labour mps at the next general election? yes, that is what _ the next general election? yes, that is what we're seeing. if the next general election? yes, that is what we're seeing.— is what we're seeing. if you're not trainin is what we're seeing. if you're not gaining and _ is what we're seeing. if you're not gaining and you — is what we're seeing. if you're not gaining and you doubt _ is what we're seeing. if you're not gaining and you doubt this - is what we're seeing. if you're not gaining and you doubt this close i is what we're seeing. if you're not| gaining and you doubt this close to general election in 20 points ahead ahead in national polling, something strange is going on and you would be defending an extremely sticky wicket? i defending an extremely sticky wicket? . . defending an extremely sticky wicket? ., , ., , wicket? i have been on this programme _ wicket? i have been on this programme when - wicket? i have been on this programme when we - wicket? i have been on this programme when we have i wicket? i have been on this - programme when we have been defending an extremely sticky wicket, — defending an extremely sticky wicket, but that is not what we are seeing _ wicket, but that is not what we are seeing do— wicket, but that is not what we are seeina. ,, ~' wicket, but that is not what we are seeina. ~ , ., ,., seeing. do you think it is voters of these two ganging _ seeing. do you think it is voters of these two ganging up _ seeing. do you think it is voters of these two ganging up against - seeing. do you think it is voters of these two ganging up against you, everybody wants to get rid of the conservative government? ida. i conservative government? no, i don't. as conservative government? no, i don't- as i — conservative government? no, i don't. as i said, _ conservative government? no, i don't. as i said, it— conservative government? no, i don't. as i said, it will— conservative government? no, i don't. as i said, it will be - don't. as i said, it will be difficult _ don't. as i said, it will be difficult because - don't. as i said, it will be difficult because we - don't. as i said, it will be difficult because we are i don't. as i said, it will be - difficult because we are operating against _ difficult because we are operating against a — difficult because we are operating against a high— difficult because we are operating against a high base. _ difficult because we are operating against a high base. we - difficult because we are operating against a high base. we are - difficult because we are operating against a high base. we are in. against a high base. we are in government— against a high base. we are in government and _ against a high base. we are in government and if— against a high base. we are in government and if you - against a high base. we are in government and if you are - against a high base. we are in government and if you are in. government and if you are in government— government and if you are in government it _ government and if you are in government it is _ government and if you are in government it is difficult - government and if you are in

government it is difficult at i government and if you are in - government it is difficult at local elections — government it is difficult at local elections. it’s— government it is difficult at local elections. 3 ., government it is difficult at local elections. �*, ., ., elections. it's not, there are some ears elections. it's not, there are some years that — elections. it's not, there are some years that some — elections. it's not, there are some years that some governments - elections. it's not, there are some i years that some governments gain, 2011, 2017... it years that some governments gain, 2011, 2017. - -_ 2011, 2017. .. it doesn't happen very often and in — 2011, 2017. .. it doesn't happen very often and in 2021— 2011, 2017. .. it doesn't happen very often and in 2021 we _ 2011, 2017. .. it doesn't happen very often and in 2021 we did _ 2011, 2017. .. it doesn't happen very often and in 2021 we did well - 2011, 2017. .. it doesn't happen very often and in 2021 we did well and i 2011, 2017. .. it doesn't happen very often and in 2021 we did well and it| often and in 2021 we did well and it was unusual~ — often and in 2021 we did well and it was unusual. this _ often and in 2021 we did well and it was unusual. this time _ often and in 2021 we did well and it was unusual. this time we - often and in 2021 we did well and it was unusual. this time we have - often and in 2021 we did well and it was unusual. this time we have an| was unusual. this time we have an unusual— was unusual. this time we have an unusual set— was unusual. this time we have an unusual set of— was unusual. this time we have an unusual set of election. _ was unusual. this time we have an unusual set of election. it - was unusual. this time we have an unusual set of election. it is - unusual set of election. it is police — unusual set of election. it is police and _ unusual set of election. it is police and crime _ unusual set of election. it is i police and crime commissioner elections. _ police and crime commissioner elections. we _ police and crime commissioner elections, we will— police and crime commissioner elections, we will get - police and crime commissioner elections, we will get two - police and crime commissioner elections, we will get two of i police and crime commissioner. elections, we will get two of those tonight— elections, we will get two of those tonight and — elections, we will get two of those tonight and the _ elections, we will get two of those tonight and the important - elections, we will get two of those tonight and the important mayoralj tonight and the important mayoral contest _ tonight and the important mayoral contest as— tonight and the important mayoral contest as well. _ tonight and the important mayoral contest as well. i _ tonight and the important mayoral contest as well. i think— tonight and the important mayoral contest as well. i think you - tonight and the important mayoral contest as well. i think you do - tonight and the important mayorali contest as well. i think you do need toiust _ contest as well. i think you do need toiust wait — contest as well. i think you do need toiust wait and _ contest as well. i think you do need to just wait and see _ contest as well. i think you do need to just wait and see what _ contest as well. i think you do need to just wait and see what the - to just wait and see what the overall— to just wait and see what the overall picture _ to just wait and see what the overall picture looks - to just wait and see what the overall picture looks like - to just wait and see what the i overall picture looks like before you draw — overall picture looks like before you draw conclusions. - overall picture looks like before you draw conclusions. we - overall picture looks like before you draw conclusions. we will. overall picture looks like before i you draw conclusions. we will not know _ you draw conclusions. we will not know that — you draw conclusions. we will not know that until— you draw conclusions. we will not know that until even _ you draw conclusions. we will not know that until even passed - you draw conclusions. we will not| know that until even passed much you draw conclusions. we will not i know that until even passed much of the day _ know that until even passed much of the da . ., , ., the day. however, whether it is what we know so — the day. however, whether it is what we know so far _ the day. however, whether it is what we know so far where _ the day. however, whether it is what we know so far where the _ we know so far where the conservatives are losing around 60% of the seats they are defending and thatis of the seats they are defending and that is the worst track record from last year when you performed very badly. you have had months and months have been significantly behind in the national polls. if real votes from real voters in the way we have seen so far, what has to

change? we way we have seen so far, what has to chance? ~ ~' ., way we have seen so far, what has to chance? ~ ~ ., ., ., , ., change? we know there are lots of voters who — change? we know there are lots of voters who voted _ change? we know there are lots of voters who voted last _ change? we know there are lots of voters who voted last time - change? we know there are lots of voters who voted last time who - change? we know there are lots of| voters who voted last time who are currently _ voters who voted last time who are currently undecided. _ voters who voted last time who are currently undecided. that - voters who voted last time who are currently undecided. that is - voters who voted last time who are currently undecided. that is clear, i currently undecided. that is clear, they haven't — currently undecided. that is clear, they haven't switched _ currently undecided. that is clear, they haven't switched to _ currently undecided. that is clear, they haven't switched to anybodyi they haven't switched to anybody else, _ they haven't switched to anybody else, they — they haven't switched to anybody else, they are _ they haven't switched to anybody else, they are undecided. - they haven't switched to anybody else, they are undecided. they. they haven't switched to anybody else, they are undecided. they might be switching? — else, they are undecided. they might be switching? the _ else, they are undecided. they might be switching? the turnout _ else, they are undecided. they might be switching? the turnout for- else, they are undecided. they might be switching? the turnout for a - be switching? the turnout for a reneral be switching? the turnout for a general election _ be switching? the turnout for a general election is _ be switching? the turnout for a general election is much - be switching? the turnout for a j general election is much higher be switching? the turnout for a - general election is much higher than in local— general election is much higher than in local elections. _ general election is much higher than in local elections. the _ general election is much higher than in local elections. the challenge - in local elections. the challenge for us _ in local elections. the challenge for us is, — in local elections. the challenge for us is, those _ in local elections. the challenge for us is, those voters, - in local elections. the challenge for us is, those voters, we - in local elections. the challenge for us is, those voters, we have| in local elections. the challenge i for us is, those voters, we have to show— for us is, those voters, we have to show them — for us is, those voters, we have to show them we _ for us is, those voters, we have to show them we are _ for us is, those voters, we have to show them we are focused - for us is, those voters, we have to show them we are focused on - for us is, those voters, we have to show them we are focused on the| show them we are focused on the things— show them we are focused on the things they— show them we are focused on the things they are _ show them we are focused on the things they are concerned - show them we are focused on the things they are concerned about, | things they are concerned about, which _ things they are concerned about, which i _ things they are concerned about, which i think— things they are concerned about, which i think we _ things they are concerned about, which i think we are _ things they are concerned about, which i think we are and - things they are concerned about, which i think we are and that- things they are concerned about, which i think we are and that is. things they are concerned about, i which i think we are and that is why we are _ which i think we are and that is why we are making _ which i think we are and that is why we are making progress _ which i think we are and that is why we are making progress on - which i think we are and that is why. we are making progress on delivering cuts to— we are making progress on delivering cuts to national— we are making progress on delivering cuts to national insurance. _ we are making progress on delivering cuts to national insurance. you - we are making progress on delivering cuts to national insurance. you saw i cuts to national insurance. you saw hi i cuts to national insurance. you saw big announcements _ cuts to national insurance. you saw big announcements on _ cuts to national insurance. you saw big announcements on changes - cuts to national insurance. you saw i big announcements on changes made cuts to national insurance. you saw - big announcements on changes made to welfare _ big announcements on changes made to welfare to— big announcements on changes made to welfare to support — big announcements on changes made to welfare to support people, _ big announcements on changes made to welfare to support people, get - big announcements on changes made to welfare to support people, get more - welfare to support people, get more people _ welfare to support people, get more people who — welfare to support people, get more people who fall— welfare to support people, get more people who fall out _ welfare to support people, get more people who fall out of— welfare to support people, get more people who fall out of the _ welfare to support people, get more people who fall out of the labour - people who fall out of the labour market _ people who fall out of the labour market into _ people who fall out of the labour market into work. _ people who fall out of the labour market into work. an _ people who fall out of the labour - market into work. an announcement on defence. _ market into work. an announcement on defence. paid— market into work. an announcement on defence. paid for— market into work. an announcement on defence. paid for in— market into work. an announcement on defence, paid for in reductions - market into work. an announcement on defence, paid for in reductions and - defence, paid for in reductions and getting _ defence, paid for in reductions and getting it _ defence, paid for in reductions and getting it back— defence, paid for in reductions and getting it back to _ defence, paid for in reductions and getting it back to where _ defence, paid for in reductions and getting it back to where it - defence, paid for in reductions and getting it back to where it was. - getting it back to where it was. boris _ getting it back to where it was. borisjohnson _ getting it back to where it was. borisjohnson promised - getting it back to where it was. borisjohnson promised in - getting it back to where it was. | borisjohnson promised in 2022 getting it back to where it was. - boris johnson promised in 2022 and borisjohnson promised in 2022 and you said... boris johnson promised in 2022 and ou said... . . boris johnson promised in 2022 and ou said... , ., ., . you said... festival on the defence thin , you said... festival on the defence thing. you — you said... festival on the defence thing. you cannot _ you said... festival on the defence thing, you cannot make _ you said... festival on the defence i thing, you cannot make commitments

without— thing, you cannot make commitments without showing — thing, you cannot make commitments without showing how— thing, you cannot make commitments without showing how you _ thing, you cannot make commitments without showing how you will - thing, you cannot make commitments without showing how you will pay - thing, you cannot make commitments without showing how you will pay for i without showing how you will pay for it. without showing how you will pay for it we _ without showing how you will pay for it we have — without showing how you will pay for it we have set— without showing how you will pay for it. we have set out— without showing how you will pay for it. we have set out how— without showing how you will pay for it. we have set out how we - without showing how you will pay for it. we have set out how we will- without showing how you will pay for it. we have set out how we will pay. it. we have set out how we will pay for it _ it. we have set out how we will pay for it and _ it. we have set out how we will pay for it and labour— it. we have set out how we will pay for it and labour went _ it. we have set out how we will pay for it and labour went match - it. we have set out how we will pay for it and labour went match it. - it. we have set out how we will payl for it and labour went match it. you are tellin: for it and labour went match it. are telling sucking civil servants bringsm — brings... all- brings... all talk at once we all talk at 0nce we want to all talk at once we want to reduce the size of the civil service, just back to where it was before. civil service, 'ust back to where it was before.— was before. that will affect the level of defence _ was before. that will affect the level of defence spending. - was before. that will affect the level of defence spending. the | was before. that will affect the - level of defence spending. the rest of it is taking _ level of defence spending. the rest of it is taking the _ level of defence spending. the rest of it is taking the investment - level of defence spending. the rest of it is taking the investment we i of it is taking the investment we are making _ of it is taking the investment we are making in— of it is taking the investment we are making in research - of it is taking the investment we are making in research and - are making in research and development _ are making in research and development on _ are making in research and development on spending i are making in research and - development on spending most of are making in research and _ development on spending most of that on improving _ development on spending most of that on improving research— development on spending most of that on improving research and _ on improving research and development _ on improving research and development for- on improving research and development for defence. | on improving research and i development for defence. we on improving research and - development for defence. we set on improving research and _ development for defence. we set out clearly, _ development for defence. we set out clearly, it _ development for defence. we set out clearly, it is— development for defence. we set out clearly, it is an — development for defence. we set out clearly, it is an important _ development for defence. we set out clearly, it is an important thing, - clearly, it is an important thing, defending — clearly, it is an important thing, defending the _ clearly, it is an important thing, defending the nation. _ clearly, it is an important thing, defending the nation. if- clearly, it is an important thing, defending the nation. if we - clearly, it is an important thing, defending the nation. if we set. clearly, it is an important thing, i defending the nation. if we set up policies _ defending the nation. if we set up policies like — defending the nation. if we set up policies like that _ defending the nation. if we set up policies like that it _ defending the nation. if we set up policies like that it will _ defending the nation. if we set up policies like that it will persuade i policies like that it will persuade voters _ policies like that it will persuade voters that — policies like that it will persuade voters that firstly _ policies like that it will persuade voters that firstly they _ policies like that it will persuade voters that firstly they want - policies like that it will persuade voters that firstly they want to i voters that firstly they want to support — voters that firstly they want to support us _ voters that firstly they want to support us and _ voters that firstly they want to support us and when - voters that firstly they want to support us and when they - voters that firstly they want to support us and when they see| voters that firstly they want to . support us and when they see the choice _ support us and when they see the choice between _ support us and when they see the choice between our— support us and when they see the choice between our party - support us and when they see the choice between our party and - support us and when they see the choice between our party and the | choice between our party and the labour— choice between our party and the labour party— choice between our party and the labour party and _ choice between our party and the labour party and between - choice between our party and the labour party and between the - choice between our party and the i labour party and between the two people. _ labour party and between the two people. two — labour party and between the two people. two people _ labour party and between the two people, two people will— labour party and between the two people, two people will be - labour party and between the two people, two people will be primel people, two people will be prime minister— people, two people will be prime minister at — people, two people will be prime minister at the _ people, two people will be prime minister at the end _ people, two people will be prime minister at the end of— people, two people will be prime minister at the end of the - people, two people will be prime| minister at the end of the general election. — minister at the end of the general election, rishi _ minister at the end of the general election, rishi sunak— minister at the end of the general election, rishi sunak or— minister at the end of the general election, rishi sunak or keir- election, rishi sunak or keir starmer— election, rishi sunak or keir starmer and _ election, rishi sunak or keir starmerand when— election, rishi sunak or keir starmer and when you - election, rishi sunak or keir starmer and when you looki election, rishi sunak or keiri starmer and when you look at election, rishi sunak or keir- starmer and when you look at that choice. _ starmer and when you look at that choice. i_ starmer and when you look at that choice. ithink— starmer and when you look at that choice, i think we _ starmer and when you look at that choice, i think we will— starmer and when you look at that

choice, i think we will persuade i choice, i think we will persuade people — choice, i think we will persuade people to — choice, i think we will persuade people to talk _ choice, i think we will persuade people to talk to _ choice, i think we will persuade people to talk to us. _ cani can i say this is nothing to do with what _ can i say this is nothing to do with what i'm _ can i say this is nothing to do with what i'm hearing on the doorstep? people _ what i'm hearing on the doorstep? people are — what i'm hearing on the doorstep? people are saying cost of living and although _ people are saying cost of living and although the government keeps telling _ although the government keeps telling them everything is better and getting better that's not their experience, it is getting worse. they've — experience, it is getting worse. they've been trying to get gp appointments and i never thought it would _ appointments and i never thought it would be _ appointments and i never thought it would be difficult to go and see a gp when something is wrong and finding _ gp when something is wrong and finding it — gp when something is wrong and finding it is two weeks or three weeks — finding it is two weeks or three weeks or— finding it is two weeks or three weeks or four weeks before they get an appointment and simple stuff you would _ an appointment and simple stuff you would have thought like sewage in the water — would have thought like sewage in the water which in this sense is a touchstone — the water which in this sense is a touchstone it almost feels like it touches — touchstone it almost feels like it touches on the decay of the nation. it is so _ touches on the decay of the nation. it is so offensive and again nothing much _ it is so offensive and again nothing much ever— it is so offensive and again nothing much ever seems to happen or gets done _ much ever seems to happen or gets done to— much ever seems to happen or gets done to deal with the issues and they are — done to deal with the issues and they are looking at those kinds of sets of— they are looking at those kinds of sets of issues, that's not what i'm telling _ sets of issues, that's not what i'm telling them, that's what they are telling _ telling them, that's what they are telling me and they are not answered

by any— telling me and they are not answered by any of— telling me and they are not answered by any of the things i'm hearing coming — by any of the things i'm hearing coming from the conservative party, and they— coming from the conservative party, and they do— coming from the conservative party, and they do explain the change in the patterns you are describing when you see _ the patterns you are describing when you see the — the patterns you are describing when you see the change in voting. jonathan _ you see the change in voting. jonathan, briefly.— you see the change in voting. jonathan, briefly. you wouldn't see labour jonathan, briefly. you wouldn't see labour winning _ jonathan, briefly. you wouldn't see labour winning selby _ jonathan, briefly. you wouldn't see labour winning selby or _ labour winning selby or wellingborough if it was just conservative voters staying at home. mark, a final word, and conservative voters staying at home. mark, a finalword, and i conservative voters staying at home. mark, a final word, and i know you are a close ally of rishi sunak in this and only two people have the chance to be prime minister, rishi sunak or keir starmer, so when the local elections are said and done are you confident your colleagues will think that and say, actually betrays between the prime minister at the country should be keir starmer and a conservative candidate? i starmer and a conservative candidate?— starmer and a conservative candidate? ~' ., , ., candidate? i think the conservative pa will candidate? i think the conservative party will be _ candidate? i think the conservative party will be clear _ candidate? i think the conservative party will be clear that _ candidate? i think the conservative party will be clear that changing i party will be clear that changing leaders — party will be clear that changing leaders is — party will be clear that changing leaders is not _ party will be clear that changing leaders is not a _ party will be clear that changing leaders is not a sensible - party will be clear that changing leaders is not a sensible idea. i| leaders is not a sensible idea. i think— leaders is not a sensible idea. i

think colleagues— leaders is not a sensible idea. i think colleagues like _ leaders is not a sensible idea. i think colleagues like the - leaders is not a sensible idea. i think colleagues like the prime| think colleagues like the prime minister— think colleagues like the prime minister have _ think colleagues like the prime minister have been— think colleagues like the prime minister have been set- think colleagues like the prime minister have been set out - think colleagues like the prime minister have been set out and think colleagues like the prime - minister have been set out and they are getting — minister have been set out and they are getting behind _ minister have been set out and they are getting behind him. _ minister have been set out and they are getting behind him. are- minister have been set out and they are getting behind him. are they? i are getting behind him. are they? there _ are getting behind him. are they? there was— are getting behind him. are they? there was a — are getting behind him. are they? there was a huge _ are getting behind him. are they? there was a huge support - are getting behind him. are they? there was a huge support for - are getting behind him. are they? there was a huge support for the i there was a huge support for the defence — there was a huge support for the defence announcement - there was a huge support for the i defence announcement and welfare announcement _ defence announcement and welfare announcement and _ defence announcement and welfare announcement and colleagues - defence announcement and welfare j announcement and colleagues were rallying _ announcement and colleagues were rallying behind _ announcement and colleagues were rallying behind the _ announcement and colleagues were rallying behind the party— announcement and colleagues were rallying behind the party to - announcement and colleagues were rallying behind the party to get - announcement and colleagues were rallying behind the party to get the| rallying behind the party to get the real wanda — rallying behind the party to get the real wanda legislation so - rallying behind the party to get the real wanda legislation so we - rallying behind the party to get the real wanda legislation so we can i real wanda legislation so we can start— real wanda legislation so we can start putting _ real wanda legislation so we can start putting the _ real wanda legislation so we can start putting the deterrent - real wanda legislation so we can start putting the deterrent in- real wanda legislation so we can i start putting the deterrent in place and deal— start putting the deterrent in place and deal with— start putting the deterrent in place and deal with the _ start putting the deterrent in place and deal with the commitment - start putting the deterrent in place and deal with the commitment to. and deal with the commitment to stopping — and deal with the commitment to stopping the _ and deal with the commitment to stopping the boats _ and deal with the commitment to stopping the boats coming - and deal with the commitment to stopping the boats coming to - and deal with the commitment to stopping the boats coming to the| and deal with the commitment to i stopping the boats coming to the uk will notice _ stopping the boats coming to the uk will notice the — stopping the boats coming to the uk will notice the only— stopping the boats coming to the uk will notice the only other _ stopping the boats coming to the uk will notice the only other party - will notice the only other party that can — will notice the only other party that can get into— will notice the only other party that can get into the _ will notice the only other party - that can get into the government has opposed _ that can get into the government has opposed it _ that can get into the government has opposed it every— that can get into the government has opposed it every step _ that can get into the government has opposed it every step of— that can get into the government has opposed it every step of the - that can get into the government has opposed it every step of the way- that can get into the government has opposed it every step of the way and| opposed it every step of the way and now they _ opposed it every step of the way and now they want — opposed it every step of the way and now they want an _ opposed it every step of the way and now they want an amnesty— opposed it every step of the way and now they want an amnesty for- opposed it every step of the way andj now they want an amnesty for illegal migrants _ now they want an amnesty for illegal miarants. ., . now they want an amnesty for illegal miarants. ., , ., now they want an amnesty for illegal migrants-_ we - now they want an amnesty for illegal migrants._ we know| migrants. that is not true. we know the deterrent _ migrants. that is not true. we know the deterrent is _ migrants. that is not true. we know the deterrent is working because i migrants. that is not true. we know| the deterrent is working because the irish government _ the deterrent is working because the irish government have _ the deterrent is working because the irish government have made - the deterrent is working because the irish government have made it - irish government have made it clear that they— irish government have made it clear that they are — irish government have made it clear that they are already _ irish government have made it clear that they are already seeing - irish government have made it clear that they are already seeing an - that they are already seeing an impact — that they are already seeing an impact from _ that they are already seeing an impact from it and _ that they are already seeing an impact from it and that - that they are already seeing an impact from it and that is - that they are already seeing an impact from it and that is whatj that they are already seeing an i impact from it and that is what we will do _ impact from it and that is what we will do to— impact from it and that is what we will do to stop _ impact from it and that is what we will do to stop the _ impact from it and that is what we will do to stop the people - will do to stop the people traffickers. _ will do to stop the people traffickers.— will do to stop the people traffickers. . �* ., ., ,. ,, ., traffickers. we've had a discussion already with _ traffickers. we've had a discussion already with your _ traffickers. we've had a discussion already with your colleague - traffickers. we've had a discussion already with your colleague chris i already with your colleague chris heaton—harris about people arriving across the channel said there was a deterrent effect but we will say thank you and goodbye, mark harper and jonathan reynolds for labour. season, don't go anywhere. you, don't go anywhere and stay with us

as we will bring you the latest results on the giant tower with labour gaining 31 putting them 237 and the liberal democrats gaining eight on a3 and labour 137 having gained 31 and the tories having lost 6a putting them on 35. the independents have gained 18 to 29 and the residents association with five seats, not having gained only by the green party gaining seven perhaps on course for a very good performance, on ten seats so far. lots more to digest after the news. thanks, laura. results are being declared in the local elections in parts of england, in the last significant test of public opinion before the general election. in the last hour, labour have taken control of two councils, hartlepool and thurrock in essex. they've held others including south tyneside,

plymouth and ipswich. the conservatives have lost control of north east lincolnshire, but held onto broxbourne. counting is underway for the parliamentary by—election in blackpool south, as well as 35 councils overnight. 0ur political correspondent, damian grammaticus has the latest up upforgrabs in up for grabs in these elections, 2500 council seats, 11 mayoraljobs and here in blackpool south, one westminster seat, one of the consequential battles tonight and labour hope they can take it off the conservatives. 0n the first council of the night to change hands was hartlepool. the of the night to change hands was hartlepool-— hartlepool. the labour co-operative na , hartlepool. the labour co-operative aa , 649 hartlepool. the labour co-operative party. 649 votes- — hartlepool. the labour co-operative party, 649 votes. the _ hartlepool. the labour co-operative party, 649 votes. the conservativesj party, 649 votes. the conservatives lost six councillors _ party, 649 votes. the conservatives lost six councillors here _ party, 649 votes. the conservatives lost six councillors here and - party, 649 votes. the conservatives lost six councillors here and labourl lost six councillors here and labour gain back control. the winner is a symbolic one for them, clawing back lost ground. we have worked so hard to get the trust of the people in

hartlepool back to the labour party. and i think that is probably what has done it tonight. but and i think that is probably what has done it tonight.— and i think that is probably what has done it tonight. but there are warnin: has done it tonight. but there are warning signs _ has done it tonight. but there are warning signs for _ has done it tonight. but there are warning signs for labour - has done it tonight. but there are warning signs for labour too. - has done it tonight. but there are | warning signs for labour too. this is oldham, and in some areas with substantial muslim voters, labour are struggling to hold onto support. rushmore in hampshire, a southern conservative council and another labour target. a conservative minister at the count with his party braced for losses of the seats one back when boris johnson braced for losses of the seats one back when borisjohnson was prime minister. the back when boris johnson was prime minister. ., . back when boris johnson was prime minister. ., , .,, ., minister. the last time most of these seats _ minister. the last time most of these seats were _ minister. the last time most of these seats were fought - minister. the last time most of these seats were fought was i minister. the last time most of these seats were fought was in | minister. the last time most of - these seats were fought was in 2021 where we had effectively a vaccine bounce as we rolled out the vaccine and that was our best set of local elections since 2008, so that's a very high base, so compared to that, it is going to be difficult to achieve on that. than it is going to be difficult to achieve on that.— it is going to be difficult to achieve on that. . ., ., ., ., achieve on that. an alarm and an evacuation _ achieve on that. an alarm and an evacuation in _ achieve on that. an alarm and an evacuation in hull. _

achieve on that. an alarm and an evacuation in hull. where - achieve on that. an alarm and an evacuation in hull. where the i evacuation in hull. where the conservatives think these elections signal trouble if —— ahead on them depend on the scale of losses. in stockport where they are counting on a car park, liberal democrats could make gains from labour but what they are most focused on is the places where they face off with the conservatives.— conservatives. across the country we've heard _ conservatives. across the country we've heard people _ conservatives. across the country we've heard people are _ conservatives. across the country we've heard people are fed - conservatives. across the country we've heard people are fed up - conservatives. across the country we've heard people are fed up of| conservatives. across the country i we've heard people are fed up of the conservatives and across the blue wall lifelong conservatives are switching to the liberal democrats so we are optimistic. people want to cast a verdict on the conservative's appalling record on the nhs and care, and on the fact they've allowed water companies to pump sewage into our rivers and the cost of living crisis. in sewage into our rivers and the cost of living crisis.— of living crisis. in grimsby, conservatives _ of living crisis. in grimsby, conservatives are - of living crisis. in grimsby, conservatives are facing i of living crisis. in grimsby, conservatives are facing a | of living crisis. in grimsby, - conservatives are facing a tough night as well. they've controlled north east lincolnshire council since 2019 and might see support eroding here. it's exactly the sort of place labour will be targeting at the general election. to the us. president biden has urged pro—palestinian protesters on university campuses to uphold the rule of law.

there've been further clashes between police and demonstrators in a number of cities including portland in oregon and washington dc. earlier, riot police dismantled a camp at the university of california in los angeles. the protests against the war in gaza have spread to around 50 campus sites, with more than 2,000 people arrested across the us in the past fortnight. president biden says order must prevail. destroying property is not a peaceful protest. it's against the law. vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations. none of this is a peaceful protest. threatening people. intimidating people. instilling fear in people. it's not a peaceful protest. it's against the law. a man has appeared in court, charged with the murder of the schoolboy, daniel anjorin in north east london. daniel, who was 1a, was on his way to school when he was fatally stabbed in hainault on tuesday.

