obviously, it's disappointing to lose good, hard—working conservative councillors, and i'm grateful to them for all their service in local government, keeping council tax low and delivering services for local people. but we've still got lots of results to come as well. but there's some comfort for the conservatives. tees valley mayor ben houchen is re—elected. professor sirjohn curtice is with us, analysing all the electoral trends. yellow i'll be hearing from yellow correspondents at counts up and down the country, politicians and commentators from across the political spectrum. nick eardley is at the screen with the latest. i nick eardley is at the screen with the latest. , . . ., the latest. i will be crunching all the latest. i will be crunching all the numbers _ the latest. i will be crunching all the numbers as _ the latest. i will be crunching all the numbers as they _ the latest. i will be crunching all the numbers as they come - the latest. i will be crunching all the numbers as they come in, l the latest. i will be crunching all. the numbers as they come in, still the latest. i will be crunching all- the numbers as they come in, still a lot of results today, mayors, councils and police commissioners.

with me are the bbc�*s deputy political editor, vicki young, and shadow business secretary jonathan reynolds, transport secretary mark harper, and liberal democrat olly grender. yes, we had that big, important result for the conservatives, ben houchen has held onto the tees valley mayoralty for a third term. you will know if you have been following all the election results that labour have won with a pretty historic swing the blackpool south by—election. there are a lot of people, of course, still coming in, we are yet to hear from counts right across the country, in terms of

those local councils. let's just get a thought, first of all, from our panel. so far, how disappointed are you? fin panel. so far, how disappointed are ou? . . . panel. so far, how disappointed are ou? . , , panel. so far, how disappointed are ou? . , . .,y you? on the cancer losses, clearly it is disappointing _ you? on the cancer losses, clearly it is disappointing to _ you? on the cancer losses, clearly it is disappointing to lose - it is disappointing to lose hard—working conservative councillors, but very pleased with ben houchen's strong wane in the tees valley mayoralty, where he won in all five boroughs in that area. that is a strong win. he campaigned very strongly as a conservative, thatis very strongly as a conservative, that is a strong win for us, and he has a strong record of delivery, and thatis has a strong record of delivery, and that is a good lesson for us about how you win elections. irate that is a good lesson for us about how you win elections.— how you win elections. we are expecting _ how you win elections. we are expecting a — how you win elections. we are expecting a declaration - how you win elections. we are| expecting a declaration shortly how you win elections. we are i expecting a declaration shortly in the north east, a new mayoral position, how important is it for labour to win that. it is position, how important is it for labour to win that.— position, how important is it for labour to win that. it is a key part ofthe labour to win that. it is a key part of the country. — labour to win that. it is a key part of the country, a _ labour to win that. it is a key part of the country, a new— labour to win that. it is a key part of the country, a new position, i labour to win that. it is a key part of the country, a new position, a l of the country, a new position, a very— of the country, a new position, a very powerful one, will play a significant role in the national

life of— significant role in the national life of the uk, kim mcguinness has been _ life of the uk, kim mcguinness has been a _ life of the uk, kim mcguinness has been a superb candidate, i want to see her_ been a superb candidate, i want to see her elected. obviously, look, it is a really— see her elected. obviously, look, it is a really encouraging picture for labour, _ is a really encouraging picture for labour, the — is a really encouraging picture for labour, the key battlegrounds, we are seeing — labour, the key battlegrounds, we are seeing labour overcome and beat the conservatives incumbent, if you look at _ the conservatives incumbent, if you look at what would happen in places even where we have not won the mayoral — even where we have not won the mayoral contest, we won every parliamentary constituency, and we had a _ parliamentary constituency, and we had a conversation about this last night, _ had a conversation about this last night, when labour candidates go out, they— night, when labour candidates go out, they wear the rosettes with pride, _ out, they wear the rosettes with pride, but — out, they wear the rosettes with pride, but ben houchen couldn't even put a blue _ pride, but ben houchen couldn't even put a blue rosette on, which tells you about — put a blue rosette on, which tells you about the problems of perception for the _ you about the problems of perception for the government. look, you about the problems of perception forthe government. look, iam you about the problems of perception for the government. look, iam not going _ for the government. look, iam not going to _ for the government. look, iam not going to whip out my leaflet again, which _ going to whip out my leaflet again, which has — going to whip out my leaflet again, which has conservative branding all over it. _ which has conservative branding all over it, which i was pushing through letter— over it, which i was pushing through letter boxes. so over it, which i was pushing through letter boxes-— over it, which i was pushing through letter boxes. so this labour attempt to retend letter boxes. so this labour attempt to pretend he _ letter boxes. so this labour attempt to pretend he did _ letter boxes. so this labour attempt to pretend he did not _ letter boxes. so this labour attempt to pretend he did not campaign - letter boxes. so this labour attempt to pretend he did not campaign as l letter boxes. so this labour attempt to pretend he did not campaign as a | to pretend he did not campaign as a conservative is utter nonsense, and we saw earlier, when your colleague was on, trying to make a distinction

between the west and the east midlands, our candidates campaigned as conservatives, that was on the ballot paper, and trying to take away from their win, i don't think it is sensible. we have got a job of work to do here, we have two... people will be asking, have you got time? these are not mid—term elections, quite often governing parties will say that these aren't midterms, but we are months out possibly from a general election, one might have expected come the national polls putting the labour party consistently 20 points ahead of the conservatives, there might have been some evidence of narrowing, there might have been some evidence of conservative voters coming out in force. there isn't that evidence yet, that is an important victory, ben houchen, but it is a mayoralty. i am not diminishing it, but in terms of the council elections, council elections are different but quite often seen as the sort of test—bed, barometer

for what could happen. uni? as the sort of test-bed, barometer for what could happen. only because ma oral for what could happen. only because mayoralty is — for what could happen. only because mayoralty is are _ for what could happen. only because mayoralty is are relatively _ for what could happen. only because mayoralty is are relatively new. - for what could happen. only because mayoralty is are relatively new. i - mayoralty is are relatively new. i accept the polls for what they are, but they are a snapshot, not a prediction. the reason i mentioned his victory, that was a mayoralty that labour was very keen to gain. keir starmer was there the same day i was, half the shadow cabinet have been to the tees valley, they were throwing everything at it, as ben said in his interview. but he won comfortably, he won every borough, so i don't agree with your contention that we would have lost all the parliamentary seats. polite but we did hear from all the parliamentary seats. polite but we did hearfrom sirjohn curtice that in hartlepool... there was a different result in the council elections, but we are getting better results there, but i wouldn't disagree that there is a big job of work to do, focusing on setting out our record, where i would argue on delivering things

like tax cuts, which we are delivering for working people, getting inflation down, a number months now of real terms income growth, we have to set those out for people, but also set out what we would deliver if we were to win the election. a big job of work, but we can do it. election. a big “0b of work, but we can do it. ., election. a big “0b of work, but we can do it. . . ., ., can do it. there are a lot more results to _ can do it. there are a lot more results to come _ can do it. there are a lot more results to come in _ can do it. there are a lot more results to come in in _ can do it. there are a lot more results to come in in terms - can do it. there are a lot more results to come in in terms of| results to come in in terms of council elections, the liberal democrats are looking at what we call some of the blue wall areas, where you want to take seats at the direction the conservatives.- direction the conservatives. classic conservative-liberal _ direction the conservatives. classic conservative-liberal democrat - conservative— liberal democrat battlegrounds, _ conservative—liberal democrat battlegrounds, a _ conservative—liberal democrat battlegrounds, a lot— conservative—liberal democrat battlegrounds, a lot of- conservative—liberal democrat battlegrounds, a lot of them . conservative—liberal democrat i battlegrounds, a lot of them will come _ battlegrounds, a lot of them will come as— battlegrounds, a lot of them will come as late _ battlegrounds, a lot of them will come as late as _ battlegrounds, a lot of them will come as late as ten _ battlegrounds, a lot of them will come as late as ten o'clock - battlegrounds, a lot of them will come as late as ten o'clock this. come as late as ten o'clock this evening, — come as late as ten o'clock this evening, so— come as late as ten o'clock this evening, so as— come as late as ten o'clock this evening, so as daisy _ come as late as ten o'clock this evening, so as daisy has - come as late as ten o'clock thisi evening, so as daisy has already said, _ evening, so as daisy has already said. the best _ evening, so as daisy has already said, the best is _ evening, so as daisy has already said, the best is yet _ evening, so as daisy has already said, the best is yet to - evening, so as daisy has already said, the best is yet to come, i evening, so as daisy has already said, the best is yet to come, it| said, the best is yet to come, it is a sonata _ said, the best is yet to come, it is a sonata at— said, the best is yet to come, it is a sonata at refrain _ said, the best is yet to come, it is a sonata at refrain for— said, the best is yet to come, it is a sonata at refrain for us - said, the best is yet to come, it is a sonata at refrain for us at - said, the best is yet to come, it is a sonata at refrain for us at the i a sonata at refrain for us at the moment — a sonata at refrain for us at the moment but _ a sonata at refrain for us at the moment. but come _ a sonata at refrain for us at the moment. but come on, - a sonata at refrain for us at the moment. but come on, in i a sonata at refrain for us at the . moment. but come on, in dorset a sonata at refrain for us at the i moment. but come on, in dorset we saw a leaflet _ moment. but come on, in dorset we saw a leaflet where _ moment. but come on, in dorset we saw a leaflet where the _ moment. but come on, in dorset we saw a leaflet where the local - moment. but come on, in dorset we saw a leaflet where the local party i saw a leaflet where the local party was saying. — saw a leaflet where the local party was saying. you _ saw a leaflet where the local party was saying, you know, _ saw a leaflet where the local party was saying, you know, we - saw a leaflet where the local partyi was saying, you know, we disagree with the _ was saying, you know, we disagree with the westminster— was saying, you know, we disagree. with the westminster conservatives. there _ with the westminster conservatives. there are _ with the westminster conservatives. there are examples _ with the westminster conservatives. there are examples of _ with the westminster conservatives. there are examples of where - with the westminster conservatives. there are examples of where your. there are examples of where your party, _ there are examples of where your party, on — there are examples of where your party. on the _ there are examples of where your party, on the ground, _ there are examples of where your party, on the ground, is— there are examples of where your party, on the ground, is trying i there are examples of where your party, on the ground, is trying toi party, on the ground, is trying to disown _ party, on the ground, is trying to disown its — party, on the ground, is trying to disown its own _

party, on the ground, is trying to disown its own government i party, on the ground, is trying to disown its own government at i party, on the ground, is trying toi disown its own government at the moment — disown its own government at the moment indoors— disown its own government at the moment. indoors it _ disown its own government at the moment. indoors it we _ disown its own government at the moment. indoors it we are - disown its own government at the moment. indoors it we are very. moment. indoors it we are very hopeful— moment. indoors it we are very hopeful of— moment. indoors it we are very hopeful of moving _ moment. indoors it we are very hopeful of moving forward i moment. indoors it we are very hopeful of moving forward andi moment. indoors it we are very- hopeful of moving forward and making quite a _ hopeful of moving forward and making quite a lot of progress. _ hopeful of moving forward and making quite a lot of progress. —— _ hopeful of moving forward and making quite a lot of progress. —— in - quite a lot of progress. —— in dorset _ quite a lot of progress. -- in dorset. ~ . quite a lot of progress. -- in dorset. ~ , ., quite a lot of progress. -- in dorset. . , ., . , dorset. we will be looking for any result in terms _ dorset. we will be looking for any result in terms of— dorset. we will be looking for any result in terms of taking - dorset. we will be looking for any result in terms of taking councils, j result in terms of taking councils, you haven't done so yet, you have held on to some. we have been talking a lot about the mayoral contest, let's continue, because they are big, headline grabbing results and contest. pete saull is in nottingham at the east midlands mayoralty contest and count, how close are we to an announcement there? ~ g ., close are we to an announcement there? ~ , ., , there? well, 10, we probably will aet there? well, 10, we probably will net the there? well, 10, we probably will get the official _ there? well, 10, we probably will get the official declaration i there? well, 10, we probably will get the official declaration in i there? well, 10, we probably will get the official declaration in the | get the official declaration in the next half an hour, but labour have already called this mayoralty, they say that their candidate, claire ward, former labour mp during the blair macro and brown years, has won the contest comfortably. ben bradley was the conservative candidate, he has been fairly despondent, speaking

to him earlier. he has yet to concede, but the expectation, with labour putting out a statement like that, they wouldn't do it if they were not 100% confident they had won the contest. labour are pointing to the contest. labour are pointing to the fact that this part of the world contains an awful lot of the key general election battlegrounds, seats like ben bradley's own one in mansfield, bassetlaw, ashfield, bolsova, these are the kind of seats that will ultimately decide who ends up that will ultimately decide who ends up in power at the general election, so labour really keen to put attention on this contest. it will be interesting to say, when we get the results, how well reform uk have performed, this is a part of the world where they have their own mp, remember, in lee anderson, although he was of course elected as a conservative in 2019, and their candidate in the east midlands, alan graves, is i can slip in derby, i'm told that reform have performed

quite well in that part of the world. —— a councillor in derby. certainly, the conservatives started this contest with high hopes that they would be able to win here, the difference between ben bradley and counterparts like ben houchen and andy street is that he is not an incumbent, and although he has tried to distance himself from the national party and talk up his personal credentials, it has not worked, he has not been able to establish that a political identity. it will be very disappointing as far as ben bradley is concerned, although he already has a couple of jobs as mp and leader of nottinghamshire council, but for labour, surely they had to win this mayoralty, and in order to have a chance at the sorts of seeds you have just been describing, otherwise they wouldn't really be plausibly on course to get a majority or win the election. course to get a ma'ority or win the election. . ~ ., . election. yeah, i think of all the mayoralty _ election. yeah, i think of all the mayoralty is _ election. yeah, i think of all the mayoralty is up _ election. yeah, i think of all the mayoralty is up and _ election. yeah, i think of all the mayoralty is up and down i election. yeah, i think of all the mayoralty is up and down the i

mayoralty is up and down the country, this was arguably the most important for the labour party, because there had never been an east midlands mayor before, and these seeds are really important. we will, i'm told, debts some breakdown by boroughs and districts which will largely correspond with constituency areas, so it'll be interesting to see what the margin of victory is in places like bassetlaw, mansfield, even rushcliffe, which is a traditional conservative stronghold, ken clarke's former constituency, an area that labour are targeting hard at the general election, so important for them, absolutely no doubt about it. ben bradley was hoping that his credentials, as you say, he is the leader of nottinghamshire county council, he was important in negotiating the devolution deal with the government which has ended up with his election, he was hoping that would help him out, but he seems to have been swept away by the national prevailing mood today.— been swept away by the national prevailing mood today. thank you very much. _ prevailing mood today. thank you very much. pete _ prevailing mood today. thank you very much, pete in _ prevailing mood today. thank you very much, pete in nottingham, i prevailing mood today. thank you l very much, pete in nottingham, we will bring you that result as it

comes. what do you say in response to that, that ben bradley, we do not now, labourare to that, that ben bradley, we do not now, labour are calling it, swept away by what is happening nationally?— away by what is happening nationall ? ., �* ~ ., nationally? look, i don't know the result, so nationally? look, i don't know the result. so if— nationally? look, i don't know the result, so if you _ nationally? look, i don't know the result, so if you forgive _ nationally? look, i don't know the result, so if you forgive me, i- nationally? look, i don't know the result, so if you forgive me, i will| result, so if you forgive me, i will wait to see what it is. on the point about his campaign, i would disagree again about this idea that he was somehow pretending he wasn't a conservative, he campaigned as a conservative, he campaigned as a conservative, i was up again campaigning with him just very recently and some of the things that we are delivering... 50 recently and some of the things that we are delivering. . ._ we are delivering... so why do you think he hasn't _ we are delivering... so why do you think he hasn't cut _ we are delivering... so why do you think he hasn't cut through? it i think he hasn't cut through? it looks as if he hasn't cut through enough, ratherthan looks as if he hasn't cut through enough, rather than any dispute of whether he is a conservative, but in terms of being let down, because he didn't have the benefit of incumbency. if didn't have the benefit of incumbency.— didn't have the benefit of incumben . . , �* ., . incumbency. if he hasn't won, that would be very _ incumbency. if he hasn't won, that would be very disappointing, i incumbency. if he hasn't won, that would be very disappointing, he i would be very disappointing, he would be very disappointing, he would be very disappointing, he would be a very good candidate. i want to see what the results are, but he ran a very strong campaign, he set out very clearly what he wanted to achieve with the resources that you would have at his disposal

as east midlands mayor. if he hasn't won, it will be very disappointing, but i'm happy to comment on results we have had, rather than speculating on once we have not had yet. it sounds like i will still be on the programme when it comes, i will happily talk about it then.- programme when it comes, i will happily talk about it then. well, i do hoe happily talk about it then. well, i do hope so! _ happily talk about it then. well, i do hope so! l'm _ happily talk about it then. well, i do hope so! i'm a _ happily talk about it then. well, i do hope so! i'm a bit _ happily talk about it then. well, i i do hope so! i'm a bit old-fashioned! do hope so! i'm a bit old—fashioned! you are! you have to win places like that. it you are! you have to win places like that. . . you are! you have to win places like that. , . . , . ., that. it is a really important one, it is an area _ that. it is a really important one, it is an area which _ that. it is a really important one, it is an area which is _ that. it is a really important one, it is an area which is not - that. it is a really important one, it is an area which is notjust. .. l it is an area which is notjust... start— it is an area which is notjust... start on— it is an area which is notjust... start on the _ it is an area which is notjust... start on the board of my constituency, you've got high peak, a classic— constituency, you've got high peak, a classic bellwether marginal, and then as _ a classic bellwether marginal, and then as we — a classic bellwether marginal, and then as we said from the counsellor, then as we said from the counsellor, the kind _ then as we said from the counsellor, the kind of— then as we said from the counsellor, the kind of places where labour had traditionally been in power, but had really— traditionally been in power, but had really lost _ traditionally been in power, but had really lost the support of people in the past. _ really lost the support of people in the past, mansfield, bassetlaw. winning — the past, mansfield, bassetlaw. winning that area back would be one of the _ winning that area back would be one of the most — winning that area back would be one of the most significant results of this set— of the most significant results of this set of— of the most significant results of this set of elections, if indeed that is— this set of elections, if indeed that is what the result turns out to be. ~ . that is what the result turns out to be. . . . , ., that is what the result turns out to be. . ,, ., be. what about the issue of levellin: be. what about the issue of levelling up? _

be. what about the issue of levelling up? the _ be. what about the issue of levelling up? the issue i be. what about the issue ofj levelling up? the issue that certainly won the conservatives under borisjohnson an awful lot of support, regenerating parts of the country like the tees valley, like the east midlands, what is labour promising? the east midlands, what is labour ”romisin ? ~ the east midlands, what is labour promising?— the east midlands, what is labour ”romisin? ~ ~ . promising? well, look, we think and acknowledge — promising? well, look, we think and acknowledge the _ promising? well, look, we think and acknowledge the success _ promising? well, look, we think and acknowledge the success of - promising? well, look, we think and acknowledge the success of that i promising? well, look, we think and acknowledge the success of that in l acknowledge the success of that in the 2019— acknowledge the success of that in the 2019 election, i think what you're — the 2019 election, i think what you're any— the 2019 election, i think what you're any results, though, after 14 years— you're any results, though, after 14 years of— you're any results, though, after 14 years of conservative government, with huge — years of conservative government, with huge amounts of money taken out of local— with huge amounts of money taken out of local public services and local authorities, yes, top ups of 20 million — authorities, yes, top ups of 20 million here and there, based on factors— million here and there, based on factors that were not so objective in terms — factors that were not so objective in terms of— factors that were not so objective in terms of where the money has gone too, in terms of where the money has gone too. that— in terms of where the money has gone too. that isn't— in terms of where the money has gone too, that isn't a comprehensive set of promises — too, that isn't a comprehensive set of promises that people were offered in 2019 _ of promises that people were offered in 2019. certainly, you add that to the fact— in 2019. certainly, you add that to the fact that a lot of people around brexit— the fact that a lot of people around brexit thought they were getting low immigration and a stronger economy, and you _ immigration and a stronger economy, and you go— immigration and a stronger economy, and you go back to the coalition that was— and you go back to the coalition that was so successful for the conservative party in 2019, it is 'ust conservative party in 2019, it is just not— conservative party in 2019, it is just not there any more. just ickin: just not there any more. just picking that _ just not there any more. just picking that point, _ just not there any more. jut picking that point, it came up in our earlier discussion about long—term settlements, one of the