marcus monzo, who's 36, also faces several other charges, including two counts of attempted murder. to brazil where a hydroelectric dam has collapsed after days of heavy rains that have killed at least 31 people. at least 60 people are missing and 15,000 have been forced to leave their homes since the storms began on saturday. at least half a million people are without power and clean water across the state of rio grande do sul. the extreme weather has been caused by a rare combination of hotter than average temperatures, high humidity and strong winds. apple has seen its biggest fall in sales in more than a year. the tech giant saw a sharp drop in demand for its most important product — the iphone — with sales of the device dropping by ten percent from january to march compared to the previous year. executives said the results were distorted by covid—related

supply disruptions, which led to unusually strong sales during the same period last year. the king and queen have been presented with the official document recording their coronation almost a year after the service at westminster abbey. for at least 700 years, monarchs have been given a "coronation roll", with a handwritten official record of their crowning. for the first time, the manuscript will not use any animal skin. king charles said the 21 metre long roll "goes on for miles", while queen camilla said she would need "my specs" to read it. a reminder that you can follow all the election results overnight on the bbc news website or app. you can also see who's won and where using our postcode checker which is at bbc.co.uk/news or the app. now back to laura and elections 202a.

a warm welcome back to election night 20 —— a warm welcome back to election night 20 -- 202a a warm welcome back to election night 20 —— 202a and will be a different general election in 202a but what we have tonight is a complicated jigsaw of all sorts of different things, the mayoral contest, the by—election in blackpool south and we should have the result before too long and also police and crime commissioner elections and council elections across england. let's show you what has happened so far in the council elections and here is the state of the parties as things stand and you can see the conservatives have lost 71 seats so far. on current trend, looking pretty bad, losing about two thirds of the seats they have been defending. labour have gained 37 and the liberal democrats have gained

seven, so those are the tally so far the main parties. although we have seen some interesting things happening with the smaller parties so far tonight. let's say hello to two of our new guest, jonathan and jonathan and this will be easy and away. jonathan collis from the conservative party, a deputy chair, not chair? and jonathan ashworth who is the shadow paymaster general. labour's attack dog, can we say that? ii labour's attack dog, can we say that? , ., ., labour's attack dog, can we say that? y ., ., ., labour's attack dog, can we say that? _, ., ., that? if you want to call me that, that's fine. _ that? if you want to call me that, that's fine, but _ that? if you want to call me that, that's fine, but i _ that? if you want to call me that, that's fine, but i think _ that? if you want to call me that, that's fine, but i think of - that? if you want to call me that, that's fine, but i think of myself i that's fine, but i think of myself more as a pussycat. abs, that's fine, but i think of myself more as a pussycat.— that's fine, but i think of myself more as a pussycat. a few scratches are not biting- _ more as a pussycat. a few scratches are not biting. we _ more as a pussycat. a few scratches are not biting. we will— more as a pussycat. a few scratches are not biting. we will chat - more as a pussycat. a few scratches are not biting. we will chat to - are not biting. we will chat to you in a few minutes and susan kramer from the liberal democrats is still with us. let's give you what has been quite a dramatic result that we've been able to concern —— confirm the numbers during the news on the labour party has gained rushmore council from the conservatives and you can see they

have 21 seats to the tories 15, and the liberal democrats with three so let's see how they've changed hands. labour has gained seven seats with the tories losing eight and the liberal democrats gaining one seat. the change in the share, you can see labour on a8% on the tories on 37% and the change in that show shoot labour gaining 16% in the tories losing 17% and i wonder if a bit later we can show you the swing in the council because it's really interesting and in rushmore we will be on the ground there shortly but it's really interesting, and labour will be cock—a—hoop because it's not just in hampshire, the south of england, not their natural territory but they've never held a council before and also it is the home of aldershot, of course, the home of much of the british military and given the power that labour have

tried to show they change from the jeremy corbyn years, i expect they will shout about the rushmore result from the rooftops. let's show you another result that labour will be pleased about whether tories have lost control of north east lincolnshire council. grimsby, the big town there and you can see what has happened and the tories lost eight seats and labour gain six. at the tories have been knocked off controlling the council and currently that area is split between two conservative mps, and one of them will be a target for the labour party at the general election whenever we get there, so labour will be pleased to have rocked the tories out of control and let's checkin tories out of control and let's check in with my colleague in the grimsby, and she was saying that labour were looking pretty chipper about what they were able to do. why do you think the result ended up as it is? ., ~ ., ., ., , it is? you know, not a single vote had been counted _ it is? you know, not a single vote had been counted but _ it is? you know, not a single vote had been counted but the - had been counted but the

conservatives were looking pretty glum and knew they were onto a loser in north east lincolnshire and before the elections the tories had a sizeable majority of the council but it's gone now and the tories are still the largest party but it's a hung council because labour made gains tonight, six council seats gained at the tories expense. this is a classic redwall constituency on the parliamentary constituency of great grimsby was won by the tories at the last general election in 2019 under borisjohnson after decades of labour dominance. so this will be a big blow to the tories to lose control of the council here so close to another general election. it looks like they are packing up already. 0nce looks like they are packing up already. once they got going, they got going quickly. do you think this is likely to translate for the labour party? was this about the national mood or local issues? stern;

national mood or local issues? very much about — national mood or local issues? very much about local _ national mood or local issues? very much about local issues _ national mood or local issues? - much about local issues according to both conservatives and labour activists. the two tory mps who cover this council area both say that voters have long seen the economic change they voted for back in 2019. remember that phrase, levelling up. there has been some levelling up. there has been some levelling up. there has been some levelling up of the area according to local tories but it's not enough and that's why they were punished tonight. laboursay and that's why they were punished tonight. labour say they are hopeful of taking forward the progress they made tonight but remember the turnout was very low in this council election, just 22%, laura. turnout was very low in this council election, just 2296, laura.- election, 'ust 2296, laura. tim, thank election, just 2296, laura. tim, thank you _ election, just 2296, laura. tim, thank you so — election, just 2296, laura. tim, thank you so much _ election, just 2296, laura. tim, thank you so much and - election, just 2296, laura. tim, thank you so much and will- election, just 2296, laura. tim, thank you so much and will be| election, just 22%, laura. tim, thank you so much and will be back later with news of other things happening in your patch but thanks for bringing us up to date as to why labour have knocked conservatives out of control in north east lincolnshire, really interesting part of the country. let's talk to

professorjohn curtice about the results. we were just talking about rushmore being taken by labour and labour knocking the tories out of control in north east lincolnshire. give us the context of the scale of the tory losses we are seeing. let me say specifically about rushmore because this is where we need to get into the weeds. istate because this is where we need to get into the weeds.— into the weeds. we love the weeds. as ou into the weeds. we love the weeds. as you will — into the weeds. we love the weeds. as you will be _ into the weeds. we love the weeds. as you will be aware, _ into the weeds. we love the weeds. as you will be aware, in _ into the weeds. we love the weeds. as you will be aware, in most - into the weeds. we love the weeds. as you will be aware, in most of- into the weeds. we love the weeds. as you will be aware, in most of the council is its only one in three of the seats up for election on yesterday but rushmore was one of those councils where the ward boundaries had been withdrawn and as a result all of the seats were up for grabs and that made it more likely there will be a change of control and it's one misfortune for the tories that the ward boundary changes have occurred primarily in councils they are trying to control, but secondly if you look at what happened in rushmore last year you will already have seen the evidence

of the strong swing to labour and that labour won a majority of seats. there was the one third contest in rushmore last year so what labour needed to do to win rushmore was to do as well as they did last year and they've evidently done at least as well as that, so no need to downplay the significance of the success but it is a success that is a while and facilitated by the work of the boundary commission. thea;r facilitated by the work of the boundary commission. they certainly look ha . . boundary commission. they certainly look happy- we _ boundary commission. they certainly look happy- we are — boundary commission. they certainly look happy. we are showing - boundary commission. they certainly look happy. we are showing pictures| look happy. we are showing pictures of the labour activists waving their hands in the air although one of them them look so happy she's not sure what to do with themselves. let's show the pictures in their glory why we chat. in terms of the overall picture from what we are seeing, how bad does it look for the conservatives? it’s seeing, how bad does it look for the conservatives?— conservatives? it's not beginning to look very good _ conservatives? it's not beginning to look very good for _ conservatives? it's not beginning to look very good for the _ look very good for the conservatives. straightaway, it is still early and things could change

but put it like this, there are two things that perhaps the conservatives would prefer to avoid as we sit here just after three in the morning, we cannot rule out is something we will find out is the case in 12 or 18 hours' time. one, the conservatives end up losing 500 seats which is the worst scenario, and then two, and then performance of the local elections when we add up of the local elections when we add up the votes is probably going to end up being a little bit worse than it was last year. at those two things together and the broad measure will be like rishi sunak�*s principal project is to narrow the lead on labour has not made progress on its what the polls have been telling us and it is increasingly looking that is what the local ballot box will tell us too. labour might want to have a big smile on theirface at that might want to have a big smile on their face at that point, and there is plenty for them to be happy about

but it looks as though we are talking about labour doing more or less as well as they did last year which is not bad, but it's still the case that labour are not in these local elections heading for the kind of really dramatic local election performances that they achieved under tony blair before the 1997 general election. we are in a different world because, for example the success of the greens which is notable and has been hurting labour, but nothing to let the same extent that reform have hurt the conservatives although reform haven't stood in most of the contest but finally on the liberal democrats, they are upon 2021 and it helps them make some gains, but so far they are down a bit on last year that they would say straightaway that they would say straightaway that of the places they don't really

have an interest and they won't be till next year but we are think we will end up in a picture where the big headline is the conservatives in a bigger hole as they were 12 months ago and it's what the polls have been saying and it doesn't seem to been saying and it doesn't seem to be anything in this to contradict that message and to that extent the results don't look as though they will provide much solace to 10 downing street.— will provide much solace to 10 downin: street. ., ~' , ., ., will provide much solace to 10 downin: street. ., ~ , ., . . downing street. thank you, and in a few moments _ downing street. thank you, and in a few moments we _ downing street. thank you, and in a few moments we will _ downing street. thank you, and in a few moments we will pick _ downing street. thank you, and in a few moments we will pick up - downing street. thank you, and in a few moments we will pick up on - downing street. thank you, and in a few moments we will pick up on the | few moments we will pick up on the points you made about the liberal democrats having a modest night which might not be the kind of thing they want to see in the run—up to a general election. let's start with whatjohn was telling us, painting a picture where it looks like you are on course to lose heavily, may be 500 seats or more which was the bottom end of expectations and your local election performance might be worst than last year and that's pretty dire when you are now in the run—up to a general election of the

country knows were approaching a general election it looks like you have gone backwards.— have gone backwards. you'll appreciate — have gone backwards. you'll appreciate first _ have gone backwards. you'll appreciate first of _ have gone backwards. you'll appreciate first of all - have gone backwards. you'll appreciate first of all we - have gone backwards. you'lll appreciate first of all we have have gone backwards. you'll. appreciate first of all we have a multitude of results coming across until sunday so we'll have a clearer picture of what we see before us. but we accept this is a challenging set of local elections and people obviously have the pandemic which had a huge impact on society and the wider economy and it cost the world, not just the u wider economy and it cost the world, notjust the u k and then vladimir putin's war in ukraine which had a huge spike in energy prices but what the prime minister did was introduce the prime minister did was introduce the furlough scheme to make sure people were getting their wages while able to stay at home and save the nhs and the energy scheme for stoke—on—trent ceramic manufacturers getting a0% of the bill is covered so the kills could keep on firing, we need to get the message across and we have five clear pledges to deliver on and we are making good progress particularly with inflation that was 11.1% when he took office,

now down to 3.2% and on the stop the boats question we see the clear blue water between the conservatives and labour where labour said they would have a migrant amnesty in this country with what they announced only yesterday which essentially means 90,000 people will have a remark to remain here indefinitely. we will pick that up withjonathan ashworth, who denied it was the case but you've given us a lot to discuss. you say people have done this because of the pandemic but your previous colleagues have sat in the seat have said that the last time this happened we had the vaccine bounce and much more popular then. ,,, . , vaccine bounce and much more popular then. . , :: ' vaccine bounce and much more popular then. . , ii ' ., then. specifically with 2021 that was a factor _ then. specifically with 2021 that was a factor that _ then. specifically with 2021 that was a factor that we _ then. specifically with 2021 that was a factor that we were - then. specifically with 2021 that i was a factor that we were coming then. specifically with 2021 that - was a factor that we were coming out of the second lockdown in 60% of people have the firstjob so it was well documented there was a vaccine boost and a high water mark with the elections and we were well above expectations in terms of whatjohn curtice has said himself. mar;

expectations in terms of what john curtice has said himself.— curtice has said himself. may be it's because _ curtice has said himself. may be it's because you _ curtice has said himself. may be it's because you had _ curtice has said himself. may be it's because you had a _ it's because you had a different leader. ., . . it's because you had a different leader. ., ., ., ., , , leader. not at all. the reality is we had the _ leader. not at all. the reality is we had the vaccine _ leader. not at all. the reality is we had the vaccine boost - leader. not at all. the reality is we had the vaccine boost which | leader. not at all. the reality is - we had the vaccine boost which was a big boost electorally and also not forget we came of the big results in 2019 where we got elected for the first time in the red wall but what happened in 2021 is what happened in 2020. we've had war in the ukraine and the middle east and the impact on energy spike. that and the middle east and the impact on energy spike-— on energy spike. that the point is we miaht on energy spike. that the point is we might be _ on energy spike. that the point is we might be a — on energy spike. that the point is we might be a couple _ on energy spike. that the point is we might be a couple of- on energy spike. that the point is we might be a couple of months i on energy spike. that the point is - we might be a couple of months from a general election or four months away from a general election, maybe by mental arithmetic isn't right now but we are only the run—up to the general election and everybody in the country knows that and from the evidence we have so far, appreciating it is early, it seems that rishi sunak�*s hope of appealing to the country and turning things round is going nowhere. i disagree.

that is what — round is going nowhere. i disagree. that is what the _ round is going nowhere. i disagree. that is what the votes _ round is going nowhere. i disagree. that is what the votes so _ round is going nowhere. i disagree. that is what the votes so far - round is going nowhere. i disagree. that is what the votes so far say. i that is what the votes so far say. we've seen inflation is down to 3.2% on the prime minister to have the ability is to notjust invest in public service with a going into the nhs and schools up to 60 billion by 2025 and at the same time cutting taxes for working people. iottoi’hat 2025 and at the same time cutting taxes for working people. what are ou auoin taxes for working people. what are you going to _ taxes for working people. what are you going to change _ taxes for working people. what are you going to change if— taxes for working people. what are you going to change if you - taxes for working people. what are you going to change if you hope i you going to change if you hope people will appreciate what you have set out? you said he must deliver on them and communicate what you are doing better. istate them and communicate what you are doing better-— them and communicate what you are doing better. we double down on the peo-le's doing better. we double down on the people's priority _ doing better. we double down on the people's priority which _ doing better. we double down on the people's priority which is _ doing better. we double down on the people's priority which is the - doing better. we double down on the people's priority which is the five - people's priority which is the five pledges the prime minister laid out. what does that mean?— pledges the prime minister laid out. what does that mean? doubling down? delivery means — what does that mean? doubling down? delivery means the _ what does that mean? doubling down? delivery means the growth _ what does that mean? doubling down? delivery means the growth in _ delivery means the growth in the economy and the package we introduced in the last two budgets that there is a clear trajectory towards that growth and ultimately we are coming out of a global shock led by the illegal war in ukraine by vladimir putin which had a huge impact on energy prices as well as

the cost of the pandemic and half £1 trillion has been spent on that and the energy spike, something unprecedented in something the labour party supported and when labour party supported and when labour talk about change they say they will copy and paste, something rachel reeves is fond of, our fiscal roots and allow an amnesty for all migrants who come here illegally and they cannot make things add up like they've said in the past in 2021 they'd like to scrap business rates and have gone silent on that and not explained how they will fund it because labour simply doesn't have a plan. istate because labour simply doesn't have a alan. ~ ., ~ because labour simply doesn't have a nlan. . ., ~' ., because labour simply doesn't have a plan. we will talk to labour in a second and _ plan. we will talk to labour in a second and jonathan _ plan. we will talk to labour in a | second and jonathan ashworth is waiting patiently but i want to talk about something john curtice said about something john curtice said about the liberal democrats who suggested they are having a modest night which in the run—up to a general election is perhaps not the kind of thing they should be expecting. the vote is on average by a couple of points on 2021 but so far it's actually down compared with

20 23 and we can show you the vote share. liberal democrats up to since then but let's show the chains since last year, 2023 and the lib dems are down by 3%. let's bring in shawn kemp who used to work in the coalition with the liberal democrats, a former special adviser who still monitors this closely and thank you for waiting patiently to speak with us in the early hours of the morning. if you are still working at lib dems hq would you be happy with what you see so far? i will be predictable and say what john curtice would say the lib dems would say, which is not going to be the bigger winning round of the local elections as the last one and i think at the moment they are fine watching what is coming in. there will be a bunch of seeds coming in tomorrow, or later today, like wokingham and tunbridge wells and dorset where they will pay close

attention because they will see them as key battlegrounds for the general election so i don't think they are worried and it's not as great as last year because last year was off the scale great and way beyond what a lot of people expected, so i think they are ok with this and if they can make some gains in the right areas, they will be fine with that. what should they be doing differently because fine with that is not exactly the kind of thing a party that feels like it is on the march or significant progress, they wouldn't want to have a sentiment like that, would they? if i wouldn't want to have a sentiment like that, would they?— like that, would they? if i was in a skimmin: like that, would they? if i was in a skimming for— like that, would they? if i was in a skimming for them _ like that, would they? if i was in a skimming for them i _ like that, would they? if i was in a skimming for them i would - like that, would they? if i was in a skimming for them i would say i like that, would they? if i was in a i skimming for them i would say they are smashing results and they were knocking it out of the park for the general election, but i'm trying to be balance. i honestly think they will be happy if they come out of this round and they can see that the seeds they will target in the general election are doing quite well. the challenges they have are resources as they are down on the amount of campaign as they had at their peak on the other one is

seeing the green party, and a lot of people may be disenchanted with labour who think they are left wing enough or angry about the middle east are going to the greens and the constituency a protest vote, if you wa nt to constituency a protest vote, if you want to describe it, that has gone, so some of the votes they are once picking up is why they are not now and that might be why you are not seeing them get the kind of votes that they might be thinking about. i'm looking at the set of the results and think they would be pretty happy. mb? results and think they would be pretty happy-— pretty happy. why is it that the votes in a _ pretty happy. why is it that the votes in a different _ pretty happy. why is it that the votes in a different era - pretty happy. why is it that the votes in a different era would l pretty happy. why is it that the . votes in a different era would have gone to the lib dems are going to the greens? is it the leadership, lack of difference? i the greens? is it the leadership, lack of difference?— lack of difference? i think it is the lona lack of difference? i think it is the long term _ lack of difference? i think it is the long term of the - lack of difference? i think it is the long term of the coalition| lack of difference? i think it is i the long term of the coalition on the long term of the coalition on the other one is the strategic one about when you look where the liberal democrats have to target the resources and where they will win and i think 19 of the top 20 targets are conservative held, so the value to them is targeting conservative switches to the lib dems and labour voters in those seats. they are not

interested in chasing the voters whom i go to the green party because it won't get them the seats they will need to win the election. thank ou so will need to win the election. thank you so much _ will need to win the election. thank you so much for— will need to win the election. thank you so much for hanging _ will need to win the election. thank you so much for hanging on. - you so much for hanging on. interesting to talk to you. making that point that the lib dems are facing conservative seats for is like the analysis of what we have seen. the conservatives are first in the lib dems are second we can see what's happening, the tories have fallen away significantly, —13% of our since 2021. the lib demsjust up and percent. susan, who represented the party for a long time, is it now the party for a long time, is it now the case that the lib dems are overwhelmingly going after disaffected tories? i overwhelmingly going after disaffected tories?- overwhelmingly going after disaffected tories? ~ disaffected tories? i think you may 'ust find as disaffected tories? i think you may just find as you _ disaffected tories? i think you may just find as you start _ disaffected tories? i think you may just find as you start to _ disaffected tories? i think you may just find as you start to see - disaffected tories? i think you may just find as you start to see the - just find as you start to see the whole — just find as you start to see the whole result, that we have just held whole. _ whole result, that we have just held whole, which is against labour. ——

we have _ whole, which is against labour. —— we have just — whole, which is against labour. —— we have just held hull. what i think at the _ we have just held hull. what i think at the moment, the sense of pressure is, we _ at the moment, the sense of pressure is, we have _ at the moment, the sense of pressure is, we have got to get a change of government at the general election, something _ government at the general election, something so driving and urgent, that is— something so driving and urgent, that is one — something so driving and urgent, that is one of the reasons why we are very— that is one of the reasons why we are very much focused on working with conservatives who feel that the conservative party is no longer their— conservative party is no longer their party. if you look at some of their party. if you look at some of the results — their party. if you look at some of the results that are beginning to come _ the results that are beginning to come through. i've been keeping half an eye _ come through. i've been keeping half an eye on _ come through. i've been keeping half an eye on the seats, the constituencies of cheadle and hazel grove, _ constituencies of cheadle and hazel grove, both within stockport as a councit _ grove, both within stockport as a councit it — grove, both within stockport as a council. it looks like the conservative vote has completely collapsed there. we've taken part in hampshire, — collapsed there. we've taken part in hampshire, surrey, we become the largest— hampshire, surrey, we become the largest party, overtaking the

conservatives. we are now the largest — conservatives. we are now the largest party, in essex. just gently remind _ largest party, in essex. just gently remind professor sirjohn curtice, i do rememberat the remind professor sirjohn curtice, i do remember at the last election resutt— do remember at the last election result at— do remember at the last election result at this time, he was making the same — result at this time, he was making the same kind of comments about the liberal— the same kind of comments about the liberal democrats, then when we finally _ liberal democrats, then when we finally got — liberal democrats, then when we finally got to the end of the whole play in _ finally got to the end of the whole play in the weekend win over results came _ play in the weekend win over results came out, _ play in the weekend win over results came out, we had won over 400 gains more _ came out, we had won over 400 gains more than _ came out, we had won over 400 gains more than any other party. so i'm not saying — more than any other party. so i'm not saying we're going to do that same _ not saying we're going to do that same of— not saying we're going to do that same of momentum today, there are fewer— same of momentum today, there are fewer seats— same of momentum today, there are fewer seats and in different places and whatever else, but i'm suggesting tojohn that and whatever else, but i'm suggesting to john that we might and whatever else, but i'm suggesting tojohn that we might be in a rather— suggesting tojohn that we might be in a rather better position than that which— in a rather better position than that which i think he is suggesting. we can— that which i think he is suggesting. we can confirm some of the things you were telling us with your credible data on your phone. the lib

dems have held hull and also hart in hampshire. the lib dems have indeed become the largest party at that council in hampshire. trying to strike a more optimistic note than john curtice who were suggesting about the lib dems, reminding us that there is a long way to go and this is a really, really complicated jigsaw we're putting together. the overall state of the party so far, labour have put on 39 councillors, taking them to 166. the danes have gained a seven taken them up to 52. —— the lib dems. the overall tally is, we can show you. what is your sense of how the parties are feeling at this point, at 3:34, privately? the last few minutes, as far as my whatsapp messages are concerned, the

most, the highest ranking on the exciter monitor has come from labour from that result in rushmoor in hampshire. labour have taken control there from the conservatives, it's a council they have never held before one senior source saying, can't think of a bigger example of voters... one tx .8 it is a better advance than the party managed under tony blair. they will seize on particular results that allow them to make a particular argument but from a labour perspective, that has tried to regain the trust of particularly those communities with significant military footprints, like in aldershot, absolutely they are seizing on that result to say that it shows that their party has

changed. so sense of excitability, the most striking results are seen so far in terms of the response it's provoked. so far in terms of the response it's rovoked. �* ,., , so far in terms of the response it's rovoked. �* , ., .,, provoked. and when the parties do as the do, provoked. and when the parties do as they do. we — provoked. and when the parties do as they do. we have _ provoked. and when the parties do as they do, we have heard _ provoked. and when the parties do as they do, we have heard it _ provoked. and when the parties do as they do, we have heard it tonight - they do, we have heard it tonight and we will hear it over the next couple of days when they say, we have to look at the map, the geography, you journalists can't just concentrate on the numbers. are they right? just concentrate on the numbers. are the riuht? �* , ,, , , they right? broadly speaking, yes, when they are _ they right? broadly speaking, yes, when they are doing _ they right? broadly speaking, yes, when they are doing their - they right? broadly speaking, yes, | when they are doing their mapping, particularly as far as how things might be at the general election and when people like me are going on about the general election, these results are important for their own sake irrespective of what it might mean for the general election. councillors in charge of berlin's of pounds of money. —— millions. but geography matters because the imprint that parties having particular parts of the country matter when you look at the first—past—the—post voting system where you have to accumulate a

significant number of voters in a relatively tight geographical area to win a seat. so particularly for the liberal democrats, you look at how they might pull in a national opinion poll, is relatively useless as a guide to how they might perform if they are successful in concentrating geographically there, in places particularly not exclusively against the conservatives in the south of england come the general election and it is interesting hearing from the liberal democrats on the ground tonight that they hope when more the results they are keen on during the day on friday come through, but they are making gains against conservatives in the south of england in places like 0xfordshire england in places like oxfordshire and hampshire. so absolutely, geography matters. find and hampshire. so absolutely, geography matters.— and hampshire. so absolutely, geography matters. and hampshire. so absolutely, uu-eorah matters. �* ., , geography matters. and of course the local council— geography matters. and of course the local counciljobs _ geography matters. and of course the local counciljobs are _ geography matters. and of course the local counciljobs are hugely _ local counciljobs are hugely important in their own right, the people are elected will be making decisions for all of us whatever happens at the next general election. at it is also important because they are the foot soldiers often stuff the envelopes and pound the pavements. find

often stuff the envelopes and pound the pavements-— often stuff the envelopes and pound the pavements. and so it comes back to mood, the pavements. and so it comes back to mood. rrot — the pavements. and so it comes back to mood. notjust _ the pavements. and so it comes back to mood, notjust in _ the pavements. and so it comes back to mood, notjust in terms _ the pavements. and so it comes back to mood, notjust in terms of- to mood, notjust in terms of numbers of soldiers and pavement powders but also the extent to which you have fuel in the tank because of a good set of local elections and it empowers you to do more doorknocking in the coming months, or the opposite. in the coming months, or the opposite-— in the coming months, or the on osite, ., ., ., , , ., opposite. you have to pay pizza delivery differences _ opposite. you have to pay pizza delivery differences as - opposite. you have to pay pizza delivery differences as well. - opposite. you have to pay pizza | delivery differences as well. just go to check in with what's going on in blackpool south. one of the really significant contests in this first slew of results. you can see they are starting to stack things up. they had to wait a bit of time for the votes to be verified before the cat got going. our expectation on the ground from helen catt is that labour believes they will take that labour believes they will take that seat. the competition there... there are some smiling conservatives, i was just about to say the competition seems to be really tight between the tories and

reform for second place. but i don't know if those smiling conservatives strolling through mean that they are actually more confident that they were a couple of hours ago about being able to hold off reform but the result of michael south will be significant when it comes in not just of labour can confirm it's taken another westminster seat, but ta ken another westminster seat, but also taken another westminster seat, but also in regard to what has happened to the split between the reform votes and the conservatives in blackpool. a turnout of 32% there, which for a local election or a by—election is the kind of thing we would expect. let's now talk to carla denyer. we have been talking about the greens, welcome to the programme, you gained seats in newcastle, exeter, south tyneside, peterborough, shipping to be a pretty night for you. it peterborough, shipping to be a pretty night for you.— pretty night for you. it is. of course it _ pretty night for you. it is. of course it is _ pretty night for you. it is. of course it is early _ pretty night for you. it is. of course it is early days - pretty night for you. it is. of course it is early days but i pretty night for you. it is. of course it is early days but it| course it is early days but it certainly seems to be a promising start. many of our target seats are

expecting results on friday afternoon or saturday, so we are expecting much more to come. um? afternoon or saturday, so we are expecting much more to come. why do ou think expecting much more to come. why do you think you — expecting much more to come. why do you think you are _ expecting much more to come. why do you think you are seeing _ expecting much more to come. why do you think you are seeing the _ expecting much more to come. why do you think you are seeing the gains - you think you are seeing the gains that you've already got?— you think you are seeing the gains that you've already got? welcome as ou know, that you've already got? welcome as you know. this— that you've already got? welcome as you know, this has _ that you've already got? welcome as you know, this has come _ that you've already got? welcome as you know, this has come on - that you've already got? welcome as you know, this has come on the - that you've already got? welcome as you know, this has come on the back of several successive years of good results for us, we have more than quadrupled her number of green councillors across england and wales in the last four local elections and we are going to this one not taking any votes for granted, but having a realistic expectation of further gains in making a new record number of green councillors. i think it's a variety of reasons that people are coming to us. our experience when we speak to people on the doorstep is that they already know that they really like green party policies and the reasons they were previously hesitating about voting for us was about often worrying that we wouldn't get elected. whereas now, having seen in the last three years, they will have often seen more green