important thing we did was the decision to cancel the second phase of hs2 and reinvest all of that money into transport, actually in the north and the midlands, we have given council significant commitments of resources for the long term, and that is only going to happen if we win the election. you lost so much support. i don't auree you lost so much support. i don't agree with _ you lost so much support. i don't agree with that. _ you lost so much support. i don't agree with that. we _ you lost so much support. i don't agree with that. we have - you lost so much support. i don't agree with that. we have said i you lost so much support. i don't agree with that. we have said we j you lost so much support. i don't i agree with that. we have said we are going to invest that money on transport, a big commitment to local transport, a big commitment to local transport fund to councils across the north and midlands, they welcomed that including labour led council, and labour haven't said they would deliver that money. yes. they would deliver that money. yes, all ri . ht. they would deliver that money. yes, all right- this _ they would deliver that money. yes, all right. this is _ they would deliver that money. yes, all right. this is money _ they would deliver that money. yes, all right. this is money deferred i all right. this is money deferred from some _ all right. this is money deferred from some point _ all right. this is money deferred from some point in _ all right. this is money deferred from some point in the - all right. this is money deferred from some point in the future. i all right. this is money deferred l from some point in the future. at the end _ from some point in the future. at the end of— from some point in the future. at the end of the day you are a government that can't build a railway— government that can't build a railway between manchester and london — railway between manchester and london and you were elected on that. this is— london and you were elected on that. this is indecision and flip—flop which — this is indecision and flip—flop which throws _ this is indecision and flip—flop which throws businesses i this is indecision and flip—flop which throws businesses and i this is indecision and flip—flopi which throws businesses and it this is indecision and flip—flop- which throws businesses and it was businesses — which throws businesses and it was businesses that— which throws businesses and it was businesses that were _ which throws businesses and it was businesses that were relying - which throws businesses and it was businesses that were relying on i which throws businesses and it was| businesses that were relying on the delivery— businesses that were relying on the delivery of— businesses that were relying on the delivery of that _ businesses that were relying on the delivery of that promise. _ businesses that were relying on the i delivery of that promise. abandoning it with _ delivery of that promise. abandoning it with the _ delivery of that promise. abandoning it with the wrong _ delivery of that promise. abandoning it with the wrong thing _ delivery of that promise. abandoning it with the wrong thing to _ delivery of that promise. abandoning

it with the wrong thing to do. - delivery of that promise. abandoning it with the wrong thing to do. let i it with the wrong thing to do. let me it with the wrong thing to do. me introduce a former minister adviser. on the basis of what we know the term of councils and conservative control, of counsel, across the country, they won and held to the tees valley. ben houchen in for a third term. how important is that to morale within the conservative party and shoring up rishi sunak�*s leadership? the rishi sunak's leadership? the indication was _ rishi sunak's leadership? the indication was from earlier in the week. _ indication was from earlier in the week. when— indication was from earlier in the week. when you _ indication was from earlier in the week, when you saw _ indication was from earlier in the week, when you saw number- indication was from earlier in the week, when you saw number ten basically— week, when you saw number ten basically saying _ week, when you saw number ten basically saying don't _ week, when you saw number ten basically saying don't discount i week, when you saw number teni basically saying don't discount the mayoralty— basically saying don't discount the mayoralty is — basically saying don't discount the mayoralty is staying _ basically saying don't discount the mayoralty is staying strong, i basically saying don't discount thej mayoralty is staying strong, that's an indication — mayoralty is staying strong, that's an indication and _ mayoralty is staying strong, that's an indication and the _ mayoralty is staying strong, that'si an indication and the conservatives of a government— an indication and the conservatives of a government already _ an indication and the conservatives of a government already said i an indication and the conservatives of a government already said that i of a government already said that stage _ of a government already said that stage to _ of a government already said that stage to say— of a government already said that stage to say that _ of a government already said that stage to say that this _ of a government already said that stage to say that this is _ of a government already said that stage to say that this is going i of a government already said that stage to say that this is going to i stage to say that this is going to be meaningful— stage to say that this is going to be meaningful and _ stage to say that this is going to be meaningful and significant. stage to say that this is going to| be meaningful and significant for us. without _ be meaningful and significant for us. without expectation - be meaningful and significant for us. without expectation people i be meaningful and significant for. us. without expectation people will feel people — us. without expectation people will feel people won't _ us. without expectation people will feel people won't be stressed i us. without expectation people will feel people won't be stressed as i feel people won't be stressed as they would — feel people won't be stressed as they would be _ feel people won't be stressed as they would be if— feel people won't be stressed as they would be if they _ feel people won't be stressed as they would be if they win - feel people won't be stressed as they would be if they win a - feel people won't be stressed as i they would be if they win a certain scenario — they would be if they win a certain scenario. ~ . ., , they would be if they win a certain scenario. ~ _, , ., ., , scenario. when it comes to any threats to _ scenario. when it comes to any threats to rishi _ scenario. when it comes to any threats to rishi sunak's - scenario. when it comes to any - threats to rishi sunak's leadership, we know have been a lot of voices

off, there are two mps who publicly said they were put in letters of no confidence, but beyond that today, is there a feeling that actually thatis is there a feeling that actually that is not building in any way or certainly not obviously from anything we've seen and heard? i anything we've seen and heard? i think the issue is that the sort of critical_ think the issue is that the sort of critical mass _ think the issue is that the sort of critical mass you _ think the issue is that the sort of critical mass you need _ think the issue is that the sort of critical mass you need in - think the issue is that the sort of critical mass you need in terms i think the issue is that the sort ofl critical mass you need in terms of numbers— critical mass you need in terms of numbers have _ critical mass you need in terms of numbers have not _ critical mass you need in terms of numbers have not come - critical mass you need in terms of numbers have not come together| critical mass you need in terms of. numbers have not come together in any decisive — numbers have not come together in any decisive way _ numbers have not come together in any decisive way. there _ numbers have not come together in any decisive way. there isn't - numbers have not come together in any decisive way. there isn't a - any decisive way. there isn't a campaign _ any decisive way. there isn't a campaign. critically— any decisive way. there isn't a campaign. critically there - any decisive way. there isn't a campaign. critically there isn't any decisive way. there isn't a i campaign. critically there isn't a candidate — campaign. critically there isn't a candidate who _ campaign. critically there isn't a candidate who was _ campaign. critically there isn't a candidate who was going - campaign. critically there isn't a candidate who was going to - campaign. critically there isn't a i candidate who was going to replace rishi sunak— candidate who was going to replace rishi sunak in — candidate who was going to replace rishi sunak in this _ candidate who was going to replace rishi sunak in this scenario - candidate who was going to replace rishi sunak in this scenario and - rishi sunak in this scenario and therefore. _ rishi sunak in this scenario and therefore. i_ rishi sunak in this scenario and therefore, i don't _ rishi sunak in this scenario and therefore, i don't think- rishi sunak in this scenario and therefore, i don't think any- therefore, i don't think any rebellion _ therefore, i don't think any rebellion could _ therefore, idon't think any rebellion could really- therefore, i don't think any rebellion could really take i therefore, i don't think any. rebellion could really take off. therefore, i don't think any- rebellion could really take off. in terms rebellion could really take off. terms of reaction from conservatives, johnny mercer has tweeted and seems to have deleted it, so it's a map of plymouth, his constituency, showing lots of red and a tiny bit of blue in the middle saying not a good night, congratulations to all of those who stood and those who one, this looks bad for me. the trouble is, it's all my favourite scenario, isolated backs to the wall, bring on the

general election. that has been deleted, it's disappeared. in lots of places across the country, you can see why the ben houchen victory are so important to the conservatives because they would really be nothing positive to speak about if that hadn't happened. if you look at the council results come in all sorts of places, you can see the reaction from some tory mps looking at those and extrapolating insane people are turning away from the conservatives in massive numbers and the conservatives at the moment are on course to lose half of the seats that they are defending. it's a terrible night for the conservatives but you can see why those tiny spots of brightness, one so far, is giving them something to something to cling on to and will give the prime ministers something to say as well like and it could calm the fears of some conservative mps, and that could be... fir calm the fears of some conservative mps, and that could be. . ._ mps, and that could be... or they are resigned _ mps, and that could be... or they are resigned to _ mps, and that could be... or they are resigned to thinking _ mps, and that could be... or they are resigned to thinking is - mps, and that could be... or they are resigned to thinking is not - are resigned to thinking is not enough time with another change of leader. a . enough time with another change of leader. . ., ., , leader. march towards the gunfire.

and on that _ leader. march towards the gunfire. and on that note, _ leader. march towards the gunfire. and on that note, let's _ leader. march towards the gunfire. and on that note, let'sjust - leader. march towards the gunfire. and on that note, let'sjust show. and on that note, let's just show you the pictures where we are expecting the result of the north—east mayoralty, a new position and labour will be confident that they have won their the police and crime commissioner kim mcguinness is their candidate against the independent former labour mayor jamie driscoll. he was dumped by the labour party, to put it mildly. let's catch up with the latest results and what we know so far. with my colleague nick eardley at the touch screen.— the touch screen. hello, jo. let's start with — the touch screen. hello, jo. let's start with a _ the touch screen. hello, jo. let's start with a big — the touch screen. hello, jo. let's start with a big picture, - the touch screen. hello, jo. let's start with a big picture, how - the touch screen. hello, jo. let's start with a big picture, how it's i start with a big picture, how it's all looking and can see here pattern we have been talking about all day is continuing. labour is doing well, the lib dems are ahead of the conservatives, they have done pretty well as well. it's proving to be a really bad set of results so far for the conservatives. they have lost more than half their seats so far. that means they are in line, as things stand, to be towards the

upper end of expectations about how many seats they are going to lose. the tories were worried it could be as many as 500 for that this suggests that it is in play and i should point out we are very close to the halfway mark so the picture is really building up. here's what it means in terms of councils. labour have taken three, the conservatives are down three, the independence of put on one, but actually firstly let me show you the vote share. the conservatives is down 13%, labourthe vote share. the conservatives is down 13%, labour the main beneficiary, and some of the other party is putting on as well. i thought was worth trying to pick some of the results come in so far which tell us something interesting. i i think we should start with tees valley. mark harper talked about how it was a good result for the conservatives. on the face of it, yes, ben houchen holding onto the tees valley, a decent result but this is what happened, he was coming from a high point but look at that, the conservatives are down i9%, the

spoils being shared between labour and the lib dems. the most interesting bit, though, is this. the swing. i7% from the conservatives to labour. here is a stat for you, if that happened across the north—east of england at across the north—east of england at a general election, it would mean the conservatives would lose every seat they have in that region of the uk, so although the prime minister and mark harper will talk about the tees valley near good result for the conservatives, its only go to a certain extent. that's bad news for tories in that part of the country. i also just want to show you something we have picked up on in areas with a high muslim population, so if we start over here, a reminder of what happened to the vote share since 2021, the conservatives are down, labourare up since 2021, the conservatives are down, labour are up 5% across the board with the results we have so far. but in areas with a high muslim population, that's not the case. look at that, labour are down 20% in these areas with a high muslim

population and, as you can see, the greens are putting on some of those votes and so are independence, some of them will be independence like the ones in oldham who used to be in the ones in oldham who used to be in the labour party and quit or were annoyed about the gaza position, it could be george galloway mac party, the workers party of britain over time as well, so although the broad picturejohnny time as well, so although the broad picture johnny reynolds time as well, so although the broad picturejohnny reynolds is painting of labour doing well is correct, and the conservatives are doing badly, i think in some parts of the country, this might make labour a bit nervous. in areas like the west midlands where, if they are not getting the vote outcome and this is happening in a high muslim population area of the west midlands, it might mean andy street gets over the line in that race. thank you very much. just gets over the line in that race. thank you very much.- gets over the line in that race. thank you very much. just to go back to the overall — thank you very much. just to go back to the overall pattern _ thank you very much. just to go back to the overall pattern of— thank you very much. just to go back to the overall pattern of seats, - to the overall pattern of seats, mark harper, the tories are continuing to lose a little over half of the seats that you are

defending and therefore, you are on course at the moment to lose 500 seats. you are defending under 1000. that will be pretty disastrous, won't it? i that will be pretty disastrous, won't it? ., , , that will be pretty disastrous, won't it? , won't it? i said quite openly losing conservative _ won't it? i said quite openly losing conservative councils _ won't it? i said quite openly losing conservative councils is _ won't it? i said quite openly losing conservative councils is very - conservative councils is very disappointing. it’s conservative councils is very disappointing.— conservative councils is very disappointing. conservative councils is very disauointina. h ., disappointing. it's the scale of the losses. i have _ disappointing. it's the scale of the losses. i have campaigned - disappointing. it's the scale of the losses. i have campaigned with i disappointing. it's the scale of the i losses. i have campaigned with many of them over— losses. i have campaigned with many of them over the _ losses. i have campaigned with many of them over the years. _ losses. i have campaigned with many of them over the years. obviously - losses. i have campaigned with many of them over the years. obviously it | of them over the years. obviously it will be disappointing. it’s of them over the years. obviously it will be disappointing.— will be disappointing. it's more than disappointing _ will be disappointing. it's more than disappointing when - will be disappointing. it's more than disappointing when we - will be disappointing. it's more | than disappointing when we are months from a general election, isn't it? in terms of what we've seen historically performances of governing parties, what can change? what sort of miracle can you put out of the bag in the months leading up to the general election on the back of these sorts of results, not a forecast, but these results to change and move the dial towards you and away from labour? first change and move the dial towards you and away from labour?— and away from labour? first of all i do think you _ and away from labour? first of all i do think you need _ and away from labour? first of all i do think you need to _ and away from labour? first of all i do think you need to look— and away from labour? first of all i do think you need to look at - and away from labour? first of all i do think you need to look at not. do think you need to look at not only looking at the council results. remember historically the mayoralty is didn't exist, so we didn't used

to look at them because they didn't exist so the council results and the mayoralty is, as i said, there was an area which labour thought they could win, the tees valley, and threw everything at it and keir starmer went many times they didn't win it. taste starmer went many times they didn't win it. ~ ,. , , ., starmer went many times they didn't winit. ,. ,, ., �*, win it. we discussed that. it's difficult for _ win it. we discussed that. it's difficult for both _ win it. we discussed that. it's difficult for both points - win it. we discussed that. it's difficult for both points of - win it. we discussed that. it's| difficult for both points of view but look at the council, look at the council elections because the council elections because the council elections because the council elections are a good barometer of the state of popularity or not of the main parties. if you are, six months out of a general election, you might have expected some closing of that sort of polar leader labour has held consistently. what i say is what is going to change? what i say is what is going to chan . e? , ' . , change? the big difference between council elections _ change? the big difference between council elections in _ change? the big difference between council elections in the _ change? the big difference between council elections in the general - council elections in the general election is the town. the question for us is if you look at the polls, there is a big chunk of people who voted conservative at the last election and they are currently saying they don't know who they are going to vote for an election is going to vote for an election is going to vote for an election is

going to come down to us being able to demonstrate to those people what we have achieved and what will be at risk if you voted labour. ben houchen, i said risk if you voted labour. ben houchen, isaid i risk if you voted labour. ben houchen, i said i would come back to it, he made that point in his remarks and i set the challenge for us is we got to show the things we have delivered and i think we got a fantastic record in terms of what we do live in getting inflation under control, cutting taxes for working people... control, cutting taxes for working eo - le. .. �* control, cutting taxes for working --eole...�* , .,, control, cutting taxes for working --eole...�* , , ., people... are people listening? you ma have people... are people listening? you may have the _ people... are people listening? you may have the best _ people... are people listening? you may have the best message - people... are people listening? you may have the best message ever, . may have the best message ever, communication, but are they listening? are conservatives listening? are conservatives listening to the conservatives? i listening to the conservatives? i think one of the difficulties in one of the _ think one of the difficulties in one of the things _ think one of the difficulties in one of the things i_ think one of the difficulties in one of the things i think— think one of the difficulties in one of the things i think was - think one of the difficulties in one of the things i think was exposed | of the things i think was exposed from _ of the things i think was exposed from this— of the things i think was exposed from this set _ of the things i think was exposed from this set of— of the things i think was exposed from this set of elections - of the things i think was exposed from this set of elections is - of the things i think was exposed from this set of elections is it's l from this set of elections is it's notjust— from this set of elections is it's notiust the _ from this set of elections is it's not just the turnout, _ from this set of elections is it's not just the turnout, being - from this set of elections is it's . not just the turnout, being alone, it tends— not just the turnout, being alone, it tends to — not just the turnout, being alone, it tends to be _ not just the turnout, being alone, it tends to be in _ not just the turnout, being alone, it tends to be in local— it tends to be in local by—elections, - it tends to be in local by—elections, it's - it tends to be in local- by—elections, it's actually a question— by—elections, it's actually a question of— by—elections, it's actually a question of trust _ by—elections, it's actually a question of trust and - by—elections, it's actually a question of trust and that l by—elections, it's actually a - question of trust and that question of instability — question of trust and that question of instability. if— question of trust and that question of instability. if you _ question of trust and that question of instability. if you look _ question of trust and that question of instability. if you look at - of instability. if you look at hartlepool, _ of instability. if you look at hartlepool, you _ of instability. if you look at hartlepool, you know, - of instability. if you look at i hartlepool, you know, great of instability. if you look at - hartlepool, you know, great victory for labour, — hartlepool, you know, great victory for labour, quite _ hartlepool, you know, great victory for labour, quite an—

hartlepool, you know, great victory for labour, quite an emotional- for labour, quite an emotional victory— for labour, quite an emotional victory for— for labour, quite an emotional victory for labour, _ for labour, quite an emotional victory for labour, and - for labour, quite an emotional victory for labour, and it - for labour, quite an emotional victory for labour, and it was i for labour, quite an emotionalj victory for labour, and it was a turnaround _ victory for labour, and it was a turnaround in _ victory for labour, and it was a turnaround in three _ victory for labour, and it was a turnaround in three years - victory for labour, and it was a. turnaround in three years where victory for labour, and it was a - turnaround in three years where keir starmer— turnaround in three years where keir starmer was — turnaround in three years where keir starmer was considering _ turnaround in three years where keir starmer was considering resigning. starmer was considering resigning over that — starmer was considering resigning over that result— starmer was considering resigning over that result coming _ starmer was considering resigning over that result coming into - starmer was considering resigning over that result coming into this . starmer was considering resigningi over that result coming into this so that's— over that result coming into this so that's not— over that result coming into this so that's not that _ over that result coming into this so that's not that far— over that result coming into this so that's not that far away— over that result coming into this so that's not that far away from - over that result coming into this soj that's not that far away from where we were _ that's not that far away from where we were in— that's not that far away from where we were in 2019, _ that's not that far away from where we were in 2019, so _ that's not that far away from where we were in 2019, so we _ that's not that far away from where we were in 2019, so we are - that's not that far away from where we were in 2019, so we are still- we were in 2019, so we are still dealing — we were in 2019, so we are still dealing with _ we were in 2019, so we are still dealing with a _ we were in 2019, so we are still dealing with a very— we were in 2019, so we are still dealing with a very volatile - dealing with a very volatile electorate _ dealing with a very volatile electorate and _ dealing with a very volatile electorate and i— dealing with a very volatile electorate and i think- dealing with a very volatile electorate and i think that| dealing with a very volatile i electorate and i think that is dealing with a very volatile . electorate and i think that is a trend — electorate and i think that is a trend that _ electorate and i think that is a trend that has _ electorate and i think that is a trend that has not _ electorate and i think that is a trend that has not been - electorate and i think that is a - trend that has not been discussed. there's— trend that has not been discussed. there's also — trend that has not been discussed. there's also policy— trend that has not been discussed. there's also policy issues - trend that has not been discussed. there's also policy issues here, . trend that has not been discussed. | there's also policy issues here, the pandemic— there's also policy issues here, the pandemic hasn't _ there's also policy issues here, the pandemic hasn't really— there's also policy issues here, the pandemic hasn't really been - pandemic hasn't really been discussed _ pandemic hasn't really been discussed. is _ pandemic hasn't really been discussed. is that _ pandemic hasn't really been discussed. is that a - pandemic hasn't really been discussed. is that a failure i pandemic hasn't really beenl discussed. is that a failure of pandemic hasn't really been - discussed. is that a failure of the government— discussed. is that a failure of the government not— discussed. is that a failure of the government not to _ discussed. is that a failure of the government not to talk - discussed. is that a failure of the government not to talk about - discussed. is that a failure of the i government not to talk about 2019— now with _ government not to talk about 2019— now with this— government not to talk about 2019— now with this huge _ government not to talk about 2019— now with this huge issue _ government not to talk about 2019— now with this huge issue of - government not to talk about 2019— now with this huge issue of the - now with this huge issue of the pandemic— now with this huge issue of the pandemic in— now with this huge issue of the pandemic in the _ now with this huge issue of the pandemic in the middle - now with this huge issue of the pandemic in the middle of- now with this huge issue of the pandemic in the middle of it? i now with this huge issue of the i pandemic in the middle of it? and also the _ pandemic in the middle of it? and also the green _ pandemic in the middle of it? and also the green agenda _ pandemic in the middle of it? and also the green agenda because i also the green agenda because something _ also the green agenda because something that _ also the green agenda because something that surprised - also the green agenda because something that surprised me l also the green agenda because . something that surprised me was also the green agenda because - something that surprised me was the greens— something that surprised me was the greens taking — something that surprised me was the greens taking labour— something that surprised me was the greens taking labour seats, - greens taking labour seats, especially _ greens taking labour seats, especially in _ greens taking labour seats, especially in south - greens taking labour seats, l especially in south tyneside. greens taking labour seats, i especially in south tyneside. if greens taking labour seats, - especially in south tyneside. if we can 'ust especially in south tyneside. if we can just get _ especially in south tyneside. if we can just get you — especially in south tyneside. if we can just get you to _ especially in south tyneside. if we can just get you to stop _ especially in south tyneside. can just get you to stop clinging especially in south tyneside.“ can just get you to stop clinging to tees valley as though it's a little liferaft it is. when you pull back and look at the bigger picture what is very clear, especially in those fights we are holding against the conservatives, you cannot even get your core activists out there and a lot of your vote is otherwise

switching, they are frankly staying at home. i switching, they are frankly staying at home. , ., at home. i will 'ust tell that if ou at home. i will 'ust tell that if you don-t — at home. i willjust tell that if you don't mind _ at home. i willjust tell that if you don't mind and _ at home. i willjust tell that if you don't mind and come - at home. i willjust tell that if| you don't mind and come back at home. i willjust tell that if. you don't mind and come back to at home. i willjust tell that if- you don't mind and come back to that because i'm afraid to bring you some bad news, the bedfordshire police and crime commissioner, wejust had the result and i may go to the north—east declaration. i think we are going to do that now. thursday _ are going to do that now. thursday may _ are going to do that now. thursday may the 2nd 2024, in the north east mayoral combined authority hereby declare the number of votes cast is as follows. paul donaghy, 41,147. jamie driscoll, 126,652. applause. andrew gray, 17,000 631. aidan king,