councillors being elected than ever before, they have confidence that if they want green policies they can vote green and they will get green councillors working hard for them all year round. and i think that is what we are seeing in newcastle for example, but we just got our first two green councillors elected, think part of the muslim community switching their votes from labour to green as part of what's going on, but what one of our newly elected councillors were saying to your colleagues on radio 4 earlier his dad really, it's the whole community feeling a bit left behind and not well looked after by its current councillors. in well looked after by its current councillors.— well looked after by its current councillors. , ., councillors. in terms of the next rains councillors. in terms of the next gains you _ councillors. in terms of the next gains you would _ councillors. in terms of the next gains you would like _ councillors. in terms of the next gains you would like to - councillors. in terms of the next gains you would like to see, - councillors. in terms of the next i gains you would like to see, where do you feel hopeful, may in bristol perhaps? and diaoyu have been doing well there and you have to stand as an mp in one of the seats there. other places where you might see progress? other places where you might see rouress? ., v , ., other places where you might see rouress? . �*, , ., . ,

progress? that's right my home city of bristol, already _ progress? that's right my home city of bristol, already have _ progress? that's right my home city of bristol, already have 24 - progress? that's right my home city of bristol, already have 24 green i of bristol, already have 24 green councillors which makes us the largest party by one. we are not currently part of the administration because bristol has had a directly—elected mayor, who was labour, but that role finishes at this election and bristol switches to a committee system which encourages more cross—party working and that is something the greens supported because we don't think anyone has a monopoly on good ideas and we are prepared to work with other parties in areas we agree, but given we are going to those local elections already as the largest party and we are hoping to gain a few more seats, there is a reasonable chance we will be part of the administration and that will make it the first corps city, the first of the large cities in the uk to have green in the administration. is it realistic to build on that success initially contest parliamentary seats in where labour mps have got pretty convincing majorities? if you're planning to go up

majorities? if you're planning to go up against thangam debbonaire, she is in the shadow cabinet. in a is in the shadow cabinet. in a brand-new — is in the shadow cabinet. in a. brand—new constituency, new boundaries, and although the previous constituency bristol west was already promising for the greens, it's even more so with boundary changes, we think those changes will roughly halve the labour majority on their own, not accounting for the fact that voters' opinions, the leadership of the labour party has changed and a number of other factors locally and nationally, and something my experience of speaking to voters on the doorstep, they are really sick of this conservative government in the way they have run the country into the ground of the last 14 years, but they are not really feeling inspired by what the labour party is offering with keir starmer and they are excited at the opportunity to vote the city's first green mp. ., ., opportunity to vote the city's first green mp. . ., , , opportunity to vote the city's first green mp. ., ., , , ., ,, i. green mp. carla denyer, thank you for 'oinin: green mp. carla denyer, thank you forjoining us- _ green mp. carla denyer, thank you forjoining us. it _ green mp. carla denyer, thank you forjoining us. it will— green mp. carla denyer, thank you forjoining us. it will be _ forjoining us. it will be interesting to see what more progress the green party can make in the coming days, as we get the full

picture of results. always interesting to hear directly from smaller parties. one of the big things we will be talking about is labour's victory in rushmoor, taking control of that counsel for the first time. later, this is a really interesting one and you can see, goodness me, the scale of how steeply labour is up there. intern; steeply labour is up there. very much so. _ steeply labour is up there. very much so. and — steeply labour is up there. very much so, and also _ steeply labour is up there. very much so, and also the - steeply labour is up there. very much so, and also the fact - steeply labour is up there. very much so, and also the fact of. steeply labour is up there. - much so, and also the fact of the boundary changes and the difference that has made to the result for labour. this is fascinating. if you have a look here, 2024, this is the result, labour on 48%, conservatives on 37%. but actually, last year, labour overtook the conservatives in terms of share of the vote but that clearly didn't translate into seats. labour won five seats last year, nibbling into the conservatives' majority, but they didn't actually manage to gain the council. just look at the historical sweep, this

goes back to 2002. for two decades this has been conservative, really the high water mark being in 2021 under borisjohnson. then they start to dip and as i said, the red line crosses the blue just between 2022 and 2023. and the liberal democrats have lost support from last year, then from two years ago as well. so that just goes then from two years ago as well. so thatjust goes again to underlined the so far slightly lacklustre performance by the lib dems, although as has been pointed out, the night is still young and not just the night, but the elections are still young and that might change over the next few hours and even days. these are the councils to watch, as i showed you at the beginning of the night, it feels like a long time ago now, and the ones that are flushing are the ones that have changed hands. rushmoor is

a labour gain. north east lincolnshire was conservative and it is now in no overall control. the right of here under the councils that were hung, hartlepool is a labour gain and fabric is a labour gain. we'll come to this a little later and see what else is change. —— thurrock is a labour gain. if —— thurrock is a labour gain. if this carries on track, the conservatives are losing more than 60% of the seats they've been defending so far. we are starting to fill in the blanks, there are still a long way to go but the trend is that the tories are losing more than 60% of the seats they are defending which would take them beyond what had been set as their worst expectation of losing around 500 seats. so that is what the conservatives are on track for at the moment but lots could change, thatis the moment but lots could change, that is the trend we are seeing, and labour picking up maybe not huge

numbers of seats but picking up in some key parts of the country, like rushmoor. , ., ., ., some key parts of the country, like rushmoor-— rushmoor. jonathan, you must be deliahted rushmoor. jonathan, you must be delighted with _ rushmoor. jonathan, you must be delighted with that _ rushmoor. jonathan, you must be delighted with that result. - rushmoor. jonathan, you must be delighted with that result. but - rushmoor. jonathan, you must be delighted with that result. but as l rushmoor. jonathan, you must be| delighted with that result. but as a remarkable result. that contains the garrison town of aldershot, i think we would win the aldershot constituency on this set of results, i think the people who were detecting chris at the same people who are texting me, it is a stunning result in a place that has never been labour and wasn't even labour in the tony blair years. we've taken back hartlepool council, very important and we lost the constituency a few years ago. thurrock is a seat, the constituency we lost in 2010 and we've always been wanting to get back so that's a very good result. picking gains in peterborough, another marginal target seat for us. making stunning results in plymouth, the tory vote is really collapsing there. johnny mercer is in trouble in plymouth.

grimsby, another seat we lost in 2019 that we were hopeful that melanie can take back for us at the general election. it is very early in the night, early in the weekend i should say... it in the night, early in the weekend i should say- - -_ should say... it is not really that earl in should say... it is not really that early in the _ should say... it is not really that early in the night! _ should say... it is not really that early in the night! it _ should say... it is not really that early in the night! it is _ should say... it is not really that early in the night! it is 3:45 - should say... it is not really that early in the night! it is 3:45 in i early in the night! it is 3:45 in the morning!— early in the night! it is 3:45 in the morning! early in the night! it is 3:45 in the mornina! . , ., ., the morning! the transit so far do show that there _ the morning! the transit so far do show that there is _ the morning! the transit so far do show that there is some - the morning! the transit so far do i show that there is some momentum here and i do think after 14 years of failure under the conservatives, people are fed up, they think it's time for change. they've had enough of the chaos, the scandal, the fact they are paying more for everything, paying more in the shops and on their energy bills, can get an nhs appointment, can't get a dentist for love nor money, that is that sense of change, that we were picking up on the doorstep and i do think when the general election comes, people will want to turn the page on the 14

years of decline we have seen under the conservatives.— the conservatives. let's bring --eole a the conservatives. let's bring people a result _ the conservatives. let's bring people a result that _ the conservatives. let's bring people a result that doesn't l the conservatives. let's bring i people a result that doesn't tally with what you are saying. the tories have held the police and crime commissioner in lincolnshire. let's look at the share. these are important elections in their own right, the police and crime commissioners, they have a lot of power to hold the police forces to account. 37% for the tories, 30% for labour. but look at this, look at the state of the drop in the share, the state of the drop in the share, the tories losing 23%, labour gaining ten and i know you've been waiting for this, we can show you our first swing of the night. waiting for this, we can show you ourfirst swing of the night. tory to labour, 16%. we only calculate swing when it's a westminster seat, not ones like that. so that's the first one we've been able to show you. i suppose one of the questions

is, how confident can you be that you can translate these things into westminster gains? these are complicated set of elections, he picked out a few examples of where you hope you will be able to build. we are only a few results in, to be fair. ., , we are only a few results in, to be fair. . , .. , we are only a few results in, to be fair. . , , ,., we are only a few results in, to be fair. . , , i. ., fair. that is the case you are making- _ fair. that is the case you are making- but _ fair. that is the case you are making. but that _ fair. that is the case you are making. but that is - fair. that is the case you are making. but that is quite i fair. that is the case you are making. but that is quite a l fair. that is the case you are i making. but that is quite a swing. you would — making. but that is quite a swing. you would be _ making. but that is quite a swing. you would be toast _ making. but that is quite a swing. you would be toast if _ making. but that is quite a swing. you would be toast if there i making. but that is quite a swing. you would be toast if there was i making. but that is quite a swing. you would be toast if there was a | you would be toast if there was a 16% swing to labour. haifa you would be toast if there was a 16% swing to labour.— you would be toast if there was a 16% swing to labour. how do you feel about looking — 16% swing to labour. how do you feel about looking at _ 16% swing to labour. how do you feel about looking at that _ 16% swing to labour. how do you feel about looking at that and... - 16% swing to labour. how do you feel about looking at that and... i - 16% swing to labour. how do you feel about looking at that and... i don't i about looking at that and... i don't fear anything _ about looking at that and... i don't fear anything in — about looking at that and... i don't fear anything in stoke-on-trent. l fear anything in stoke—on—trent. after— fear anything in stoke—on—trent. after 70 — fear anything in stoke—on—trent. after 70 years of decay and decline under— after 70 years of decay and decline under labour, it is this prime minister— under labour, it is this prime minister who delivered 56 million for the _ minister who delivered 56 million for the levelling—up fund, kisco sports — for the levelling—up fund, kisco sports centre reopened which labour can be _ sports centre reopened which labour can be bothered to save in 2017, up to 1700 _ can be bothered to save in 2017, up to 1700 jobs, can be bothered to save in 2017, up to 1700jobs, hundreds can be bothered to save in 2017, up to 1700 jobs, hundreds of million phones _ to 1700 jobs, hundreds of million phones to— to 1700 jobs, hundreds of million phones to fix our broken roads. —— hundreds— phones to fix our broken roads. —— hundreds of— phones to fix our broken roads. —— hundreds of millions of pounds.

you're — hundreds of millions of pounds. you're making the case for your own constituency, but a summary with a seniorjob in the conservative party, when you look at that swing mobot through your mind? marc party, when you look at that swing mobot through your mind? marc did a fantastic 'ob mobot through your mind? marc did a fantastic job of— mobot through your mind? marc did a fantastic job of holding _ mobot through your mind? marc did a fantastic job of holding that _ mobot through your mind? marc did a fantastic job of holding that seat i fantasticjob of holding that seat and a _ fantasticjob of holding that seat and a very difficult circumstances and a very difficult circumstances and after — and a very difficult circumstances and after a — and a very difficult circumstances and after a set of elections where we had _ and after a set of elections where we had a — and after a set of elections where we had a vaccine boost, even when kids to _ we had a vaccine boost, even when kids to the — we had a vaccine boost, even when kids to the results, we are in a different— kids to the results, we are in a different world now where we see the cost of _ different world now where we see the cost of covid on the global economy and of— cost of covid on the global economy and of course obviously that illegal and of course obviously that illegal and immoralwar in and of course obviously that illegal and immoral war in ukraine which has meant _ and immoral war in ukraine which has meant people have really felt the squeeze — meant people have really felt the squeeze. the prime minister through the furlough scheme and the covid grants. _ the furlough scheme and the covid grants, the energy support schemes, has been _ grants, the energy support schemes, has been there to support them. half £1 has been there to support them. half ii trillion, _ has been there to support them. half £1 trillion, that unprecedented levels — £1 trillion, that unprecedented levels of— £1 trillion, that unprecedented levels of support and which again the labour party has not opposed at any stage _ the labour party has not opposed at any stage and they continue to say they were — any stage and they continue to say they were back our fiscal rules. so what's _ they were back our fiscal rules. so what's the — they were back our fiscal rules. so what's the change? is they were back our fiscal rules. so what's the change?— they were back our fiscal rules. so what's the change? is interesting to hear ou what's the change? is interesting to hear you pointed — what's the change? is interesting to hear you pointed to _ what's the change? is interesting to hear you pointed to the _ what's the change? is interesting to hear you pointed to the benefit i what's the change? is interesting to hear you pointed to the benefit of i hear you pointed to the benefit of success of a conservative government

being about writing big checks, growing the state. both of conservatives privately say one of the problems is that you have done all this spending, you have grown the government and have been stepping into people's lives in ways that some conservatives do not like. they don't like the plan to ban smoking, they would rather turn to something they might see as the traditional conservative party. in traditional conservative party. in cover, every country in the world made _ cover, every country in the world made unprecedented levels of support in order— made unprecedented levels of support in order to _ made unprecedented levels of support in order to protect lives and livelihoods and that was the right thing _ livelihoods and that was the right thing to— livelihoods and that was the right thing to do and it had overwhelming support— thing to do and it had overwhelming support which ended up seeing the results _ support which ended up seeing the results we — support which ended up seeing the results we saw in 2021. there has been _ results we saw in 2021. there has been no _ results we saw in 2021. there has been no doubt about that. there was consensus _ been no doubt about that. there was consensus across the house for that level of— consensus across the house for that level of support that was introduced. so ultimately i think the voters — introduced. so ultimately i think the voters understand that we did the voters understand that we did the right— the voters understand that we did the right thing. i still speak with constituents who say they have a roof over — constituents who say they have a roof over their head because of furlough — roof over their head because of furlough. manufacturers who have kilns still— furlough. manufacturers who have kilns still firing because of the

energy— kilns still firing because of the energy support scheme. labour keep flip—flopping. workers' rights, we hear there — flip—flopping. workers' rights, we hear there will be watered down, 28 billion— hear there will be watered down, 28 billion on— hear there will be watered down, 28 billion on some green new deal, all over the _ billion on some green new deal, all over the place, and saying they would — over the place, and saying they would scrap the rwanda flights and they now _ would scrap the rwanda flights and they now say if you come here illegally — they now say if you come here illegally you would have a right to remain _ illegally you would have a right to remain indefinitely because the website — remain indefinitely because the website can apply for asylum. | remain indefinitely because the website can apply for asylum. i want to ask jonathan _ website can apply for asylum. i want to ask jonathan ashworth _ website can apply for asylum. i want to ask jonathan ashworth about i website can apply for asylum. iwant to askjonathan ashworth about that. it is important to a lot of people watching and to voters. but let's go to plymouth and talk to my colleague martyn oates who can bring us up to date. just as we begin to talk to him i'm going to show the numbers. labour have held the council, they needed 29 for a majority, they have got 34 seats. the tories have gone down to just six seats on the plymouth council. remember, as we were hearing, one of the mp5 there isjohnny mercer, the veterans minister. gary streeter, the

conservative mp there is retiring and standing down. let's look at the seats changing hands. they will have gained seven, the tories have lost ten. what that means for the share of the vote, remember, this is compared with 2021. 37% to 24%, let's spin onto the share change. the conservatives down by a whopping 32% on plymouth council. so let's ask what on earth has gone on there with martyn oates.— ask what on earth has gone on there with martyn oates. yes, you can hear the jubilation — with martyn oates. yes, you can hear the jubilation behind _ with martyn oates. yes, you can hear thejubilation behind me _ with martyn oates. yes, you can hear the jubilation behind me from - with martyn oates. yes, you can hear thejubilation behind me from labour| thejubilation behind me from labour and the prediction i had from a senior tory yesterday that they would be in for a horrible night has come true. you ran through some of this to districts their foot of the other crucial thing is where these wards have changed hands. —— you ran through some of the statistics.

labour have controlled the council since last year, they have had one mp in the form of luke pollard since 2017 so all eyes would have been on those boards in the north of the city. in reality, those boards have been gobbled up by labour this evening, so they will feel it augurs well for their prospects in the general election. he also mentioned gary streeter, his seat as a semi—urban one, a big chunk of the easter plymouth and a big chunk of rural devon. the picture is slightly fabricated because there are some independent candidates in plymouth born of fractures within the conservative party and they are contributing to the damage to the tories there. but there will be long faces in that part of the city as well. �* ., ., , ., faces in that part of the city as well. �* ., ., , well. and what would your contacts on the ground _ well. and what would your contacts on the ground attribute _ well. and what would your contacts on the ground attribute these i well. and what would your contacts on the ground attribute these big i on the ground attribute these big changes to? voters might remember year there was a huge row at

plymouth council because there was a big argument over trees in the city. the same kind of thing has happened in sheffield, massive local consequences for politicians there. but this time round, what do you attribute this huge change to? ltrefoil. attribute this huge change to? well, i think the issue _ attribute this huge change to? well, i think the issue with _ attribute this huge change to? well, i think the issue with the _ attribute this huge change to? 11 i think the issue with the trees still seems to be very alive to the conservatives. the conservative leader who signed that executive order to cut down the trees had disappeared before last year because my collections but a colleague of mine produced a pre—election report in plymouth looking at the topic of the trees, nobody from the conservative group wished to contribute. the election campaign is extremely unusual for no representative of one of the major parties to contribute. but more broadly, i mean, plymouth is an unusual place in the south—west in that it's a straight fight between the tories and labour. it is

somewhere traditionally that goes with the national tide, so for instance plymouth had two labour city centre mps all the way through the tony blair and gordon brown years. so if they are riding high nationally you would expect plymouth to be going with that tide. thank ou so to be going with that tide. thank you so much _ to be going with that tide. thank you so much for— to be going with that tide. thank you so much forjoining - to be going with that tide. thank you so much forjoining us. i to be going with that tide. thank you so much forjoining us. we l to be going with that tide. thank you so much forjoining us. we might be back with you a bit late in the programme. really interesting result plymouth. jonathan gullis, seeing that kind of huge drop in the city of your colleague, johnny mercer, you must be pretty gutted. i of your colleague, johnny mercer, you must be pretty gutted. i always feel for the councillors _ you must be pretty gutted. i always feel for the councillors who - you must be pretty gutted. i always feel for the councillors who work i feel for the councillors who work tremendously hard in the local communities. a lot of work incredibly hard for, let's be frank, very little — incredibly hard for, let's be frank, very little pay in return because it's about — very little pay in return because it's about public service. in behalf of the _ it's about public service. in behalf of the conservative party i'm very sorry— of the conservative party i'm very sorry to _ of the conservative party i'm very sorry to see — of the conservative party i'm very sorry to see they have lost their seats _ sorry to see they have lost their seats but — sorry to see they have lost their seats but what i will say is that the prime _ seats but what i will say is that the prime minister has a clear plan. we are _ the prime minister has a clear plan. we are sticking to that plan. we are seeing _ we are sticking to that plan. we are seeing progress towards those five

pledges _ seeing progress towards those five ledies. ~ ., , .,, pledges. would it be right to stick to their plant _ pledges. would it be right to stick to their plant of _ pledges. would it be right to stick to their plant of the _ pledges. would it be right to stick to their plant of the public - pledges. would it be right to stickj to their plant of the public doesn't like it, is sticking to it the right thing to do? the like it, is sticking to it the right thing to do?— like it, is sticking to it the right thin to do? , , thing to do? the five pledges the arameter thing to do? the five pledges the parameter outlined _ thing to do? the five pledges the parameter outlined are _ thing to do? the five pledges the parameter outlined are the i parameter outlined are the priorities of the british public. the cost — priorities of the british public. the cost of living, immigration, the conservative party at the only party sitting _ conservative party at the only party sitting at _ conservative party at the only party sitting at a — conservative party at the only party sitting at a clear direction. labour is full— sitting at a clear direction. labour is full of— sitting at a clear direction. labour is full of fudge and flip—flopping and ultimately they are saying they williust_ and ultimately they are saying they willjust copy and paste what we are already— willjust copy and paste what we are already doing. gur willjust copy and paste what we are already doing-— willjust copy and paste what we are already doing. our reform uk giving ou the already doing. our reform uk giving you the heebie-jeebies _ already doing. our reform uk giving you the heebie-jeebies we _ already doing. our reform uk giving you the heebie-jeebies we saw- already doing. our reform uk giving you the heebie-jeebies we saw that l you the heebie—jeebies we saw that result from lincolnshire. reform did well there. we have simply results in sunderland as well. a lot of these local elections, they are not standing but it would seem that where they are, they are doing pretty well, that must be concerning to you. pretty well, that must be concerning to ou. ~ ., ., ., pretty well, that must be concerning to ou.~ ., ., ., to you. what i would say to those who have been _ to you. what i would say to those who have been considering i to you. what i would say to those j

who have been considering voting to you. what i would say to those i who have been considering voting 44, we know— who have been considering voting 44, we know one — who have been considering voting 44, we know one of the top priorities is about— we know one of the top priorities is about protecting our borders. labour will cancel— about protecting our borders. labour will cancel the rwanda flights, they have a _ will cancel the rwanda flights, they have a leader who wanted to campaign for a second _ have a leader who wanted to campaign for a second referendum and compete form _ for a second referendum and compete for... g , ., for a second referendum and compete for... . , ., ._ for a second referendum and compete for... , ., for a second referendum and compete for...i , ., ., for... just the other day you are talkin: for... just the other day you are talking about — for... just the other day you are talking about all _ for... just the other day you are talking about all the _ for. .. just the other day you are talking about all the new- for... just the other day you are | talking about all the new project managing to get an asylum seeker to rwanda. and yet reform have done as well as they have. bind rwanda. and yet reform have done as well as they have.— well as they have. and we can show ou the well as they have. and we can show you the change. _ well as they have. and we can show you the change, since _ well as they have. and we can show you the change, since 2021- well as they have. and we can show you the change, since 2021 the i you the change, since 2021 the tories have dropped by 20%. back then they were the brexit party, granted, but a drop of 20%. it’s a granted, but a drop of 20%. it's a timely reminder _ granted, but a drop of 20%. it's a timely reminder that _ granted, but a drop of 20%. it's a timely reminder that if _ granted, but a drop of 20%. it's a timely reminder that if they i granted, but a drop of 20%. it's a timely reminder that if they vote for reform the will end up with sir keir starmer who doesn't share their values _ keir starmer who doesn't share their values and _ keir starmer who doesn't share their values and beliefs in controlling our borders. let's not forget that wes streeting chose yesterday to tweet _ wes streeting chose yesterday to tweet out that if you vote conservative, , tweet out that if you vote conservative,, you're some sort of racist _ conservative,, you're some sort of racist~ i'm — conservative,, you're some sort of racist. i'm hopingjonathan conservative,, you're some sort of racist. i'm hoping jonathan will condemn— racist. i'm hoping jonathan will

condemn those comments because to suggest _ condemn those comments because to suggest that people voting for a mainstream political parties is somehow white supremacist is disgusting and abhorrent, especially when the _ disgusting and abhorrent, especially when the labour party are found to have breached the equality act three times— have breached the equality act three times under former leaderjeremy times under former leader jeremy corbyn ~~ — times under former leaderjeremy corb n... ., ., times under former leaderjeremy corb n...i ., ., ., , times under former leaderjeremy corb n...i . ., , ., corbyn. .. jonathan, do you wish to resond? corbyn. .. jonathan, do you wish to respond? this _ corbyn. .. jonathan, do you wish to respond? this is _ corbyn. .. jonathan, do you wish to respond? this isjust _ corbyn. .. jonathan, do you wish to respond? this isjust nonsense. i corbyn. .. jonathan, do you wish to | respond? this isjust nonsense. he respond? this is 'ust nonsense. he is auoin respond? this is 'ust nonsense. he is going on — respond? this isjust nonsense. he is going on about — respond? this isjust nonsense. he is going on about immigration, i respond? this isjust nonsense. he is going on about immigration, and rwanda and is doing very well to have speedily gone through all his lines in his roofing pack with every question he gets. you are you with a guy who was nearly bursting with excitement the other day a prime minister's questions about this fellow who has been given three grand t go back to rwanda. there are over 700 crossed the channel, that's more than your rwanda scheme is going to take over your idea is if people come to the country—

your idea is if people come to the country they can claim asylum and then process them quicker. if you process— then process them quicker. if you process it — then process them quicker. if you process it quicker, where are you going _ process it quicker, where are you going to — process it quicker, where are you going to put them? are you going to do a returns — going to put them? are you going to do a returns deal with iran or syria? — do a returns deal with iran or s ria? ., , ., �* do a returns deal with iran or s ria? .,�* ., , syria? please don't patronise me. you're not — syria? please don't patronise me. you're not going _ syria? please don't patronise me. you're not going to _ syria? please don't patronise me. you're not going to do _ syria? please don't patronise me. you're not going to do returns i syria? please don't patronise me. | you're not going to do returns deal so you _ you're not going to do returns deal so you will— you're not going to do returns deal so you will accept that they stay in the country — so you will accept that they stay in the country and you are aiding and appending— the country and you are aiding and appending the smuggling gangs. get to the _ appending the smuggling gangs. get to the uk, they let you claim asylum because _ to the uk, they let you claim asylum because as _ to the uk, they let you claim asylum because as long as you stay, you are from _ because as long as you stay, you are from the _ because as long as you stay, you are from the country that is no longer say. from the country that is no longer sa . ., from the country that is no longer sa , ., ., ., from the country that is no longer sa. .,~ from the country that is no longer sa. .,~ , ., ., say. no one on wednesday is going to net on the say. no one on wednesday is going to get on the flights _ say. no one on wednesday is going to get on the flights if _ say. no one on wednesday is going to get on the flights if they _ say. no one on wednesday is going to get on the flights if they take - say. no one on wednesday is going to get on the flights if they take off. i get on the flights if they take off. we will find out.— we will find out. yes, we will. there is no — we will find out. yes, we will. there is no cap _ we will find out. yes, we will. there is no cap on _ we will find out. yes, we will. there is no cap on the - we will find out. yes, we will. l there is no cap on the scheme. we will find out. yes, we will. - there is no cap on the scheme. there are a band said there is no cap on the scheme —— the rushmoor government said there is no cap on the scheme. there is no cap on the scheme and when we get the deal off the ground, you watch how many mainstream european countries will copy the deal, and you have no idea.