25,485. kim mcguinness, 185,051. 25,485. kim mcguinness,185,051. applause. guy thomas, 52,446. the number of rejected votes was 2715. and kim mcguinness is duly elected to serve as mayor for the north mcguinness is duly elected to serve as mayorfor the north east mcguinness is duly elected to serve as mayor for the north east combined authority. applause thank you very much. i'm not going to apologise for the

length of this list of thank youse because i don't believe in unsung heroes, so everyone is going to have to bear with me for a minute for the first of all i would like to thank the returning officer for first of all i would like to thank the returning officerfor overseeing this election, it really is a big election and the staff, notjust here in sunderland, but across the region to have diligently counted thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of votes. you work does not go unnoticed. i'd like to thank the police were keeping a safe and also a more personal thank you from me to northumbria police for the time i've spent with you as police and crime commissioner and everything you have achieved in that time is one of my team at the office of the police and crime commission. over the last five years. and to the labour party team, to my agent, thank you very, very much, my organiser, you've done an incredible job and to the whole team, richard, sam, jane, natalie, the list goes on. i can't mention every single one

of you but i am so, so very very grateful for your efforts and to the campaign team of volunteers, chris, dan, fiona, emma, carl, bitty, you havejust been dan, fiona, emma, carl, bitty, you have just been incredible and being with me every step of the way, some of you since i was standing for police and crime commissioner for which i'm really grateful and of course, ourwonderful which i'm really grateful and of course, our wonderful mps, catherine mckenna, who encouraged me to stand for my first election, in the first place, julie elliott, who hasjust been so inspirational and a real mental throughout all of this. and to the mp5 for the labour party and across the region, you've been brilliant. to my family. when you stand for elections you drag your family through it. you really, really, really do, and they have been with me through the ups and downs and been so encouraged by my mum and dad, lillian and barry, who havejust been mum and dad, lillian and barry, who have just been incredible and so encouraging and my husband david, i mean, i don't know how i'm still married but thank you.

studio: we are going to leave her there. she is the mayor of the north—east, the labour mayor of the north—east, the labour mayor of the north—east, having won that contest against the independentjamie against the independent jamie driscoll, against the independentjamie driscoll, giving her victory speech they're thanking everybody she knows and he was involved in that campaign. that's a big victory for labour, perhaps not unexpected, although quite a strong challenge so let's show you the figures. she won with just over 185,000 votes, to jamie driscoll on 126,000 votes. congratulations to kim mcguinness and the labour party, but again, it certainly was one you had to win. i again, it certainly was one you had to win. ., again, it certainly was one you had to win. . ., , , to win. i am absolutely delighted, because you _ to win. i am absolutely delighted, because you have _ to win. i am absolutely delighted, because you have got _ to win. i am absolutely delighted, because you have got this - to win. i am absolutely delighted, because you have got this added i because you have got this added element there, where it was labour versus independent, i strongly believe labour did the writing and its candidate selection, that is not

always easy for a political party, but i can trust the approach we took in the north east with howl but i can trust the approach we took in the north east with how i see the conservative party not doing that, that has too many extreme views and does not stick to the mainstream, so talking about 15 minutes and things. we have focused on the kind of genuine, reflective, working middle—class view in the north east of england, and that is a cracking result. ,, , , ., ., result. she is the first mayor of the north _ result. she is the first mayor of the north east. _ result. she is the first mayor of the north east. |_ result. she is the first mayor of the north east. i mean, - result. she is the first mayor of the north east. i mean, it- result. she is the first mayor of the north east. i mean, it is. the north east. i mean, it is interesting, she had been police and crime commissionerfor interesting, she had been police and crime commissioner for quite some time, talking about the sorts of campaigns you run, jamie driscoll, independent, a former labour mayor independent, a former labour mayor in one of the old positions, when we talked to him, he had a pretty strong standing there, you can't forget, can you, jonathan, at your peril that you do as a labour party, forget those who are perhaps to the left? it forget those who are perhaps to the left? , . . , , forget those who are perhaps to the left? ,. ., forget those who are perhaps to the left? ,. , forget those who are perhaps to the left? , left? it is always about building as wide a coalition _ left? it is always about building as wide a coalition as _ left? it is always about building as

wide a coalition as you _ left? it is always about building as wide a coalition as you can, - left? it is always about building as wide a coalition as you can, and i left? it is always about building as. wide a coalition as you can, and you cannot therefore, i think, not have regard for, you know, where the limits of that should be, and i think the approach that we have taken, the result is that we are getting in. look, in most of the contest we are seeing, it is labour versus someone else, labour is the genuine uk wide, every part of the country, rural, urban, suburban, we bring it all together, and we face competitors who focus on a smaller set. even with regard to the conservative party, keeping that national coalition together, some of the results are incredibly encouraging.— the results are incredibly encouraging. the results are incredibly encourauain. ~ ., the results are incredibly encourauain. ., ~ , encouraging. whether you are keeping them together — encouraging. whether you are keeping them together or _ encouraging. whether you are keeping them together or rebuilding _ encouraging. whether you are keeping them together or rebuilding them, - them together or rebuilding them, because let's remind viewers, let's show the labour win by kim mcguinness and a share of the vote, those are the votes overall, winning with just over 185,000, but we can show the share compared to independent and conservatives. 12%

for the conservatives. this does come back to that alliance, that historic alliance and that's pretty stunning majority that was won by borisjohnson in 2019, because he was able, as prime minister, to win in areas like the north—east, in what we used to call, still do, former red wall areas, areas where labour had been dominant. has that gone away? has the alliance crumbled?— gone away? has the alliance crumbled? ., ., �* ~' crumbled? no, i don't think we were exectin: crumbled? no, i don't think we were expecting to — crumbled? no, i don't think we were expecting to win _ crumbled? no, i don't think we were expecting to win that _ crumbled? no, i don't think we were expecting to win that seat, _ crumbled? no, i don't think we were expecting to win that seat, it - crumbled? no, i don't think we were expecting to win that seat, it was - crumbled? no, i don't think we were expecting to win that seat, it was a i expecting to win that seat, it was a competition between labour and a former— competition between labour and a former labour person, and if you look— former labour person, and if you look at _ former labour person, and if you look at red — former labour person, and if you look at red wall areas, yes, labour won that, — look at red wall areas, yes, labour won that, we — look at red wall areas, yes, labour won that, we won tees valley, there was about— won that, we won tees valley, there was about areas where it demonstrates the prime minister continues— demonstrates the prime minister continues to appeal in tees valley. in staffordshire, our reporter in tamworth is saying that a tory

source is expecting all ten seats contested to go to labour, that would be ten straight seats from the conservatives to labour, which would take the council from no overall control if that happens. and then there is sirjohn curtice doing some bbc analysis on the pcc elections, police and crime commissioners, with ten now declared, there is a swing south of 5.5% from conservative to labour, since 2021, and analysis suggest that would be enough for the conservatives to lose up to 11 of the pccs they are defending, about one in three. the pccs they are defending, about one in three-— one in three. that will be a very oor one in three. that will be a very poor result _ one in three. that will be a very poor result on _ one in three. that will be a very poor result on police _ one in three. that will be a very poor result on police and - one in three. that will be a very poor result on police and crime| poor result on police and crime commissioners. tote poor result on police and crime commissioners.— poor result on police and crime commissioners. ~ . ., ., ., commissioners. we have had a few of those results. — commissioners. we have had a few of those results, the _ commissioners. we have had a few of those results, the swing, _ commissioners. we have had a few of those results, the swing, no, - commissioners. we have had a few of those results, the swing, no, the - those results, the swing, no, the swing _ those results, the swing, no, the swing is— those results, the swing, no, the swing is much smaller in there was none _ swing is much smaller in there was none in _ swing is much smaller in there was none in the — swing is much smaller in there was none in the council elections, so all i'm _ none in the council elections, so all i'm saying is there are a range of elections — all i'm saying is there are a range of elections that are happening, council— of elections that are happening, council seats, mayoralties, police

and crime — council seats, mayoralties, police and crime commissioners, different results _ and crime commissioners, different results in _ and crime commissioners, different results in all of them, so you have to be _ results in all of them, so you have to be careful— results in all of them, so you have to be careful in using the language to be careful in using the language to read _ to be careful in using the language to read across, it is a complicated picture _ to read across, it is a complicated picture with — to read across, it is a complicated picture with a lot of factors, and a lot of— picture with a lot of factors, and a lot of work— picture with a lot of factors, and a lot of work for us to do, i'm not pretending _ lot of work for us to do, i'm not pretending there isn't. it is more than a lot. _ pretending there isn't. it is more than a lot, isn't _ pretending there isn't. it is more than a lot, isn't it? _ pretending there isn't. it is more than a lot, isn't it? it _ pretending there isn't. it is more than a lot, isn't it? it is - pretending there isn't. it is more than a lot, isn't it? it is a - than a lot, isn't it? it is a mountain to climb!- than a lot, isn't it? it is a mountain to climb! ., mountain to climb! the other thing i wanted to cover, _ mountain to climb! the other thing i wanted to cover, you _ mountain to climb! the other thing i wanted to cover, you touched - mountain to climb! the other thing i wanted to cover, you touched on - mountain to climb! the other thing i wanted to cover, you touched on it i wanted to cover, you touched on it in your— wanted to cover, you touched on it in your conversation, most people are not— in your conversation, most people are not like — in your conversation, most people are not like us, because we are in a studio— are not like us, because we are in a studio talking about politics, jonathan and i were doing it overnight as well! most people don't focus on _ overnight as well! most people don't focus on this until they get to a position— focus on this until they get to a position of— focus on this until they get to a position of making the choice. general— position of making the choice. general election is high turnout with lots— general election is high turnout with lots of engagement, and for a lot of— with lots of engagement, and for a lot of voters, it will only be as we -et lot of voters, it will only be as we get through the summer and into the autumn— get through the summer and into the autumn that they start focusing on the choice. — autumn that they start focusing on the choice, and that is the opportunity for us to make sure that when _ opportunity for us to make sure that when they— opportunity for us to make sure that when they do, they look at the plan we have _ when they do, they look at the plan we have got that is working and i don't _ we have got that is working and i don't want — we have got that is working and i don't want to throw that progress away _ don't want to throw that progress awa . , ., don't want to throw that progress awa . , . ., . ., . don't want to throw that progress awa. , . ., . ., away. they want that choice now, that is what _ away. they want that choice now,

that is what we _ away. they want that choice now, that is what we are _ away. they want that choice now, that is what we are finding, - away. they want that choice now, that is what we are finding, that i away. they want that choice now, | that is what we are finding, that is what _ that is what we are finding, that is what the _ that is what we are finding, that is what the overall— that is what we are finding, that is what the overall takeaway - that is what we are finding, that is what the overall takeaway from i that is what we are finding, that is. what the overall takeaway from this entire _ what the overall takeaway from this entire next — what the overall takeaway from this entire next two _ what the overall takeaway from this entire next two or— what the overall takeaway from this entire next two or three _ what the overall takeaway from this entire next two or three days - what the overall takeaway from this entire next two or three days of- entire next two or three days of results — entire next two or three days of results will _ entire next two or three days of results will be, _ entire next two or three days of results will be, that _ entire next two or three days of results will be, that people - entire next two or three days ofl results will be, that people want entire next two or three days of. results will be, that people want a general— results will be, that people want a general election, _ results will be, that people want a general election, and _ results will be, that people want a general election, and i— general election, and i wanted tomorrow _ general election, and i wanted tomorrow— general election, and i wanted tomorrow. , , , ., tomorrow. this is the third year in a row where... _ tomorrow. this is the third year in a row where... don't _ tomorrow. this is the third year in a row where... don't talk - tomorrow. this is the third year in a row where... don't talk over - tomorrow. this is the third year in i a row where... don't talk over each other! this — a row where... don't talk over each other! this is _ a row where... don't talk over each other! this is the _ a row where... don't talk over each other! this is the third _ a row where... don't talk over each other! this is the third year - a row where... don't talk over each other! this is the third year in - a row where... don't talk over each other! this is the third year in a - other! this is the third year in a row where _ other! this is the third year in a row where a — other! this is the third year in a row where a conservative - row where a conservative spokesperson has been here to say it is the conservatives voters who have decided not to come out, we will get them back. at what point will they come back? that is not the results we are seeing, by—elections with massive swing to labour, blackpool last night was historic, the third highest swing since the second world war. ., ., | highest swing since the second world war. ., ., i feel highest swing since the second world war-_ i feel we _ highest swing since the second world war._ i feel we could - highest swing since the second world war._ i feel we could be - war. no, no... ifeelwe could be sittin: war. no, no... ifeelwe could be sitting here _ war. no, no... ifeelwe could be sitting here at — war. no, no... ifeelwe could be sitting here at a _ war. no, no... ifeelwe could be sitting here at a general - war. no, no... ifeelwe could be| sitting here at a general election, and you will still be saying it is a terrible result for labour! it and you will still be saying it is a terrible result for labour!- terrible result for labour! it was traditionally _ terrible result for labour! it was traditionally labour, _ terrible result for labour! it was traditionally labour, of - terrible result for labour! it was | traditionally labour, of course... let me come back to that by—election, now, two things, that seat, _ by—election, now, two things, that seat. you — by—election, now, two things, that seat, you are right, jo, before 2019. — seat, you are right, jo, before 2019. for— seat, you are right, jo, before 2019, for 20 years it was held by

the labour— 2019, for 20 years it was held by the labour party, even when we were in government. so that is... you are coming _ in government. so that is... you are coming right— in government. so that is... you are coming right back to the 1940s! it coming right back to the 1940s! it is coming right back to the 1940s! is time to coming right back to the 1940s! it is time to relive that argument! talking about the swing piece, nowm — talking about the swing piece, now... , . now... let me 'ust inter'ect, becausefi now... let me 'ust inter'ect, because on b now... let me just inter'ect, because on what i now... let me just inter'ect, because on what you'reh now... let me just interject, i because on what you're saying, pointing to voters not really yet on the general election, but let's show you the police and crime commissioner result in bedfordshire, because labour have gained it from the conservatives, yet another part of the country, arguably, where the tories have been strong, and of course you have lost the mid bedfordshire by—election, and that was a pretty stunning win for the labour party. well, their candidate for police and crime commission has taken it, john tizard, and in fact festus akinbusoye was the candidate, if i remember rightly, for the conservative party at the medvedeva chair by—election. it has been pipped to the post again in the police and crime commissioner

elections. —— at the mid bedfordshire election. we can look at these shared there, let's look at the change. that is the change in parties�* support, up 5% for the labour party, down 7% for the conservatives, and you can see the workers party of britain have gone up workers party of britain have gone up from 8%, from a pretty nonexistent bar. and you can see there the swing, just over 6% from conservative to labour. so that is a labour gain from the conservatives. let's just pick up, we have talked a lot about the mayoralties, but not that much about the police and crime commissioners. let's catch up with sirjohn curtice on the results that we have had just now on police and crime commissioners, and looking ahead, because there are a lot of results that we are expecting. yes. results that we are expecting. yes, indeed, results that we are expecting. yes, indeed. we — results that we are expecting. yes, indeed, we have _ results that we are expecting. yes, indeed, we have only _ results that we are expecting. yes, indeed, we have only had - results that we are expecting. 1';e::~ indeed, we have only had about results that we are expecting. 1a: indeed, we have only had about a third of the police and crime commissioner elections so far. i

think mark harper is right that so far at least the swing from conservative to labour since 2021 is less than the local council elections, although i think that might in part be, only in part, be accounted for by wales, where the conservative vote starting from a relatively low base and does not seem to have gone down so much as you might expect elsewhere. that said, on our calculation, we still think it is possible that the conservatives lose around one in three of the pcc office is macro that they are trying to defend, and they have already lost three, so that could amount to as many as ten. so quite a few of these areas which are potentially vulnerable to something like a 5% swing. the other thing to say is that, if we are arguing about turnout, the police and crime commissioner elections are the ones where, if you don't have a

corresponding local government election, which is true on a number of these, at least either in whole or in part, the turnout does indeed tend to be particularly low. flan or in part, the turnout does indeed tend to be particularly low. can you take us through _ tend to be particularly low. can you take us through time _ tend to be particularly low. can you take us through time with? - tend to be particularly low. can you take us through time with? vicki i take us through time with? vicki young was reading out the results, they probably have come from you, but can you explain the importance and significance of labour taking those council seats in a part of the world, like staffordshire, where they need to be making quite a lot of progress. they need to be making quite a lot of progress-— of progress. well, yes, but of course tamworth _ of progress. well, yes, but of course tamworth is _ of progress. well, yes, but of course tamworth is where - of progress. well, yes, but ofj course tamworth is where the of progress. well, yes, but of - course tamworth is where the labour party secured one of its spectacular by—election victories, i think we were all surprised, given the state of the opinion balls, if labour did not take tamworth council. is of the opinion balls, if labour did not take tamworth council. is that a trend and a — not take tamworth council. is that a trend and a pattern _ not take tamworth council. is that a trend and a pattern that _ not take tamworth council. is that a trend and a pattern that has - not take tamworth council. is that a trend and a pattern that has been i trend and a pattern that has been shown by the results we have had so far across the country, whether it is rushmore or redditch or hartlepool or thurrock, that they are making enough progress overall... are making enough progress overall- - -_ are making enough progress overall... ~ . , , ., ., overall... well, that depends on how ou want overall... well, that depends on how you want to — overall... well, that depends on how

you want to answer _ overall... well, that depends on how you want to answer that _ overall... well, that depends on how you want to answer that question! i overall... well, that depends on how| you want to answer that question! we have aggregated the results up to new parliamentary constituencies in places where conservative, labour and liberal democrats fought all the wards, because that is quite a crucial qualification. if you do that, the safest seat for labour they are ahead on these local elections, is swindon north in our set, which requires a 40% swing, a bit more than labour need in order to be able to win a general election, at least on the conventional arithmetic. however, there are a couple of places, peterborough and south ribble, where the swing required is rather less than labour would require to win on the conventional arithmetic, where the conventional arithmetic, where the conservatives are still ahead, so i mixed a picture there, do what is perhaps of most interest perhaps to mark harper is that we can do this exercise for portsmouth north,

and the conservatives there are narrowly ahead in the local elections, and that of course is penny mordaunt�*s seat. fish! another penny mordaunt's seat. ah! another way of answering the question is rather than looking at what happens in constituencies of a certain characteristic, look to see what is happening in wards that have a certain characteristic. in other words, let's look to see what happens in wards where labour was second to the conservatives, and what you then discover is that these are the places where labour are advancing most strongly since 2021, and then let's go to the places where the liberal democrats are second to the conservatives locally, and that is where they are advancing most strongly. in other words, as was the case last year, if you look at the tactical situation at ward level, and it is the water level where the tactical situation operates in these local elections, what you do discover is beginning to

be fairly consistent evidence that the conservative party is at risk of suffering from anti—conservative macro tactical voting, and if you want to know why we are saying that it looks like the conservatives to lose 500 seats, it is, a, because of the rise of anti conservative tactical voting, and b, because it is losing ground most heavily in wards where they were previously strongest. again, something else that was in evidence last year, and it was those two patterns last year that delivered 1000 conservative losses, and it may be those two patterns that this year also ensures that the forecast of 500 losses also proved to be pretty close to the truth. sir proved to be pretty close to the truth. ,, . ., proved to be pretty close to the truth. ,, g ., . proved to be pretty close to the truth. ,, . ., . ., ~ proved to be pretty close to the truth, ,, . ., . ., ~' ,., truth. sirjohn curtice, thank you very much _ truth. sirjohn curtice, thank you very much for— truth. sirjohn curtice, thank you very much for all— truth. sirjohn curtice, thank you very much for all of— truth. sirjohn curtice, thank you very much for all of that - very much for all of that important analysis, particularly in terms of the rise of anti tory tactical voting. that is very difficult, you have a pincer movement, but in the

places where the liberal democrats are second to you, where labour is second to come in places across the country. we have to make a strong case and the point i want to come back to is what i said earlier about this point about swing. the question is is a conservative voter is coming out in voting by deciding to vote for somebody else or conservative voters not clear about what they're going to do and staying home? i would argue if you look at the results, i'm not trying to pretend, it's a disappointing thing, but i'm trying to say there are conservatives who come at the moment, and elections taking place in many part of the country at the moment we haven't given them sufficient reason to come out and vote. i'm saying what we got to do between now and the general election is to get those conservative voters to come out and vote for us. at the moment, they absolutely have not decided to vote labour and that's a big difference. if you look at the overall result in

seats where labour has done well, after the labour vote has not gone up after the labour vote has not gone up very much if at all and in some cases it's gone backwards. so turner toes cases it's gone backwards. so turner goes out- -- — cases it's gone backwards. so turner goes out... their _ cases it's gone backwards. so turner goes out... their voters _ cases it's gone backwards. so turner goes out... their voters are - cases it's gone backwards. so turner goes out... their voters are turning i goes out... their voters are turning out... goes out... their voters are turning out- -- all — goes out... their voters are turning out- -- all right. _ goes out... their voters are turning out... all right, that's _ goes out. .. their voters are turning out... all right, that's your- out... all right, that's your argument _ out... all right, that's your argument and _ out... all right, that's your argument and i'm - out... all right, that's your argument and i'm not i out... all right, that's your- argument and i'm not dismissing it. we've got to do. let argument and i'm not dismissing it. we've got to do— argument and i'm not dismissing it. we've got to do. let jonathan answer that argument _ we've got to do. let jonathan answer that argument but _ we've got to do. let jonathan answer that argument but first _ we've got to do. let jonathan answer that argument but first what - we've got to do. let jonathan answer that argument but first what can i i that argument but first what can i introduce our new guest for this part of the programme, andrew fisher, columnist, labouradvice and jeremy corbyn was labour leader. jonathan, you want to answer this point that the turnout, which is always... point that the turnout, which is alwa s... ., , ., ., always... for the third year in a row this has _ always... for the third year in a row this has been _ always... for the third year in a row this has been the _ always... for the third year in a i row this has been the conservative point _ row this has been the conservative point of— row this has been the conservative point of view _ row this has been the conservative point of view. the _ row this has been the conservative point of view. the idea _ row this has been the conservative point of view. the idea at - row this has been the conservative point of view. the idea at personalj point of view. the idea at personal parties _ point of view. the idea at personal parties vote — point of view. the idea at personal parties vote on— point of view. the idea at personal parties vote on your _ point of view. the idea at personal parties vote on your side, - point of view. the idea at personal parties vote on your side, if - parties vote on your side, if turnout _ parties vote on your side, if turnout goes _ parties vote on your side, if turnout goes it _ parties vote on your side, if turnout goes it probably i parties vote on your side, if| turnout goes it probably will parties vote on your side, if - turnout goes it probably will mean everyone — turnout goes it probably will mean everyone decreases _ turnout goes it probably will mean. everyone decreases proportionately so i everyone decreases proportionately so i understand _ everyone decreases proportionately so i understand it's _ everyone decreases proportionately so i understand it's a _ everyone decreases proportionately so i understand it's a language i everyone decreases proportionately so i understand it's a language cani so i understand it's a language can -et so i understand it's a language can get you _ so i understand it's a language can get you through _ so i understand it's a language can get you through difficult _ so i understand it's a language can get you through difficult media i so i understand it's a language can| get you through difficult media and i've get you through difficult media and i've been— get you through difficult media and i've been in— get you through difficult media and i've been in similar— get you through difficult media and i've been in similar positions - i've been in similar positions before — i've been in similar positions before and _ i've been in similar positions before and i— i've been in similar positions before and i genuinely- i've been in similar positions i before and i genuinely respect it can be _

before and i genuinely respect it can be at— before and i genuinely respect it can be at times _ before and i genuinely respect it can be at times difficult - before and i genuinely respect it can be at times difficult but i before and i genuinely respect it. can be at times difficult but that's not what — can be at times difficult but that's not what we — can be at times difficult but that's not what we are _ can be at times difficult but that's not what we are seeing. - can be at times difficult but that's not what we are seeing. we - can be at times difficult but that's not what we are seeing. we are i not what we are seeing. we are seeing — not what we are seeing. we are seeing incredible _ not what we are seeing. we are seeing incredible swings- not what we are seeing. we are seeing incredible swings to i not what we are seeing. we are i seeing incredible swings to labour in backgrounds, _ seeing incredible swings to labour in backgrounds, results— seeing incredible swings to labour in backgrounds, results off- seeing incredible swings to labour in backgrounds, results off the i in backgrounds, results off the scale. — in backgrounds, results off the scale. i— in backgrounds, results off the scale, ithink— in backgrounds, results off the scale, i think we _ in backgrounds, results off the scale, i think we are _ in backgrounds, results off the scale, i think we are seeing i in backgrounds, results off the i scale, i think we are seeing quite rightly— scale, i think we are seeing quite rightly the — scale, i think we are seeing quite rightly the public _ scale, i think we are seeing quite rightly the public very _ scale, i think we are seeing quite rightly the public very keen - scale, i think we are seeing quite rightly the public very keen theyi rightly the public very keen they want _ rightly the public very keen they want a _ rightly the public very keen they want a general— rightly the public very keen they want a general election, - rightly the public very keen they. want a general election, frustrated at being _ want a general election, frustrated at being denied _ want a general election, frustrated at being denied one, _ want a general election, frustrated at being denied one, could - want a general election, frustrated at being denied one, could have i want a general election, frustrated i at being denied one, could have had it yesterday. — at being denied one, could have had it yesterday, let's _ at being denied one, could have had it yesterday, let's be _ at being denied one, could have had it yesterday, let's be clear, - at being denied one, could have had it yesterday, let's be clear, there i it yesterday, let's be clear, there is no _ it yesterday, let's be clear, there is no complacency— it yesterday, let's be clear, there is no complacency on _ it yesterday, let's be clear, there is no complacency on the - it yesterday, let's be clear, there is no complacency on the labouri it yesterday, let's be clear, there i is no complacency on the labour side but this— is no complacency on the labour side but this is— is no complacency on the labour side but this is very— is no complacency on the labour side but this is very encouraging - is no complacency on the labour side but this is very encouraging for - is no complacency on the labour side but this is very encouraging for the i but this is very encouraging for the general— but this is very encouraging for the general election. _ but this is very encouraging for the general election. lett— but this is very encouraging for the general election.— general election. let me show you this result because _ general election. let me show you this result because there's - general election. let me show you this result because there's been i this result because there's been some pressure admittedly, labour held onto that pin, but there has been some pressure there on the labour party and various, to some extent, disenchantment coming from labours policy when it has come to a ceasefire in the israel her mass —— conflict. 29 seats led party have come independence have 13 and the conservatives nine but you can see here that labour has lost some support, they are down and the

independents are up by eight probably because a number of labour councillors had quit standing as independents. let's talk to councillor phil riley, the labour leader of blackburn. hello to you. you held on to the council, congratulations, but lost some seats so why do you think that is? meiji. so why do you think that is? well, i'm afraid so why do you think that is? well, l'm afraid it _ so why do you think that is? well, i'm afraid it was _ so why do you think that is? well, i'm afraid it was simply _ so why do you think that is? well, i'm afraid it was simply because i so why do you think that is? 1! i'm afraid it was simply because of disquiet about the gaza war if you want to call it that. and disquiet about the response of the labour leadership in particular. in particular the interview the national leader made to lbc some months ago, that is being played over and over and over again on social media. over and over and over again on social media-—

over and over and over again on social media. , ., g ., ., ., social media. yes, we have jonathan here, art social media. yes, we have jonathan here. part of — social media. yes, we have jonathan here, part of keir _ social media. yes, we have jonathan here, part of keir starmer's - social media. yes, we have jonathan here, part of keir starmer's team. i here, part of keir starmer's team. what do you say to him, they held onto the council, but there clearly has been an awful lot of unhappiness with what keir starmer said in that interview, clarification there was, but to some extent i'm paraphrasing keir starmer said israel should be able to do whatever it needs to do to defend itself and i think the question was broadly including cutting off water, electricity, vital supplies in that area and he said yes. vital supplies in that area and he said es. , ., ., , , said yes. there is no doubt this has been a factor _ said yes. there is no doubt this has been a factor in _ said yes. there is no doubt this has been a factor in these _ said yes. there is no doubt this has been a factor in these elections. i l been a factor in these elections. i wouldn't — been a factor in these elections. i wouldn't want to come across is not recognising — wouldn't want to come across is not recognising that. i do think it's very— recognising that. i do think it's very important by the way not to ascribe _ very important by the way not to ascribe one of you to a community which _ ascribe one of you to a community which itself — ascribe one of you to a community which itself has a diverse range of political _ which itself has a diverse range of political views orjust to say that british— political views orjust to say that british muslims concerned about gaza, _ british muslims concerned about gaza, it — british muslims concerned about gaza, it is — british muslims concerned about gaza, it is wider than that, it must be acknowledged. specifically around that lbc_ be acknowledged. specifically around that lbc interview had to clarify what _ that lbc interview had to clarify what keir — that lbc interview had to clarify what keir starmer was doing there, recognising israel's right to defend itself and — recognising israel's right to defend itself and its been on a lot of opposition material but what i would

say on _ opposition material but what i would say on the _ opposition material but what i would say on the local elections, you always— say on the local elections, you always have more independence, more greens, _ always have more independence, more greens, liberals, more diversity there. _ greens, liberals, more diversity there. so— greens, liberals, more diversity there, so there is a vehicle for that— there, so there is a vehicle for that but— there, so there is a vehicle for that but i_ there, so there is a vehicle for that but i would be very confident in winning — that but i would be very confident in winning back the support of people — in winning back the support of people in— in winning back the support of people in a general election if the choice _ people in a general election if the choice of— people in a general election if the choice of the conservative government continuing or not. what do ou sa government continuing or not. what do you say to _ government continuing or not. what do you say to those _ government continuing or not. twist do you say to those councillors government continuing or not. ri15:11sgt do you say to those councillors who have quit all the seats you have lost? ~ 5, have quit all the seats you have lost? ~ ., ., , , lost? well, i mean obviously the seats we have _ lost? well, i mean obviously the seats we have lost _ lost? well, i mean obviously the seats we have lost our _ lost? well, i mean obviously the seats we have lost our truly i seats we have lost our truly disappointing. we have lost some long serving councillors, including unfortunately my ward colleague who was due to be the mayor of the borough this year, next week. but do ou think borough this year, next week. but do you thinkjonathan _ borough this year, next week. but do you thinkjonathan is _ borough this year, next week. but do you thinkjonathan is right _ borough this year, next week. but do you thinkjonathan is right at - borough this year, next week. but do you thinkjonathan is right at the i you thinkjonathan is right at the general election a lot of those people who perhaps voted for independence will come back to the labour party? 1 independence will come back to the labour party?— labour party? i have to say it doesnt labour party? i have to say it doesn't feel _ labour party? i have to say it doesn't feel like _ labour party? i have to say it doesn't feel like that - labour party? i have to say it doesn't feel like that today, i labour party? i have to say it i doesn't feel like that today, now, but that's not to say we won't be

resuming our conversations, with the asian community, because it's something we are very proud of in blackburn, very keen, we've got a very good reputation for community cohesion and suchlike, so i think where i would probably agree with jonathan is that i view this probably is a sort of bump in the road, but i'm glad there's not a general election this afternoon. because you think that would be very difficult for the labour party in areas with large muslim populations? yes, i think if it was this afternoon, i think the energy that people are put into this campaign over the last few weeks, it has featured an enormous amount of fairly unpleasant sort of footage on social media around labour councillors being accused of having blood on their hands on things of that nature. very difficult to

compete with that on the basis that in the end we are councillors and we don't do international affairs. it's been very hard to make that argument in what was a very, very difficult set of circumstances.— in what was a very, very difficult set of circumstances. what do you sa to set of circumstances. what do you say to that. _ set of circumstances. what do you say to that, jonathan? _ set of circumstances. what do you say to that, jonathan? i _ set of circumstances. what do you say to that, jonathan? i just i set of circumstances. what do you i say to that, jonathan? i just wanted say to that, jonathan? i 'ust wanted to sa i'm say to that, jonathan? i 'ust wanted to say m not * say to that, jonathan? i just wanted to say i'm not suggesting _ say to that, jonathan? i just wanted to say i'm not suggesting those i to say i'm not suggesting those people — to say i'm not suggesting those people who haven't supported labour automatically come back, ijust think_ automatically come back, ijust think we — automatically come back, ijust think we recognise it'sjob is when those _ think we recognise it'sjob is when those people back. the challenge has been put _ those people back. the challenge has been put in _ those people back. the challenge has been put in place in blackburn and we've _ been put in place in blackburn and we've seen— been put in place in blackburn and we've seen a very good result in high _ we've seen a very good result in high burner— we've seen a very good result in high burner not far away. in oldham next door_ high burner not far away. in oldham next door to — high burner not far away. in oldham next door to me, the results we have seen _ next door to me, the results we have seen we _ next door to me, the results we have seen... we lost control. it's the fourth _ seen... we lost control. it's the fourth year— seen... we lost control. it's the fourth year in lost seats and that's notjust— fourth year in lost seats and that's not just about one community in 0tdhenr~ — not just about one community in oldham. there are other political factors— oldham. there are other political factors going on. oldham. there are other political factors going om— factors going on. thank you very much forjoining _ factors going on. thank you very much forjoining us _ factors going on. thank you very much forjoining us today. - factors going on. thank you very i much forjoining us today. bringing your thoughts from blackburn in terms of losing seats that labour has held but let me bring you this

big news back to mail teas. a new one, very disappointing particularly for the prime minister, because york and north yorkshire takes in his constituency of richmond in north yorkshire. labour have won it. it's been one over by david skaith, and it's true in the final weeks of this campaign it looked like it was going to be much closer run thing but there were people in the conservative party who thought you would take that but you haven't and it's over 36 and a half thousand votes to david skaith and keane duncan second with nearly 52,000 and the liberal democrat candidate there on nearly 31,000. so that is a win for labour so, on nearly 31,000. so that is a win for labourso, in on nearly 31,000. so that is a win for labour so, in terms of the mail teas so far, ben houchen is the only bit of blue if you like in these

mayoral teas. this is rishi sunak's back yard and that's very, very disappointing. b, back yard and that's very, very disappointing-— back yard and that's very, very disappointing. a big chunk of that seat obviously _ disappointing. a big chunk of that seat obviously is _ disappointing. a big chunk of that seat obviously is the _ disappointing. a big chunk of that seat obviously is the urban - disappointing. a big chunk of that seat obviously is the urban area l seat obviously is the urban area around york which is very strong for labour. it's a disappointing result. i'm not going to pretend it's not. but again, a very mixed picture from those mail teas as well. but also interestingly, i will come back to the argumentjohnny was making about there's work to do for labour in that particular group of voters are not the same as the argument i was making, there is a lot of work for us ahead of the general election. and i'm not going to pretend some of the local results are not disappointing. it's focusing on the important record we've got, the plans we got in the future, the things we've achieved in terms of delivering tax cuts for working people, higher pensions for pensioners, it's getting that message out there, landing that ahead of a general election. landing doesnt ahead of a general election. landing doesn't seem _ ahead of a general election. landing doesn't seem to _ ahead of a general election. landing doesn't seem to have _ ahead of a general election. landing doesn't seem to have happened - ahead of a general election. landing doesn't seem to have happened in l ahead of a general election. landing doesn't seem to have happened in a j doesn't seem to have happened in a lot of these mayoral teas because you have not won an east midlands

either. another one of these new positions. andrew, can wejust return to the israel conflict in gaza and how much damage that may or may not be doing to the labour party and it's certainly infecting some damage and we can see it is no collection although, in terms losing councils, is it a bump in the road as phil reilly said? he glad it's not happening this afternoon, the general election. it'll all be fine? i we should recognise it's only a third _ i we should recognise it's only a third of— i we should recognise it's only a third of the _ i we should recognise it's only a third of the council— i we should recognise it's only a third of the council up _ i we should recognise it's only a third of the council up for- third of the council up for elections _ third of the council up for elections and _ third of the council up for elections and actually - third of the council up for elections and actually if l third of the council up for. elections and actually if you third of the council up for- elections and actually if you look at the _ elections and actually if you look at the result _ elections and actually if you look at the result for— elections and actually if you look at the result for the _ elections and actually if you look. at the result for the independence, they took— at the result for the independence, they took four _ at the result for the independence, they took four off— at the result for the independence, they took four off the _ at the result for the independence, | they took four off the conservatives so there's _ they took four off the conservatives so there's no— they took four off the conservatives so there's no love _ they took four off the conservatives so there's no love for _ they took four off the conservatives so there's no love for them - they took four off the conservatives so there's no love for them and - they took four off the conservatives | so there's no love for them and four off labour— so there's no love for them and four off labour so — so there's no love for them and four off labour so it's _ so there's no love for them and four off labour so it's a _ so there's no love for them and four off labour so it's a bad _ so there's no love for them and four off labour so it's a bad result. - off labour so it's a bad result. kate _ off labour so it's a bad result. kate holland, _ off labour so it's a bad result. kate holland, the _ off labour so it's a bad result. kate holland, the mp- off labour so it's a bad result. kate holland, the mp for- off labour so it's a bad result. - kate holland, the mp for blackburn, has had _ kate holland, the mp for blackburn, has had a _ kate holland, the mp for blackburn, has had a personal— kate holland, the mp for blackburn, has had a personal note _ kate holland, the mp for blackburn, has had a personal note and - kate holland, the mp for blackburn, has had a personal note and a - has had a personal note and a different— has had a personal note and a different dynamics _ has had a personal note and a different dynamics in - has had a personal note and a different dynamics in a - has had a personal note and a l different dynamics in a general election— different dynamics in a general election but— different dynamics in a general election but clearly— different dynamics in a general election but clearly it - different dynamics in a general election but clearly it is - different dynamics in a general election but clearly it is a - different dynamics in a general. election but clearly it is a strong protest — election but clearly it is a strong protest i— election but clearly it is a strong protest. idon't— election but clearly it is a strong protest. i don't think _ election but clearly it is a strong protest. i don't think it's- election but clearly it is a strong protest. i don't think it's a - election but clearly it is a strong| protest. i don't think it's a bump on the _ protest. i don't think it's a bump on the road _ protest. i don't think it's a bump on the road and _ protest. i don't think it's a bump on the road and i— protest. idon't think it's a bump on the road and i know- protest. i don't think it's a bump on the road and i knowjohnny. on the road and i knowjohnny corrected _ on the road and i knowjohnny corrected himself— on the road and i knowjohnny corrected himself slightly, - on the road and i knowjohnny corrected himself slightly, i. on the road and i knowjohnny. corrected himself slightly, i don't corrected himself slightly, idon't think— corrected himself slightly, i don't think this — corrected himself slightly, i don't think this is — corrected himself slightly, i don't think this is just _ corrected himself slightly, i don't think this is just a _ corrected himself slightly, i don't think this is just a protest - corrected himself slightly, i don't think this is just a protest and - think this is just a protest and people — think this is just a protest and people will— think this is just a protest and people will come _ think this is just a protest and people will come back. - think this is just a protest and people will come back. i-