700 in a week. there he was at pmqs trying _ 700 in a week. there he was at pmqs trying to— 700 in a week. there he was at pmqs trying to give the impression it was all about— trying to give the impression it was all about him.— all about him. jonathan and jonathan. — all about him. jonathan and jonathan, right, _ all about him. jonathan and jonathan, right, political. all about him. jonathan and i jonathan, right, political debate, it's good to be passionate but we also want to be able to hear what you are both saying and we want you to answer a specific, different question. what is the labour proposal to deal with the tens of thousands of people who are stuck in this country in part of the asylum backlog? irate this country in part of the asylum backlo: ? ~ ., ., this country in part of the asylum backloa? ., ., , , ,, backlog? we have to properly process these asylum — backlog? we have to properly process these asylum claims _ backlog? we have to properly process these asylum claims and _ backlog? we have to properly process these asylum claims and recruit i backlog? we have to properly process these asylum claims and recruit the i these asylum claims and recruit the staff to _ these asylum claims and recruit the staff to process the claims and recruit — staff to process the claims and recruit the staff who can actually deal with — recruit the staff who can actually deal with the people and send them back to _ deal with the people and send them back to the places that they have come _ back to the places that they have come from if they're not supposed to be here _ come from if they're not supposed to be here so _ come from if they're not supposed to be here. ., , . ., ., be here. so to be clear with our view was _ be here. so to be clear with our view was doctor _ be here. so to be clear with our view was doctor and _ be here. so to be clear with our view was doctor and then i be here. so to be clear with our. view was doctor and then we have be here. so to be clear with our- view was doctor and then we have to go out of the criminal gangs

the conservatives say they are trying to smash the gangs, but to be clear, the labour plan is to allow people already here to make their claims and go through the system and your plan is to speed the system up and make it more efficient? irate and make it more efficient? we have and make it more efficient? we have a hue and make it more efficient? we have a huge backlog- _ and make it more efficient? we have a huge backlog. and that _ and make it more efficient? we have a huge backlog. and that huge i a huge backlog. and that huge backlog — a huge backlog. and that huge backlog in the system entices and encourages the gangs to bring people here. encourages the gangs to bring people here~ it _ encourages the gangs to bring people here. it doesn't deter people. we need _ here. it doesn't deter people. we need to— here. it doesn't deter people. we need to deal with that we have to clear_ need to deal with that we have to clear the — need to deal with that we have to clear the backlog. micro wine it's a really— clear the backlog. micro wine it's a really important point to the viewers, _ really important point to the viewers, are you saying that the whole _ viewers, are you saying that the whole notion of deporting people to other countries for their claims to be processed, that that definitively comes_ be processed, that that definitively comes to _ be processed, that that definitively comes to an end if you win the election? _ comes to an end if you win the election?— comes to an end if you win the election? ~ ., ., _, election? we are not continuing with the rwanda scheme. _ election? we are not continuing with the rwanda scheme. at _ election? we are not continuing with the rwanda scheme. at the - election? we are not continuing with the rwanda scheme. at the moment these people are in the system. we are paying for it because they are in a limbo—

are paying for it because they are in a limbo land on the taxpayer is funding _ in a limbo land on the taxpayer is funding it — in a limbo land on the taxpayer is funding it and we need to process the claims — funding it and we need to process the claims and if they don't have the claims and if they don't have the right— the claims and if they don't have the right to be here we will ensure they are _ the right to be here we will ensure they are sent back to their countries that they come from if they don't— countries that they come from if they don't have the right to be there — they don't have the right to be there. ~ . they don't have the right to be there. ~' ., ., ., �* they don't have the right to be there. ~' ., ., ., there. like iran or syria? but at there. like iran or syria? but at the moment— there. like iran or syria? but at the moment they _ there. like iran or syria? but at the moment they are _ there. like iran or syria? but at the moment they are in serum l there. like iran or syria? but at l the moment they are in serum -- the moment they are in serum —— limbo, staying in hotels paid for by the taxpayer and they have these gimmicks when 700 more came over on wednesday. if you have 90,000 people staying are you told the smugglers they should bring more people. more pressure to the hotel in nhs and schools which cost more to the taxpayer. mi; schools which cost more to the taxa er. g ,_ . schools which cost more to the taxaer. . . ,., ., taxpayer. my specific question to ou is taxpayer. my specific question to you is how on — taxpayer. my specific question to you is how on earth _ taxpayer. my specific question to you is how on earth are you - taxpayer. my specific question to | you is how on earth are you going to persuade voters that when you have a scheme that may or may not be able to get 200 people to rwanda in short order, that is the initial capacity of the scheme, how can you convince the public that is the way to deal with it when there are tens of thousands of people stuck in the

system? thousands of people stuck in the s stem? �* , ., ., system? because we have made it clear if you — system? because we have made it clear if you arrive _ system? because we have made it clear if you arrive in _ system? because we have made it clear if you arrive in the _ system? because we have made it clear if you arrive in the country i clear if you arrive in the country illegally you will not be able to claim asylum and that's one part and we've done a deal with france which stopped 23,000 vessels coming across last year and we have agreements with albania that saw a 90% drop. macro and then 700 people came across the channel. ——. one thing is they will say they will keep the rwanda scheme in a while. i will bring in susan kramer, who has been head in hands about this, but are you saying definitively that the prime minister would ignore the ruling of the european court? the prime ruling of the european court? iue: prime minister has ruling of the european court? iu9 prime minister has made ruling of the european court? iu9: prime minister has made clear ruling of the european court? iu9 prime minister has made clear that a foreign court cannot enter clean and he includes the european court. that didn't like that _

he includes the european court. that didn't like that as _ he includes the european court. that didn't like that as the legislation... didn't like that as the legislation. . .- didn't like that as the legislation... didn't like that as the leuislation... �*, ., . ., legislation... he's made it clear len of legislation... he's made it clear plenty of times. _ legislation... he's made it clear plenty of times. listening - legislation... he's made it clear plenty of times. listening to - legislation... he's made it clear. plenty of times. listening to these two arguing _ plenty of times. listening to these two arguing passionately - plenty of times. listening to these two arguing passionately and - two arguing passionately and chucking brickbats over immigration, what goes through your mind? what what goes through your mind? what noes what goes through your mind? what goes through _ what goes through your mind? what goes through my — what goes through your mind? what goes through my mind is that we need to bring _ goes through my mind is that we need to bring the _ goes through my mind is that we need to bring the country— goes through my mind is that we need to bring the country together- goes through my mind is that we need to bring the country together and - to bring the country together and not try— to bring the country together and not try to — to bring the country together and not try to split _ to bring the country together and not try to split the _ to bring the country together and not try to split the country- to bring the country together and not try to split the country apart i not try to split the country apart and to— not try to split the country apart and to accuse _ not try to split the country apart and to accuse people _ not try to split the country apart and to accuse people of- not try to split the country apart and to accuse people of not - not try to split the country apart i and to accuse people of not being patriots _ and to accuse people of not being patriots because _ and to accuse people of not being patriots because they _ and to accuse people of not being patriots because they don't - and to accuse people of not being i patriots because they don't support one policy, — patriots because they don't support one policy. this _ patriots because they don't support one policy, this kind _ patriots because they don't support one policy, this kind of— one policy, this kind of mudslinging is exactly— one policy, this kind of mudslinging is exactly what _ one policy, this kind of mudslinging is exactly what i _ one policy, this kind of mudslinging is exactly what i find _ one policy, this kind of mudslinging is exactly what i find that _ one policy, this kind of mudslinging is exactly what i find that people i is exactly what i find that people on the _ is exactly what i find that people on the doorstep _ is exactly what i find that people on the doorstep are _ is exactly what i find that people on the doorstep are fed - is exactly what i find that people on the doorstep are fed up - is exactly what i find that people on the doorstep are fed up and i on the doorstep are fed up and tired~ — on the doorstep are fed up and tired~ they— on the doorstep are fed up and tired. they want _ on the doorstep are fed up and tired. they want the _ on the doorstep are fed up and tired. they want the country. tired. they want the country healed and pulled — tired. they want the country healed and pulled together. _ tired. they want the country healed and pulled together. they- tired. they want the country healed and pulled together. they want - tired. they want the country healed and pulled together. they want a l and pulled together. they want a sensible — and pulled together. they want a sensible control _ and pulled together. they want a sensible control mechanism - and pulled together. they want a sensible control mechanism to l and pulled together. they want a . sensible control mechanism to deal with immigration— sensible control mechanism to deal with immigration are _ sensible control mechanism to deal with immigration are they- sensible control mechanism to deal with immigration are they one - sensible control mechanism to deall with immigration are they one policy that will— with immigration are they one policy that will forward _ with immigration are they one policy that will forward the _ with immigration are they one policy that will forward the quality of- with immigration are they one policy that will forward the quality of the l that will forward the quality of the economy— that will forward the quality of the economy and _ that will forward the quality of the economy and decent _ that will forward the quality of the economy and decent public- that will forward the quality of the i economy and decent public services and jobs _ economy and decent public services and jobs and — economy and decent public services and jobs and opportunities, - economy and decent public services and jobs and opportunities, and - and jobs and opportunities, and around — and jobs and opportunities, and around that— and jobs and opportunities, and around that we _ and jobs and opportunities, and around that we build _ and jobs and opportunities, and around that we build common l and jobs and opportunities, and - around that we build common ground and pull— around that we build common ground and pull people — around that we build common ground and pull people together _ around that we build common ground and pull people together and - around that we build common ground and pull people together and franklyl and pull people together and frankly if you and pull people together and frankly it you want _ and pull people together and frankly it you want to — and pull people together and frankly if you want to pull _ and pull people together and frankly if you want to pull people _ and pull people together and frankly if you want to pull people together, | if you want to pull people together, please, _

if you want to pull people together, please, take — if you want to pull people together, please, take a look— if you want to pull people together, please, take a look at _ if you want to pull people together, please, take a look at the _ if you want to pull people together, please, take a look at the liberal. please, take a look at the liberal democrats — please, take a look at the liberal democrats because _ please, take a look at the liberal democrats because we _ please, take a look at the liberal democrats because we think - please, take a look at the liberal democrats because we think that please, take a look at the liberal. democrats because we think that is where _ democrats because we think that is where we _ democrats because we think that is where we stand _ democrats because we think that is where we stand and _ democrats because we think that is where we stand and we _ democrats because we think that is where we stand and we can - democrats because we think that is where we stand and we can do - democrats because we think that is where we stand and we can do that| where we stand and we can do that and push _ where we stand and we can do that and push for— where we stand and we can do that and push for that, _ where we stand and we can do that and push for that, that _ where we stand and we can do that and push for that, that kind - where we stand and we can do that and push for that, that kind of- and push for that, that kind of change — and push for that, that kind of change in _ and push for that, that kind of change in this _ and push for that, that kind of change in this country. - and push for that, that kind of change in this country. i- and push for that, that kind of change in this country. i don't| and push for that, that kind of- change in this country. i don't want trattles— change in this country. i don't want battles like — change in this country. i don't want battles like this _ change in this country. i don't want battles like this to _ change in this country. i don't want battles like this to be _ change in this country. i don't want battles like this to be the _ change in this country. i don't want battles like this to be the heart - change in this country. i don't want battles like this to be the heart of. battles like this to be the heart of politics. _ battles like this to be the heart of politics. what i_ battles like this to be the heart of politics, what i want is— battles like this to be the heart of politics, what i want is people - politics, what i want is people working — politics, what i want is people working together _ politics, what i want is people working together on - politics, what i want is people working together on the - politics, what i want is people working together on the great politics, what i want is people - working together on the great common ground _ working together on the great common ground we _ working together on the great common ground we have — working together on the great common ground we have-— ground we have. there was i thinking because they — ground we have. there was i thinking because they had _ ground we have. there was i thinking because they had the _ ground we have. there was i thinking because they had the same _ ground we have. there was i thinking because they had the same first - ground we have. there was i thinking | because they had the same first name they might be able to debate on a slightly different way but it's good to have passionate arguments in politics, no doubt about it. let's remind you of the state of the parties. we can show you that the lib dems are making some gains tonight and gained five councillors on 258. there it is. the liberal democrats have gained five councillors and the conservatives have lost 84 and we are only in the foothills of a himalayan range of election results but at the moment they are losing two thirds of the seats they have been defending.

labour gaining 46 taking them to 200 and the green party with their co—leader sounding cheery earlier on with nine seats putting them on 15 and the residents, their tally is there for you now. and in terms of control of councils, and it's important when we talk about the map and where the party wants to make again or not make losses, labour have gained three councils, rushmoor, hartlepool and they are cock—a—hoop about rushmoor and the tories are losing as well and north east lincolnshire has become a hung with no party in control as knocked off tory control. labour are making progress in parts of the country that they wanted to but we were talking earlier in the night to various guests about some issues they've had with seemingly losing votes over the leadership stance on

the israel and gaza conflict. we can speak to andrew fisher who was one ofjeremy corbyn's senior advisers when he was leader of the labour party and thanks for hanging on to speak to us in the early hours. from what you've seen so far, how big a problem do you think the leadership's position on the middle east has been? it’s leadership's position on the middle east has been?— east has been? it's definitely a roblem. east has been? it's definitely a problem. overall— east has been? it's definitely a problem. overall labour- east has been? it's definitely a problem. overall labour is - east has been? it's definitely a i problem. overall labour is gaining seats from the conservatives in places like rushmoor and peter browne thurrock and they will be happy with that and they are taking lots of seeds of conservative —— peter boro and thurrock. and we will see it with other places like bristol coming in. people are disillusioned on things like gaza, but even like the green new deal policy as well. labour does need to have a think about its message to be a bit more bold and confident and give people a reason to vote. people have a reason not to vote

conservative and you've seen that with the voters staying at home or going to reform or the lib dems or going to reform or the lib dems or going to reform or the lib dems or going to labour or the greens. istallion going to labour or the greens. when it comes to — going to labour or the greens. when it comes to the _ going to labour or the greens. when it comes to the general— going to labour or the greens. when it comes to the general election, isn't it canny politics what they are doing because they don't have to stack up votes in those places, because they are places where they have big majorities already. iher;r have big ma'orities already. they are have big ma'orities already. they winning — have big majorities already. they are winning seats _ have big majorities already. ii9 are winning seats from have big majorities already. ii91: are winning seats from the conservatives because they are doing very badly and that's been the case for the last two years, post liz truss and the recession that they put us into, so the conservative results have been on the floor for two years with both sets of local elections and all the by—elections we've had since so labour is doing very well picking up seats from the conservatives and that will put them over the line in the general election certainly. in over the line in the general election certainly.- over the line in the general election certainly. over the line in the general election certainl . , :, . election certainly. in terms of what is next for the _ election certainly. in terms of what is next for the labour _ election certainly. in terms of what is next for the labour party, - election certainly. in terms of what is next for the labour party, do - election certainly. in terms of what| is next for the labour party, do you think the lefties being listened to in the way you want to? you outlined a few things there have been

anxieties about, the middle east or giving up on the £28 billion year promised for spending on green projects? i promised for spending on green nro'ects? .. , promised for spending on green nro'ects? ~' , , projects? i think the left is being deliberately _ projects? i think the left is being deliberately marginalised - projects? i think the left is being deliberately marginalised under| projects? i think the left is being - deliberately marginalised under keir starmer, no doubt about it, but the reality is the more the greens do well, that will be a wake—up call for some labour mps whose seats might be under threat. we've seen surprising results with labour possibly losing the oldham council and i don't think anyone expected that and i don't think it is confirmed but that seems to be the indication so it's having strange ramifications for labour and they have to inspire people to vote for them. they can't rely on the conservatives to be terrible although that look set in stone now. the worry is when they get into the government may face huge problems with the nhs, schools, the shortage of teachers, the economy flat lining of teachers, the economy flat lining of the last two or three years, and they have a real mountain to climb to get things turned around and

unless they have the policy is to turnit unless they have the policy is to turn it around, that disillusioned currently with the conservatives could be switched to a labour government so for me it's not about winning the next election and it looks safe as it can be this far out, but it's about what they do in government when they get there. bind government when they get there. and for ou, as government when they get there. and for you, as things stand, do they have the policies they need, yes or no? ., , ., ,., have the policies they need, yes or no? ., , ., no? not quite. they have some good nolicies to no? not quite. they have some good policies to public _ no? not quite. they have some good policies to public ownership - no? not quite. they have some good policies to public ownership of - no? not quite. they have some good policies to public ownership of the i policies to public ownership of the railways and workers' rights if they stick to it and even the green new deal would be an improvement but they need to put the funding behind it to make sure they deliver and meet their targets because the worst thing they can do is leave it to the market, not putting enough funding and people end up paying more on their bills are not seeing the rewards because there is a huge opportunity in the green transition to create good jobs, reduce peoples bills through a combination of home insulation and domestically home generated electricity and if we don't put in that funding we will get the disillusion so they need bolder policies but if they do that

they can stay in power for a long time because the conservatives are in a real state, as we see tonight. andrew fisher, thanks for hanging on and good to hear an interesting perspective from a different part of the labour party than the one we heard in the studio tonight. jonathan ashworth, i know you have common cause on many issues with andrew fisher as he was very much part ofjeremy corbyn's project but he says you have deliberately marginalised the left and you has said you don't have the policies you need and you could see a situation if you're lucky enough to win the general election where the disillusionment with the conservative switches to you. me conservative switches to you. i've alwa s conservative switches to you. i've always got _ conservative switches to you. i've always got on well— conservative switches to you. i�*9 always got on well with andrew conservative switches to you. i9 always got on well with andrew and listened to him and i read his columns carefully, so i wouldn't want people to think there is an issue between this at all. you're beinn issue between this at all. you're being nice _ issue between this at all. you're being nice but _ issue between this at all. you're being nice but to answer- issue between this at all. you're being nice but to answer his i being nice but to answer his question, he says you're not doing enoughin question, he says you're not doing enough in the labour party. irate

question, he says you're not doing enough in the labour party. we do have a transformative _ enough in the labour party. we do have a transformative agenda i enough in the labour party. we do have a transformative agenda and | enough in the labour party. we do i have a transformative agenda and we do want to improve working conditions and make work pay for working people by giving people decent workplace rights and conditions on the right to join trade unions and the right to have parental leave and dealing with exploitative zero—hours contracts and it's called the new deal for workers and it's a big part of the programme. pare workers and it's a big part of the programme-— workers and it's a big part of the nnroramme. : y., ., ., ., programme. are you going to water it down as reported _ programme. are you going to water it down as reported this _ programme. are you going to water it down as reported this week? - programme. are you going to water it down as reported this week? no, i programme. are you going to water itj down as reported this week? no, keir starmer spoke — down as reported this week? no, keir starmer spoke at _ down as reported this week? no, keir starmer spoke at the _ down as reported this week? no, keir starmer spoke at the shop _ down as reported this week? no, keir starmer spoke at the shop workers i starmer spoke at the shop workers union this week and restated his commitment to the new deal for workers and andrew is right about investing in renewable energy sources but that will not only create good jobs, well—paid unionised jobs and cut energy bills for others so i do think there is not this huge chasm you are trying to suggest between me and andrew in that respect. i think we have him porton policies that will excite

people in the general election. —— important policies. what he says you need to tread carefully because people fear keir starmer is not giving them enough full fat labour. and they might be terribly disillusioned with you very quickly if you are lucky enough to win the general election if you are not giving them what they are wanting and not radical enough? do you not accept that? we and not radical enough? do you not accept that?— accept that? we have to win an election and the _ accept that? we have to win an election and the results - accept that? we have to win an i election and the results coming in so far are good results but there is a long way to go until the general election and we are not complacent. we know we have to fight for every single vote. we know that next general election is competitive. no matter how badly the tories do tonight the next general election will be competitive and it is a fight and if people want to change the direction of the country after 14 years of the conservatives they need to come out and vote labour and thatis need to come out and vote labour and that is the message we will take to people in the general election. the aeneral people in the general election. the general election is a long way away

and if a week is a long time in politics than we might be centuries away from the general election and important to remember when we sit talking about the local election in 2017 it looked like theresa may was on course for a generational landslide in a few weeks later she discovered she had chucked away a majority, so campaigns change things. let's take you to the results from hull with the liberal democrats holding off the challenge from labour and we can confirm that the liberal democrats got 31, labour 26, so not much in it and other —— none of the other party scoring that the liberal democrats slipped to one and labour gained one but the lib dems will be happy to hold off the challenge from the labour party fine northern city on the east coast. let's look at the share. first one of the night when the share is the same. but the change, the lib dems up same. but the change, the lib dems up five and labour up by 9%. so that

might give the lib dems a few wobbles in terms of how things change but a victory is a victory. now, this is a really interesting one because we have been talking about changing seats in terms of the numbers of changes but you are going to give us the span across the years. to give us the span across the ears. : , ,., y to give us the span across the ears. : , ,., , , ., , years. absolutely. these are rishi sunak's second _ years. absolutely. these are rishi sunak's second set _ years. absolutely. these are rishi sunak's second set of _ years. absolutely. these are rishi sunak's second set of local- sunak's second set of local elections as prime minister and you can see here that we now have enough information based on 23 of the councils that have been declared to work out what proportion of the vote the conservatives are losing tonight and you can see the dotted line there shows the conservatives are now on course to be losing 54% of the seats that they were holding. to put this into some sort of perspective, if you go right the way

back to 2009, this is under gordon brown, and at that point i can tell you that that represents 62%, so at that point in 2009, gordon brown have lost 62% or i should say the labour party under gordon brown had lost 62% of the seats they were holding the previous year so, at the moment, the conservatives are not on course for something quite as low as that. but that is not going to feel conservative party hearts with joy. let me show you what that percentage translates as actual seats. again, it is based on the 23 councils we had declared so far, so if the voting patterns continue in the same way, and there's no reason to believe they shouldn't because the councils that have declared already are representative of the councils

overall in the next couple of days, we are saying that it looks as though the conservatives are on course to lose 539 seats, so that would be over half of the ones they were holding as we went into these elections. labour gaining 278, and the liberal democrats on 59, and that, as i say, is on the basis of 23 councils declared.— that, as i say, is on the basis of 23 councils declared. thank you very much, 23 councils declared. thank you very much. and — 23 councils declared. thank you very much. and if — 23 councils declared. thank you very much, and if people _ 23 councils declared. thank you very much, and if people weren't - 23 councils declared. thank you very | much, and if people weren't watching much, and if people weren't watching much earlier in the night, remind us why there is a prime minister missing from the top of your excellent chart? it's good you keep reminding us of this. the keen eyed among you will see there was a liz truss between borisjohnson and rishi sunak and we haven't included her because there were no elections fought during her time. just for that clarification, in case anybody

saw we were making a point by not including, there were no local elections in her time in charge so that's why she is not on the chart. let's look at peter borough —— the independents have taken 17 with the tories on 11, but let's show you this. it is interesting because peterborough is the place labour want to show progress before the general election, and the tories have lost 13 seats in peterborough with labour gaining four but the tories losing i3 and there is the share of the vote with the tories narrowly ahead with 29% to labour's 26 but dropping away by 16%, so that kind of pretty steep drop for the conservative vote happening also in the peterborough council election and a rare bright spot for the tories as they held on to fareham council in the south of england

where the former home secretary sowell o where the former home secretary sowell 0 has a seat and there were some nerves that might disappear they could lose control but they have managed to hold on to the council. let's show you the change in what has happened as the tories have lost five seats and it is the lib dems that have gained macro for —— four. so a result for you therefrom fareham and i can give you another police and crime commissioner result in cumbria where labour has gained it, taking it from the tories, so the police and crime commissioner, david allen, takes thatjob from the conservative, mike johnson. let's take a look at the percentages. 47 for labour and 34th conservatives. let's look at the share change and i hope i can show you the swing with labour up 21% on the tories down 23, and this will be a whopper. sorry about the tories down 23, and this will be a whopper. sorry about that, this will be the swing. but for police

and crime commissioners, we will do the same for blackpool south and we can show you the swing. 22% coming from the conservatives over to the labour party in the contest for the cumbrian police and crime commissioner. ijust want cumbrian police and crime commissioner. i just want to show you pictures of what is happening in redditch where there is another competitive count going on with labour hopeful of taking the council there and we were talking to james pearson, our reporter on the ground, with labour seemingly cheery but not able to confirm anything yet although the smaller parties were whispering to him about labour being able to take that council, so as soon as we have a result, we will confirm that for you if it comes to pass. now, we've spent a lot of time talking tonight about the blackpool south by—election because it's a really important contest. the only by—election of this huge set of results. the reform party have been

vying with the tories for second place. labour is expected to take the seat, perhaps comfortably, but let's check in with the leader of the reform party, richard tice, who joins us from blackpool and thanks for hanging on and joining us for the programme. can you tell us what is going to happen? the programme. can you tell us what is going to happen?— is going to happen? laura, good mornin: , is going to happen? laura, good morning. it's — is going to happen? laura, good morning, it's so _ is going to happen? laura, good morning, it's so close _ is going to happen? laura, good morning, it's so close and i is going to happen? laura, good morning, it's so close and too i is going to happen? laura, good i morning, it's so close and too close to call and i am an optimist so obviously i hope we have just pipped it. but from our perspective this is an incredible result, our best result to date and above the national polling average, and it shows we are on the rise and the tories are are essentially slipping. when we are rapidly becoming the real opposition in the north. we had some great results as referred to in sunderland where we be the tories in 16 of 25 wards, so we are making great progress and it's too close to

call but i think there will be a declaration some time in the next 20 or 30 minutes. bind declaration some time in the next 20 or 30 minutes-— or 30 minutes. and you are hopeful, ou sa , or 30 minutes. and you are hopeful, you say. you — or 30 minutes. and you are hopeful, you say. you will _ or 30 minutes. and you are hopeful, you say, you will manage _ or 30 minutes. and you are hopeful, you say, you will manage to - or 30 minutes. and you are hopeful, you say, you will manage to pick i or 30 minutes. and you are hopeful, you say, you will manage to pick the j you say, you will manage to pick the tories to second place. you say, you will manage to pick the tories to second place.— tories to second place. we are ho neful tories to second place. we are hopeful but — tories to second place. we are hopeful but it _ tories to second place. we are hopeful but it is _ tories to second place. we are hopeful but it is so _ tories to second place. we are hopeful but it is so close i tories to second place. we are hopeful but it is so close and l tories to second place. we are hopeful but it is so close and it will either be just above orjust below but from our perspective to have made this progress, our best by—election result ever and usefully above our national polling average and it's onwards and upwards. we've been focusing on getting ready venture general election and it could be in the summer and we will be ready whenever it is and continuing to make great progress. frankly, the country is broken, nothing works, we are in the longest recession for 70 years since records began, per person because that is what matters and the truth is britain needs reform, the economy needs reform the health system needs reform and our immigration needs to be frozen. the immigration system needs reform so where ever you look

people are saying there must be someone out there with common—sense policies and that's why as people hear about us they say i like what i hear about us they say i like what i hear and that is why people are voting for us. the hear and that is why people are voting for us.— hear and that is why people are voting for us. the thing is, if you are not the real— voting for us. the thing is, if you are not the real opposition, i voting for us. the thing is, if you are not the real opposition, why| are not the real opposition, why have you won any real council seats tonight? irate have you won any real council seats toniaht? ~ :, have you won any real council seats toniaht? 9 . ., , have you won any real council seats toninht? . . , tonight? we have a first past the nost tonight? we have a first past the post system _ tonight? we have a first past the post system and _ tonight? we have a first past the post system and we _ tonight? we have a first past the post system and we have - tonight? we have a first past the post system and we have a i tonight? we have a first past the post system and we have a focus tonight? we have a first past the i post system and we have a focus on the general election but the results referred to in sunderland is in some wards you get 30% plus in those council seats and we are delighted with that. rome is not built on a day but we are making great progress where we are standing this is a serious medium term project, its not a one election pressure group and we have been focusing on getting ready for the general election and we will be ready for that and we will surprise lots of people on the upside. but will surprise lots of people on the u side. �* ., will surprise lots of people on the u-side. �* ., , ., , upside. but other smaller parties have been making _ upside. but other smaller parties have been making progress. i upside. but other smaller parties have been making progress. the| have been making progress. the greens have been putting on seats and the independent have been picked

up and the independent have been picked up and you and the brexit party and your ancestors used to pick up lots of seats and you're not doing that night. we of seats and you're not doing that ninht.~ . , of seats and you're not doing that ninht.~ ., , ., night. we are focusing on the neneral. night. we are focusing on the general- the _ night. we are focusing on the general. the greens - night. we are focusing on the general. the greens have i night. we are focusing on the i general. the greens have been night. we are focusing on the - general. the greens have been around a long time, so we are making great progress in the parliamentary seats and actually, you look at the percentages we have in sunderland and elsewhere as results are declared on the mayoral elections and we are excited about how we will perform in those relative to the conservatives and as i say, rome is not built on a day but we are making great progress and all the results are showing we are achieving more than the national polling average and that's an important indicator. it's chris mason here, and you know that critigue — it's chris mason here, and you know that critique you hear from conservatives that a vote for reform is a vote _ conservatives that a vote for reform is a vote that will put keir starmer into downing street, and when we look at the — into downing street, and when we look at the results so far where you have been— look at the results so far where you have been standing you've been doing pretty— have been standing you've been doing pretty well— have been standing you've been doing

pretty well but certainly the critique _ pretty well but certainly the critique that can be made from your opponents — critique that can be made from your opponents is quite a stinging one, and perhaps, general election where people _ and perhaps, general election where people are _ and perhaps, general election where people are picking a government as opposed to councillors, that could have a _ opposed to councillors, that could have a real — opposed to councillors, that could have a real impact on you. no, look, the two main — have a real impact on you. no, look, the two main parties _ have a real impact on you. no, look, the two main parties are _ have a real impact on you. no, look, the two main parties are two - the two main parties are two variants of socialism, high taxes, wasteful government spending, mass immigration, failing health system and its leading to the longest recession per person and no one expects the labour party to create growth with their plans and we do not know what their plans are. the country doesn't need socialism because that will take us to bankruptcy and we need reform and we have to change direction and as far as i'm concerned there is no difference between those two parties and we keep raising taxes, keep spending badly, keep adding mass immigration which the tories brought in completely against what they promise to do, so don't be surprised if they get punished in the polls and deservedly so. he if they get punished in the polls