think this is just a protest andj people will come back. i think think this is just a protest and - people will come back. i think this is something — people will come back. i think this is something people _ people will come back. i think this is something people feel- people will come back. i think this is something people feel very - is something people feel very passionately— is something people feel very passionately about. _ is something people feel very passionately about. anyone l is something people feel very - passionately about. anyone who's watched _ passionately about. anyone who's watched the — passionately about. anyone who's watched the footage _ passionately about. anyone who's watched the footage of— passionately about. anyone who's watched the footage of people - passionately about. anyone who's watched the footage of people on| passionately about. anyone who's - watched the footage of people on our screens, _ watched the footage of people on our screens, chapter— watched the footage of people on our screens, chapter civilian _ watched the footage of people on our screens, chapter civilian population l screens, chapter civilian population being _ screens, chapter civilian population being bombarded _ screens, chapter civilian population being bombarded by— screens, chapter civilian population being bombarded by one _ screens, chapter civilian population being bombarded by one of- screens, chapter civilian population being bombarded by one of the - being bombarded by one of the biggest — being bombarded by one of the biggest abilities _ being bombarded by one of the biggest abilities in _ being bombarded by one of the biggest abilities in the - being bombarded by one of the biggest abilities in the world i being bombarded by one of the i biggest abilities in the world that we are _ biggest abilities in the world that we are arming. _ biggest abilities in the world that we are arming, people _ biggest abilities in the world that we are arming, people feel- biggest abilities in the world that we are arming, people feel veryl we are arming, people feel very emotional— we are arming, people feel very emotional about _ we are arming, people feel very emotional about that— we are arming, people feel very emotional about that and - we are arming, people feel very emotional about that and it's i we are arming, people feel veryl emotional about that and it's not something — emotional about that and it's not something you _ emotional about that and it's not something you can _ emotional about that and it's not something you can trade - emotional about that and it's not something you can trade off - emotional about that and it's not something you can trade off withj something you can trade off with something — something you can trade off with something else, _ something you can trade off with something else, like _ something you can trade off with something else, like their- something you can trade off with something else, like their policy| something you can trade off with . something else, like their policy on roads— something else, like their policy on roads or— something else, like their policy on roads or something. _ something else, like their policy on roads or something. find _ something else, like their policy on roads or something.— something else, like their policy on roads or something. and that's what ou like to roads or something. and that's what you like to see _ roads or something. and that's what you like to see the _ roads or something. and that's what you like to see the labour— you like to see the labour leadership change their policy when it comes to arms? l leadership change their policy when it comes to arms?— it comes to arms? i think that is what a lot _ it comes to arms? i think that is what a lot of _ it comes to arms? i think that is what a lot of people _ it comes to arms? i think that is what a lot of people would - it comes to arms? i think that is what a lot of people would say l it comes to arms? i think that is i what a lot of people would say for them _ what a lot of people would say for them it's— what a lot of people would say for them it's not— what a lot of people would say for them it's notjust _ what a lot of people would say for them it's not just the _ what a lot of people would say for them it's notjust the labour- what a lot of people would say for| them it's notjust the labour party but the _ them it's notjust the labour party but the conservatives _ them it's notjust the labour party but the conservatives as - them it's notjust the labour party but the conservatives as well. - them it's notjust the labour partyl but the conservatives as well. they lost four _ but the conservatives as well. they lost four councillors _ but the conservatives as well. they lost four councillors in _ but the conservatives as well. they lost four councillors in blackburn, l lost four councillors in blackburn, they've _ lost four councillors in blackburn, they've lost — lost four councillors in blackburn, they've lost seats _ lost four councillors in blackburn, they've lost seats as _ lost four councillors in blackburn, they've lost seats as well, - lost four councillors in blackburn, they've lost seats as well, and i lost four councillors in blackburn, i they've lost seats as well, and the conservatives _ they've lost seats as well, and the conservatives are _ they've lost seats as well, and the conservatives are in _ they've lost seats as well, and the conservatives are in government i they've lost seats as well, and the . conservatives are in government and can do— conservatives are in government and can do this, — conservatives are in government and can do this, and _ conservatives are in government and can do this, and labour— conservatives are in government and can do this, and labour have - conservatives are in government and can do this, and labour have to - conservatives are in government and can do this, and labour have to be i conservatives are in government and can do this, and labour have to be a| can do this, and labour have to be a lot more _ can do this, and labour have to be a lot more firm — can do this, and labour have to be a lot more firm to _ can do this, and labour have to be a lot more firm to win _ can do this, and labour have to be a lot more firm to win back _ can do this, and labour have to be a lot more firm to win back support i lot more firm to win back support because — lot more firm to win back support because we — lot more firm to win back support because we are _ lot more firm to win back support because we are seeing _ lot more firm to win back support because we are seeing not - lot more firm to win back support because we are seeing notjust. lot more firm to win back support because we are seeing notjust inj because we are seeing notjust in oldham _ because we are seeing notjust in oldham in— because we are seeing notjust in oldham in blackburn, _ because we are seeing notjust in oldham in blackburn, but- because we are seeing notjust in oldham in blackburn, but in- because we are seeing notjust in- 0ldham in blackburn, but in norwich, i'm 0ldham in blackburn, but in norwich, i'm sure _ 0ldham in blackburn, but in norwich, i'm sure we'll— 0ldham in blackburn, but in norwich, i'm sure we'll see _ 0ldham in blackburn, but in norwich, i'm sure we'll see it— 0ldham in blackburn, but in norwich, i'm sure we'll see it in— 0ldham in blackburn, but in norwich, i'm sure we'll see it in bristol- i'm sure we'll see it in bristol tater— i'm sure we'll see it in bristol tater as — i'm sure we'll see it in bristol later as well, _ i'm sure we'll see it in bristol later as well, even _ i'm sure we'll see it in bristol later as well, even in - i'm sure we'll see it in bristol later as well, even in places. i'm sure we'll see it in bristol. later as well, even in places like newcastle _ later as well, even in places like newcastle-— later as well, even in places like newcastle. rochdale, we talk to georae newcastle. rochdale, we talk to george galloway _ newcastle. rochdale, we talk to george galloway earlier, - newcastle. rochdale, we talk to george galloway earlier, who i newcastle. rochdale, we talk to l george galloway earlier, who took rochdale, difficult circumstances generally, because of what happened to the labour former candidate there, but they have held it and

perhaps that's not a complete surprise they've held it very comfortably. i would say the independence there, sorry the working party in britain, have added two seats, labour have lost one, so still comfortably held in rochdale but it is a reminder, isn't it, how single issues that mean an awful lot to traditionally labour voters could do some damage electorally to you and is there any sense you would change your position when it comes to may be arms to israel or a firmer line in terms of what should happen in the negotiations?— in the negotiations? that's a crackin: in the negotiations? that's a cracking result _ in the negotiations? that's a cracking result in _ in the negotiations? that's a cracking result in rochdale. | in the negotiations? that's a - cracking result in rochdale. again, reftection — cracking result in rochdale. again, reflection we can simplify what a complex — reflection we can simplify what a complex competition misses. labour is position— complex competition misses. labour is position is— complex competition misses. labour is position is for an immediate ceasefire _ is position is for an immediate ceasefire and an immediate acceleration of aid into gaza. if

any risk— acceleration of aid into gaza. if any risk of— acceleration of aid into gaza. if any risk of british armaments being used in _ any risk of british armaments being used in this— any risk of british armaments being used in this way they cannot be exported — used in this way they cannot be exported. there is a lot of voters on the _ exported. there is a lot of voters on the doorsteps, people feel about this, the _ on the doorsteps, people feel about this, the position labour has taken which _ this, the position labour has taken which recognises we want an immediate ceasefire but that requires _ immediate ceasefire but that requires both sides to comply. a ceasefire — requires both sides to comply. a ceasefire is not one—sided, it's both— ceasefire is not one—sided, it's both sides. _ ceasefire is not one—sided, it's both sides, and that is very much recognised — both sides, and that is very much recognised by the vast majority of labour— recognised by the vast majority of labour and swing voters i've spoken to. �* . . labour and swing voters i've spoken to. �* . , ., to. and the last line from the negotiations _ to. and the last line from the negotiations is _ to. and the last line from the negotiations is that _ to. and the last line from the negotiations is that israel - to. and the last line from the | negotiations is that israel has to. and the last line from the - negotiations is that israel has made this very generous offer and hamas are being expected to actually agree so that the conflict can stop. i mean, it's a case of negotiations with both sides. riff mean, it's a case of negotiations with both sides.— with both sides. of course, both sides have _ with both sides. of course, both sides have to _ with both sides. of course, both sides have to agree _ with both sides. of course, both sides have to agree with - with both sides. of course, both sides have to agree with a - with both sides. of course, both . sides have to agree with a ceasefire but we also don't know the terms of the deal at the moment, they are not in the public domain, and we got benjamin netanyahu saying whatever happens with a ceasefire we will go into rafa anyway and it doesn't bode well and there isn't a good faith actor on either side of this conflict. ~ . ., , actor on either side of this conflict-— actor on either side of this conflict. ~ . ., , . . .,

conflict. what does that mean for national politics _ conflict. what does that mean for national politics here? _ conflict. what does that mean for national politics here? these - conflict. what does that mean for national politics here? these are| national politics here? these are local elections, even the leader, the labour leader, blackburn with darwen, held by the labour party, thinks it will be fine, it'll settle they will work. i thinks it will be fine, it'll settle they will work.— thinks it will be fine, it'll settle they will work. i hope there's not an election- _ they will work. i hope there's not an election. i— they will work. i hope there's not an election. i suppose _ they will work. i hope there's not an election. i suppose the - they will work. i hope there's not an election. i suppose the point. they will work. i hope there's not| an election. i suppose the point is further down _ an election. i suppose the point is further down the _ an election. i suppose the point is further down the line _ an election. i suppose the point is further down the line when - an election. i suppose the point is further down the line when that i further down the line when that comes, will it really have an impact? l comes, will it really have an im act? ~' ,., impact? i think it will in some sense. i hope _ impact? i think it will in some sense. i hope in _ impact? i think it will in some sense. i hope in blackburn . impact? i think it will in some sense. i hope in blackburn itl sense. i hope in blackburn it doesn't because kate holland has taken a very strong line and represented her constituents really well as good local mps shed and i hope she's got a strong personal vote. it's a different dynamic but it clearly will still be an issue of the local general election, i suspect, unfortunately. i don't think this conflict will end soon and i think labour have to restore, it is wider than gaza, though. we shouldn'tjust it is wider than gaza, though. we shouldn't just say the muslim voters, they are annoyed by other things within the labour party, it's a deeper set than that for a feeling they'd not been listened to. if you look at what happened around the batley and spent election which

labour held narrowly, there was a real drifting away before the gaza conflict happened. what real drifting away before the gaza conflict happened.— real drifting away before the gaza conflict happened. what do you say to that, jonathan? _ conflict happened. what do you say to that, jonathan? these _ conflict happened. what do you say to that, jonathan? these issues - conflict happened. what do you say| to that, jonathan? these issues will to that, jonathan? these issues will be important at a general election and we know there are certain labour mps who are being targeted to some extent, angela rayner, the deputy leader, went straight in, the shadow health secretary, in ilford. they will come under pressure there. there will be pressure as there always — there will be pressure as there always is, _ there will be pressure as there always is, a competitive general election. — always is, a competitive general election, but the story of the result— election, but the story of the result across the uk we are getting is working — result across the uk we are getting is working class voters are voting labour, — is working class voters are voting labour, whatever their background and ethnicity. there are places where — and ethnicity. there are places where we _ and ethnicity. there are places where we really, really struggled with working—class voters, particular post—brexit, which have come _ particular post—brexit, which have come back— particular post—brexit, which have come back strongly to labour and that is— come back strongly to labour and that is the — come back strongly to labour and that is the result we are seeking is i'm that is the result we are seeking is im never— that is the result we are seeking is i'm never complacent, but i feel the labour— i'm never complacent, but i feel the labour party— i'm never complacent, but i feel the labour party offer we've got at the moment, — labour party offer we've got at the moment, as it stands today, is far more _ moment, as it stands today, is far more competitive with the classic red wall— more competitive with the classic red wall areas and then we are getting —

red wall areas and then we are getting this news, north yorks result, — getting this news, north yorks result, the blue wall crumbling as well, _ result, the blue wall crumbling as well, so _ result, the blue wall crumbling as well, so there's different politics for different parts of the uk but i'm for different parts of the uk but i'm very— for different parts of the uk but i'm very encouraged by what we are seeing _ i'm very encouraged by what we are seeing in _ i'm very encouraged by what we are seeing in terms of labour support. labour have held rochdale, rochdale council, despite losing the parliamentary seat, confident of getting back from george galloway the general election?— the general election? george galloway's — the general election? george galloway's record _ the general election? george galloway's record is - the general election? george galloway's record is one - the general election? george galloway's record is one of i galloway's record is one of spectacular by—election wins and never getting re—elected, so we will put a strong pitch to rochdale voters to change the conservative government for a labour one and a key role they can play or not. i key role they can play or not. i don't know how much you knew about the campaigns in york and north yorkshire, you didn't win through. i take what you say about your, young, students, labour supporting city. yet the prime minister, symbolically there as an mp, that is his back yard, his seat, what does that do

psychologically? you cannot take this new mayoralty, you haven't managed it in the east midlands, what does it say about the conservative party? has what does it say about the conservative party?- what does it say about the conservative party? as i say, the mayoralty _ conservative party? as i say, the mayoralty covers _ conservative party? as i say, the mayoralty covers york _ conservative party? as i say, the mayoralty covers york itself, - conservative party? as i say, the mayoralty covers york itself, the | mayoralty covers york itself, the city. _ mayoralty covers york itself, the city. which — mayoralty covers york itself, the city, which is an area that is strong — city, which is an area that is strong for— city, which is an area that is strong for the labour party, as well as the _ strong for the labour party, as well as the more — strong for the labour party, as well as the more rural areas, strong for the labour party, as well as the more ruralareas, and i haven't— as the more ruralareas, and i haven't seen detailed results. these results _ haven't seen detailed results. these results are _ haven't seen detailed results. these results are disappointing... these are areas— results are disappointing... these are areas where i have not visited, so i are areas where i have not visited, so i don't — are areas where i have not visited, so i don't know the details on the ground _ so i don't know the details on the ground as — so i don't know the details on the round. �* . so i don't know the details on the round. a , so i don't know the details on the round. ~ , ., ~ ground. as i say, we mentioned ben houchen, ground. as i say, we mentioned ben houchen. l— ground. as i say, we mentioned ben houchen, i think _ ground. as i say, we mentioned ben houchen, i think we _ ground. as i say, we mentioned ben houchen, i think we can _ ground. as i say, we mentioned ben houchen, i think we can see - ground. as i say, we mentioned benj houchen, i think we can see pictures from teesside here, supporters there cheering, holding up the conservative posters and conservative posters and conservative placards following that a win, jonathan reynolds, they have found quite a few of them! must a win, jonathan reynolds, they have found quite a few of them! must have been locked —

found quite a few of them! must have been locked up _ found quite a few of them! must have been locked up in _ found quite a few of them! must have been locked up in a _ found quite a few of them! must have been locked up in a van _ found quite a few of them! must have been locked up in a van outside - found quite a few of them! must have been locked up in a van outside the l been locked up in a van outside the count! , . . count! 0h, they are admitting it now! there _ count! 0h, they are admitting it now! there is _ count! 0h, they are admitting it now! there is the _ count! 0h, they are admitting it now! there is the prime - count! 0h, they are admitting it | now! there is the prime minister with ben houchen, _ now! there is the prime minister with ben houchen, who - now! there is the prime minister with ben houchen, who is - now! there is the prime minister with ben houchen, who is yet i now! there is the prime minister i with ben houchen, who is yet again the mayor of tees valley in that victory, which will provide a huge amount of solace. i don't know if we can hear what ben houchen are saying, let's see. l’m can hear what ben houchen are saying, let's see.— can hear what ben houchen are saying, let's see. i'm 'ust so, so relieved and t saying, let's see. i'm 'ust so, so relieved and humble,_ saying, let's see. i'mjust so, so relieved and humble, proud - saying, let's see. i'mjust so, so relieved and humble, proud to l saying, let's see. i'm just so, so l relieved and humble, proud to get saying, let's see. i'm just so, so - relieved and humble, proud to get a third term as tees valley mayor, a place where i have lived all my life, i have such fantastic friends and family, and again proud to be able to continue with the progress we have made over the last seven years, right? the plan is still under way, there is still a lot more progress to be done, we have four more years to implement that plan, which is wonderful, and i hope to make as much progress as we have over the first seven years. but there is a huge weight of responsibility with that, you know, the fact that we have the backing of people right across the region, when people right across the region, when people thought we are not going to win, the labour party have been camped here for too each, the shadow

cabinet have funded the tourism industry on teesside. they thought they were going to win, they thought they were going to win, they thought they were going to win, they thought they were going to have it, but they were nowhere near in the end. so thank you to everyone who backed me, this is a vote for you, for teesside, hartlepool, and i promise to repay you. at the same time, it is also about this man next to me, because i could not have delivered the things we have in this region without you, prime minister, whether it is the freeport, bringing the treasury and the campus to darlington, creating hundreds of jobs, it will be 2000 and a couple of years, 9000 jobs on the freeport, employment up since i was elected. teesside would not have had those things if it was not for the contribution you have made, prime minister, so thank you for everything you have done as well. yes!

well, ben, thank you, good afternoon, it is great to be here with _ afternoon, it is great to be here with your — afternoon, it is great to be here with your re—elected mayor of teesside! _ with your re—elected mayor of teesside! and as ben said, the labour— teesside! and as ben said, the labour party through absolutely everything at this election, keir starmer— everything at this election, keir starmer came twice, rachel reeves came _ starmer came twice, rachel reeves came three — starmer came twice, rachel reeves came three times, but even they couldn't— came three times, but even they couldn't dislodge ben and the fantastic conservative team, right? and they— fantastic conservative team, right? and they also throw a lot of mud, it has to— and they also throw a lot of mud, it has to be _ and they also throw a lot of mud, it has to be said, in this election, because — has to be said, in this election, because they were angry that ben has delivered _ because they were angry that ben has delivered more for this region in seven— delivered more for this region in seven years down the labour party managed _ seven years down the labour party managed in 30 years, right? and actually. — managed in 30 years, right? and actually, you know, look where we're standing. _ actually, you know, look where we're standing, when baddeley came into office. _ standing, when baddeley came into office. this — standing, when baddeley came into office, this airport was going to be closed _ office, this airport was going to be closed down, now more flights than ever before. the steelworks dislodge, now part of one of the most _ dislodge, now part of one of the most exciting regeneration projects anywhere _ most exciting regeneration projects anywhere in the world, and we have worked _ anywhere in the world, and we have worked together on some great things. — worked together on some great things, make sure that the treasury is in darlington, putting this

region— is in darlington, putting this region at— is in darlington, putting this region at the heart of government, the freeport is the largest in europe, _ the freeport is the largest in europe, attracting thousands ofjobs and investment to the area. that is levelling _ and investment to the area. that is levelling up — and investment to the area. that is levelling up in action, that is what you get— levelling up in action, that is what you get with ben taking bold decisions in this region, that is the conservatives delivering, and i have a _ the conservatives delivering, and i have a message for the labour party too. because they know that they have _ too. because they know that they have to _ too. because they know that they have to win here in order to win the general— have to win here in order to win the general election, they assumed tees valley— general election, they assumed tees valley would stroll back to them, but it _ valley would stroll back to them, but it didn't, it didn't. people knew— but it didn't, it didn't. people knew that _ but it didn't, it didn't. people knew that they couldn't be taken for granted, _ knew that they couldn't be taken for granted, they knew it was ben and the conservatives that delivered for them, _ the conservatives that delivered for them, and — the conservatives that delivered for them, and they stuck with you in this election, and i know that can be election, they will stick with us too, because they don't want to be taken _ too, because they don't want to be taken for— too, because they don't want to be taken for granted, and i know it is you and _ taken for granted, and i know it is you and the — taken for granted, and i know it is you and the conservatives building a brighter— you and the conservatives building a brighter future for teesside and a brighter— brighter future for teesside and a brighter future for teesside and a brighter future for teesside and a brighter future for britain. congratulations!— brighter future for britain. congratulations! brighter future for britain. conuratulations! . ., . congratulations! thanks for all your hel. congratulations! thanks for all your help- well. — congratulations! thanks for all your help- well. the _ congratulations! thanks for all your help. well, the prime _ congratulations! thanks for all your help. well, the prime minister - congratulations! thanks for all your| help. well, the prime minister there with the victorious _ help. well, the prime minister there with the victorious ben _ help. well, the prime minister there with the victorious ben houchen, i with the victorious ben houchen, wanting to share, of course, in that

victory, he has made it to teesside, a third term there for ben houchen, and of course, because it is the bright spot on what are otherwise pretty dismal results for the conservative party, but fighting talk from rishi sunak, the prime minister, and a message for the labour party, don't expect people here just to stroll back to you, you really have to win there, the mayoralty, if you want to win the general election.— general election. that was like watchinu general election. that was like watching marriage _ general election. that was like | watching marriage counselling, putting — watching marriage counselling, putting on a good show for their kids _ putting on a good show for their kids. , . , putting on a good show for their kids. . . . the putting on a good show for their i kids._ the awkwardness putting on a good show for their - kids._ the awkwardness of kids. oh, please! the awkwardness of the exchange — kids. oh, please! the awkwardness of the exchange between _ kids. oh, please! the awkwardness of the exchange between them, - kids. oh, please! the awkwardness of the exchange between them, the - kids. oh, please! the awkwardness of i the exchange between them, the prime minister. _ the exchange between them, the prime minister, when he looked at the list of places— minister, when he looked at the list of places you could go, there weren't— of places you could go, there weren't many options. sometimes that makes _ weren't many options. sometimes that makes it— weren't many options. sometimes that makes it easier to decide! he contradicted himself, he said labour sent a _ contradicted himself, he said labour sent a lot _ contradicted himself, he said labour sent a lot of— contradicted himself, he said labour sent a lot of people there, i visited _ sent a lot of people there, i visited there, and any set we took it for— visited there, and any set we took it for granted. weight never

actually— it for granted. weight never actually thought... it for granted. weight never actually thought. . .- it for granted. weight never actually thought... that is not true, actually thought... that is not true. you _ actually thought... that is not true, you lost _ actually thought... that is not true, you lost towards the - actually thought... that is not. true, you lost towards the end. actually thought... that is not - true, you lost towards the end. the scale of his — true, you lost towards the end. tue: scale of his majority was true, you lost towards the end. tt9 scale of his majority was very significant. fin scale of his ma'ority was very significant.— scale of his ma'ority was very siunificant. . ,, , , ., significant. on that key test, what does the swing — significant. on that key test, what does the swing tell _ significant. on that key test, what does the swing tell us _ significant. on that key test, what does the swing tell us about - significant. on that key test, what does the swing tell us about the i does the swing tell us about the parliamentary constituencies. before i come back — parliamentary constituencies. before i come back to _ parliamentary constituencies. before i come back to our _ parliamentary constituencies. before i come back to our other _ parliamentary constituencies. before i come back to our other guests, - i come back to our other guests, let's talk to professorjane green, who runs the british election study, we have just heard the prime minister there with the victorious ben houchen in the tees valley, and it was fighting talk from him, but more generally come up with these result in mind, can the tories come backin result in mind, can the tories come back in the areas that they had lost? we haven't talked much about the blue wall in parts of the south and south of england? it is and south of england? it is difficult with _ and south of england? it is difficult with local - and south of england? it is difficult with local election results. _ difficult with local election results, because - difficult with local election results, because it - difficult with local election results, because it makes| difficult with local election i results, because it makes us focus on areas. — results, because it makes us focus on areas. and all— results, because it makes us focus on areas, and all of— results, because it makes us focus on areas, and all of the _ results, because it makes us focus on areas, and all of the kind - results, because it makes us focus on areas, and all of the kind of- on areas, and all of the kind of varieties — on areas, and all of the kind of varieties of _ on areas, and all of the kind of varieties of results, _ on areas, and all of the kind of varieties of results, and - on areas, and all of the kind of varieties of results, and it- on areas, and all of the kind of varieties of results, and it is. varieties of results, and it is really— varieties of results, and it is really difficult _ varieties of results, and it is really difficult to _ varieties of results, and it is really difficult to stand - varieties of results, and it is really difficult to stand back| varieties of results, and it is- really difficult to stand back and see the — really difficult to stand back and see the big _ really difficult to stand back and see the big picture. _ really difficult to stand back and see the big picture. for- really difficult to stand back and see the big picture. for us, - really difficult to stand back and see the big picture. for us, the| see the big picture. for us, the really— see the big picture. for us, the really big — see the big picture. for us, the really big picture _ see the big picture. for us, the really big picture in— see the big picture. for us, the really big picture in our- see the big picture. for us, the really big picture in our study. see the big picture. for us, the l really big picture in our study has been _ really big picture in our study has been looking _ really big picture in our study has been looking over— really big picture in our study has been looking over the _ really big picture in our study has