and deservedly so.— if they get punished in the polls and deservedly so. he 'ust called ou a and deservedly so. he 'ust called you a socialist, i and deservedly so. he 'ust called you a socialist, will i and deservedly so. he just called you a socialist, will you - and deservedly so. he just called you a socialist, will you answer. you a socialist, will you answer that question at the end of the day i think chris made the point perfectly that if you look at the results. ., ., perfectly that if you look at the results. :, ., ., perfectly that if you look at the results. ., ., ., ., results. vote for reform will lead to a label council— results. vote for reform will lead to a label council and _ results. vote for reform will lead to a label council and in _ results. vote for reform will lead to a label council and in my i results. vote for reform will lead to a label council and in my case, j to a label council and in my case, a labour— to a label council and in my case, a labour opponent _ to a label council and in my case, a labour opponent and _ to a label council and in my case, a labour opponent and one - to a label council and in my case, a labour opponent and one who i to a label council and in my case, a labour opponent and one who wasl labour opponent and one who was tweeting _ labour opponent and one who was tweeting to— labour opponent and one who was tweeting to save _ labour opponent and one who was tweeting to save him _ labour opponent and one who was tweeting to save him from - labour opponent and one who was tweeting to save him from brexit i labour opponent and one who was i tweeting to save him from brexit and these _ tweeting to save him from brexit and these people — tweeting to save him from brexit and these pe0ple who _ tweeting to save him from brexit and these people who do _ tweeting to save him from brexit and these people who do not _ tweeting to save him from brexit and these people who do not share the l these people who do not share the values _ these people who do not share the values and — these people who do not share the values and beliefs _ these people who do not share the values and beliefs of _ these people who do not share the values and beliefs of the _ these people who do not share the values and beliefs of the places . these people who do not share the| values and beliefs of the places i'm happy— values and beliefs of the places i'm happy to— values and beliefs of the places i'm happy to represent— values and beliefs of the places i'm happy to represent and _ values and beliefs of the places i'm happy to represent and these - values and beliefs of the places i'm happy to represent and these are l values and beliefs of the places i'm i happy to represent and these are the realities _ happy to represent and these are the realities and — happy to represent and these are the realities and i— happy to represent and these are the realities. and i find _ happy to represent and these are the realities. and i find it _ realities. and i find it bizarre that— realities. and i find it bizarre that wherr— realities. and i find it bizarre that when it _ realities. and i find it bizarre that when it comes - realities. and i find it bizarre that when it comes to - realities. and i find it bizarre - that when it comes to immigration the reform — that when it comes to immigration the reform opposes— that when it comes to immigration the reform opposes the _ that when it comes to immigration the reform opposes the rwanda . that when it comes to immigration - the reform opposes the rwanda scheme which is _ the reform opposes the rwanda scheme which is popular— the reform opposes the rwanda scheme which is popular with— the reform opposes the rwanda scheme which is popular with voters _ the reform opposes the rwanda scheme which is popular with voters on _ which is popular with voters on doorstep — which is popular with voters on doorstep as we _ which is popular with voters on doorstep as we see _ which is popular with voters on doorstep as we see time - which is popular with voters on doorstep as we see time and l which is popular with voters on i doorstep as we see time and time agaih _ doorstep as we see time and time aaain. . ., . doorstep as we see time and time aain. . ., . �*, doorstep as we see time and time aaain. . . . fl. . , again. richard tice? it's clearly not a deterrent. _ again. richard tice? it's clearly not a deterrent. we've - again. richard tice? it's clearly not a deterrent. we've had - again. richard tice? it's clearly| not a deterrent. we've had over again. richard tice? it's clearly - not a deterrent. we've had over 7000 people come over this year and over 1600 migrants have made thejourney since the bill received royal assent which proves it's not a deterrent on the whole thing is a complete farce and everybody knows it isn't the

only way you will stop the boats is to pick up and safely take them back to pick up and safely take them back to france. the belgian authorities are doing and we see a working greece and a variant of what works in australia. the country are tired of the tories talking the talk whenever walking the walk and we are done with it and we want change. my record is clear because i introduced to ignore the european court of human rights and the ten minute rule bill so i've used my parliamentary time to be very clear about the assured time and time again. i have assured time and time again. i have a roud assured time and time again. i have a proud track _ assured time and time again. i have a proud track record _ assured time and time again. i have a proud track record of— assured time and time again. i have a proud track record of that - assured time and time again. i have a proud track record of that and - a proud track record of that and ultimately— a proud track record of that and ultimately it comes _ a proud track record of that and ultimately it comes to - a proud track record of that and ultimately it comes to the - a proud track record of that and | ultimately it comes to the same thing _ ultimately it comes to the same thing time — ultimately it comes to the same thing time and again— ultimately it comes to the same thing time and again which- ultimately it comes to the same thing time and again which is. ultimately it comes to the same . thing time and again which is what richard _ thing time and again which is what richard is — thing time and again which is what richard is calling _ thing time and again which is what richard is calling for— thing time and again which is what richard is calling for is _ thing time and again which is what richard is calling for is not- thing time and again which is what richard is calling for is not what i richard is calling for is not what his own — richard is calling for is not what his own deputy— richard is calling for is not what his own deputy leader- richard is calling for is not what his own deputy leader is - richard is calling for is not what . his own deputy leader is saying on talk radio, — his own deputy leader is saying on talk radio, who _ his own deputy leader is saying on talk radio, who was _ his own deputy leader is saying on talk radio, who was saying - his own deputy leader is saying on talk radio, who was saying he - talk radio, who was saying he would -ive talk radio, who was saying he would give people — talk radio, who was saying he would give people new— talk radio, who was saying he would give people new boats _ talk radio, who was saying he would give people new boats in— talk radio, who was saying he would give people new boats in the - talk radio, who was saying he wouldi give people new boats in the middle of the _ give people new boats in the middle of the english — give people new boats in the middle of the english channel. _ give people new boats in the middle of the english channel. those - of the english channel. those are the words — of the english channel. those are the words that _ of the english channel. those are the words that can _ of the english channel. those are the words that can be _ of the english channel. those are the words that can be found - of the english channel. those are the words that can be found on i of the english channel. those are . the words that can be found on video and i_ the words that can be found on video and i think that — the words that can be found on video and i think that would _ the words that can be found on video and i think that would be _ the words that can be found on video and i think that would be the - the words that can be found on video and i think that would be the most. and i think that would be the most bizarre _ and i think that would be the most bizarre policy— and i think that would be the most bizarre policy of— and i think that would be the most bizarre policy of all. _ and i think that would be the most bizarre policy of all.— bizarre policy of all. richard tice, do ou bizarre policy of all. richard tice, do you want _ bizarre policy of all. richard tice, do you want to — bizarre policy of all. richard tice, do you want to destroy _ bizarre policy of all. richard tice, do you want to destroy the - do you want to destroy the tory party? fist do you want to destroy the tory -a ? �* ., do you want to destroy the tory ta ? r ., , party? at the end of the day competition _ party? at the end of the day competition is _ party? at the end of the day competition is a _ party? at the end of the day competition is a good - party? at the end of the day competition is a good thing l party? at the end of the day| competition is a good thing in the tories are supposed to believe in

competition but because they have become socialist they don't, then countries tired of the fear mongering of the country once and hopein mongering of the country once and hope in vain for people who they believe in and have real policies and real alternative. the country is utterly broken if we don't change because we are heading to disaster and bankruptcy and it is the tories who created this disaster and they have to be ousted.— who created this disaster and they have to be ousted. what do you say to that? at — have to be ousted. what do you say to that? at the — have to be ousted. what do you say to that? at the end _ have to be ousted. what do you say to that? at the end of _ have to be ousted. what do you say to that? at the end of the - have to be ousted. what do you say to that? at the end of the day - have to be ousted. what do you say to that? at the end of the day the l to that? at the end of the day the conservative _ to that? at the end of the day the conservative have _ to that? at the end of the day the conservative have a _ to that? at the end of the day the conservative have a clear - to that? at the end of the day the conservative have a clear plan - to that? at the end of the day the i conservative have a clear plan which is working _ conservative have a clear plan which is working on — conservative have a clear plan which is working on a — conservative have a clear plan which is working on a deal— conservative have a clear plan which is working on a deal with _ conservative have a clear plan which is working on a deal with france - is working on a deal with france that stops— is working on a deal with france that stops the _ is working on a deal with france that stops the 23,000 - is working on a deal with france that stops the 23,000 vessels i that stops the 23,000 vessels coming over and _ that stops the 23,000 vessels coming over and we _ that stops the 23,000 vessels coming over and we have _ that stops the 23,000 vessels coming over and we have the _ that stops the 23,000 vessels coming over and we have the funding - that stops the 23,000 vessels coming over and we have the funding of- that stops the 23,000 vessels coming over and we have the funding of overi over and we have the funding of over £800 _ over and we have the funding of over £800 million — over and we have the funding of over £800 million going _ over and we have the funding of over £800 million going to _ over and we have the funding of over £800 million going to let _ over and we have the funding of over £800 million going to let national. £800 million going to let national crime _ £800 million going to let national crime agency— £800 million going to let national crime agency to smash _ £800 million going to let national crime agency to smash the - £800 million going to let national- crime agency to smash the smuggling gangs _ crime agency to smash the smuggling gangs which _ crime agency to smash the smuggling gangs which is — crime agency to smash the smuggling gangs which is a — crime agency to smash the smuggling gangs which is a huge _ crime agency to smash the smuggling gangs which is a huge increase from . gangs which is a huge increase from 2019 and _ gangs which is a huge increase from 2019 and also — gangs which is a huge increase from 2019 and also the _ gangs which is a huge increase from 2019 and also the rwanda _ gangs which is a huge increase from 2019 and also the rwanda deterrent which _ 2019 and also the rwanda deterrent which will _ 2019 and also the rwanda deterrent which will be — 2019 and also the rwanda deterrent which will be fully— 2019 and also the rwanda deterrent which will be fully fledged _ 2019 and also the rwanda deterrent which will be fully fledged when - 2019 and also the rwanda deterrent which will be fully fledged when wei which will be fully fledged when we -et which will be fully fledged when we get the _ which will be fully fledged when we get the flights _ which will be fully fledged when we get the flights off _ which will be fully fledged when we get the flights off the _ which will be fully fledged when we get the flights off the ground - which will be fully fledged when we get the flights off the ground which we have _ get the flights off the ground which we have treen— get the flights off the ground which we have been battling _ get the flights off the ground which we have been battling the - get the flights off the ground which we have been battling the lefty- we have been battling the lefty lawvers — we have been battling the lefty lawvers on _ we have been battling the lefty lawyers on the _ we have been battling the lefty lawyers on the labour - we have been battling the lefty lawyers on the labour party- we have been battling the lefty lawyers on the labour party to| we have been battling the lefty. lawyers on the labour party to get this through — lawyers on the labour party to get this through parliament _ lawyers on the labour party to get this through parliament and the i this through parliament and the courts— this through parliament and the courts and — this through parliament and the courts and i_ this through parliament and the courts and i believe _ this through parliament and the courts and i believe the - this through parliament and the courts and i believe the public. this through parliament and the . courts and i believe the public will see the _ courts and i believe the public will see the delivery— courts and i believe the public will see the delivery and _ courts and i believe the public will see the delivery and see the - courts and i believe the public will see the delivery and see the polls| see the delivery and see the polls and it— see the delivery and see the polls and it will— see the delivery and see the polls and it will change _ see the delivery and see the polls and it will change significantly - see the delivery and see the polls and it will change significantly asi and it will change significantly as reform — and it will change significantly as reform voters _ and it will change significantly as reform voters see _ and it will change significantly as reform voters see we _ and it will change significantly as reform voters see we are - and it will change significantly as - reform voters see we are delivering.

richard tice, we can see you shaking your head which is not surprising but i want to ask you a question. this time the last cycle, the brexit party, in the end, stood back to make way for the conservatives, which gave them a clearer path to the huge majority in the 2019 election. can you without doing that this time? �* ., . this time? indeed, i've done that before with _ this time? indeed, i've done that before with chris _ this time? indeed, i've done that before with chris mason, - this time? indeed, i've done that i before with chris mason, delighted to reconfirm, 110%, we are not doing any deals with the tories. we trusted them last time they betrayed that trust, they didn't get brexit done properly, they didn't cut immigration people are tired, sick and tired of the tory incompetence and tired of the tory incompetence and lies, we are done with it, we're with the tories, the time for change. is with the tories, the time for chan . e. . with the tories, the time for chan . e. , . . with the tories, the time for chance. , . . ., ., change. is nigel farage going to come and help _ change. is nigel farage going to come and help you _ change. is nigel farage going to come and help you out, - change. is nigel farage going to come and help you out, stand i change. is nigel farage going to | come and help you out, stand for change. is nigel farage going to i come and help you out, stand for a seat somewhere?—

come and help you out, stand for a seat somewhere? everybody is asking that. the clock _ seat somewhere? everybody is asking that. the clock is _ seat somewhere? everybody is asking that. the clock is ticking _ seat somewhere? everybody is asking that. the clock is ticking towards - that. the clock is ticking towards the general election, nor help nigel can give, i welcome it, the better, let's wait and see what the clock is ticking, particularly if it is a summary election.- ticking, particularly if it is a summary election. richard tice, thank you _ summary election. richard tice, thank you for— summary election. richard tice, thank you forjoining _ summary election. richard tice, thank you forjoining us - summary election. richard tice, thank you forjoining us from - thank you forjoining us from blackpool and we will bring you the resultant lack will as we have it. we expect labour to win that parliamentary seat. the battle seems to be very intense according to richard tice, too close to call between the tories and reform for second place, but we shall see. the result we have had is stockport council. it has gone, nobody has overall control, it was already being run by the lib dems as a minority, the world for being able to take control of it. susan, you're going to leave us shortly but were saying earlier that you hoped it would be able to show progress in stockport but it appears you have just fallen short of holding it, taking it outright. latte

just fallen short of holding it, taking it outright.— just fallen short of holding it, taking it outright. just fallen short of holding it, takin: it outriaht. ~ ., ., . , taking it outright. we got two games auainst taking it outright. we got two games against labour _ taking it outright. we got two games against labour in _ taking it outright. we got two games against labour in those _ taking it outright. we got two games against labour in those areas, - against labour in those areas, cheadle — against labour in those areas, cheadle and _ against labour in those areas, cheadle and hazel— against labour in those areas, cheadle and hazel grove, - against labour in those areas, cheadle and hazel grove, we. against labour in those areas, - cheadle and hazel grove, we have won the popular— cheadle and hazel grove, we have won the popular vote, — cheadle and hazel grove, we have won the popular vote, which— cheadle and hazel grove, we have won the popular vote, which is— cheadle and hazel grove, we have won the popular vote, which is really- the popular vote, which is really important — the popular vote, which is really important for _ the popular vote, which is really important for us _ the popular vote, which is really important for us in _ the popular vote, which is really important for us in terms - the popular vote, which is really important for us in terms of - the popular vote, which is really- important for us in terms of looking forward _ important for us in terms of looking forward to— important for us in terms of looking forward to the — important for us in terms of looking forward to the general— important for us in terms of looking forward to the general election. - important for us in terms of looking forward to the general election. wej forward to the general election. we are, you _ forward to the general election. we are. you know. _ forward to the general election. we are. you know. we _ forward to the general election. we are, you know, we are _ forward to the general election. we are, you know, we are pleased - forward to the general election. wej are, you know, we are pleased with that because — are, you know, we are pleased with that because frankly, _ are, you know, we are pleased with that because frankly, we've - are, you know, we are pleased with that because frankly, we've been i that because frankly, we've been facing _ that because frankly, we've been facing overall— that because frankly, we've been facing overall a _ that because frankly, we've been facing overall a major— that because frankly, we've been facing overall a major surge - that because frankly, we've been facing overall a major surge and| that because frankly, we've beenj facing overall a major surge and i think— facing overall a major surge and i think it _ facing overall a major surge and i think it shows _ facing overall a major surge and i think it shows that _ facing overall a major surge and i think it shows that we _ facing overall a major surge and i think it shows that we can - facing overall a major surge and i think it shows that we can stand i facing overall a major surge and i. think it shows that we can stand up against _ think it shows that we can stand up against that — think it shows that we can stand up against that. it's _ think it shows that we can stand up against that-— against that. it's an interesting seat because — against that. it's an interesting seat because right _ against that. it's an interesting seat because right now- against that. it's an interesting seat because right now it - against that. it's an interesting seat because right now it is - against that. it's an interesting l seat because right now it is held against that. it's an interesting - seat because right now it is held by a mixture of conservatives and labour and of course you are trying to set the scene for being able to nab one of them at the general election. ambition is something that all politicians are always full of. we are going to say could buy to you, susan, and also to you, jonathan gallas. so one of a jonathans is going to leave but not quite yet. i'm going to show you

some more pictures of blackpool south. some is testing a microphone so that looks promising. while we wait, we might keep half an eye on those pictures, let's talk to reeta about what happened in thurrock. there was a big gain for the labour party to forgive me in advance if i stop you in the middle of the numbers because if there is a result in blackpool will go straight there. i will shut up immediately! i got thurrock and i got a bit more of the east of england as well because this is by and large the story of labour advancement. in thurrock this is a labour gain, brought you this earlier in the evening, but the results came thick and fast so it's good to go over them again. labour came on 27 seats. let's look at how the seats changed. it is pretty stark, the conservative losing a full 12 seats. labour are picking

them up commit eight seats and four going to the independents. in the referendum, it was 72% leave so labour really advancing there. let's take a look at ipswich, which is a labour hold. 38 seats. it has been labour hold. 38 seats. it has been labour for quite a while, this was a labour for quite a while, this was a labour gain over ten years ago. this is what has happened in terms of seats changed. that again is quite marked. conservatives losing five, a straight swap, to labour. ipswich has been in the news a lot recently with the deflation of dan porter from the conservatives to labour. he holds one of the ipswich seats. the other one is a conservative held seatin other one is a conservative held seat in the house of commons. our analysis suggests based on this pattern of voting, that seat is vulnerable and that labour could well pick that up in a general

election, given what has happened there tonight. one more result to show you overnight. this is southend—on—sea. it started to hang and it remains hung but let's look at what happened to the seats. it interesting, as i said, it is a story of labour advancement, picking up story of labour advancement, picking up three seats, the conservatives losing four and the greens gaining the other one. an interesting picture they are in the east of england. and just to remind you, if you don't already know, you can get all of this information on the bbc website, you can put in your postcode, find out what's going on in your own area. that is the address and of course you can go to the bbc news app as well. and i got all that without blackpool south! quickly going to say goodbye to susan kramer and jonathan gullis, thanks forjoining us and sharing your views and having a good old ramey! always part of politics. in

blackpool south it looks very much like the candidates and their supporters are lining up for some kind of announcement, declaration, before too long. all the classics, the monster raving loony party are there in the front row for us, a fine british tradition. and there is also a baby at the front. chris, as we wait for the result in blackpool south, remind us why it matters to the labour party so much to be able to get a victory they are.— to get a victory they are. because this is the kind _ to get a victory they are. because this is the kind of _ to get a victory they are. because this is the kind of seat _ to get a victory they are. because this is the kind of seat they - to get a victory they are. because | this is the kind of seat they simply have to win, and they have to win significantly. i think they will want to make the case that they can win it by a margin that suggests they might be on track towards winning a general election. certainly as far as the labour spin has been concern, the last day or so, on the basis that they can say

look, this is our westminster by—election contest where people are thinking about electing an mp and therefore thinking of it through the prism of keir starmer and rishi sunak rather than necessarily as far as a local council election might be concerned with other concerns being significant. it is yet another by—election, one in this instance triggered by the departure of a conservative mp under something of a cloud. it's not been the first time that's happened in the last couple of years. we see labour and keir starmer with a campaigning pretty hard in blackpool south, the conservatives have been expecting defeats there for some time, and labour pretty optimistic about winning theirfor some labour pretty optimistic about winning their for some time. labour pretty optimistic about winning theirfor some time. it looks like we're ever closer. forgive me if i interrupt you. there has been so many by—elections in

recent times. one mp said to me, it's like we're having a general election in slow motion and it keeps getting worse. it was a conservative mp, one of those who believes they should just get on with it and have an election as soon as they can. reminders also, we were speaking to richard tice who believes they might have managed to make it into second place. if they do, do you think if we could bother with what looked like a very bad council losses for the conservatives, how do you think that would change the calculations conservative mps? they are worried for their own jobs and worried the sake of the party. it is heebie-jeebies - sake of the party. it is i heebie-jeebies territory. sake of the party. it is - heebie-jeebies territory. if it sake of the party. it 3 heebie—jeebies territory. if it was to play out, if we see reform finishing second in blackpool, alongside how they have been performing in places like lincolnshire with a police and crime commissioner election, also in

sunderland earlier in the evening. the conservatives will make the point that hang on, let's wait for friday and saturday to play out. the mayoral contests still to come. but when you look at the proportion of seats that the conservatives are losing at this stage, that they are defending, north of 50%, that would suggest, if that kind of proportion of loss was to continue throughout the day and throughout tomorrow, and that's if, of course, that would be a greater proportion of losses than they sustained in their worst ever year back in 1995, and for that reason i go back to my point about the heebie—jeebies that would provoke a suspect among conservatives because it would look very bleak for them. tbs, conservatives because it would look very bleak for them.— very bleak for them. a good look very bleak for them. a good look very bleak— very bleak for them. a good look very bleak indeed. _ very bleak for them. a good look very bleak indeed. we've - very bleak for them. a good look very bleak indeed. we've had - very bleak for them. a good look i very bleak indeed. we've had such extraordinary turmoil in the conservative party, no doubt about it, something the idea of trying to do some thing as radical as say, ok,

time for yet another leader, if westminster chaos has been the problem, more westminster chaos is not the solution, yet there are others who take a different view, one said to me this is the moment we are going to have to do it or put up and shut up. are going to have to do it or put up and shut op— are going to have to do it or put up and shut up. there is no doubt when ou seak and shut up. there is no doubt when you speak to — and shut up. there is no doubt when you speak to conservatives - and shut up. there is no doubt when you speak to conservatives with - and shut up. there is no doubt when you speak to conservatives with all. you speak to conservatives with all sorts of views about the leadership, they have plenty of them said for they have plenty of them said for the last couple of months that this moment, these set of elections, would be the last chance to make a decision on whether they were going to do something nuclear, in other words contemplate removing yet another prime minister... for conservative _ another prime minister... for conservative activists are just gathering. they look like they are trying to put a brave face on it. but the candidate david jones must be somewhere there among them. in fact, he hasjust been taken be somewhere there among them. in fact, he has just been taken off. be somewhere there among them. in fact, he hasjust been taken off. i was about to say, what happens is the candidates are taken off to be told the results first. that

the candidates are taken off to be told the results first.— told the results first. that looks like it has happened. _ told the results first. that looks like it has happened. are - told the results first. that looks like it has happened. are studio cuest are like it has happened. are studio guest are nodding _ like it has happened. are studio guest are nodding along. - like it has happened. are studio guest are nodding along. they l like it has happened. are studio i guest are nodding along. they are taken away to get told the results for good orfor taken away to get told the results for good or for ill. taken away to get told the results for good orfor ill. somebody is about to become an mp, it is a life changing moment. somebody else who might be about to lose theirjob it is another life changing movement of a different sort. —— life changing moment. hard to underestimate these sort of personal dramas behind all this. but it does seem now that the result is imminent at the candidates are being taken of, it suggests they are being taken of, it suggests they are about to be told the result and then of course the declaring officer will tell all of us. it is you are saying, this moment of decision for tory backbenchers.— saying, this moment of decision for tory backbenchers. yes, as they try and calibrate _ tory backbenchers. yes, as they try and calibrate the _ tory backbenchers. yes, as they try and calibrate the kind _ tory backbenchers. yes, as they try and calibrate the kind of _ tory backbenchers. yes, as they tryj and calibrate the kind of psychology of a set of results of which there are plenty more to come in the next 48 hours or so relative to how they

might perceived them to be, and then they have to weigh up whether or not they have to weigh up whether or not they want to do something very radical. . . they want to do something very radical. , , , ., . radical. this 'ust listen in for a second radical. this 'ust listen in for a scene and _ radical. thisjust listen in for a second and check— radical. thisjust listen in for a second and check this - radical. thisjust listen in for a second and check this is - radical. thisjust listen in for a second and check this is not i radical. thisjust listen in for a second and check this is not a | second and check this is not a declaration. i think it is just a microphone test, so carry on! i declaration. i think it isjust a microphone test, so carry on! i was snueakin microphone test, so carry on! i was speaking to — microphone test, so carry on! i was speaking to some _ microphone test, so carry on! i was speaking to some people _ microphone test, so carry on! i was speaking to some people in - microphone test, so carry on! i —" speaking to some people in the last 24, 48 speaking to some people in the last 2a, 48 hours within the conservative party who are of the view, and it is a minority view at the moment, that they want to do something radical and remove the prime minister, they were saying this is the last chance to do it, the data of the next 48 hours will determine those mindsets. but as things stand, the numbers are looking pretty bleak for the conservatives. but plenty are attaching a lot of psychology today mayoral results to come, not least the one from teesside.— mayoral results to come, not least the one from teesside. let's talk to helen catt who _ the one from teesside. let's talk to helen catt who is _ the one from teesside. let's talk to helen catt who is in _ the one from teesside. let's talk to helen catt who is in blackpool. - the one from teesside. let's talk to helen catt who is in blackpool. we l helen catt who is in blackpool. we have just seen the conservative candidate being taken off, we assume to be told the result. can you give

us a heads up? to be told the result. can you give us a heads op?— to be told the result. can you give us a heads up? yes, sure. it's gone very quiet — us a heads up? yes, sure. it's gone very quiet here. _ us a heads up? yes, sure. it's gone very quiet here, people _ us a heads up? yes, sure. it's gone very quiet here, people have - very quiet here, people have clustered round where they're going to do the declaration because all the candidates have been taken off to a table in the centre of the room, they have been told the provisional results. i think they are starting to move away now. we can see them all coming this way. so we are expecting, we think, we might get a result fairly shortly. just trying to get eyes and where they are all going. a couple of candidates in the middle tone to the returning officer... latte candidates in the middle tone to the returning officer. . ._ returning officer... we have 'ust s . ied the returning officer... we have 'ust spied the labouri returning officer... we have 'ust spied the labour candidate h returning officer... we have just. spied the labour candidate there. returning officer... we have just i spied the labour candidate there. i think there is chris webb just moving through the back of the shop. and there's the conservative candidate david jones. the talla chap with the beard, chris webb, son of a postman, a local man, has run several charities in the area. and there they go taking to the stage.

it is a long walk to the stage. there are the two main candidates, and the monster raving loony candidate next to them. let's listen into the results, the by—election for blackpool south. just waiting for another one to the candidates to make their way, gathering alongside. one of the nine candidates standing committee can see the green candidate just air and on the right of your shot, the man who is likely to become the next mp for blackpool south, labour candidate chris webber. let's listen into the declaration and the result, remember, listening are particularly what is happening with the reform candidate, his candidate is not yet there are that line—up. we spoke to him a couple of hours ago and he said he was hopeful of pipping the

tories into second place. there he is. here we go. tories into second place. there he is- here we go— tories into second place. there he is- here we go-— is. here we go. good morning, everybody- _ is. here we go. good morning, everybody- we _ is. here we go. good morning, everybody. we now _ is. here we go. good morning, everybody. we now have - is. here we go. good morning, everybody. we now have the i is. here we go. good morning, - everybody. we now have the resolve of the _ everybody. we now have the resolve of the blackpool south constituency. l, of the blackpool south constituency. i. neil— of the blackpool south constituency. i, neiljack, acting returning officer— i, neiljack, acting returning officer for the baikal south constituency, declare that the total number— constituency, declare that the total number of— constituency, declare that the total number of votes for each candidate is as follows. stephen justin, independent 163. mark butcher, reform — independent 163. mark butcher, reform uk, 3101. liberal democrats, 187. howling laud hope. _ liberal democrats, 187. howling laud hope, monster raving loony party, 121. david _ hope, monster raving loony party, 121. davidjones, conservative party. —