been looking over the last- really big picture in our study has been looking over the last five i been looking over the last five years — been looking over the last five years and _ been looking over the last five years and seeing _ been looking over the last five years and seeing what - been looking over the last fivei years and seeing what happens been looking over the last five i years and seeing what happens in been looking over the last five - years and seeing what happens in the distribution— years and seeing what happens in the distribution of— years and seeing what happens in the distribution of the _ years and seeing what happens in the distribution of the votes, _ years and seeing what happens in the distribution of the votes, so - years and seeing what happens in the distribution of the votes, so what - distribution of the votes, so what has basically— distribution of the votes, so what has basically happened _ distribution of the votes, so what has basically happened as - distribution of the votes, so what has basically happened as the - has basically happened as the conservatives— has basically happened as the conservatives really— has basically happened as the conservatives really did - has basically happened as the conservatives really did get i has basically happened as the - conservatives really did get more support— conservatives really did get more support in— conservatives really did get more support in leave _ conservatives really did get more support in leave areas— conservatives really did get more support in leave areas in- conservatives really did get more support in leave areas in 2017- conservatives really did get more| support in leave areas in 2017 and 2019. _ support in leave areas in 2017 and 2019. but— support in leave areas in 2017 and 2019, but support _ support in leave areas in 2017 and 2019, but support since _ support in leave areas in 2017 and 2019, but support since then - support in leave areas in 2017 and 2019, but support since then has. 2019, but support since then has been _ 2019, but support since then has been dropping _ 2019, but support since then has been dropping pretty _ 2019, but support since then has been dropping pretty uniformly i been dropping pretty uniformly across— been dropping pretty uniformly across leave _ been dropping pretty uniformly across leave and _ been dropping pretty uniformly across leave and remain - been dropping pretty uniformly i across leave and remain voters. been dropping pretty uniformly - across leave and remain voters. and so what _ across leave and remain voters. and so what i _ across leave and remain voters. and so what i think— across leave and remain voters. and so what i think we _ across leave and remain voters. and so what i think we are _ across leave and remain voters. and so what i think we are seeing - across leave and remain voters. and so what i think we are seeing in - so what i think we are seeing in these _ so what i think we are seeing in these local— so what i think we are seeing in these local elections, _ so what i think we are seeing in these local elections, if- so what i think we are seeing in these local elections, if we - so what i think we are seeing in. these local elections, if we really take that — these local elections, if we really take that wider— these local elections, if we really take that wider perspective, - these local elections, if we really take that wider perspective, is i take that wider perspective, is conservatives— take that wider perspective, is conservatives support - take that wider perspective, isi conservatives support dropping pretty — conservatives support dropping pretty is— conservatives support dropping pretty is similarly— conservatives support dropping pretty is similarly across - conservatives support dropping pretty is similarly across those | pretty is similarly across those leave — pretty is similarly across those leave and _ pretty is similarly across those leave and remain _ pretty is similarly across those leave and remain areas - pretty is similarly across those leave and remain areas of - pretty is similarly across those j leave and remain areas of the country. — leave and remain areas of the country. and _ leave and remain areas of the country. and so _ leave and remain areas of the country, and so the _ leave and remain areas of the country, and so the picture, i leave and remain areas of the i country, and so the picture, the story. _ country, and so the picture, the story. the — country, and so the picture, the story, the explanation- country, and so the picture, the story, the explanation for- country, and so the picture, the story, the explanation for that i story, the explanation for that isn't _ story, the explanation for that isn't really— story, the explanation for that isn't really about _ story, the explanation for that isn't really about leave - story, the explanation for that isn't really about leave and i story, the explanation for that - isn't really about leave and remain, it is about _ isn't really about leave and remain, it is about the — isn't really about leave and remain, it is about the conservative - isn't really about leave and remain, it is about the conservative party. it is about the conservative party becoming — it is about the conservative party becoming a — it is about the conservative party becoming a less— it is about the conservative party becoming a less popular- it is about the conservative party becoming a less popular party. it is about the conservative party. becoming a less popular party and a less popular— becoming a less popular party and a less popular party— becoming a less popular party and a less popular party because - becoming a less popular party and a less popular party because of - less popular party because of performance _ less popular party because of performance failures - less popular party because of performance failures right. less popular party because of i performance failures right from covid _ performance failures right from covid through _ performance failures right from covid through to _ performance failures right from covid through to the _ performance failures right from covid through to the liz - performance failures right from covid through to the liz truss l performance failures right from - covid through to the liz truss many budget— covid through to the liz truss many budget and — covid through to the liz truss many budget and cost— covid through to the liz truss many budget and cost of— covid through to the liz truss many budget and cost of living _ covid through to the liz truss many budget and cost of living and - budget and cost of living and everything _ budget and cost of living and everything else. _ budget and cost of living and everything else. that- budget and cost of living and everything else. that bringsi budget and cost of living and i everything else. that brings us budget and cost of living and - everything else. that brings us back to your— everything else. that brings us back to your question _ everything else. that brings us back to your question about _ everything else. that brings us back to your question about whether- everything else. that brings us back| to your question about whether they can do— to your question about whether they can do anything _ to your question about whether they can do anything about _ to your question about whether they can do anything about it, _ to your question about whether they can do anything about it, and - to your question about whether they can do anything about it, and we - can do anything about it, and we have _ can do anything about it, and we have to — can do anything about it, and we have to understand, _ can do anything about it, and we have to understand, then, - can do anything about it, and we have to understand, then, why. can do anything about it, and we i have to understand, then, why are they in— have to understand, then, why are they in this — have to understand, then, why are they in this pickle? _ have to understand, then, why are they in this pickle? why— have to understand, then, why are they in this pickle? why are - have to understand, then, why are they in this pickle? why are they l have to understand, then, why are |

they in this pickle? why are they in this situation? _ they in this pickle? why are they in this situation? they _ they in this pickle? why are they in this situation? they are _ they in this pickle? why are they in this situation? they are in- they in this pickle? why are they in this situation? they are in the - this situation? they are in the situation _ this situation? they are in the situation because _ this situation? they are in the situation because voters - this situation? they are in the situation because voters have| this situation? they are in the - situation because voters have lost trust _ situation because voters have lost trust in _ situation because voters have lost trust in them. _ situation because voters have lost trust in them, they— situation because voters have lost trust in them, they have - situation because voters have lost trust in them, they have lost - situation because voters have lost trust in them, they have lost their competency— trust in them, they have lost their competency advantage, _ trust in them, they have lost their competency advantage, they - trust in them, they have lost their competency advantage, they have trust in them, they have lost their- competency advantage, they have lost their lead _ competency advantage, they have lost their lead on— competency advantage, they have lost their lead on the _ competency advantage, they have lost their lead on the economy, _ competency advantage, they have lost their lead on the economy, that- their lead on the economy, that trustworthiness _ their lead on the economy, that trustworthiness they— their lead on the economy, that trustworthiness they had - their lead on the economy, that trustworthiness they had in - their lead on the economy, that. trustworthiness they had in 2019. their lead on the economy, that- trustworthiness they had in 2019. it is not _ trustworthiness they had in 2019. it is not about— trustworthiness they had in 2019. it is not about leave _ trustworthiness they had in 2019. it is not about leave or— trustworthiness they had in 2019. it is not about leave or remain, - trustworthiness they had in 2019. it is not about leave or remain, it- trustworthiness they had in 2019. it is not about leave or remain, it isi is not about leave or remain, it is not about— is not about leave or remain, it is not about red _ is not about leave or remain, it is not about red or— is not about leave or remain, it is not about red or blue _ is not about leave or remain, it is not about red or blue areas, - is not about leave or remain, it is not about red or blue areas, the i not about red or blue areas, the issue _ not about red or blue areas, the issue of— not about red or blue areas, the issue of brexit _ not about red or blue areas, the issue of brexit has _ not about red or blue areas, the issue of brexit has become - not about red or blue areas, the issue of brexit has become less| issue of brexit has become less salient. — issue of brexit has become less salient. it— issue of brexit has become less salient. it is— issue of brexit has become less salient, it is about _ issue of brexit has become less salient, it is about loss - issue of brexit has become less salient, it is about loss of- issue of brexit has become less| salient, it is about loss of trust, so if— salient, it is about loss of trust, so if the — salient, it is about loss of trust, so if the conservatives - salient, it is about loss of trust, so if the conservatives can - salient, it is about loss of trust, | so if the conservatives can come back— so if the conservatives can come back from — so if the conservatives can come back from this, _ so if the conservatives can come back from this, that _ so if the conservatives can come back from this, that is— so if the conservatives can come back from this, that is what - so if the conservatives can come back from this, that is what they have _ back from this, that is what they have got— back from this, that is what they have got to _ back from this, that is what they have got to address, _ back from this, that is what they have got to address, and - back from this, that is what they have got to address, and of- back from this, that is what they i have got to address, and of course time _ have got to address, and of course time is _ have got to address, and of course time is really— have got to address, and of course time is really running _ have got to address, and of course time is really running out, - have got to address, and of course time is really running out, and - time is really running out, and we're — time is really running out, and we're also _ time is really running out, and we're also seeing _ time is really running out, and we're also seeing increased i time is really running out, and - we're also seeing increased tactical voting. _ we're also seeing increased tactical voting. evidence. _ we're also seeing increased tactical voting, evidence, and _ we're also seeing increased tactical voting, evidence, andjohn- we're also seeing increased tactical voting, evidence, and john curtis i voting, evidence, andjohn curtis was about— voting, evidence, andjohn curtis was about this, _ voting, evidence, andjohn curtis was about this, and _ voting, evidence, andjohn curtis was about this, and it _ voting, evidence, andjohn curtis was about this, and it speaks - voting, evidence, andjohn curtis was about this, and it speaks to| voting, evidence, and john curtis i was about this, and it speaks to the issue _ was about this, and it speaks to the issue of— was about this, and it speaks to the issue of people _ was about this, and it speaks to the issue of people wanting _ was about this, and it speaks to the issue of people wanting to - was about this, and it speaks to the issue of people wanting to bout - was about this, and it speaks to the issue of people wanting to bout out| issue of people wanting to bout out the conservatives. _ issue of people wanting to bout out the conservatives. so, _ issue of people wanting to bout out the conservatives. so, you - issue of people wanting to bout out the conservatives. so, you know, i issue of people wanting to bout outj the conservatives. so, you know, it is a really— the conservatives. so, you know, it is a really difficult _ the conservatives. so, you know, it is a really difficult task, _ the conservatives. so, you know, it is a really difficult task, people - is a really difficult task, people are right — is a really difficult task, people are right on _ is a really difficult task, people are right on the _ is a really difficult task, people are right on the panel- is a really difficult task, people are right on the panel to - is a really difficult task, people are right on the panel to talk i is a really difficult task, people - are right on the panel to talk about the campaign— are right on the panel to talk about the campaign and _ are right on the panel to talk about the campaign and a _ are right on the panel to talk about the campaign and a choice - are right on the panel to talk about the campaign and a choice and - are right on the panel to talk about i the campaign and a choice and people tuning _ the campaign and a choice and people tuning in— the campaign and a choice and people tuning in to _ the campaign and a choice and people tuning in to what— the campaign and a choice and people tuning in to what not _ the campaign and a choice and people tuning in to what not tuning _ the campaign and a choice and people tuning in to what not tuning into - tuning in to what not tuning into local— tuning in to what not tuning into local elections— tuning in to what not tuning into local elections but— tuning in to what not tuning into local elections but well- tuning in to what not tuning into local elections but well at - tuning in to what not tuning into local elections but well at the i local elections but well at the general— local elections but well at the general election, _ local elections but well at the general election, but- local elections but well at the general election, but the - local elections but well at the i general election, but the choice does _ general election, but the choice does not — general election, but the choice does not have _ general election, but the choice does not have to _ general election, but the choice does not have to be _ general election, but the choice does not have to be beneficial. general election, but the choicel does not have to be beneficial to the conservatives, _ does not have to be beneficial to the conservatives, people - does not have to be beneficial to the conservatives, people might| does not have to be beneficial to - the conservatives, people might look at the _ the conservatives, people might look at the choice — the conservatives, people might look

at the choice and _ the conservatives, people might look at the choice and prefer— the conservatives, people might look at the choice and prefer the - the conservatives, people might look at the choice and prefer the labour. at the choice and prefer the labour party _ at the choice and prefer the labour party so _ at the choice and prefer the labour party. so there _ at the choice and prefer the labour party. so there is _ at the choice and prefer the labour party. so there is loads _ at the choice and prefer the labour party. so there is loads of - at the choice and prefer the labour party. so there is loads of work - at the choice and prefer the labour party. so there is loads of work forj party. so there is loads of work for the conservative _ party. so there is loads of work for the conservative party— party. so there is loads of work for the conservative party to - party. so there is loads of work for the conservative party to do, - party. so there is loads of work for the conservative party to do, and i the conservative party to do, and the conservative party to do, and the labour— the conservative party to do, and the labour party— the conservative party to do, and the labour party cannot - the conservative party to do, and the labour party cannot rest - the conservative party to do, and the labour party cannot rest on l the labour party cannot rest on their— the labour party cannot rest on their laurels _ the labour party cannot rest on their laurels either. _ the labour party cannot rest on their laurels either. loads- the labour party cannot rest on their laurels either. loads of. their laurels either. loads of encouragement _ their laurels either. loads of encouragement obviously, l their laurels either. loads of. encouragement obviously, but their laurels either. loads of- encouragement obviously, but still some _ encouragement obviously, but still some warning _ encouragement obviously, but still some warning signs— encouragement obviously, but still some warning signs for— encouragement obviously, but still some warning signs for labour. - some warning signs for labour. interesting. _ some warning signs for labour. interesting. on— some warning signs for labour. interesting, on that _ some warning signs for labour. interesting, on that point, - some warning signs for labour. | interesting, on that point, mark harper, the conservative secretary of state for transport, saying, yes, there is a lot of work to do, but this idea that not enough people are focusing yet on what might be that choice at the general election, and i have been putting it to him and other conservative mps that, yes, there isn't that much time, and people listening, even if the message is one that they might like, are they listening to conservative politicians making those arguments, and is the time to change people's minds? i and is the time to change people's minds? .. and is the time to change people's minds? ,, , :, ,, :, and is the time to change people's minds? ,, ,~. ,, :, : :, minds? i think, you know, election cam-aains minds? i think, you know, election campaigns in _ minds? i think, you know, election campaigns in the — minds? i think, you know, election campaigns in the last _ minds? i think, you know, election campaigns in the last two - minds? i think, you know, election i campaigns in the last two campaigns have been— campaigns in the last two campaigns have been quite _ campaigns in the last two campaigns have been quite influential, - campaigns in the last two campaigns have been quite influential, it- campaigns in the last two campaigns have been quite influential, it was. have been quite influential, it was one of— have been quite influential, it was one of the — have been quite influential, it was one of the truisms _ have been quite influential, it was one of the truisms in— have been quite influential, it was one of the truisms in academia i have been quite influential, it was. one of the truisms in academia that campaigns— one of the truisms in academia that campaigns do— one of the truisms in academia that campaigns do not— one of the truisms in academia that campaigns do not really— one of the truisms in academia that campaigns do not really shift - one of the truisms in academia that campaigns do not really shift the i campaigns do not really shift the dial. _ campaigns do not really shift the dial. they— campaigns do not really shift the dial. they do— campaigns do not really shift the

dial, they do not _ campaigns do not really shift the dial, they do not make _ campaigns do not really shift the dial, they do not make a - campaigns do not really shift the dial, they do not make a big - dial, they do not make a big difference _ dial, they do not make a big difference. that _ dial, they do not make a big difference. that was - dial, they do not make a big difference. that was not - dial, they do not make a big - difference. that was not necessarily so true. _ difference. that was not necessarily so true. in — difference. that was not necessarily so true. in 2017— difference. that was not necessarily so true, in 2017 we _ difference. that was not necessarily so true, in 2017 we saw _ difference. that was not necessarily so true, in 2017 we saw labour - difference. that was not necessarilyl so true, in 2017 we saw labour come back in— so true, in 2017 we saw labour come back in a _ so true, in 2017 we saw labour come back in a particular— so true, in 2017 we saw labour come back in a particular election, - back in a particular election, theresa _ back in a particular election, theresa may— back in a particular election, theresa may losing - back in a particular election, j theresa may losing support, back in a particular election, i theresa may losing support, so back in a particular election, - theresa may losing support, so i guess— theresa may losing support, so i guess one — theresa may losing support, so i guess one has _ theresa may losing support, so i guess one has to _ theresa may losing support, so i guess one has to think _ theresa may losing support, so i guess one has to think about - theresa may losing support, so i guess one has to think about the short— guess one has to think about the short campaign _ guess one has to think about the short campaign period, - guess one has to think about the short campaign period, where i guess one has to think about the - short campaign period, where people say, i— short campaign period, where people say, i need _ short campaign period, where people say, i need to— short campaign period, where people say, i need to make _ short campaign period, where people say, i need to make up _ short campaign period, where people say, i need to make up my— short campaign period, where people say, i need to make up my mind, - short campaign period, where people say, i need to make up my mind, i. short campaign period, where peoplei say, i need to make up my mind, i am unhappy— say, i need to make up my mind, i am unhappywith— say, i need to make up my mind, i am unhappy with the — say, i need to make up my mind, i am unhappy with the status _ say, i need to make up my mind, i am unhappy with the status quo, - say, i need to make up my mind, i am unhappy with the status quo, i'm - say, i need to make up my mind, i am unhappy with the status quo, i'm not i unhappy with the status quo, i'm not sure what_ unhappy with the status quo, i'm not sure what this — unhappy with the status quo, i'm not sure what this party _ unhappy with the status quo, i'm not sure what this party is _ unhappy with the status quo, i'm not sure what this party is going - unhappy with the status quo, i'm not sure what this party is going to - sure what this party is going to offer_ sure what this party is going to offer me. — sure what this party is going to offer me. and_ sure what this party is going to offer me, and then _ sure what this party is going to offer me, and then there - sure what this party is going to offer me, and then there could indeed — offer me, and then there could indeed be _ offer me, and then there could indeed be an_ offer me, and then there could indeed be an interesting - offer me, and then there could l indeed be an interesting change offer me, and then there could - indeed be an interesting change that happens _ indeed be an interesting change that happens in _ indeed be an interesting change that happens in that— indeed be an interesting change that happens in that particular— indeed be an interesting change that happens in that particular campaign. i happens in that particular campaign. but it— happens in that particular campaign. but it is— happens in that particular campaign. but it is hot— happens in that particular campaign. but it is hot in— happens in that particular campaign. but it is not in evidence _ happens in that particular campaign. but it is not in evidence yet. - happens in that particular campaign. but it is not in evidence yet. all- but it is not in evidence yet. all we have — but it is not in evidence yet. all we have seen— but it is not in evidence yet. all we have seen in— but it is not in evidence yet. all we have seen in the _ but it is not in evidence yet. all we have seen in the polls - but it is not in evidence yet. all we have seen in the polls is - we have seen in the polls is conservative _ we have seen in the polls is conservative losses - we have seen in the polls is conservative losses since i we have seen in the polls is. conservative losses since the we have seen in the polls is - conservative losses since the liz truss _ conservative losses since the liz truss mihi — conservative losses since the liz truss mini budget— conservative losses since the liz truss mini budget being - conservative losses since the liz truss mini budget being pretty. truss mini budget being pretty static. — truss mini budget being pretty static. but _ truss mini budget being pretty static, but worsening - truss mini budget being pretty static, but worsening over- truss mini budget being pretty. static, but worsening over recent months _ static, but worsening over recent months as— static, but worsening over recent months as reform _ static, but worsening over recent months as reform uk _ static, but worsening over recent months as reform uk have - static, but worsening over recent i months as reform uk have started static, but worsening over recent - months as reform uk have started to eat into _ months as reform uk have started to eat into their— months as reform uk have started to eat into their vote _ months as reform uk have started to eat into their vote share _ months as reform uk have started to eat into their vote share further. - eat into their vote share further. it eat into their vote share further. it doesn't — eat into their vote share further. it doesn't look _ eat into their vote share further. it doesn't look like _ eat into their vote share further. it doesn't look like it _ eat into their vote share further. it doesn't look like it is- eat into their vote share further. i it doesn't look like it is happening yet, it doesn't look like it is happening yet. and _ it doesn't look like it is happening yet. and these _ it doesn't look like it is happening yet, and these local— it doesn't look like it is happening yet, and these local election - yet, and these local election results — yet, and these local election results in _ yet, and these local election results in the _ yet, and these local election results in the by—election i yet, and these local election - results in the by—election results we have — results in the by—election results we have had _ results in the by—election results we have had this _ results in the by—election results we have had this you _ results in the by—election results we have had this you have - results in the by—election results we have had this you have all- we have had this you have all confirmed _ we have had this you have all confirmed this— we have had this you have all confirmed this same - we have had this you have all confirmed this same story, . we have had this you have all- confirmed this same story, which is, you know. _ confirmed this same story, which is, you know. lots — confirmed this same story, which is, you know. lots of— confirmed this same story, which is, you know, lots of people _ confirmed this same story, which is, you know, lots of people very - confirmed this same story, which is, you know, lots of people very fed i confirmed this same story, which is, you know, lots of people very fed up with the _ you know, lots of people very fed up with the government, _ you know, lots of people very fed up with the government, not _ you know, lots of people very fed up with the government, not a - you know, lots of people very fed up with the government, not a lot - you know, lots of people very fed up with the government, not a lot of. with the government, not a lot of enthusiasm — with the government, not a lot of enthusiasm for— with the government, not a lot of enthusiasm for the _ with the government, not a lot of enthusiasm for the labour- with the government, not a lot of enthusiasm for the labour party, | with the government, not a lot of. enthusiasm for the labour party, but the anti _ enthusiasm for the labour party, but the anti conservative _ enthusiasm for the labour party, but the anti conservative vote _ enthusiasm for the labour party, but the anti conservative vote being -

the anti conservative vote being confirmed — the anti conservative vote being confirmed again— the anti conservative vote being confirmed again and _ the anti conservative vote being confirmed again and again. - the anti conservative vote being i confirmed again and again. some the anti conservative vote being - confirmed again and again. some are not needs— confirmed again and again. some are not needs to — confirmed again and again. some are not needs to change, _ confirmed again and again. some are not needs to change, it _ confirmed again and again. some are not needs to change, it is— confirmed again and again. some are not needs to change, it is the - not needs to change, it is the campaign _ not needs to change, it is the campaign we _ not needs to change, it is the campaign we need _ not needs to change, it is the campaign we need to- not needs to change, it is the campaign we need to look- not needs to change, it is thei campaign we need to look to. professor— campaign we need to look to. professorjane _ campaign we need to look to. professorjane green, - campaign we need to look to. professorjane green, thanki campaign we need to look to. . professorjane green, thank you campaign we need to look to. - professorjane green, thank you for your analysis. you will want to respond to some of the things she was talking about in terms of the mountain ahead. i was talking about in terms of the mountain ahead.— was talking about in terms of the mountain ahead. i don't think she was saying _ mountain ahead. i don't think she was saying anything _ mountain ahead. i don't think she was saying anything enormously i was saying anything enormously different from what ijust was saying anything enormously different from what i just said, actually, which is campaigns are important, and notjust a short campaign, but between now and the election, there is a lot of work for us to do. she confirmed a lot of people do not focus on this until we get to the general election, so there is a lot of work to do, it is about focusing on our record, but also what we offer for the future. what about that other for the future? we know the policies you have at the moment, and perhaps it is that they are not that interested in these local elections, but is there a policy for you that will transform your fortunes? politics does not work _ transform your fortunes? politics does not work like _ transform your fortunes? politics does not work like that, - transform your fortunes? politics does not work like that, you - transform your fortunes? politics does not work like that, you do l transform your fortunes? politics l does not work like that, you do not say one single thing... does not work like that, you do not say one single thing. . ._

does not work like that, you do not say one single thing... some of your colleaaues say one single thing... some of your colleagues want _ say one single thing... some of your colleagues want big _ say one single thing... some of your colleagues want big tax _ say one single thing... some of your colleagues want big tax cuts. - say one single thing. .. some of your colleagues want big tax cuts. if- colleagues want big tax cuts. if politics were that easy, it would be straightforward. we have started cutting taxes for people, national insurance, and we want to continue doing that as we can afford it. we have made a clear commitment on defence spending, not much by the labour party, and we have set out how we will pay for that. it is not matched by the labour party. we have set out a range of policies, people look at those overall, they then look at those overall, they then look at those overall, they then look at the choice they face, that is how they make their minds up. a big job of work to do, but you saw in that clip, the prime minister is absolutely up for that fight, and i look to supporting him. we absolutely up for that fight, and i look to supporting him. we would be surrised if look to supporting him. we would be surprised if he _ look to supporting him. we would be surprised if he wasn't! _ look to supporting him. we would be surprised if he wasn't! let's - look to supporting him. we would be surprised if he wasn't! let's have - look to supporting him. we would be surprised if he wasn't! let's have a l surprised if he wasn't! let's have a look at some council results, we can correct one from early and have a look at norwich, it is hung, staying in no overall control. we had heard that labour might have taken it, but although they have the largest number of seats, it is a hung

council, 20 required for a majority, they are one short on 19. the greens were on 15, they have gained two, the greens are on 15, they have gained two, the greens norwich, quite a strong support and hold there in the city, and labour have lost two. and just quickly before we go to the news, we can have a look at this labour gain from the conservatives, quite big, there on the south coast, and they are now on 15 seats, the conservatives on 80. a quick look at the change, labour have taken seven from the conservatives, a direct swap, so labour have gained adur. thank you to all of my guests, some of them are leaving, time to get a news update with azadeh moshiri. hello, here is a summary of the bbc news. results are still coming in from the local council elections in england, but it's clear the conservatives have suffered heavy losses while labour have made big gains. and in another blow for the conservatives, they have also lost the blackpool south

parliamentary by—election. labour have taken the seat with a huge swing of 26% from the tories. that's the third biggest swing in post—war by—election history. here's our political correspondent hannah miller. the prime minister touring garrison military base a little to laugh about. trying to defend his party is losses after a dismal set of results. , ., , , �*, results. obviously it's disappointing - results. obviously it's disappointing to - results. obviously it's disappointing to lose | results. obviously it's| disappointing to lose a results. obviously it's - disappointing to lose a good hard—working conservative councillors but we've still got lots of results to come as welcome which is great and this also things i would point to, harlow for example, where keir starmer held a rallyjust on wednesday saying that was a place he had to win to be on track to win a general election and that has not happened. the a general election and that has not hauened. ., , . , happened. the conservatives did de - rive happened. the conservatives did deprive labour _ happened. the conservatives did deprive labour of _ happened. the conservatives did deprive labour of a _ happened. the conservatives did deprive labour of a win - happened. the conservatives did deprive labour of a win in - happened. the conservatives did j deprive labour of a win in harlow but they still lost five seats and are considering that a success. the party had also pinned its hopes on ben houchen remaining that mayor in

tees valley but he wasn't even wearing a rosette and in victory he won the conservatives what they need to do to do better. thea;t won the conservatives what they need to do to do better.— to do to do better. they want more rouress, to do to do better. they want more progress. and _ to do to do better. they want more progress. and we _ to do to do better. they want more progress, and we need _ to do to do better. they want more progress, and we need to - to do to do better. they want more progress, and we need to give - to do to do better. they want more| progress, and we need to give them the excuse — progress, and we need to give them the excuse to vote for us and we haven't — the excuse to vote for us and we haven't quite given them that excuse yet. cheering . for labour, the celebrations are much more widespread take in the north—east may reality and getting a seismic win in the blackpool south by—election. seismic win in the blackpool south by-election-_ seismic win in the blackpool south by-election-— by-election. that wasn't 'ust a little message, i by-election. that wasn't 'ust a little message, that h by-election. that wasn't just a little message, that wasn't - by-election. that wasn't just a | little message, that wasn't just by-election. that wasn't just a i little message, that wasn't just a murmur. — little message, that wasn't just a murmur. that— little message, that wasn't just a murmur, that was _ little message, that wasn't just a murmur, that was a _ little message, that wasn't just a murmur, that was a shout - little message, that wasn't just a murmur, that was a shout from i murmur, that was a shout from blackpool _ murmur, that was a shout from blackpool a— murmur, that was a shout from blackpool-— murmur, that was a shout from blackpool. a victory symbolic of their successes _ blackpool. a victory symbolic of their successes throughout - blackpool. a victory symbolic of their successes throughout the | their successes throughout the night. we are winning votes across the country and that i think reflects a changed labour party with a positive case to take to the country. the party also managed a significant cancel wins in rushmore, hartlepool and redditch. but in bolton, five independent candidate standing on a pro—gaza platform deprive the party of its majority, a

trend that may be replicated in areas with a high muslim population. the counting is far from over. areas with a high muslim population. the counting is farfrom over. it will go on into the weekend, but as always a narrative is emerging. and here in westminster the story of these results is bound to impact how mps are feeling about their prospects ahead of a general election. the reform party recording their best ever by—election result in blackpool almost pushing the conservatives into third place will do little to calm jitters. what conservatives into third place will do little to calm jitters.— do little to calm 'itters. what is ra - idl do little to calm jitters. what is rapidly becoming _ do little to calm jitters. what is rapidly becoming clear- do little to calm jitters. what is rapidly becoming clear as - do little to calm jitters. what is - rapidly becoming clear as basically, as more people hear about reform, we are becoming the real opposition to the labour party in the north, in the labour party in the north, in the midlands, in wales, we are on the midlands, in wales, we are on the way up and it's quite clear the tories are on the way down. the messa . e tories are on the way down. the message from — tories are on the way down. the message from the liberal democrats is similar. we are still waiting for the results from many of their main targets. b. the results from many of their main taraets. �* ., ., ., targets. a lot of lifelong conservative _ targets. a lot of lifelong conservative voters - targets. a lot of lifelong i conservative voters around targets. a lot of lifelong - conservative voters around the country — conservative voters around the country are looking at this conservative government and do not recognise _

conservative government and do not recognise it — conservative government and do not recognise it any more, they don't speak— recognise it any more, they don't speak for— recognise it any more, they don't speak for them, they are absolutely appaiied _ speak for them, they are absolutely appalled by the sleaze and scandal which _ appalled by the sleaze and scandal which emanates from westminster. the greens which emanates from westminster. greens may which emanates from westminster. tie: greens may be on which emanates from westminster. ti9 greens may be on course for their best night ever. though again the votes are not in.— best night ever. though again the votes are not in. greens are now a national force. — votes are not in. greens are now a national force, winning _ votes are not in. greens are now a national force, winning seats - votes are not in. greens are now a national force, winning seats in i national force, winning seats in locai— national force, winning seats in local government _ national force, winning seats in local government in _ national force, winning seats in local government in all- national force, winning seats in local government in all cornersj national force, winning seats in. local government in all corners of the country. — local government in all corners of the country, and _ local government in all corners of the country, and people - local government in all corners of the country, and people know- local government in all corners of the country, and people know if. local government in all corners of i the country, and people know if they want change — the country, and people know if they want change and _ the country, and people know if they want change and to _ the country, and people know if they want change and to make _ the country, and people know if they want change and to make positive i want change and to make positive change _ want change and to make positive change with — want change and to make positive change with a _ want change and to make positive change with a green _ want change and to make positive change with a green to _ want change and to make positive change with a green to representi change with a green to represent their— change with a green to represent their community— change with a green to represent their community for— change with a green to represent their community for a _ change with a green to represent their community for a fairer- change with a green to represent . their community for a fairer society and a _ their community for a fairer society and a greener— their community for a fairer society and a greener future, _ their community for a fairer society and a greener future, they- their community for a fairer society and a greener future, they can- their community for a fairer society and a greener future, they can get| and a greener future, they can get that _ and a greener future, they can get that as _ and a greener future, they can get that. : , :, , and a greener future, they can get that. a. , and a greener future, they can get that. : , . , _, :, and a greener future, they can get that. , :, that. as a result continue to pour in through _ that. as a result continue to pour in through the — that. as a result continue to pour in through the afternoon, - that. as a result continue to pour in through the afternoon, and - that. as a result continue to pour| in through the afternoon, and into the weekend, parties will all be watching closely to see how they might fare in the general election to come. hannah miller, bbc news. members of the british special forces, have told a public inquiry, that the sas committed multiple murders in afghanistan. the inquiry is examining allegations that the sas committed scores of executions and murdered innocent civilians, including women and children, during arrest raids in afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.

donald trump's criminal trial over hush money payments to an adult film star has resumed in new york. the judge began today's proceedings, clarifying that the former president has a right to testify in his trial. yesterday, mr trump claimed his gagging order prevented him from doing so. in brazil, floods have killed over 30 people following the collapse of a damn after days of heavy rain. over a million people are now without power and clean water since the storms began over the weekend. the collapse of a hydroelectric dam following days of heavy rains triggered massive flooding. more than 60 people are still believed to be missing. a chinese spacecraft has taken off this afternoon, aiming to become the first mission to collect rock and soil samples from the so—called dark side of the moon, which is not visible from earth. it's an uncrewed spacecraft but could pave the way for china's ambitions to put a person on the moon by 2030. the 53—day mission aims to bring around 2kg

of lunar samples to earth for analysis. now back to elections 2024 withjo coburn. thank you very much. welcome to this election special, and extremely busy afternoon. cancel results from local authorities tumbling in all through the afternoon and the results of those all—important mayoral contest those all—importa nt mayoral contest as those all—important mayoral contest as well. and police and crime commissioners. let's bring you up—to—date with the state of the parties because both the labour and conservative parties were defending between 950 and 1000 council seats. well, you can see there, labour are on 572, we still have more results to come in and of course, but we are beginning to gauge quite clearly the pattern across the country. they have added 98, big losses there for

the conservatives, despite their expectation management they are still pretty, pretty bad results. 203 councillors, they have lost 229, and the lib dems have added 33 to their tally of 192. they've also held their cancel so far. the independents are up two, 7a, 144 independents are up two, 74, 144 councillors, and the green party, also improved and increased the number of their councillors. up 21. let's look at the number of councils themselves, 107 in total. a brief reminder that not all the seats in these councils were up for election. in fact, more of them are having thirds, more difficult to see parties changing hands. labour have 30. they have added five. the liberal democrats have defended their sex, they haven't gained anything, the conservatives have lost four and the independence have

gained one so that is where we are, the state of play. just after three o'clock in the afternoon and of course, we have had big results in the mayoral contest. just before the news, we heard labour took york and north yorkshire which is in rishi sunak's back yard, his constituency of richmond as their in that mayoralty. and ben houchen, the conservative incumbent, has won a third term in the tees valley. we sure rishi sunak celebrating with him and labour have won the blackpool south by—election, the parliamentary seat, with a very impressive swing. let me introduce our guests who have joined impressive swing. let me introduce our guests who havejoined us impressive swing. let me introduce our guests who have joined us for this part of the programme. for the government, the work and pensions secretary of state mel stride, steve reed, shadow environment secretary for the labour party, and reform mayoral candidate in london howard cox. andrew and vicki are still with us. first of all, listening to me talk about those results, it's a

very disappointing and dismal night, we've heard from your colleagues to some extent it was expected, but this far out from a general election could only be five or six months away, there'sjust could only be five or six months away, there's just too could only be five or six months away, there'sjust too much could only be five or six months away, there's just too much to do, isn't there, for you to close the gap with the labour party? taste isn't there, for you to close the gap with the labour party? we have had some difficult _ gap with the labour party? we have had some difficult results _ gap with the labour party? we have had some difficult results no - gap with the labour party? we have had some difficult results no doubtl had some difficult results no doubt about that but you mentioned ben houchen, an extraordinary result and i know labour are desperate to downplay it but the reality is he has polled over 60% of the vote going back to 2017 when it was first selected, he was 40%. he going back to 2017 when it was first selected, he was 40%.— going back to 2017 when it was first selected, he was 40%. he won on 7396 before. selected, he was 40%. he won on 7396 before- that — selected, he was 4096. he won on 7396 before. that was _ selected, he was 4096. he won on 7396 before. that was a _ selected, he was 4096. he won on 7396 before. that was a stratospheric - before. that was a stratospheric result on the — before. that was a stratospheric result on the 2021 _ before. that was a stratospheric result on the 2021 results - before. that was a stratospheric result on the 2021 results were l before. that was a stratospheric| result on the 2021 results were a high quarter mark, and the bounce back from the vaccine going out to be had at the time, and the great work rishi sunak did as chancellor to support the economy. but work rishi sunak did as chancellor to support the economy.— work rishi sunak did as chancellor to support the economy. but what is auoin to to support the economy. but what is going to change _ to support the economy. but what is going to change between _ to support the economy. but what is going to change between now- to support the economy. but what is going to change between now and i to support the economy. but what is l going to change between now and the election in the autumn? what going to change between now and the election in the autumn?— election in the autumn? what i would sa is election in the autumn? what i would say is firstly. — election in the autumn? what i would say is firstly. we _ election in the autumn? what i would say is firstly, we have _ election in the autumn? what i would say is firstly, we have got _ election in the autumn? what i would say is firstly, we have got to - election in the autumn? what i would say is firstly, we have got to look - say is firstly, we have got to look outwards as a party and communicate

the things that we have been doing where we have been successful. we've got inflation down from 11.1% to around 3%. we've seen real wages grabbing for each of the last nine months, a new record level of employment, historically low levels... : , employment, historically low levels... , . levels... and yet you are losing ri . ht levels... and yet you are losing right across _ levels... and yet you are losing right across the _ levels... and yet you are losing right across the country. - levels... and yet you are losing right across the country. it - levels... and yet you are losing | right across the country. it must levels... and yet you are losing - right across the country. it must be frustrating? taste right across the country. it must be frustrating?— frustrating? we are cutting taxes, slashed national— frustrating? we are cutting taxes, slashed national insurance. - frustrating? we are cutting taxes, slashed national insurance. that'sj slashed national insurance. that's because you _ slashed national insurance. that's because you presided _ slashed national insurance. that's because you presided over - slashed national insurance. that's because you presided over the - because you presided over the highest level of taxation since the war. , :, :, highest level of taxation since the war. . :, :, highest level of taxation since the war. , :, :, _, :, highest level of taxation since the war. , :, :, :, highest level of taxation since the war. :, :, highest level of taxation since the war. , :, :, :, . war. jo, to come to your point, what will happen — war. jo, to come to your point, what will happen now _ war. jo, to come to your point, what will happen now as _ war. jo, to come to your point, what will happen now as labour— war. jo, to come to your point, what will happen now as labour are - war. jo, to come to your point, what will happen now as labour are going| will happen now as labour are going to put under a much higher level of scrutiny as we approach the general election. d0 scrutiny as we approach the general election. , :, ,, scrutiny as we approach the general election. ~ , scrutiny as we approach the general election. i. ~ , , , election. do you think support is auoin to election. do you think support is going to bleed — election. do you think support is going to bleed into _ election. do you think support is going to bleed into you? - election. do you think support is going to bleed into you? i - election. do you think support is going to bleed into you? i thinkl election. do you think support is i going to bleed into you? i think the olls will going to bleed into you? i think the polls will narrow _ going to bleed into you? i think the polls will narrow as _ going to bleed into you? i think the polls will narrow as we _ going to bleed into you? i think the polls will narrow as we approach i going to bleed into you? i think the polls will narrow as we approach an election and i know i have no idea what labour stands for on the fundamental reforms we are bringing forward. we know where they stand on things like migration, which is where we got the role one day deal

through, we got any science that is working but what are labour saying? they would scrap it even if it's working. now i think those kinds of things need to be properly examined and they will be within a general election campaign.— and they will be within a general election campaign. what do you make ofthat election campaign. what do you make of that analysis, _ election campaign. what do you make of that analysis, in _ election campaign. what do you make of that analysis, in terms _ of that analysis, in terms of more scrutiny certainly for labour? i think you'll find we put them under a lot of scrutiny up until now. but even with that scrutiny, and to some extent you would be one of those who would say the labour party hasn't gone far enough, not radical enough, despite being 20 points ahead? they are not likely to change that policy on that sort of strategy before the election? i on that sort of strategy before the election? :, �* ~' , election? i don't think they need to. as election? i don't think they need to- as jane _ election? i don't think they need to. as jane green _ election? i don't think they need to. as jane green said, - election? i don't think they need to. as jane green said, from - election? i don't think they need to. as jane green said, from thej to. as jane green said, from the british— to. as jane green said, from the british election _ to. as jane green said, from the british election study, _ to. as jane green said, from the british election study, people i to. as jane green said, from the i british election study, people want the tories — british election study, people want the tories out, _ british election study, people want the tories out, that's _ british election study, people want the tories out, that's the - british election study, people want the tories out, that's the mood - british election study, people want the tories out, that's the mood of| the tories out, that's the mood of the tories out, that's the mood of the country— the tories out, that's the mood of the country and _ the tories out, that's the mood of the country and people _ the tories out, that's the mood of the country and people will- the tories out, that's the mood of the country and people will vote l the tories out, that's the mood of. the country and people will vote lib dems, _ the country and people will vote lib dems, labour, _ the country and people will vote lib dems, labour, to— the country and people will vote lib dems, labour, to get _ the country and people will vote lib dems, labour, to get them - the country and people will vote lib dems, labour, to get them out, i the country and people will vote lib. dems, labour, to get them out, even green _ dems, labour, to get them out, even green in— dems, labour, to get them out, even green in some — dems, labour, to get them out, even green in some places. _ dems, labour, to get them out, even green in some places. they— dems, labour, to get them out, even green in some places. they want - dems, labour, to get them out, evenl green in some places. they want them out and _ green in some places. they want them out and labour— green in some places. they want them out and labour has _ green in some places. they want them out and labour has got _ green in some places. they want them out and labour has got a _ green in some places. they want them out and labour has got a very- green in some places. they want them out and labour has got a very solid - out and labour has got a very solid polling _ out and labour has got a very solid polling and — out and labour has got a very solid polling and if— out and labour has got a very solid polling and if you _ out and labour has got a very solid polling and if you look _ out and labour has got a very solid polling and if you look at _ out and labour has got a very solid polling and if you look at the - out and labour has got a very solid polling and if you look at the race i polling and if you look at the race between — polling and if you look at the race between the _