121. davidjones, conservative party, 3218. kim knight, 147. damon sharp, 45. benjamin _ kim knight, 147. damon sharp, 45. benjamin scott, green party, 368. chris— benjamin scott, green party, 368. chris webb, labour party, 10,825. cheering _ chris webb, labour party, 10,825. cheering and applause —— cheering and applause than number ballot papers is as follows — follows. did not bear the official follows. — did not bear the official mark... and labour— did not bear the official mark... and labour have been victorious in the blackpool south by—election. chris webb has been elected as the

new mp for blackpool south, winning the seat for the labour party after scott benton the former conservative mp quit in disgrace. crucially, the conservatives just managing to hold off the reform party with only 117 votes in it. but let's listen in to the new mp for blackpool south, chris webber, as he takes the microphone and takes his cheers from his supporters. the microphone and takes his cheers from his sopporters-— his supporters. the people of blackpool _ his supporters. the people of blackpool south _ his supporters. the people of blackpool south have - his supporters. the people of blackpool south have spoken | his supporters. the people of i blackpool south have spoken to britain. they have said to rishi sunak and the conservatives, they have had enough. they've had enough of 14 years of the conservatives being in power. they have lost trust with the british people and blackpool has had enough of this failed government which has crashed the economy, destroyed our public services and put up taxes. they have said it's time for change, and that changes started here in blackpool

tonight. only labour offered new hopes for towns like blackpool. we need to change and we will get it under a labour government. iwant need to change and we will get it under a labour government. i want to thank the returning officer, my election agent, the election staff and the police for the smooth running of this election. i know it takes a lot of work to put this on, so i thank you for your professionalism and commitment to the democratic process. i would also like to thank my entire campaign team and the wider labour movement. blackpool south is the 23rd parliamentary by—election in this parliamentary by—election in this parliament and it is down to each and every of you for your sacrifices that has turned blackpool south red once again. thank you to my amazing family for giving me endless support over the years. and to my incredible

wife for all her support and sacrifices she's made, especially in these last few weeks, looking after our newborn son. thank you to my mum, dad, sisterwashing in australia who have supported me for all these years. above all i would like to thank the people blackpool south have put their trust in me to be the next member of parliament. it is a huge privilege to represent the seat that i call home and have been born and bred in. the circumstances that led to this by—election have been well—documented. i believe many people in blackpool have been left with little faith in the politicians. i am with little faith in the politicians. lam humbled by with little faith in the politicians. i am humbled by the support, every ward in the stand voted for me. whether you vote for me or not, though, i promised to work for you every day, to earn your

trust and restore your faith in politics. i promise i won't let you down. i have said this all along, i will put the priorities of this town first and fight for residents in westminster and challenge this government to get a better deal for blackpool. i have spoken to so many during the campaign who had the same conversation, people are fed up because nothing seems to work any more, they are hard up because of the conservative cost—of—living crisis but instead of giving up, they got up and voted for change with labour. it is not acceptable that blackpool has the highest crime rate in lancashire, with newark police officers cut by 43%. it's not acceptable to see parts of a town being run down without a plan to rejuvenate them and it's not acceptable but in blackpool south, in parts, more children live in poverty because of the decisions this government have made. people in

blackpool south and across the country are sick of the government's failure to tackle the big issues facing our country. in this election, we offered a plan for blackpool that was positive, to put more police on the streets, deliver regeneration in our town needs and help hard—working families through the cost—of—living crisis. only keir starmer�*s labour party has the vision and the ideas to make life better for everyone in our country. change is what people want an up and down the country, labour is the party they are looking for to deliver it. blackpool south has said that loud and clear tonight. the message to the prime minister is that we need a general election sooner the better. people no longer trust the conservatives. prime minister, do the decent thing, admit you have failed and call a general election. cheering and applause

give the people are put the same opportunity, that people in blackpool south have and leave a member of parliament and let labour get on with delivering the change to be of britain want and deserve. thank you very much, everyone, thank you to the people of like paul south. studio: chris webb, the new mp for blackpool south thinking his family and his supporters and giving a direct message to the prime minister, saying do the decent thing, rishi sunak, admit you have failed, change starts here in blackpool, he said. chris webb they are chatting to the losing candidate for the conservatives, david jones, who now appears to be leaving the count. chris webb they are speaking in the wake of his victory in blackpool south, decisive victory for the labour party. let's take you through some of the numbers. chris

webb pulling 10,825 votes. well ahead of the conservatives. the seat was previously held by the tories. david jones on 3218 votes. but look how that was only just ahead of the reform party, who balloted 3101 votes, that's really where the tension has been all night, would reform manage to beat the tories into second place? they failed, but on the just and that will send jitters through some conservatives. let's look at how the share of the vote changed because this is really important. labour got 59%, a whopping share of the vote, ahead of the tories on 18%, reform and 17%. the tories fallen away by 32%. the swing, yourfavourite bit! tories to labour, 26% and that is the second biggest swing achieved by labour in

this parliament. only the wellingborough by—election was more decisive for them. but as the third biggest swing to labour in a by—election since world war ii. so, very decisive, big cheers for labour in blackpool south, big welcome to chris fox for the lib dems and for angela richardson for the conservative party. jonathan ashworth is still here. you are looking like the chesher cat! that as a result _ looking like the chesher cat! that as a result that _ looking like the chesher cat! that as a result that sparkles as brightly as blackpool�*s illuminations. an absolutely brilliant result for chris, i'm made up brilliant result for chris, i'm made up for him. but that spring is huge and it does reveal that after 14 years of failure, people have had enough of this conservative government, this failing conservative government. yes, the circumstances of the election were about a tory mp who got caught up in scandal, nonetheless, the result suggests to me that the country

wants change, the people blackpool clearly want to change and have voted for it tonight and the labour party. voted for it tonight and the labour pa . �* . voted for it tonight and the labour pa . . . ., voted for it tonight and the labour pa . . . . ., , ., voted for it tonight and the labour pa .�* . . ., ., party. angela, what would you say to that? congratulations _ party. angela, what would you say to that? congratulations to _ party. angela, what would you say to that? congratulations to chris - party. angela, what would you say to that? congratulations to chris webb, | that? congratulations to chris webb, the result was _ that? congratulations to chris webb, the result was not _ that? congratulations to chris webb, the result was not unexpected. - that? congratulations to chris webb, | the result was not unexpected. given the result was not unexpected. given the circumstances that caused the by—election in the first place, you know, _ by—election in the first place, you know. it — by—election in the first place, you know, it was always going to be difficult — know, it was always going to be difficult for the conservatives. what — difficult for the conservatives. what is — difficult for the conservatives. what is interesting, looking at the difference between the conservatives and reform, just shows what we do in every— and reform, just shows what we do in every election, they will have worked — every election, they will have worked hard for weeks but it's on polling _ worked hard for weeks but it's on polling day when you are talking to your supporters that you have to keep _ your supporters that you have to keep going. the your supporters that you have to keep going-— your supporters that you have to keen anoin. ., . , ., �* keep going. the reform party don't have a single _ keep going. the reform party don't have a single westminster- keep going. the reform party don't have a single westminster seat, - have a single westminster seat, single council seat, they are challengers working as hard as they come, they nearly beat you, there were only 117 votes in it. you must be petrified about that. i would look at the turn out, 32%. in a

normal general _ look at the turn out, 32%. in a normal general election - look at the turn out, 32%. in a normal general election he would be looking _ normal general election he would be looking at— normal general election he would be looking at least double that. so looking at least double that. s: their looking at least double that. ’sr their performance —— looking at least double that. 5r their performance —— make so their supporters are more enthusiastic than yours. latte supporters are more enthusiastic than yours-— than yours. we are seeing the nullin: a than yours. we are seeing the pulling a while _ than yours. we are seeing the pulling a while now _ than yours. we are seeing the pulling a while now that - than yours. we are seeing the pulling a while now that there | than yours. we are seeing the . pulling a while now that there are than yours. we are seeing the - pulling a while now that there are a lot of— pulling a while now that there are a lot of people who don't know a lot of conservatives haven't made up their— of conservatives haven't made up their mind... but of conservatives haven't made up their mind- - -_ of conservatives haven't made up their mind... �* . . ., , their mind... but we have realvotes and ou their mind... but we have realvotes and you have _ their mind... but we have realvotes and you have the _ their mind... but we have realvotes and you have the reform _ their mind... but we have realvotes and you have the reform party - their mind... but we have realvotes and you have the reform party and. and you have the reform party and 17% of the tories on 18%. do you accept that if that kind of pattern were to be replicated, that could deny you dozens and dozens of seats across the country in the general election, where things are tight? it could cause huge damage for you. in the context of this by—election, i wouldn't — the context of this by—election, i wouldn't expect to see that pattern replicated. i think this is a particular set of circumstances. and voters _ particular set of circumstances. and voters in _ particular set of circumstances. and voters in all — particular set of circumstances. and voters in all the by—elections that i've voters in all the by—elections that i've been— voters in all the by—elections that i've been and campaigned in, really across— i've been and campaigned in, really across -- _ i've been and campaigned in, really across -- but— i've been and campaigned in, really across —— but they are really cross

when _ across —— but they are really cross when they're — across —— but they are really cross when they're dragged the polls outside — when they're dragged the polls outside an election. sol when they're dragged the polls outside an election. so i have full understanding and sympathy with conservative voters who decided tonight— conservative voters who decided tonight blackpool south... do you want to say _ tonight blackpool south... do you want to say sorry _ tonight blackpool south... do you want to say sorry for _ tonight blackpool south... do you want to say sorry for them -- - tonight blackpool south... do you want to say sorry for them -- my| want to say sorry for them —— my sorrow to them about what happened was blue it is up to him to apologise for the actions he took. i think the actions he took were wrong. think the actions he took were wront. ., . , . wrong. colleagues agreed with me. he went through — wrong. colleagues agreed with me. he went through the _ wrong. colleagues agreed with me. he went through the proper _ wrong. colleagues agreed with me. he went through the proper standards - went through the proper standards process, _ went through the proper standards process, and parliament made its decision — process, and parliament made its decision. �* . process, and parliament made its decision. . . ., process, and parliament made its decision. . . . ., decision. angela, we will have more from ou decision. angela, we will have more from you later- _ decision. angela, we will have more from you later. let's _ decision. angela, we will have more from you later. let's go _ decision. angela, we will have more from you later. let's go straight - decision. angela, we will have more from you later. let's go straight to i from you later. let's go straight to john curtice. looking at the numbers, the implications of that, what is the blackpool south result say to you? i what is the blackpool south result say to you?— what is the blackpool south result say to you? i must admit, i have a certain amount _ say to you? i must admit, i have a certain amount of _ say to you? i must admit, i have a certain amount of sympathy - say to you? i must admit, i have a certain amount of sympathy for i certain amount of sympathy for conservative spokespeople who have to turn up at 4:30 in the first thing you have to deal with it as a result like this. but to be honest, i don't think that the result can be explained away in the way to suggested. talking about the turnout, yes, it is down on a

general election but the fall in turnout in 26 points is rather less in the fall in turnout that occurred in the fall in turnout that occurred in a number of the other by—elections in which the conservatives suffered swings against them of over 20%. the second thing to point out is that this is not an isolated case that you can explain away by the particularities of the way in which this by—election was occasioned. this is now the fifth by—election in this parliament in which the swing from conservative to labour is over 20 points, and as you have pointed out, it is the third biggest swing from conservative to labour in any post—war by—election. when was the last time we got swings with any degree of regularity of this kind of size and even then, it was the parliament of 1992 to 1997 and we know how that ended. i think the only thing that has struck this result from being basically an unmitigated disaster for the

conservatives was the fact they just narrowly squeaked ahead of reform, for whom, yes, narrowly squeaked ahead of reform, forwhom, yes, it narrowly squeaked ahead of reform, for whom, yes, it was the best result in a by—election, but in truth it is still well short of the kind of figures that you kept forgetting and by—elections between around 2012 and 2014. even though the challenge for reform is not as quick to the conservatives as the challenge from ukip was when david cameron was in 10 downing street. yet, yet, yet, they are still suffering consistently these very high swings against them. i'm afraid so far tonight we've been quite measured and saying, well, maybe they are doing a bit worse than last year etc, but here in a sense, it is further clear and much more dramatic evidence to basically the project that rishi sunak is meant to be there to achieve, which is to narrow there to achieve, which is to narrow the gap on labour, that project

still has yet to provide any visible benefit. we are hurtling towards the five o'clock news and after that we will get analysis of the results from chris mason, but before we do that we will say goodbye and thank you to jonathan ashworth for being here. you look so delighted to have been able to end your appearance with that result, but we will be miraculously replacing you with your colleague jo stevens, miraculously replacing you with your colleaguejo stevens, and chris fox will speak to the liberal democrats later on, and angela, you are staying with us. before we go to the news, a last glimpse at 5am of whether totals are in terms of council seats right now in addition to the blackpool by—election result guns you can see labour are on 274 having gained 56, 94 for the conservatives having lost 107 and the lib dems gaining 12 on 90 and the lib dems gaining 12 on 90 and the independent candidates gaining 53 and the also with —— the greens

with reason to be chipper, and the residents associations, they have five seeds. oh, the lib dems have gained another and the conservatives have just lost another one. you see, it happens in real time as if by magic. now time for the news. thanks, laura. in the last few minutes, labour have resoundingly won the by—election in blackpool south, with chris webb becoming its new mp. the contest was triggered by the resignation of the former mp conservative scott benton. meanwhile, the first wave of results are being declared in the local elections in parts of england. the conservatives have lost control of north east lincolnshire council and have seen councillors ousted across the country, as labour have gained key councils in hartlepool, rushmoor and thurrock. so far, there's been an increase green and independents becoming councillors in this, the last major test of public opinion before the general election.

our political correspondent damian grammaticus has been following the night's events. 10,825. blackpool south a little before 5am. — 10,825. blackpool south a little before 5am, and _ 10,825. blackpool south a little before 5am, and a _ 10,825. blackpool south a little before 5am, and a decisive - before 5am, and a decisive labour victory. they were confident of emerging winners in the by—election but this was emphatic. thea;t emerging winners in the by-election but this was emphatic.— but this was emphatic. they have said to rishi _ but this was emphatic. they have said to rishi sunak _ but this was emphatic. they have said to rishi sunak and _ but this was emphatic. they have said to rishi sunak and the - said to rishi sunak and the conservatives that they had enough. they've had enough of 14 years of the conservatives being in power, they've lost trust with the british people and blackpool has had enough of this failed government. the conservatives _ of this failed government. the conservatives who had held the seat were beaten into second place with the shock for the tories reform nearly pushed them into third. thea;t nearly pushed them into third. they didn't set nearly pushed them into third. they didn't get brexit _ nearly pushed them into third. they didn't get brexit done properly and didn't— didn't get brexit done properly and didn't cut _ didn't get brexit done properly and didn't cut immigration and people are sick— didn't cut immigration and people are sick and tired of the tory incompetence and lies. we are done

with it. _ incompetence and lies. we are done with it, done with the tories and it's time — with it, done with the tories and it's time for— with it, done with the tories and it's time for change and time for reform — it's time for change and time for reform. . it's time for change and time for reform. , ., . ., reform. the first council of the ni . ht to reform. the first council of the night to change _ reform. the first council of the night to change control - reform. the first council of the night to change control was - night to change control was hartlepool. the labour co—operative party, 649 votes. the conservatives lost six councillors here and labour gain back control. the winn is a symbolic one for them, clawing back lost ground. we have worked so hard to get the trust of the people in hartlepool back to labour. and i think that is probably what has done it tonight. labour have ta ken labour have taken control directly from the conservatives in rushmoor. boundary changes helped but it's been gaining awards from tours. and

in north east lincolnshire more labour cheer. conservatives lost control of the council here. grimsby is exactly the sort of place the labour party will hope to win back at the general election. bandit; labour party will hope to win back at the general election.— at the general election. sadly in local elections _ at the general election. sadly in local elections they _ at the general election. sadly in local elections they tend - at the general election. sadly in local elections they tend to - at the general election. sadly in l local elections they tend to mirror the polls at national level and clearly it's a statement of the obvious that we are far behind in the polls nationally and people have followed through local level. an alarm and an evacuation in hull. where the conservatives think these elections signal trouble ahead for them depends on the scale of losses. and the greens have been picking up

votes at labour at�*s expense. and the greens have been picking up votes at labour at's expense.- votes at labour at's expense. voters are reall , votes at labour at's expense. voters are really, really— votes at labour at's expense. voters are really, really sick— votes at labour at's expense. voters are really, really sick of— votes at labour at's expense. voters are really, really sick of this - are really, really sick of this conservative government on the way they run the country into the ground in the last 14 years but they are not really feeling inspired by what keir starmer�*s labour party is offering. in keir starmer's labour party is offerina. ,, ,, , ., , offering. in stockport where they are counting _ offering. in stockport where they are counting on _ offering. in stockport where they are counting on a _ offering. in stockport where they are counting on a car— offering. in stockport where they are counting on a car park, - offering. in stockport where they l are counting on a car park, liberal democrats could make gains from labour but what they are most focused on other places where they face off with an 70s. latte focused on other places where they face off with an 70s.— face off with an 70s. we expect to see cains face off with an 70s. we expect to see gains and _ face off with an 70s. we expect to see gains and good _ face off with an 70s. we expect to see gains and good progress, - see gains and good progress, specifically in the areas where we hope to win parliamentary seats. i do hereby declare that carol and may is duly— do hereby declare that carol and may is duly elected. so do hereby declare that carol and may is duly elected-— is duly elected. so the picture emerging _ is duly elected. so the picture emerging as _ is duly elected. so the picture emerging as one _ is duly elected. so the picture emerging as one of _ is duly elected. so the picture emerging as one of labour . is duly elected. so the picture - emerging as one of labour chalking up emerging as one of labour chalking up gains and conservative slipping back and smaller parties winning support from both of them. in the united states, police have continued to arrest protesters on university campuses demonstrating against the war in gaza. there've been further clashes between police and protestors in a number of cities including here at portland state university in oregon and in washington dc. the pro—palestinian demos have spread to around fifty institutions, with more than 2,000 people arrested

across the us in the past fortnight. president biden has said that he will defend the right to free speech but that order must prevail. destroying property is not a peaceful protest. it's against the law. vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations. none of this is a peaceful protest. this threatening people. intimidating people. instilling fear in people. it's not a peaceful protest. it's against the law. turkey says it is stopping all trade with israel over the war in gaza, citing the worsening humanitarian situation in the palestinian territory. the country said all imports and exports would be suspended

until the israeli government allowed an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of aid. trade between the two countries was worth almost £5.6 billion last year. israel's foreign minister, israel katz, accused turkey's president erdogan of behaving like a dictator. apple has seen its biggest fall in sales in more than a year. the tech giant saw a sharp drop in demand for its most important product — the iphone — with sales of the device dropping by ten percent from january to march compared to the previous year. executives said the figures were distorted by covid—related supply disruptions, which led to unusually strong sales during the same period last year. the king and queen have been presented with the official document recording their coronation almost a year after the service at westminster abbey. for 700—years monarchs have been given what's called a coronation roll — a manuscript of their crowning moment. the 21 metre long document has taken a calligrapher 56 days to write. queen camilla said she would need

"my specs" to read it. the troubled co—op live arena in manchester says it's taking a "short pause" and will now open on may the 14th. take that have become the latest act to move shows away from the venue which has been plagued by delays to its opening. ticket holders turned up on wednesday night to find it still closed due to techinical problems. a reminder that you can follow all the election results on the bbc news website or app. you can also see who's won and where using our postcode checker which is at bbc.co.uk/news or the app. now back to laura and elections 2024.

a warm welcome back to election night on the bbc and we are with you forjust under an hour until we hand due to colleagues at bbc breakfast at six o'clock but let's go straight to the tally of where the parties have got to in terms of council seats that have been racking up in the last couple of hours and labour has gained 59 seats on the conservatives have lost 112 and the lib dems have gained 13, and as things stand it suggests in the big picture than that conservatives are on course to lose more than half of the seats they have been defending which would lead us to roughly them losing around 500 seats, so that is at the worst end of their expectations but i should caveat that there are a couple of days until we have all the results coming through so where we are now looks bad for the conservatives but is by no means the end of the story. what they have however definitively lost out on is the blackpool south constituency. there is a new labour

mp there, chris webb, and we will speak to him injust mp there, chris webb, and we will speak to him in just a few minutes and there he is, the brand—new mp who will be on his way to westminster shortly and we will also hear from westminster shortly and we will also hearfrom his colleague, westminster shortly and we will also hear from his colleague, jo stevens, the shadow wales secretary who has joined us and angela richardson, and the deputy chair of the conservatives and chris fox from the liberal democrats and we will speak to them soon. in the last couple of minutes, chris, blackpool south, a big gain for labour and redditch council, much smaller but a similar thing and they will be delighted to show they've won that as well, so what is your take on where things have got to? in what is your take on where things have got to?— have got to? in the last half hour the big results _ have got to? in the last half hour the big results are _ have got to? in the last half hour the big results are ready - have got to? in the last half hour the big results are ready and - the big results are ready and blackpool south and blackpool is the kind of seat labour needed to win and it's one they held between 1997 and it's one they held between 1997 and 2019 but has flitted between the parties in the last 50 years but what is striking is not the labour victory but the scale, a 26% swing,

absolutely whopping swing, and just the kind of thing you will hear labour folk talking in the coming hours of where they need to be and well beyond where they would need to be, a general election. the other key thing for them by—election is reform coming within a whisker of beating conservatives into second place and that matches aiken pattern we've seen in places where reform have been standing, although limited where you think they would do relatively well, but their capacity, it would seem, and you can never get into the mind of an individual voter but it is eating disproportionally into conservative votes which will alarm conservative mps, and the scale of the losses, the conservatives as you touched on, across the council election so far, definitely at the worst end of their expectations. as things stand, they are on track to do as badly or worse in proportionate terms as in 1995,

which was their worst ever local election results, a couple of years out from losing a general. in the unlikely event _ out from losing a general. in the unlikely event that _ out from losing a general. in the unlikely event that there - out from losing a general. in the unlikely event that there is - out from losing a general. in the i unlikely event that there is anybody watching this who doesn't know why the jockeying for the position between the conservative party and reform is so important in blackpool south because the reform party comes out of the brexit party which was what was left of ukip, so why will conservatives be so worried about that level pegging with reform? the ke that level pegging with reform? tie: key reason is that level pegging with reform? ti9 key reason is what we heard from richard tice on this programme half an hour ago. reform are absolutely of the view that they are not going to go easy come the general election. last time round we saw the predecessor eased back but they insist they won't which is why it could have a real impact for them. chris, thank you very much. let's talk to another chris, chris webb, the new mp for blackpool south and congratulations on your win and

welcome to bbc election night. you sounded delighted but in your speech you sent a direct message to the prime minister.— you sent a direct message to the prime minister. yes, it's time he admitted he _ prime minister. yes, it's time he admitted he had _ prime minister. yes, it's time he admitted he had failed _ prime minister. yes, it's time he admitted he had failed and - prime minister. yes, it's time he | admitted he had failed and called prime minister. yes, it's time he i admitted he had failed and called a general election. [10 admitted he had failed and called a general election.— general election. do you think that is realistically _ general election. do you think that is realistically going _ general election. do you think that is realistically going to _ general election. do you think that is realistically going to happen - is realistically going to happen though? is realistically going to happen thou~h? :. �* . is realistically going to happen thou~h? . �*, . is realistically going to happen thouh? ., �*, ., , ., though? that's what the people have blacknool though? that's what the people have blackpool south _ though? that's what the people have blackpool south have _ though? that's what the people have blackpool south have asked for - blackpool south have asked for tonight. is blackpool south have asked for toniaht. . :. , blackpool south have asked for toniaht. , . , . , tonight. is it really what they asked for. — tonight. is it really what they asked for, or _ tonight. is it really what they asked for, or were _ tonight. is it really what they asked for, or were they - tonight. is it really what they - asked for, or were they choosing the labour party because the conservative mp there had left in disgrace and had let them down by being caught out breaking the rules and was punished by parliament? ida. and was punished by parliament? no, the enonle and was punished by parliament? idrr, the people in blackpool south have been fed up of this government for 14 years and have seen how our town has changed and everyone is worse off than they were and they want a general election and a labour government on their side. lttnl’hnztt government on their side. what issues were _ government on their side. what issues were people _ government on their side. what issues were people raising - government on their side. what issues were people raising with you during the campaign?! issues were people raising with you during the campaign? i know you are a blackpool man born and bred and you had your first child a blackpool man born and bred and you had yourfirst child during a blackpool man born and bred and you had your first child during the campaign, and it can happen to many

people who come mps but what with theissues people who come mps but what with the issues voters were raising with you question about the cost of living crisis was a big thing and so many working families are struggling to make ends meet and they need action on that.— action on that. crime and anti-social _ action on that. crime and anti-social behaviour is l action on that. crime and - anti-social behaviour is rampant anti—social behaviour is rampant across blackpool and they want to see people on the beat tackling the crime and they want decent well—paid jobs in the high streets rejuvenated on these other things coming up on the doorstep and that's what i want to support as member of parliament. the swing you their of 26% there was absolutely whopping. a huge move from the conservatives to the labour party. but from what you said in your speech and from what you've told us tonight, how much do you attribute your victory to people being fed up with the tories rather than what you were saying instead? we ran an incredibly positive campaign and we were engaging with the public and many times on the doorstep people told me they were the only person they saw canvassing and they only saw the labour party

and they only saw the labour party and they only saw the labour party and the by—election and they want change which is why they voted in record numbers tonight. truths; change which is why they voted in record numbers tonight.— change which is why they voted in record numbers tonight. why do you think so many _ record numbers tonight. why do you think so many people _ record numbers tonight. why do you think so many people chose - record numbers tonight. why do you think so many people chose the - think so many people chose the reform party? more than 3000 voters who are not necessarily conservative minded, why such a big presence for them? :, :, . :, . them? you would have to ask conservative _ them? you would have to ask conservative voters _ them? you would have to ask conservative voters how - them? you would have to ask conservative voters how they | them? you would have to ask- conservative voters how they went. we focused on the issues on the positive campaign. we have had scandal on the coast with three conservative mps being in under investigation but we ran a positive campaign on the issues and that is what people backed. lttnl’hnztt campaign on the issues and that is what people backed.— what people backed. what is the first thing you — what people backed. what is the first thing you will _ what people backed. what is the first thing you will do _ what people backed. what is the first thing you will do when - what people backed. what is the first thing you will do when you i what people backed. what is the i first thing you will do when you get to westminster, do you think? could you repeat that? what is the first thing you will do when you get to westminster in your brand—newjob? westminster in your brand—newjob? we have to highlight the cost of living crisis. people in blackpool are really struggling. working families cannot put food on the table. one of my firstjobs is to highlight that to this government that sucked into the westminster bubble and then demand a general

election. . bubble and then demand a general election. , 9 , , election. chris webb, congratulations - election. chris webb, congratulations to - election. chris webb, | congratulations to you election. chris webb, - congratulations to you on winning your by—election and thanks for speaking to us this evening on the bbc results programme. that was a big result for the labour party, so tell us about another.— tell us about another. redditch, which is common _ tell us about another. redditch, which is common in _ tell us about another. redditch, which is common in the - tell us about another. redditch, which is common in the last - tell us about another. redditch, which is common in the last fewj which is common in the last few moments. you remember we started the night looking at councils to watch and redding was, sorry, redditch was top of the list. it is after five in the morning. in the west midlands, this is a big gain for the conservatives and they have got a 15 conservatives and they have got a 15 c majority. 21 seats to labour and five for the conservatives and one to the greens, and i can show you the change in the seats. the conservatives losing 11 seats and they had a three seat majority before the selection but now labour have a 15 c majority and have gained ten seats and the greens have got one, so a victory there that they

will be very, very pleased about. some of the results so far and we have picked ones where there is a change of plans. hartlepool, a labour gain from no overall control and north east lincolnshire is a conservative loss and that is a hung council and labour have gained thurrock from overall control and gained redditch and rushmoor in hampshire from the conservatives. let's take a look at where it leaves us in terms of the councillors overall. the labour party have gained 57 councillors and the conservatives have lost 115 and the lib dems gained 14 with independent parties having a good night on 32 and the green party having a good night on plus 12.— and the green party having a good night on plus 12. thank you, we are able to stack _ night on plus 12. thank you, we are able to stack up _ night on plus 12. thank you, we are able to stack up more _ night on plus 12. thank you, we are able to stack up more of _ night on plus 12. thank you, we are able to stack up more of the - night on plus 12. thank you, we are i able to stack up more of the numbers as things come in. just in the last couple of moments, and another unusual bright spot for the tories, a very tightly forked plays, harlow

council, not far north of london and the tories have managed to hold on —— a very tightly fought race. a big straight fight between the tories on the labour party there and you can see the tories went down by five, but the labour party won only five, and as such, the tories have held on in harlow where they will be very, very relieved. it's the kind of seat where labour wanted to make gains and they have made gains but not enough to be able to take control of the council. so, really for the tories, in a sense, but still seeing labour on the march in that part of the world. welcome to you, jo stevens and chris fox. we've not been able to have a word for you yet. chris fox for the liberal democrats, ba jo stevens, i come to you on the result in blackpool south and redditch. you on the result in blackpool south and redditch-— and redditch. absolutely stunning result and i'm _

and redditch. absolutely stunning result and i'm so _ and redditch. absolutely stunning result and i'm so pleased - and redditch. absolutely stunning result and i'm so pleased that - and redditch. absolutely stunning l result and i'm so pleased that chris webb who's been a fantastic candidate and run such a positive campaign and i campaigned with him and it was so good to see people really respecting what he had to offer and being enthusiastic about it. they really wanted change, and redditch, again, it is a bellwether constituency, whoever wins redditch wins the general election, that is what history shows us. so wins the general election, that is what history shows us.— wins the general election, that is what history shows us. so you are auoin to what history shows us. so you are going to win _ what history shows us. so you are going to win the _ what history shows us. so you are going to win the general- going to win the general election? if redditch is anything to go by but it's a great result along with the other councils we've gained tonight. angela, you will have been relieved to have held on in harlow, just. but, it's looking pretty grisly, isn't it? i but, it's looking pretty grisly, isn't it? .. :. isn't it? i think we are disappointed - isn't it? i think we are disappointed with - isn't it? i think we are disappointed with the | isn't it? i think we are - disappointed with the results isn't it? i think we are _ disappointed with the results and, you know. — disappointed with the results and, you know, it's awful for the councillors who have been working their socks — councillors who have been working their socks off for local people and local issues to lose the seats. but for any _ local issues to lose the seats. but for any of — local issues to lose the seats. but for any of your viewers who are waking — for any of your viewers who are waking up _ for any of your viewers who are waking up now, the context of the selection — waking up now, the context of the selection this is important if we

look— selection this is important if we look back— selection this is important if we look back to 2021. the conservatives were up _ look back to 2021. the conservatives were up 40% in the polls and where were up 40% in the polls and where we had _ were up 40% in the polls and where we had just— were up 40% in the polls and where we had just come out of the second lockdown— we had just come out of the second lockdown with 60% of the population who'd _ lockdown with 60% of the population who'd had _ lockdown with 60% of the population who'd had their first vaccine and there _ who'd had their first vaccine and there was— who'd had their first vaccine and there was a sense of optimism then, and a _ there was a sense of optimism then, and a week— there was a sense of optimism then, and a week is— there was a sense of optimism then, and a week is a long time in politics— and a week is a long time in politics but the last couple of years — politics but the last couple of years have seemed like decades. it is and years have seemed like decades. is and that years have seemed like decades. it is and that the point. so much has changed since then on these results are people reflecting on the situation they are in here and now when you cannot write off by saying 2021, things were different and everybody knows things were different but this is a reflection from the public on you right now and it's not a pretty one. it from the public on you right now and it's not a pretty one.— it's not a pretty one. it was an unusual high _ it's not a pretty one. it was an unusual high point _ it's not a pretty one. it was an unusual high point for - it's not a pretty one. it was an unusual high point for a - it's not a pretty one. it was an - unusual high point for a government who had _ unusual high point for a government who had been in power for 11 years at that— who had been in power for 11 years at that point. it was an unusually hi-h at that point. it was an unusually high water— at that point. it was an unusually high water mark so we were expecting to see _ high water mark so we were expecting to see reductions in the number of seats _ to see reductions in the number of seats that— to see reductions in the number of seats. that is obviously playing out tonight _ seats. that is obviously playing out tonight but as we also said, these

results _ tonight but as we also said, these results have got to run for another couple _ results have got to run for another couple of — results have got to run for another couple of days. you know, things may look slightly _ couple of days. you know, things may look slightly different over the course — look slightly different over the course of the next couple of days. and one _ course of the next couple of days. and one of — course of the next couple of days. and one of the things i would say, two things, actually, one is turn out, _ two things, actually, one is turn out, not — two things, actually, one is turn out, not the _ two things, actually, one is turn out, not the same as it would be in a general— out, not the same as it would be in a general election. only half the people _ a general election. only half the people are voting at the moment that would _ people are voting at the moment that would normally vote, and the other thing _ would normally vote, and the other thing i_ would normally vote, and the other thing i would say is some people will have — thing i would say is some people will have voted a couple of weeks a -o will have voted a couple of weeks ago with — will have voted a couple of weeks ago with postal votes. there's definitely been a change in tempo from the — definitely been a change in tempo from the government and some positive — from the government and some positive announcements coming out that have _ positive announcements coming out that have been well received, and i think— that have been well received, and i think we _ that have been well received, and i think we are starting to see. hang on, there think we are starting to see. hang on. there was _ think we are starting to see. hang on, there was a _ think we are starting to see. hang on, there was a national- think we are starting to see. hang on, there was a national poll- think we are starting to see. hang on, there was a national poll this morning that put rishi sunak on his worst ever poll rating below liz truss after that announcement you just mentioned. but truss after that announcement you just mentioned.— just mentioned. but i think we will see in the coming _ just mentioned. but i think we will see in the coming weeks _ just mentioned. but i think we will see in the coming weeks we - just mentioned. but i think we will see in the coming weeks we will. just mentioned. but i think we will. see in the coming weeks we will get more _ see in the coming weeks we will get more data _ see in the coming weeks we will get more data on inflation and there is a prediction— more data on inflation and there is a prediction we will get a bit closer— a prediction we will get a bit closer to _ a prediction we will get a bit closer to the 2% target that the bank—

closer to the 2% target that the bank of— closer to the 2% target that the bank of england needs to get to where _ bank of england needs to get to where we should be and we will see the bank— where we should be and we will see the bank of— where we should be and we will see the bank of england starting to make some noises on where interest rates are going _ some noises on where interest rates are going and with the national insurance — are going and with the national insurance cuts, people are starting to feel— insurance cuts, people are starting to feel that— insurance cuts, people are starting to feel that they have a little bit more _ to feel that they have a little bit more spending power and that makes a bil more spending power and that makes a big difference. chris more spending power and that makes a big difference-— big difference. chris fox, what do ou make big difference. chris fox, what do you make of _ big difference. chris fox, what do you make of that? _ big difference. chris fox, what do you make of that? that _ big difference. chris fox, what do you make of that? that was - big difference. chris fox, what do you make of that? that was a - big difference. chris fox, what do - you make of that? that was a bravura performance — you make of that? that was a bravura performance of _ you make of that? that was a bravura performance of whistling _ you make of that? that was a bravura performance of whistling in _ you make of that? that was a bravura performance of whistling in the - you make of that? that was a bravura performance of whistling in the dark i performance of whistling in the dark and hoping — performance of whistling in the dark and hoping things— performance of whistling in the dark and hoping things might _ performance of whistling in the dark and hoping things might beat - performance of whistling in the dark and hoping things might beat a - and hoping things might beat a better— and hoping things might beat a better tomorrow _ and hoping things might beat a better tomorrow morning - and hoping things might beat a better tomorrow morning of. and hoping things might beat a - better tomorrow morning of saturday don't hold _ better tomorrow morning of saturday don't hold out— better tomorrow morning of saturday don't hold out too _ better tomorrow morning of saturday don't hold out too much— better tomorrow morning of saturday don't hold out too much hope - don't hold out too much hope because it's quite _ don't hold out too much hope because it's quite clear— don't hold out too much hope because it's quite clear the _ don't hold out too much hope because it's quite clear the electorate - it's quite clear the electorate have made _ it's quite clear the electorate have made up _ it's quite clear the electorate have made up their— it's quite clear the electorate have made up their mind, _ it's quite clear the electorate have made up their mind, and - it's quite clear the electorate have made up their mind, and in - made up their mind, and in blackpool, _ made up their mind, and in blackpool, congratulations| made up their mind, and in i blackpool, congratulations to made up their mind, and in - blackpool, congratulations to the labour _ blackpool, congratulations to the labour party. a _ blackpool, congratulations to the labour party, a great— blackpool, congratulations to the labour party, a great victory- blackpool, congratulations to the labour party, a great victory buti blackpool, congratulations to the . labour party, a great victory but we have seen _ labour party, a great victory but we have seen it — labour party, a great victory but we have seen it across _ labour party, a great victory but we have seen it across the _ labour party, a great victory but we have seen it across the by- have seen it across the by elections _ have seen it across the by elections. the _ have seen it across the by elections. the electoratei have seen it across the by- elections. the electorate decide who will beat _ elections. the electorate decide who will beat the — elections. the electorate decide who will beat the conservatives _ elections. the electorate decide who will beat the conservatives and - elections. the electorate decide who will beat the conservatives and they| will beat the conservatives and they vote for— will beat the conservatives and they vote for them — will beat the conservatives and they vote for them and _ will beat the conservatives and they vote for them and labour— will beat the conservatives and they vote for them and labour have - will beat the conservatives and they i vote for them and labour have picked up vote for them and labour have picked up five _ vote for them and labour have picked up five seats — vote for them and labour have picked up five seats with _ vote for them and labour have picked up five seats with huge _ vote for them and labour have picked up five seats with huge swings - vote for them and labour have picked up five seats with huge swings and i up five seats with huge swings and we've _ up five seats with huge swings and we've picked — up five seats with huge swings and we've picked up— up five seats with huge swings and we've picked up four— up five seats with huge swings and we've picked up four suite - up five seats with huge swings and we've picked up four suite —— - up five seats with huge swings and | we've picked up four suite —— seats with a _ we've picked up four suite —— seats with a four— we've picked up four suite —— seats with a four -- _ we've picked up four suite —— seats with a four —— huge _ we've picked up four suite —— seats with a four —— huge swings - we've picked up four suite —— seats with a four —— huge swings and - we've picked up four suite —— seats with a four —— huge swings and the j with a four —— huge swings and the north— with a four —— huge swings and the north shropshire _ with a four —— huge swings and the north shropshire swing _ with a four —— huge swings and the north shropshire swing was - with a four —— huge swings and the north shropshire swing was 34% l with a four —— huge swings and the j north shropshire swing was 34% of the lib— north shropshire swing was 34% of the lib dems — north shropshire swing was 34% of the lib dems and _ north shropshire swing was 34% of the lib dems and this— north shropshire swing was 34% of

the lib dems and this is— north shropshire swing was 34% of the lib dems and this is a - the lib dems and this is a huge swing _ the lib dems and this is a huge swing away— the lib dems and this is a huge swing away from _ the lib dems and this is a huge swing away from the _ the lib dems and this is a huge i swing away from the government the lib dems and this is a huge - swing away from the government and is very— swing away from the government and is very clear _ swing away from the government and is very clear that _ swing away from the government and is very clear that the _ swing away from the government and is very clear that the people - swing away from the government and is very clear that the people have - is very clear that the people have decided _ is very clear that the people have decided that _ is very clear that the people have decided that it _ is very clear that the people have decided that it is _ is very clear that the people have decided that it is time _ is very clear that the people have decided that it is time to- is very clear that the people have decided that it is time to and - is very clear that the people have decided that it is time to and the| decided that it is time to and the conservative _ decided that it is time to and the conservative government. - decided that it is time to and the conservative government. it's i decided that it is time to and the. conservative government. it'sjust conservative government. it's just up conservative government. it's just up to— conservative government. it's just up to the — conservative government. it'sjust up to the conservatives _ conservative government. it'sjust up to the conservatives to - conservative government. it'sjust up to the conservatives to decide i up to the conservatives to decide when _ up to the conservatives to decide when the moment _ up to the conservatives to decide when the moment is _ up to the conservatives to decide when the moment is going - up to the conservatives to decide when the moment is going to- up to the conservatives to decide j when the moment is going to be. up to the conservatives to decide. when the moment is going to be. i when the moment is going to be.|j when the moment is going to be. think what angela said, the when the moment is going to be.” think what angela said, the scene you said, that's part of the problem for the conservatives because this is not our people feel. they don't feel like things are getting better and they think things are getting work and to say is rishi sunak does every week to say everything is fine and it's going great, it's not our people feel every day.— people feel every day. inflation cominn people feel every day. inflation coming down — people feel every day. inflation coming down doesn't _ people feel every day. inflation coming down doesn't actually i people feel every day. inflation - coming down doesn't actually mean that their— coming down doesn't actually mean that their bills _ coming down doesn't actually mean that their bills are _ coming down doesn't actually mean that their bills are getting _ coming down doesn't actually mean that their bills are getting less, - that their bills are getting less, it means — that their bills are getting less, it means they— that their bills are getting less, it means they are _ that their bills are getting less, it means they are just - that their bills are getting less, it means they are just rising - that their bills are getting less, i it means they are just rising more slowly _ it means they are 'ust rising more slowl . : :. it means they are 'ust rising more slowl . : . :, it means they are 'ust rising more slowl . : . . :, , :, it means they are 'ust rising more slowl . : . . :, i. it means they are 'ust rising more slowl . : . . :, :, slowly. angela, what do you say to them? that _ slowly. angela, what do you say to them? that you — slowly. angela, what do you say to them? that you have _ slowly. angela, what do you say to them? that you have your - slowly. angela, what do you say to them? that you have your fingers l them? that you have yourfingers in your ears and you don't want to listen? �* . your ears and you don't want to listen? �* , :, , . listen? i've been doing this all ninht and listen? i've been doing this all night and l _ listen? i've been doing this all night and i was _ listen? i've been doing this all night and i was on _ listen? i've been doing this all night and i was on a _ listen? i've been doing this all night and i was on a bbc - listen? i've been doing this all night and i was on a bbc radioj listen? i've been doing this all- night and i was on a bbc radio panel with faisal islam who was saying that there is a measure now where people are saying they are feeling better off and that is in their personal finance, better off and that is in their personalfinance, so better off and that is in their personal finance, so there better off and that is in their personalfinance, so there is better off and that is in their personal finance, so there is a

change, it is happening, and the reason that is happening is that the labour party and lib dems want to call a general election is that they know things are improving and they do not want the prime minister to wait because i think they think because of the polls they would be better off going to a general election now rather than in the autumn or the second half of the year as the prime minister said. do ou year as the prime minister said. do you think what is happening with the economy will turn to such an extent that you will be able to push back these kinds of big political movements we have been seeing tonight, that you will really try to be able to change national polling of 20 points stop we had faisal islam on the show earlier and he said there might be some slightly better data but this is not people suddenly putting on the taps on and milk and honey will flow out. in the local elections, _ milk and honey will flow out. in the local elections, the _ milk and honey will flow out. in the local elections, the blackpool- milk and honey will flow out. ti it�*i9: local elections, the blackpool south election aside, votes are splitting everywhere and that is what they do in local elections and as you get closer to a general election people start to make decisions and historically you've always seen the polls tighten in every election.

this just happens as a matter of course. when people know they have to make a decision between either keir starmer or rishi sunak, they will make that decision. it's not about reform or the liberal democrats, who i face in guildford, it is about choosing who runs the country. it is about choosing who runs the count . :, :, . :, country. the other two are rolling their e es country. the other two are rolling their eyes and — country. the other two are rolling their eyes and i _ country. the other two are rolling their eyes and i want _ country. the other two are rolling their eyes and i want to _ country. the other two are rolling their eyes and i want to bring - country. the other two are rolling their eyes and i want to bring you j their eyes and i want to bring you in but one thing before we move on, the point is this is not mid—term, we are not halfway through a government that takes a few knocks because people get a bit fed up and as you get closer to a general election suddenly things start to narrow and turn. we are months from a general election and everybody knows that and some of your colleagues are pushing hard to have the general election next month or injuly. the general election next month or in jul . . the general election next month or in jul . , , :, the general election next month or injul. , , :, ,, the general election next month or injul. ,, :, ,, . in july. this is not like any other parliamentary — in july. this is not like any other parliamentary term _ in july. this is not like any other parliamentary term we've - in july. this is not like any other parliamentary term we've seen l in july. this is not like any other. parliamentary term we've seen in recent history. parliamentary term we've seen in recent history-— recent history. because you had three prime _ recent history. because you had three prime ministers. - recent history. because you had three prime ministers. no, - recent history. because you had - three prime ministers. no, because we had a once _ three prime ministers. no, because we had a once in — three prime ministers. no, because we had a once in 100 _ three prime ministers. no, because we had a once in 100 years - three prime ministers. no, because we had a once in 100 years global i we had a once in 100 years global pandemic and we had war with ukraine and a spike in energy bills and we

have spent £407 billion protecting peoples lives and livelihoods and a trying to help people with their energy costs. this is not normal and has not been a normal time. and it's taken a while to see inflation come down from 11.1% but we are on the right track. down from 11.1% but we are on the right track-— down from 11.1% but we are on the right track.- let's _ down from 11.1% but we are on the right track.- let's look - down from 11.1% but we are on the right track.- let's look at. down from 11.1% but we are on the right track.- let's look at a i right track. chris? let's look at a suture -- _ right track. chris? let's look at a suture -- similar— right track. chris? let's look at a suture -- similar situation. - suture —— similar situation. straight _ suture —— similar situation. straight after— suture —— similar situation. straight after world - suture —— similar situation. straight after world war ii, suture —— similar situation. - straight after world war ii, which was unprecedented _ straight after world war ii, which was unprecedented for— straight after world war ii, which was unprecedented for peoples i straight after world war ii, which - was unprecedented for peoples lives, what happened? _ was unprecedented for peoples lives, what happened? it— was unprecedented for peoples lives, what happened? it wasn't _ was unprecedented for peoples lives, what happened? it wasn't a _ was unprecedented for peoples lives, what happened? it wasn't a thank- was unprecedented for peoples lives, | what happened? it wasn't a thank you to the _ what happened? it wasn't a thank you to the government _ what happened? it wasn't a thank you to the government or— what happened? it wasn't a thank you to the government or anything - what happened? it wasn't a thank you to the government or anything like . to the government or anything like that _ to the government or anything like that they— to the government or anything like that. they voted _ to the government or anything like that. they voted in _ to the government or anything like that. they voted in a _ to the government or anything like that. they voted in a labour- that. they voted in a labour government _ that. they voted in a labour government. the _ that. they voted in a labour government. the idea - that. they voted in a labour government. the idea of- that. they voted in a labour- government. the idea of looking back and saying _ government. the idea of looking back and saying a — government. the idea of looking back and saying a look— government. the idea of looking back and saying a look at _ government. the idea of looking back and saying a look at all— government. the idea of looking back and saying a look at all these - and saying a look at all these horrible — and saying a look at all these horrible things _ and saying a look at all these horrible things we _ and saying a look at all these horrible things we have - and saying a look at all these horrible things we have had, | and saying a look at all these - horrible things we have had, yes, that is— horrible things we have had, yes, that is what— horrible things we have had, yes, that is what people _ horrible things we have had, yes, that is what people say, - horrible things we have had, yes, that is what people say, they- horrible things we have had, yes, i that is what people say, they have lived _ that is what people say, they have lived through _ that is what people say, they have lived through this _ that is what people say, they have lived through this and _ that is what people say, they havej lived through this and experienced all this— lived through this and experienced all this and — lived through this and experienced all this and what _ lived through this and experienced all this and what they _ lived through this and experienced all this and what they are - all this and what they are getting now is— all this and what they are getting now is a — all this and what they are getting now is a higher cost _ all this and what they are getting now is a higher cost of _ now is a higher cost of living, longer— now is a higher cost of living, longer gueues _ now is a higher cost of living, longer queues for— now is a higher cost of living, longer queues for their- now is a higher cost of living, i longer queues for their doctor. now is a higher cost of living, - longer queues for their doctor. if they live — longer queues for their doctor. if they live by— longer queues for their doctor. if they live by a _ longer queues for their doctor. if they live by a river, _ longer queues for their doctor. if they live by a river, it's _ longer queues for their doctor. if they live by a river, it's filthy - they live by a river, it's filthy and — they live by a river, it's filthy and they— they live by a river, it's filthy and they can't _ they live by a river, it's filthy and they can't go _ they live by a river, it's filthy and they can't go near- they live by a river, it's filthy and they can't go near it - they live by a river, it's filthy and they can't go near it and | and they can't go near it and there's— and they can't go near it and there's all— and they can't go near it and there's all sorts _ and they can't go near it and there's all sorts of _ and they can't go near it and there's all sorts of problemsj and they can't go near it and - there's all sorts of problems with social— there's all sorts of problems with social care — there's all sorts of problems with social care and _ there's all sorts of problems with social care and their— there's all sorts of problems with social care and their parents - there's all sorts of problems with social care and their parents or. social care and their parents or family — social care and their parents or

family that— social care and their parents or family. that is— social care and their parents or family. that is what _ social care and their parents or family. that is what they - social care and their parents or family. that is what they are l family. that is what they are experiencing, _ family. that is what they are experiencing, so— family. that is what they are experiencing, so it's - family. that is what they are experiencing, so it's all- family. that is what they are experiencing, so it's all very| family. that is what they are - experiencing, so it's all very well saying _ experiencing, so it's all very well saying there _ experiencing, so it's all very well saying there was _ experiencing, so it's all very well saying there was this, _ experiencing, so it's all very well saying there was this, this, - experiencing, so it's all very well saying there was this, this, and . saying there was this, this, and that thing — saying there was this, this, and that thing happening, _ saying there was this, this, and that thing happening, but- saying there was this, this, and i that thing happening, but people live in— that thing happening, but people live in the — that thing happening, but people live in the now _ that thing happening, but people live in the now and _ that thing happening, but people live in the now and look - that thing happening, but people live in the now and look to - that thing happening, but people live in the now and look to the i live in the now and look to the future — live in the now and look to the future. ~ :. live in the now and look to the future. 9 . : , , , :, :, future. we are incredibly proud of the support _ future. we are incredibly proud of the support we — future. we are incredibly proud of the support we targeted - future. we are incredibly proud of the support we targeted to - future. we are incredibly proud of the support we targeted to the i the support we targeted to the people who needed the most and we really looked after the vulnerable. but what you haven't mentioned in all of this is the budget of liz truss which caused interest rates to rocket. :, , truss which caused interest rates to rocket. 9, , 9, truss which caused interest rates to rocket. :, , . , rocket. people are still living with the consequences _ rocket. people are still living with the consequences of _ rocket. people are still living with the consequences of that. - rocket. people are still living with i the consequences of that. mortgage and interest rates are still sky high _ and interest rates are still sky high and — and interest rates are still sky high and people have to pay rent at levels _ high and people have to pay rent at levels they've never had to pay before — levels they've never had to pay before. you very conveniently leave that out _ before. you very conveniently leave that out of— before. you very conveniently leave that out of the list of things that have _ that out of the list of things that have happened. it's been chaos. you trashed _ have happened. it's been chaos. you trashed the — have happened. it's been chaos. you trashed the economy and now you are seeing the _ trashed the economy and now you are seeing the consequences of that and seeing _ seeing the consequences of that and seeing in _ seeing the consequences of that and seeing in councils across the country _ seeing in councils across the country and in by—elections across the country— country and in by—elections across the country that tory voters are voting _ the country that tory voters are voting labour, and that is what is happening — voting labour, and that is what is happening-— voting labour, and that is what is haenin. 9 . :, happening. what i would come back and sa s happening. what i would come back and says that _ happening. what i would come back and says that we _ happening. what i would come back and says that we have _ happening. what i would come back and says that we have seen - happening. what i would come back and says that we have seen the i happening. what i would come back. and says that we have seen the exact same circumstances right across the world. everybody across the world has suffered. itlat

world. everybody across the world has suffered-— world. everybody across the world has suffered. :, . , has suffered. not a kamikaze budget. eve bod has suffered. not a kamikaze budget. everybody has — has suffered. not a kamikaze budget. everybody has had — has suffered. not a kamikaze budget. everybody has had supply _ has suffered. not a kamikaze budget. everybody has had supply change i everybody has had supply change issues and we are now saying in the us inflation taking up and it is sticky. it is not easy to deal with these ones 100 year events but i'm incredibly proud of what the prime minister has done and the chancellor in times of stabilising the economy in times of stabilising the economy in the last year and a half to get us to the point of where we are. and it is working because we have to stick to that because if we don't we will be back to square one. angela, the noint, will be back to square one. angela, the point. you _ will be back to square one. angela, the point. you can _ will be back to square one. angela, the point, you can argue _ will be back to square one. angela, the point, you can argue all- will be back to square one. angela, the point, you can argue all that i the point, you can argue all that and point of all sorts of very different events that happened and nobody would deny that situations have not been testing, but what has been running along side that is conservatives changing prime ministers several times, it is the very, very dramatic turmoil of liz truss's short—term tenure in charge, and if you don't listen to the message that the electorate is

giving you, aren't you risking to sticking your fingers in your ears if you don't get it that people are telling you you want to do something different? i telling you you want to do something different? . 9, telling you you want to do something different? , :, , :, , :, different? i listened to people on the doorsteps — different? i listened to people on the doorsteps every _ different? i listened to people on the doorsteps every week - different? i listened to people on| the doorsteps every week and i'm different? i listened to people on i the doorsteps every week and i'm out talking to them. and it might be different to different parts of the country and i accept that but i've been quite happy to apologise to people for the chaos we've been through in the last couple of years because i think that is being a grown up and being in a relationship with the people you represent and it's important to acknowledge and it could have been handled better. that said, i'm incredibly supportive of what the prime minister has done. it's not been easy to have to wait for such a long period of time before you see things stabilising inflation to come down and give people tax cuts and that is what they have wanted. they wanted more money in their pockets and i do acknowledge there have been cost of living difficulties.—

living difficulties. you've got the hithest living difficulties. you've got the highest tax _ living difficulties. you've got the highest tax bill _ living difficulties. you've got the highest tax bill in _ living difficulties. you've got the highest tax bill in 70 _ living difficulties. you've got the highest tax bill in 70 years i living difficulties. you've got the highest tax bill in 70 years and i highest tax bill in 70 years and rishi _ highest tax bill in 70 years and rishi sunak is not learning from this _ rishi sunak is not learning from this liz— rishi sunak is not learning from this. liz truss made £45 billion worth— this. liz truss made £45 billion worth of— this. liz truss made £45 billion worth of unfunded tax cuts which cause _ worth of unfunded tax cuts which cause the — worth of unfunded tax cuts which cause the economy to crash and rishi sunak— cause the economy to crash and rishi sunak is— cause the economy to crash and rishi sunak is promising to get rid of national— sunak is promising to get rid of national insurance, £46 billion and won't _ national insurance, £46 billion and won't say— national insurance, £46 billion and won't say where he will pay for it. it's won't say where he will pay for it. it's going — won't say where he will pay for it. it's going to — won't say where he will pay for it. it's going to come from pensions or the nhs _ it's going to come from pensions or the nhs and he refuses to say how he will pay— the nhs and he refuses to say how he will pay for— the nhs and he refuses to say how he will pay for it and this week we had the suggestion that the pension age might— the suggestion that the pension age might rise to 75 which he would deny _ might rise to 75 which he would deny so— might rise to 75 which he would deny. so they are not listening. doing _ deny. so they are not listening. doing the — deny. so they are not listening. doing the same mistakes it was acknowledged that national insurance isn't hypothecated... insurance isn't hypothecated. .. where insurance isn't hypothecated... where is the 46 billion coming from? what the _ where is the 46 billion coming from? what the prime minister has said is that it what the prime minister has said is thatitis what the prime minister has said is that it is the ambition to phase it out over time. it is going to happen over time because... hahn out over time. it is going to happen over time because. . ._ over time because... how are you auoin to over time because... how are you going to pay _ over time because... how are you going to pay for— over time because... how are you going to pay for it? _ over time because... how are you going to pay for it? the _ over time because... how are you going to pay for it? the one i over time because... how are you going to pay for it? the one thing | over time because... how are you | going to pay for it? the one thing i

would come _ going to pay for it? the one thing i would come back— going to pay for it? the one thing i would come back to _ going to pay for it? the one thing i would come back to you _ going to pay for it? the one thing i would come back to you and - going to pay for it? the one thing i would come back to you and say i going to pay for it? the one thing i i would come back to you and say that is, after world war ii we had huge levels of debt and it took us a long time to pay those down. what a pro minister has been clear about is that we are not going to make our children and grandchildren pay for covid. we are going to take the measures now. they are going to be hard and we can't have everything that we want, we have to make choices, but it's really important that sound money, which is what conservatives stand for, i still believe that's very much the case regardless of what's happened over the last couple of years, and we have been demonstrating that in the last 18 months.— have been demonstrating that in the last 18 months._ de - have been demonstrating that in the last 18 months._ de laat i last 18 months. chris fox? de laat budaet is last 18 months. chris fox? de laat budget is predicated _ last 18 months. chris fox? de laat budget is predicated on _ last 18 months. chris fox? de laat budget is predicated on unrealisticj budget is predicated on unrealistic cost savings — budget is predicated on unrealistic cost savings going _ budget is predicated on unrealistic cost savings going forward. - budget is predicated on unrealistic cost savings going forward. —— i budget is predicated on unrealistic cost savings going forward. —— the j cost savings going forward. —— the last budget — cost savings going forward. —— the last budget. whoever— cost savings going forward. —— the last budget. whoever is— cost savings going forward. —— the last budget. whoever is next- cost savings going forward. —— the last budget. whoever is next up. cost savings going forward. —— the i last budget. whoever is next up are they will— last budget. whoever is next up are they will inherit _ last budget. whoever is next up are they will inherit savings _ last budget. whoever is next up are they will inherit savings that - last budget. whoever is next up are they will inherit savings that have i they will inherit savings that have no real— they will inherit savings that have no real route _ they will inherit savings that have no real route to _ they will inherit savings that have no real route to being _ they will inherit savings that have no real route to being delivered. i no real route to being delivered. that's _ no real route to being delivered. that's not — no real route to being delivered. that's not sound _ no real route to being delivered. that's not sound government, i no real route to being delivered. . that's not sound government, that no real route to being delivered. - that's not sound government, that is a stab _ that's not sound government, that is a stab in _ that's not sound government, that is a stab in the — that's not sound government, that is a stab in the dark— that's not sound government, that is a stab in the dark in— that's not sound government, that is a stab in the dark in order— that's not sound government, that is a stab in the dark in order to- that's not sound government, that is a stab in the dark in order to be - a stab in the dark in order to be able_ a stab in the dark in order to be able to— a stab in the dark in order to be able to give—

a stab in the dark in order to be able to give a_ a stab in the dark in order to be able to give a tax _ a stab in the dark in order to be able to give a tax cut _ a stab in the dark in order to be able to give a tax cut which - a stab in the dark in order to be| able to give a tax cut which isn't a stab in the dark in order to be . able to give a tax cut which isn't a tax cut _ able to give a tax cut which isn't a tax cut it — able to give a tax cut which isn't a tax cut it was _ able to give a tax cut which isn't a tax cut. it was interesting - able to give a tax cut which isn't a tax cut. it was interesting to - able to give a tax cut which isn't a tax cut. it was interesting to see i tax cut. it was interesting to see the figures — tax cut. it was interesting to see the figures from _ tax cut. it was interesting to see the figures from hmrc - tax cut. it was interesting to see the figures from hmrc which - tax cut. it was interesting to see . the figures from hmrc which point out that_ the figures from hmrc which point out that the — the figures from hmrc which point out that the figures _ the figures from hmrc which point out that the figures were - the figures from hmrc which point out that the figures were really - out that the figures were really paying — out that the figures were really paying the _ out that the figures were really paying the most— out that the figures were really paying the most extra - out that the figures were really paying the most extra tax - out that the figures were really paying the most extra tax are i out that the figures were really . paying the most extra tax are the sort of _ paying the most extra tax are the sort of people _ paying the most extra tax are the sort of people who _ paying the most extra tax are the sort of people who live _ paying the most extra tax are the sort of people who live in - paying the most extra tax are the sort of people who live in your. sort of people who live in your constituency _ sort of people who live in your constituency.— sort of people who live in your constituen . . ~ , ., , . constituency. thank you very much for now. constituency. thank you very much for nova it — constituency. thank you very much for nova it is _ constituency. thank you very much for now. it is certainly _ constituency. thank you very much for now. it is certainly true - constituency. thank you very much for now. it is certainly true for - for now. it is certainly true for many of the numbers you look at that whoever wins the next election will inherit a very tough economic situation and it might be worth remembering, i'm sure if you're up at half past five watching a political programme, you might remember that the head of the independent government watchdog said that the plans before —— were put forward by the equivalent to fiction in terms of how much anybody might be able to count on future spending figures that were being put into the public domain. we to talk about that a lot when we get to the general election campaign. let's look at particular aspects we have touched on a bit tight what's been happening with the lib dems, the greens and reform and the role of the smaller

parties. and a pattern we have seen so far. scott maguire has been officially hanging on for us. thank you for waiting. great to have you with us. —— scarlett. once the pattern we like? with us. -- scarlett. once the pattern we like ?_ with us. -- scarlett. once the pattern we like? local elections are normally favourable _ pattern we like? local elections are normally favourable to _ pattern we like? local elections are normally favourable to smaller - normally favourable to smaller parties and that is something we are seeing tonight. less so for the lib dems at the moment. but i think interesting things to read. you've just been talking about the reform by election results and some of the damage they've done to the conservatives in the north—east earlier in the night. i think the greens will be interesting too. on reform, this was a good performance for them, reform, this was a good performance forthem, each reform, this was a good performance for them, each that their previous record. they have still got less than ukip got in the general election in this constituency in 2015. i do think the problem for the conservatives is that if they try to read good news into that, i don't think there is much there. one of the interesting things about reform is that they are disproportionately

drawing their votes from previous conservative 2019 voters. the number for labour is in single digits. there really hurting the conservatives. so now even if the general election polling the halves, which is more than what you would expect in line with these sorts of by—election results a local election results, they can still do a lot of damage. the greens, interesting, i don't think anyone is claiming at the moment that the greens are doing damage to labour as reform are doing to the conservatives. sure people in bristol will be nervously watching that result tomorrow evening given what we've seen earlier in the night. but i think it is the source of warning signs for the coalition of warning signs for the coalition of voters that they won't have to hold together. i of voters that they won't have to hold together.— hold together. i 'ust as we talk, and 'ust hold together. i 'ust as we talk, and just go — hold together. i 'ust as we talk, and just go to _ hold together. i just as we talk, and just go to show _ hold together. i just as we talk, and just go to show people - hold together. i just as we talk, and just go to show people the | hold together. i just as we talk, - and just go to show people the state of the party so far with labour

adding 58 to 197 councillors. the tories are losing 118. the lib dems gaining 15. in terms of expectations about the conservative performance, how would you describe it versus the reality of what we've seen at this stage? i reality of what we've seen at this sta . e? ~ . reality of what we've seen at this staue? ~ . . reality of what we've seen at this staue? ~ , , . , stage? i think it is still early da s. i stage? i think it is still early days. ithink— stage? i think it is still early days. i think blackpool- stage? i think it is still early i days. i think blackpool south, labour performed the expectation, that swing was the third biggest, absolutely huge. it does look like the conservatives might bottom out even the very low expectation management predictions of losing 500, looks like they could be on course to lose more, obviously still early days looks like what a dismal night. early days looks like what a dismal ni . ht. �* , early days looks like what a dismal niuht. �* , ., early days looks like what a dismal nirht, �* , ., ., ., night. and in terms of the mayoral races, night. and in terms of the mayoral races. finally. _ night. and in terms of the mayoral races, finally, we _ night. and in terms of the mayoral races, finally, we know—

night. and in terms of the mayoral races, finally, we know teesside i night. and in terms of the mayoralj races, finally, we know teesside is held by ben houchen, close ally of borisjohnson, he is expected to hang on. west midlands, andy street, who is a popular personality in his own right, used to be the boss of john lewis and fighting hard to hang on in the west midlands, what's your expectation of those two different races? i expectation of those two different races? ~ . expectation of those two different races? ~' . , ,., races? i think we have seen some ollin: races? i think we have seen some polling that _ races? i think we have seen some polling that showed _ races? i think we have seen some polling that showed that - races? i think we have seen some polling that showed that the - races? i think we have seen some polling that showed that the west midlands in particular will be very tight. | midlands in particular will be very tight. i think either it will be close. i think if the conservatives managed to hang on it will be a case of the candidates performing well rather than the party. i think the flip side to this is bearing in mind some of the results we've seen this evening, could be that labour pull off a big upset in north yorkshire as well which might be more significant than andy street or ben houchen holding on, as much as the tories want to draw attention to those things. tories want to draw attention to those things— tories want to draw attention to those things. thanks very much, ureat to those things. thanks very much, great to have — those things. thanks very much, great to have you _ those things. thanks very much, great to have you on _ those things. thanks very much, great to have you on the - those things. thanks very much, - great to have you on the programme and thank you for hanging on for us at this very early hour of the morning. ijust want

at this very early hour of the morning. i just want to give you at this very early hour of the morning. ijust want to give you a quick reminder of the chronology of all of this. as we said around midnight which is like a lifetime ago, we have a dizzying array of contests. we are in the middle of a stream of council results coming through. we had a by—election result blackpool south, we have plenty of councils, but there will be many more counsel results been counted tomorrow, friday, that's when we start to get the results of those mayoral elections too. they are fascinating and important but also as scarlett was saying, sometimes a bit of an anomaly. teesside will be tomorrow afternoon, we think. west midlands probably on saturday afternoon. london mayoral result which we have hardly even touched on probably coming on saturday night. this is not a game of two halves, it's a game of three thirds or four quarters, but we do have enough information to be able to be drawing some trends. reeta, where are we that may be our final look at

tonight's councils to watch? i that may be our final look at tonight's councils to watch? i think so. we tonight's councils to watch? i think s0- we started _ tonight's councils to watch? i think so. we started this _ tonight's councils to watch? i think so. we started this at _ tonight's councils to watch? i think so. we started this at 11:45pm, - so. we started this at 11:45pm, lifetime ago, but a lot has changed. the ones that are flashing for the councils that have changed hands. redditch is a labour gain, and my goodness, that was a conservative council when the conservatives had a majority, that's been completely overturned. labour now have a majority of 15 in redditch. rushmoor and hampshire, that's had been conservative since the start of the century, now labour has that counsel, they gain seven seats. harlow has just come in, counsel, they gain seven seats. harlow hasjust come in, not counsel, they gain seven seats. harlow has just come in, not very long ago, that is a conservative hold but they have just got a majority of one. they have hung on to that of the skin of their teeth. and they have lost north east lincolnshire overall control. the labour councils kept all the ones from lincoln right the way down to

plymouth. but oldham, that is the only counsel on this screen that has not yet declared and we are hearing that labour are in some trouble in oldham. so we will be keeping a very close eye on oldham. the lib dem councils have all stayed lib dem and they will be very relieved at that, particularly in gosport where they have been thought to be a potentially in some danger. under the hung councils, hartlepool we brought you a while ago, labour gain, they will be very triumphant about that, and also gaining thurrock in essex. in the last few moments, portsmouth is one of the last ones to declare, that has stayed hung so the lib dems, who were hoping to take portsmouth, haven't quite managed to do so. let me show you something that shows the overall picture tonight. those were individual councils, this is the overall picture which based on 33 of

the 35 councils that are declaring tonight, we have now got enough information to work out, assuming that the patterns of voting stay the same as they have throughout the night, and there is no reason to expect them not to, this is what we think that translates into in terms of councillors. it means that labour will have gained 253 councillors, the conservatives losing 516, and the conservatives losing 516, and the lib dems gaining 64. so that middle figure of 516 for the conservatives, within those sorts of bad guesstimates the conservatives have been talking about in the last few days, but make no mistake, it is pretty bad. few days, but make no mistake, it is re bad. . . , few days, but make no mistake, it is re bad. . , , ., pretty bad. that is definitely at the bottom _ pretty bad. that is definitely at the bottom end _ pretty bad. that is definitely at the bottom end if _ pretty bad. that is definitely at the bottom end if not - pretty bad. that is definitely at the bottom end if not slightly l pretty bad. that is definitely at - the bottom end if not slightly below the bottom end if not slightly below the bottom end of expectations for the bottom end of expectations for the conservatives. labour probably roughly where we might have expected them to be. so interesting to see

that all in the context of what's happened in recent years and all those different comparisons. a reminder, we didn't leave at liz truss because she was in for such a short amount of time, just because they were not in the elections when she was in downing street. in terms of what happens next, so far we are seeing the tories have had a bad night, we have been asking our conservative ministers and representatives in the studio whether anything needs to change. stick with the plan has been the message, as you might not be surprised at. it's from tim montgomerie we know it is also some interesting things! thank you for joining us at this early hour. what goes through your mind when you have seenin? goes through your mind when you have seen in? ~ , goes through your mind when you have seen in? �* , , seen in? absolutely, definitely the bottom end _ seen in? absolutely, definitely the bottom end of _ seen in? absolutely, definitely the bottom end of expectations. - seen in? absolutely, definitely the bottom end of expectations. i - seen in? absolutely, definitely the| bottom end of expectations. i think the danger is, the prime minister is

—— right has understandably been waiting for something to turn up, in the hope that things will get better but is now been prime ministerfor 18 months, and you look at the swing in the blackpool by—election, and the swings are not getting any better. i think the voters have made up better. i think the voters have made up their mind about this prime minister and this conservative party. my concern is that the longer the election is delayed, the worse the election is delayed, the worse the outcome is going to be. i think we are overstretching voters' patients and i worry about that. so do you think there should be an election immediately? i do you think there should be an election immediately?- do you think there should be an election immediately? i think there needs to be — election immediately? i think there needs to be something _ election immediately? i think there needs to be something soon - election immediately? i think there needs to be something soon and i i needs to be something soon and i think we do need to resolve the question of rishi sunak's leadership. he is a nice and decent man but hejust leadership. he is a nice and decent man but he just can't do politics. he hasn't defined labour in any significant way for the piece not able to campaign. he makes sort of announcement, which for reaction, doesn't get one and then moves on. there is in the sort of sustained campaign you would expect from an effective politician. i asked

different people in the conservative party, what if the tories won a majority, would the conservatives do with it? you don't have coherent answers. rishi sunak hasn't used the 18 months he's had to show the voters that he wants to build houses or wants to invest, this is not really clear other than stopping the boats, but his big message is. that's probably the reason why the conservatives are in the bad place that they are. conservatives are in the bad place that they are-— that they are. should he go? personally — that they are. should he go? personally i _ that they are. should he go? personally i think _ that they are. should he go? personally i think the - that they are. should he go? personally i think the results that they are. should he go? - personally i think the results are so bad and although it's a big roll of the dice and it would be a gamble, ijust don't think he has connected with the voters at all and i think you should go. i think tory mps are really waiting for the mayoral results in the west midlands and in teesside before they decide what sort of action they may take over the weekend. itrail“) what sort of action they may take over the weekend.— what sort of action they may take over the weekend. who should replace him? that's the _ over the weekend. who should replace him? that's the big _ over the weekend. who should replace him? that's the big question. - over the weekend. who should replace him? that's the big question. i - him? that's the big question. i think of david _ him? that's the big question. i think of david cameron - him? that's the big question. i think of david cameron was - him? that's the big question. i think of david cameron was in | him? that's the big question. i i think of david cameron was in the house of commons, he would be prime

minister again by now. but rishi sunak a's minister again by now. but rishi sunak as one plus advantage is not an obvious successor to him and that is why a lot of mps haven't made a move. ., , ., , .,, . is why a lot of mps haven't made a move. ., , ., , .,, . . move. lots of people have said that our move. lots of people have said that your problem _ move. lots of people have said that your problem as _ move. lots of people have said that your problem as a _ move. lots of people have said that your problem as a party _ move. lots of people have said that your problem as a party has - move. lots of people have said that your problem as a party has been i your problem as a party has been creating chaos in westminster. if you change the leader, you create more chaos in westminster. is it really credible at this stage in the electoral cycle, with a general election thundering towards us, to think that you can come as a party, has a cabal, change your mind again and try out someone else and expect voters to put up with that?— voters to put up with that? there are no easy _ voters to put up with that? there are no easy options _ voters to put up with that? there are no easy options from - voters to put up with that? there are no easy options from now- voters to put up with that? there are no easy options from now on| voters to put up with that? there i are no easy options from now on for the conservative party. but we have seenin the conservative party. but we have seen in the last couple of days in scotland, they have lurched from a real crisis with humza yousafjust two days ago, to potentially uniting behind john swinney and look like they are much more credible at the coming general election. so it could

go wrong with a change of leader but i think as the snp have shown, not always the wrong option. i will]! i think as the snp have shown, not always the wrong option.— always the wrong option. i will put those remarks _ always the wrong option. i will put those remarks to _ always the wrong option. i will put those remarks to angela - always the wrong option. i will put i those remarks to angela richardson. tim knows and understands the party very well, he says rishi sunak has got to go, it is worth the role of the dice. i got to go, it is worth the role of the dice. ~ . got to go, it is worth the role of the dice. ~' , . , the dice. i think these have been his comments _ the dice. i think these have been his comments for _ the dice. i think these have been his comments for some - the dice. i think these have been his comments for some time - the dice. i think these have been l his comments for some time now. the dice. i think these have been - his comments for some time now. it is symptomatic of an addiction shady sugar rush get from the chaos, if that's where you are. i don't think it helps anyone, i don't think it helps the country. any inward —looking by tory mps to their own set of circumstances is not a kind thing to do to the country. it's not right and it's not fair. the prime minister is trying to govern for the country, think he needs to be able to get on and do the things he's doing. tim said he didn't see what the prime minister's plan was. he laid out his plan incredibly clearly, so clearly the people actually know what his five points

are, that he wants to halve inflation, which is done, cut debt, cut the waiting lists, grow the economy and stop the boats. and cut the waiting lists, grow the economy and stop the boats. and tim montgomerie — economy and stop the boats. and tim montgomerie summary _ economy and stop the boats. and tim montgomerie summary who _ economy and stop the boats. and tim montgomerie summary who has - economy and stop the boats. and tim montgomerie summary who has been | montgomerie summary who has been very straightforward about his views, but colleagues of yours say to me and chris and others privately, plenty of them say you're not going to be to turn this around. and wouldn't therefore the kind of thing be two activists, to people like tim, to may be people who want to vote conservative but they look at what is on offer and they say, just can't do it, wouldn't the kind of thing to be put it out of its ministry —— right out of its misery? tim talked about david cameron. he is looking backwards. what we need to do is keep looking forwards and keep working on that plan to deliver four people. i think there is a risk within the conservative party sometimes but itjust loves having a conversation about itself. tim.

sometimes but itjust loves having a conversation about itself.— conversation about itself. tim, what ou to conversation about itself. tim, what you to that? — conversation about itself. tim, what you to that? we _ conversation about itself. tim, what you to that? we can _ conversation about itself. tim, what you to that? we can hey _ conversation about itself. tim, what you to that? we can hey now, - conversation about itself. tim, what you to that? we can hey now, tim. | you to that? we can hey now, tim. the party is still going backwards under— the party is still going backwards under rishi sunak and i completely appreciate why angela is so nervous about— appreciate why angela is so nervous about changing leadership, but when the results _ about changing leadership, but when the results are as bad as they have been _ the results are as bad as they have been tonight, with so many good conservatives losing their seats, this is— conservatives losing their seats, this is damien karen, this is the end of— this is damien karen, this is the end of the — this is damien karen, this is the end of the parliament, time is running — end of the parliament, time is running out and i don't think rishi sunak— running out and i don't think rishi sunak has— running out and i don't think rishi sunak has used the time he's had. i'm sunak has used the time he's had. i'm happy— sunak has used the time he's had. i'm happy to — sunak has used the time he's had. i'm happy to be going out and knocking _ i'm happy to be going out and knocking on the doors of my constituency and making the case for rishi sunak— constituency and making the case for rishi sunak as prime minister and that is— rishi sunak as prime minister and that is resonating with my constituents. it doesn't look like it according to the we've seen. but this is only — it according to the we've seen. emit this is only small bits of the country on a small turnout and they are not being asked to choose the prime minister.— are not being asked to choose the prime minister. hissing by-election by-election — prime minister. hissing by-election by-election where _ prime minister. hissing by-election by-election where the _ prime minister. hissing by-election by-election where the swing - prime minister. hissing by-election| by-election where the swing against by—election where the swing against the conservatives sustain. the idea

its going _ the conservatives sustain. the idea its going to — the conservatives sustain. the idea its going to change now when the results _ its going to change now when the results have been so consistent, i think— results have been so consistent, i think is— results have been so consistent, i think is whistling in the dark. but those think is whistling in the dark. emit those by—elections have been caused by the actions of individual mps and they do not reflect on the prime minister. . ., . . , , , minister. hang on, what happens with mps and council _ minister. hang on, what happens with mps and council seats _ minister. hang on, what happens with mps and council seats does _ minister. hang on, what happens with mps and council seats does reflect - mps and council seats does reflect on the prime minister in your party? the by—elections that was talking about that we've had, the vast majority of them have been caused by bad behaviour of sitting mps. that is a fair point. _ bad behaviour of sitting mps. that is a fair point, many _ bad behaviour of sitting mps. that is a fair point, many mps have gone for those kinds of reasons, but you cannot say tonight, surely, that the results you are seeing from the local elections are no reflection... i refer to what i said at the beginning, the fact that when we fought these same 2021 we were in a completely different set of circumstances.— completely different set of circumstances. ., . circumstances. you can say that until you're _ circumstances. you can say that until you're blue _ circumstances. you can say that until you're blue in _ circumstances. you can say that until you're blue in the - circumstances. you can say that until you're blue in the face, - circumstances. you can say that| until you're blue in the face, the results suggest very much that voters are not impressed with rishi sunak and we are in the run—up to a

general election, it is wondering... i would say back to you, is this a national referendum or is it a local one? what is being fought on local issues or is it a reflection of the prime minister?— issues or is it a reflection of the prime minister? what do you think? which are local _ prime minister? what do you think? which are local results _ prime minister? what do you think? which are local results based - prime minister? what do you think? which are local results based on - which are local results based on local issues? i which are local results based on local issues?— which are local results based on local issues? i think we have seen the vote splitting _ local issues? i think we have seen the vote splitting the _ local issues? i think we have seen the vote splitting the way - local issues? i think we have seen the vote splitting the way it - local issues? i think we have seen the vote splitting the way it has i the vote splitting the way it has for the green party, for independents, we saw north tyneside go to an independent. there independents, we saw north tyneside go to an independent.— go to an independent. there was a bin strike in _ go to an independent. there was a bin strike in south _ go to an independent. there was a bin strike in south tyneside - go to an independent. there was a bin strike in south tyneside so - go to an independent. there was a | bin strike in south tyneside so they did well there are fossil to local issues to certainly do that. we will remind you of that if there are conservative successes that are down to rishi sunak, we will say that local issues are as important as national ones. thank you very much forjourneys, tim montgomerie.

reeta, believe it or not, we are not that far away from six o'clock and a big cup of coffee. but i do want you to show us the very important breakdown of what happened under the headline in blackpool south. in a headline in blackpool south. in a niuht of headline in blackpool south. in a night of big _ headline in blackpool south. in — night of big results, this one stood out. blackpool south, the only by—election of the night, triggered by—election of the night, triggered by the resignation of the conservative mp, and it was a resounding labour victory. chris webb won it with a majority of 7600, and ijust want webb won it with a majority of 7600, and i just want to show you the swing from conservative to labour, thatis swing from conservative to labour, that is a whopping 26%, and i can tell you that this was the third largest drop in conservative support in any by—election since the war. so i really thumping victory for the labour party. in terms of local council results, these are some of the most eye—catching. redditch and the most eye—catching. redditch and the west midlands, but was

conservative, it is a labour gain from the conservatives. the conservatives have a three seat majority on this council and that's been translated into a 15 seat majority for labour. you can see here the figures speak for themselves. labour gaining ten seats, the conservatives losing 11, and one seat going to the greens. so and one seat going to the greens. so a really interesting result there. i want to take you next to rushmoor in hampshire. this had been conservative since the start of the century and it had never been labour. but this is also a labour gain from the conservatives. you can see labour picked up seven seats. the conservatives lost eight seats. the conservatives lost eight seats. the lib dems gained one. so that has become a labour council, labour have the majority of free seats there rushmoor. one more council want to

bring new, but is hartlepool, which had been a hung council, there was no one party in charge, and that is a labour gain. they were picking up eight seats, the conservatives losing six and the independents losing six and the independents losing the six as well, this was a notorious by—election defeat for labour in 2021, so this goes quite some way for them in terms of being able to hold their heads up high again in hartlepool. much more on the election results, all the stories are on the website for you, you can put in your postcode and find out what's happened in your own area. that's the address, and of course you can also use the bbc news app. reeta, thank you very much. and for all your number crunching through the night, thank you very much

indeed. withjust reminding the night, thank you very much indeed. with just reminding you the night, thank you very much indeed. withjust reminding you of the night, thank you very much indeed. with just reminding you of a couple of other places we've been talking about through the night. harlow council, labour didn't manage to take control of that, which would have been a disappointment for them. they had several visits from keir starmer i think throughout the campaign. also oldham, you might remember at the beginning of the night we were talking to our reporter on the ground, oldham is one of those places where labour had concerns about whether some voters, particularly muslim voters, might turn away from them because of the leadership's position on israel and gaza. we are hearing that labour are two seats down and it does look like they are on course to lose oldham council. that is normally as red as red can be, that area of the country has angela rayner and other labour mps but it looks like they might lose oldham council. they are still counting but the critical column there is the independents. 13 of

them have taken seats. labour on 23. that is changing hands. labour have lost three seats and independents have gained four. the lib dems have lost one. it looks like labour might have control of oldham council slip away from their hands. let's get a final end of term assessment from john curtice about where the parties are. we know that there is a lot more to come but in terms of airtime together in this first slew of results, let's take the parties in—turn. results, let's take the parties in-turn. �* . results, let's take the parties in-turn. �* , , . in-turn. ok. let's start with the conservatives. _ in-turn. ok. let's start with the conservatives. i— in-turn. ok. let's start with the conservatives. i have _ in-turn. ok. let's start with the conservatives. i have to - in-turn. ok. let's start with the conservatives. i have to say, i l in-turn. ok. let's start with the i conservatives. i have to say, i feel conservatives. i have to say, ifeel there is some requirement to come to rishi sunak's defence given the composition he had five minutes or so ago. sure, the key message from these local ballot boxes is that mr sunak's project, indeed probably his principal purpose, which was to

reverse the damage he inherited, party that was 25%, 25 points behind in the polls, the project has not made much progress. much as the opinion polls have been telling us and as much as previous by—elections have been telling us. but we should remember that the damage wasn't simply done by some individual mps who were perhaps engaged in behaviour that wasn't appropriate. the principal damage was done by one borisjohnson and his more liberal interpretation of the covid regulations which attracted public eye and the fact he was found to have misled the house of commons were followed by liz truss frightening the markets. those are the two principal events that meant that rishi sunak, when he won the prize, won a prize that was perhaps not necessarily worth winning in what if think we are now discovering is that it is going to be very difficult for him indeed to turn it

round. whether somebody else could have done better, who knows? it may be the case that irrespective of who was the conservative leader, the electorate would not be to forget those two pretty significant errors, particularly at a time when the economy is struggling. for labour, of course, they profit from the conservatives' misfortune. they have probably not made much more progress in the last year but they have held on to where they were in terms of the share of the vote. one flight in the share of the vote. one flight in the ointment is notjust oldham, it is in general, they were struggling with areas with large muslim communities, but otherwise the liberal democrats, modest and so far, going backa bit, the liberal democrats, modest and so far, going back a bit, the greens, some reason for celebration. john. some reason for celebration. john, thank ou some reason for celebration. john, thank you so _ some reason for celebration. john, thank you so much. _ some reason for celebration. john, thank you so much. everyone i some reason for celebration. john, thank you so much. everyone will. some reason for celebration. john, thank you so much. everyone will be looking forward to your updates in the next few days. angela, we have spoken to you a lot about the challenge for the conservatives. joe and chris, give me one prediction each about a good result for the lib dems and the labour party. i will]!

each about a good result for the lib dems and the labour party. i will be lookin: at dems and the labour party. i will be looking at wokingham, _ dems and the labour party. i will be looking at wokingham, tunbridge i looking at wokingham, tunbridge wetis— looking at wokingham, tunbridge wells and dorset over the course of next _ wells and dorset over the course of next... ,':,': wells and dorset over the course of next... j:,': ,, wells and dorset over the course of next... ,':,': ~' ., wells and dorset over the course of next... jr: ~ ., ., next... 33! i think to life in down to thurrock. _ next... 33! i think to life in down to thurrock, we _ next... 33! i think to life in down to thurrock, we are _ next... 33! i think to life in down to thurrock, we are winning i to thurrock, we are winning battleground seats we need to win in the general election and i want to see the pattern continued over the rest of the weekend and i think we are making good progress. angela, will there be a bright spot? angela, will there be a bright spot? a couple of bright spots, harlow i think, it's good to see. and a couple of bright spots, harlow i think, it's good to see. and chris? at the results _ think, it's good to see. and chris? at the results continue _ think, it's good to see. and chris? at the results continue to - think, it's good to see. and chris? at the results continue to be i think, it's good to see. and chris? at the results continue to be as i at the results continue to be as bleak, for the conservatives in the next however many hours between now and sunday, where does that leave conservative mps contemplating the future of rishi sunak? abs, big future of rishi sunak? a big cuestion future of rishi sunak? a big question mark. _ future of rishi sunak? a big question mark. in _ future of rishi sunak? a big question mark. in a - future of rishi sunak? a big question mark. in a second | future of rishi sunak? a big i question mark. in a second we will hand you over to our colleagues at bbc breakfast. your votes have given us plenty of signs of wear public opinion is heading in this general election year. every fickle night for the conservatives, pretty good

one for labour with the big swing in blackpool south but tonnes more results to come today, we will bring you them all on the bbc as the next couple of days unfold. ranks for your company, goodbye for now. —— thanks for your company.

good morning. welcome to breakfast with charlie stayt and naga munchetty. our headlines today... labour wins the blackpool south

by—election, on a bruising night for the conservatives and a strong performance from the reform party. the people of blackpool south have spoken to britain. they have said to rishi sunak and to the conservatives they have had enough. it's just one outcome on a night of counting in the local elections across england. labour is making key gains from the conservatives. these elections are a huge test of public opinion. millions of votes are being counted. what happens next will shape the political landscape as we web up for that general election. take that — the group — becomes the latest act to move gigs away from the troubled co—op arena. good morning. a lovely start to the day in north yorkshire. the recent rainy weather and cost of living worries seem to be putting people

off from booking a uk