polling and if you look at the race between the labour _ polling and if you look at the race between the labour and - polling and if you look at the race between the labour and the - polling and if you look at the race i between the labour and the tories, harlow. _ between the labour and the tories, harlow, redditch, _ between the labour and the tories, harlow, redditch, labour— between the labour and the tories, harlow, redditch, labour has - harlow, redditch, labour has trounced— harlow, redditch, labour has trounced them _ harlow, redditch, labour has trounced them in— harlow, redditch, labour has trounced them in those - harlow, redditch, labour hasj trounced them in those battle harlow, redditch, labour has - trounced them in those battle ground states _ trounced them in those battle ground states. rushmore, _ trounced them in those battle ground states. rushmore, very— trounced them in those battle ground states. rushmore, very surprisingly i states. rushmore, very surprisingly as well _ states. rushmore, very surprisingly as well ahead _ states. rushmore, very surprisingly as well. ahead of _ states. rushmore, very surprisingly as well. ahead of expectation, - states. rushmore, very surprisingly as well. ahead of expectation, buti as well. ahead of expectation, but labour— as well. ahead of expectation, but labour can't — as well. ahead of expectation, but labour can't be _ as well. ahead of expectation, but labour can't be complacent, - as well. ahead of expectation, but labour can't be complacent, there| labour can't be complacent, there are areas— labour can't be complacent, there are areas where _ labour can't be complacent, there are areas where the _ labour can't be complacent, there are areas where the labour- labour can't be complacent, there are areas where the labour vote l labour can't be complacent, there i are areas where the labour vote has gone _ are areas where the labour vote has gone down _ are areas where the labour vote has gone down and _ are areas where the labour vote has gone down and the _ are areas where the labour vote has gone down and the tees _ are areas where the labour vote has gone down and the tees valley - are areas where the labour vote has gone down and the tees valley is i gone down and the tees valley is disappointing _ gone down and the tees valley is disappointing for— gone down and the tees valley is disappointing for labour, - gone down and the tees valley is disappointing for labour, we i disappointing for labour, we shouldn't— disappointing for labour, we shouldn't forget— disappointing for labour, we shouldn't forget that, - disappointing for labour, we shouldn't forget that, but i disappointing for labour, we| shouldn't forget that, but we disappointing for labour, we i shouldn't forget that, but we also should _ shouldn't forget that, but we also should look— shouldn't forget that, but we also should look at _ shouldn't forget that, but we also should look at it _ shouldn't forget that, but we also should look at it as _ shouldn't forget that, but we also should look at it as a _ shouldn't forget that, but we also should look at it as a complex i should look at it as a complex picture. — should look at it as a complex picture, labour— should look at it as a complex picture, labour regained i should look at it as a complex i picture, labour regained hartlepool in one _ picture, labour regained hartlepool in one council— picture, labour regained hartlepool in one council there _ picture, labour regained hartlepool in one council there and _ picture, labour regained hartlepool in one council there and on - picture, labour regained hartlepool in one council there and on that- in one council there and on that spring _ in one council there and on that spring they— in one council there and on that spring they would _ in one council there and on that spring they would win _ in one council there and on that| spring they would win stockton, redcar— spring they would win stockton, redcar as — spring they would win stockton, redcar as well. _ spring they would win stockton, redcar as well. it's _ spring they would win stockton, redcar as well. it's a _ spring they would win stockton, redcar as well. it's a very - spring they would win stockton, i redcar as well. it's a very complex picture _ redcar as well. it's a very complex picture of— redcar as well. it's a very complex picture of labour— redcar as well. it's a very complex picture of labour can't _ redcar as well. it's a very complex picture of labour can't afford i redcar as well. it's a very complex picture of labour can't afford to . redcar as well. it's a very complex picture of labour can't afford to bei picture of labour can't afford to be complacent — picture of labour can't afford to be complacent but— picture of labour can't afford to be complacent. but the _ picture of labour can't afford to be complacent. but the tories - picture of labour can't afford to be complacent. but the tories are - picture of labour can't afford to be complacent. but the tories are ini picture of labour can't afford to be| complacent. but the tories are in a very. _ complacent. but the tories are in a very. very— complacent. but the tories are in a very. very dire_ complacent. but the tories are in a very, very dire straits _ complacent. but the tories are in a very, very dire straits and - complacent. but the tories are in a very, very dire straits and the - complacent. but the tories are in a | very, very dire straits and the more people _ very, very dire straits and the more people look— very, very dire straits and the more people look at _ very, very dire straits and the more people look at their _ very, very dire straits and the more people look at their record, - very, very dire straits and the more people look at their record, you - very, very dire straits and the more | people look at their record, you may say got _ people look at their record, you may say got policies _ people look at their record, you may say got policies on _ people look at their record, you may say got policies on disability- people look at their record, you may say got policies on disability and - say got policies on disability and on migration— say got policies on disability and on migration but— say got policies on disability and on migration but people - say got policies on disability and on migration but people don't i say got policies on disability and i on migration but people don't like them, _ on migration but people don't like them, they're _ on migration but people don't like them, they're not— on migration but people don't like them, they're not voting - on migration but people don't like them, they're not voting on - on migration but people don't like| them, they're not voting on them, you've _ them, they're not voting on them, you've articulated _ them, they're not voting on them, you've articulated then _ them, they're not voting on them, you've articulated then people - them, they're not voting on them, i you've articulated then people don't like it _ you've articulated then people don't like it they— you've articulated then people don't like it they are _ you've articulated then people don't like it. they are not _ you've articulated then people don't like it. they are not voting - you've articulated then people don't like it. they are not voting for- you've articulated then people don't like it. they are not voting for it. . like it. they are not voting for it. you _ like it. they are not voting for it. you are — like it. they are not voting for it. you are on— like it. they are not voting for it. you are on 18%. _ like it. they are not voting for it. you are on 18%. if— like it. they are not voting for it. you are on 18%.— like it. they are not voting for it. you are on 18%. if you look at the results across _ you are on 18%. if you look at the results across the _ you are on 18%. if you look at the results across the country, - you are on 18%. if you look at the results across the country, they l you are on 18%. if you look at the i results across the country, they are based on as you would expect a low turnout. and if you look at the one national parliamentary seat, 32% i

think was the turnout, now i strongly suspect there are a lot of conservatives who stayed at home and sat on their hands you are grumpy with the government, they would be surprised if they went on the back of high inflation from the ukraine war, on the back of all the work we had to do financial support post covid, which has resulted in an increase in taxes which we are now strongly bringing down, but that is not something that's going to persist forever. i think we can motivate those people to come back to us, and i think we will do it on our record, exposing labour to proper scrutiny as the general election approaches.- proper scrutiny as the general election approaches. putting the ben houchen- -- — election approaches. putting the ben houchen... let's _ election approaches. putting the ben houchen. .. let's pick _ election approaches. putting the ben houchen. .. let's pick up _ election approaches. putting the ben houchen. .. let's pick up on - election approaches. putting the ben houchen. .. let's pick up on those... | houchen... let's pick up on those... this is not... in houchen. .. let's pick up on those... this is not- - -— this is not... in a matter of weeks it disappeared _ this is not... in a matter of weeks it disappeared so _ this is not... in a matter of weeks it disappeared so those _ this is not... in a matter of weeks it disappeared so those things - it disappeared so those things happen. it disappeared so those things ha en. ., it disappeared so those things ha en. . , . it disappeared so those things hauen. . , . . ., happen. that might be a warning to the labour party — happen. that might be a warning to the labour party not _ happen. that might be a warning to the labour party not to _ happen. that might be a warning to the labour party not to run - happen. that might be a warning to the labour party not to run a - happen. that might be a warning to the labour party not to run a poor. the labour party not to run a poor campaign. when the general election actually comes. steve, these are local elections, it isn't yet the

general election. is there enough evidence, there's quite a lot of evidence, there's quite a lot of evidence clearly labour has done very well, but in terms of that real enthusiasm for sir keir starmer? if enthusiasm for sir keir starmer? if you look at the result i can't help thinking — you look at the result i can't help thinking that servers seem to be in denial— thinking that servers seem to be in denial about the of what happening and yesterday, voters switching directly — and yesterday, voters switching directly from the conservatives to lahout _ directly from the conservatives to labour. particularly in those seats where _ labour. particularly in those seats where labour needs to win, a key battle _ where labour needs to win, a key battle ground seats, to form a majority — battle ground seats, to form a majority after the next general electiort — majority after the next general election. that is where labour is performing — election. that is where labour is performing the best, blackpool was the only— performing the best, blackpool was the only vote where rishi sunak and keir starmer were the only vote where rishi sunak and keir starmerwere on the only vote where rishi sunak and keir starmer were on the ballot paper— keir starmer were on the ballot paper and — keir starmer were on the ballot paperand labour keir starmer were on the ballot paper and labour absolutely stormed that for _ paper and labour absolutely stormed that for the conservatives were struggling to hold onto second place — struggling to hold onto second place. labour has stormed out, one of the _ place. labour has stormed out, one of the most — place. labour has stormed out, one of the most spectacular swings ever in by—election history, it's remarkable, and you go across to yorkshire, — remarkable, and you go across to yorkshire, the prime minister is own constituency, it now has a laid—back macro— constituency, it now has a laid—back macro may— constituency, it now has a laid—back macro may out for york and yorkshire _ macro may out for york and yorkshire. head south to rushmore

which _ yorkshire. head south to rushmore which includes aldershot, the home of the _ which includes aldershot, the home of the british army, never had a lahour— of the british army, never had a labour council let alone a labour mp, directly going from conservative to lahour— mp, directly going from conservative to labour yesterday. labour is reaping — to labour yesterday. labour is reaping the reward from keir starmer changing _ reaping the reward from keir starmer changing our party and a country crying _ changing our party and a country crying out — changing our party and a country crying out for change getting behind that vision. keir crying out for change getting behind that vision. ,, . . , that vision. keir starmer and rishi sunak were _ that vision. keir starmer and rishi sunak were not _ that vision. keir starmer and rishi sunak were not on _ that vision. keir starmer and rishi sunak were not on the _ that vision. keir starmer and rishi sunak were not on the ballot - that vision. keir starmer and rishi| sunak were not on the ballot paper in blackpool south, chris webber won it for the labour party, and the resignation of scott benton, who was the conservative mp was as a result of a lobbying scandal, so there were complications and to be honest if you haven't won blackpool south i take from you entirely the swing was impressive, impressive by historic standards, but even so if you haven't won it that would have been... , ., . haven't won it that would have been... ,., . haven't won it that would have been... . ., . we are routinely getting swings because — we are routinely getting swings because people want the tories out and they— because people want the tories out and they are positively switching to

support _ and they are positively switching to support keir starmer labour because they see _ support keir starmer labour because they see how differently it is due 2019 when we lost.— they see how differently it is due 2019 when we lost. thank you for an hour forjoining _ 2019 when we lost. thank you for an hour forjoining us _ 2019 when we lost. thank you for an hour forjoining us on _ 2019 when we lost. thank you for an hour forjoining us on the _ 2019 when we lost. thank you for an hour forjoining us on the election i hour forjoining us on the election special. looking at the swing on a blackpool south, whopping 26%, they have been doing well. they have been doing well in recent by—elections. that is right up there with the highest results. we can now go to another part of a country where labour need to be doing well in order to win some of the parliamentary seats, that is to our colleague who is a reporter in nuneaton. joshua, labour have been gaining seats, up seven so far? that is riuht. it gaining seats, up seven so far? that is right- it is — gaining seats, up seven so far? that is right. it is on _ gaining seats, up seven so far? that is right. it is on a _ gaining seats, up seven so far? trust is right. it is on a knife edge at the moment, labour have been gaining seats and they went to an all—time low of five councillors after the last elections in 2022, but it is neck and neck at the moment with 11

councillors each so it is on a knife edge with over half of the results declared and labour did have high hopes of winning back this council over decades —— and over decades they had been in control, since the creation of the council in 1974, they had been in control of 40 years of its entire life span so there were high hopes given the national mood and what we have seen in terms of local issues, hopes that labour would able —— be able to win it back but it seems at the moment we have a very tight races in the key marginal wards. , , , ., wards. very interesting. i will show ou the wards. very interesting. i will show you the west _ wards. very interesting. i will show you the west midlands _ wards. very interesting. i will show you the west midlands first - wards. very interesting. i will show you the west midlands first of- wards. very interesting. i will show you the west midlands first of all. | you the west midlands first of all. we have talked a lot about what we call former red wall labour heartlands in areas like the north—east but the west midlands is one of those parts of the country where labour need to have a strong showing and we can see councillors here, the numberfor labour, they are on 51, up 23, looks like a

direct swap with conservative councillors who are on 32, down 23. we are going to get the result of the west midlands mayoral election but sadly not this afternoon. we will not here until tomorrow. that will not here until tomorrow. that will be a critical result. because a little bit like in the north—east, the labour party is advancing well, in terms of hartlepool body did not get the mayoral result so we will see what happens when it comes to the west midlands. joshua, if you are still there, when you think we will get the final results from where you are? irate will get the final results from where you are?— will get the final results from where you are? will get the final results from where ou are? ~ . , . where you are? we are expecting the results grow— where you are? we are expecting the results grow shortly, _ where you are? we are expecting the results grow shortly, i'm _ where you are? we are expecting the results grow shortly, i'm hearing - where you are? we are expecting the results grow shortly, i'm hearing a i results grow shortly, i'm hearing a key result being announced —— the result very shortly. the deputy leader, the result was initially that she had lost her seat by six votes and there was a recount

ongoing and that is being announced as we speak. labour it seems to be the happier of the two camps. yes. as we speak. labour it seems to be the happier of the two camps. yes, a lot of celebrations _ the happier of the two camps. yes, a lot of celebrations by _ the happier of the two camps. yes, a lot of celebrations by what _ the happier of the two camps. yes, a lot of celebrations by what looked . lot of celebrations by what looked like labour supporters, hugging each other. does that change what is happening in nuneaton? irate other. does that change what is happening in nuneaton? we will have to wait and see. _ happening in nuneaton? we will have to wait and see. we _ happening in nuneaton? we will have to wait and see. we will— happening in nuneaton? we will have to wait and see. we will take - happening in nuneaton? we will have to wait and see. we will take stock i to wait and see. we will take stock of that result. it was a close one and there was a recount. we will have to wait and see what the final result was but looking at the bigger picture, as we go towards the final result, labourwould picture, as we go towards the final result, labour would be hoping to take back control of this council and it will be a prize going into the next general election for keir starmer. nuneaton has been seen as a bellwether seat, historically it has voted for whoever the winning party is at a general election. marcus jones was a bit nervous when i spoke

to him about what might come in the future. , .,, . . ., . future. joshua in nuneaton. thanks for now. future. joshua in nuneaton. thanks for now- looks _ future. joshua in nuneaton. thanks for now. looks like _ future. joshua in nuneaton. thanks for now. looks like a _ future. joshua in nuneaton. thanks for now. looks like a pretty - future. joshua in nuneaton. thanks for now. looks like a pretty tight i for now. looks like a pretty tight race and we will come back to you when the final result is announced. let's catch up with nick at the screen to give an overview of some of the key results so far. i screen to give an overview of some of the key results so far.— of the key results so far. i want to talk a bit about _ of the key results so far. i want to talk a bit about reform _ of the key results so far. i want to talk a bit about reform uk, i of the key results so far. i want to talk a bit about reform uk, and l of the key results so far. i want to i talk a bit about reform uk, and the challenge they are posing to the conservative party in these results, let's start with the big picture, this is the vote share. they are up a wee bit, up 2%, they have won zero council so far so they are not making a significant impact in that sense,in making a significant impact in that sense, in the sense they are having their own elected representatives, but i want to show you this, this is the change since 2021 in the reform uk's standing. actually, that is the

overall picture. let me show you blackpool south and then i will show you how the voters have changed in those areas where conservatives are, so this is the blackpool south by—election where things were very tight between the conservatives and reform uk and reform almost pipped the conservatives into second place but when we go back to the big picture in the local elections, have a look at this, this is the area where the party are standing. results we have so far, and the conservative vote in areas where the reform party had a candidate, is down 19%, so they are taking a kicking in those areas where reform have put up a candidate and their vote is up 12% as we can see. these are local elections and this is not going to be something that is completely repeated at a general

election necessarily but the thing that will worry some tory mps, especially in places like black bull south, and in the north of england, and in those areas where immigration is seen as a key issue, if the reform party are throwing the kitchen sink at those seats, could a similar thing happen? kitchen sink at those seats, could a similarthing happen? could kitchen sink at those seats, could a similar thing happen? could they get a decent chunk of the vote in those areas where they are standing? and could the conservatives lose out as a result? ., ~ could the conservatives lose out as a result? . ,, , ., , . a result? thank you very much. let me introduce _ a result? thank you very much. let me introduce to _ a result? thank you very much. let me introduce to montgomery i a result? thank you very much. let me introduce to montgomery who i a result? thank you very much. let i me introduce to montgomery who has joined us. welcome to you from conservative home. let me get howard cox to respond. without being too cynical, just listening to nick there, broadly speaking, what we

just saw, it is broadly in line with how you are polling nationally? which is pretty significant. you have also stood candidates only in the areas where you thought you could do well, much of it at the expense perhaps of the conservatives. beyond that, there is not anything surprising from what we have seen so far? you not anything surprising from what we have seen so far?— have seen so far? you are right. the assessment — have seen so far? you are right. the assessment is _ have seen so far? you are right. the assessment is pretty _ have seen so far? you are right. the assessment is pretty correct - have seen so far? you are right. the assessment is pretty correct but i have seen so far? you are right. the assessment is pretty correct but we | assessment is pretty correct but we are a small party and we don't have the resources that labour and the tories have, and listening to mel stride, who i have respect for over the years, he has been very supportive of a campaign i have run on petrol and diesel, fuel duty, but i voted tory for 50 years and they have left me. that is what i'm getting across the country, they are no longer that all reported, but reform uk, when i take off the rosette and just talk about the policies we have, they are loved. what you say listening to howard cox? you think the tories should

change their strategy? i’m cox? you think the tories should change their strategy?— cox? you think the tories should change their strategy? i'm a tribal to so change their strategy? i'm a tribal tory so l'm _ change their strategy? i'm a tribal tory so l'm going _ change their strategy? i'm a tribal tory so i'm going to _ change their strategy? i'm a tribal tory so i'm going to vote - change their strategy? i'm a tribal tory so i'm going to vote for i change their strategy? i'm a tribal tory so i'm going to vote for them regardless — tory so i'm going to vote for them regardless but when i hear candidates from the reform party, they are _ candidates from the reform party, they are talking my sort of language and i they are talking my sort of language and i sort _ they are talking my sort of language and i sort of vibe than the conservatives. they can problem for the conservatives is they are beginning to do the right thing —— the problem. but for so long the conservatives have been going on the wrong _ conservatives have been going on the wrong direction, it has been doing the things— wrong direction, it has been doing the things it said it wouldn't are not doing — the things it said it wouldn't are not doing the things it said it would — not doing the things it said it would. the last course correction, while _ would. the last course correction, while it— would. the last course correction, while it is— would. the last course correction, while it is welcome, i don't think it will— while it is welcome, i don't think it will fundamentally affect voters. even the _ it will fundamentally affect voters. even the thing that the tory party is holding — even the thing that the tory party is holding onto overnight, which is the ben— is holding onto overnight, which is the ben houchen victory, if those results _ the ben houchen victory, if those results are — the ben houchen victory, if those results are repeated at a general election. — results are repeated at a general election, the conservatives would have lost — election, the conservatives would have lost or the general election seats— have lost or the general election seats in— have lost or the general election seats in that area, so i'm afraid when _ seats in that area, so i'm afraid when the — seats in that area, so i'm afraid when the conservatives are really tested _ when the conservatives are really tested in — when the conservatives are really tested in terms of parliamentary

staff like — tested in terms of parliamentary staff like in the blackpool south by—election, the party is falling short — by—election, the party is falling short i— by—election, the party is falling short. i feel the tory mps have got to ask— short. i feel the tory mps have got to ask themselves tough questions as to ask themselves tough questions as to whether— to ask themselves tough questions as to whether 18 months into to ask themselves tough questions as to whether18 months into the leadership of rishi sunak he is delivering the kind of progress you would _ delivering the kind of progress you would expect because we are not in a mid-term. _ would expect because we are not in a mid—term, this is at the end of parliament— mid—term, this is at the end of parliament and things are not getting — parliament and things are not getting better, and if anything they are getting worse. i getting better, and if anything they are getting worse.— are getting worse. i think what the anal sis are getting worse. i think what the analysis shows _ are getting worse. i think what the analysis shows is _ are getting worse. i think what the analysis shows is where _ are getting worse. i think what the analysis shows is where reform i are getting worse. i think what the i analysis shows is where reform party do recently _ analysis shows is where reform party do recently well, _ analysis shows is where reform party do recently well, they— analysis shows is where reform party do recently well, they will— analysis shows is where reform party do recently well, they will not - analysis shows is where reform party do recently well, they will not get i do recently well, they will not get across _ do recently well, they will not get across the — do recently well, they will not get across the line, _ do recently well, they will not get across the line, so _ do recently well, they will not get across the line, so we _ do recently well, they will not get across the line, so we have - do recently well, they will not get across the line, so we have not. do recently well, they will not get i across the line, so we have not seen any seats _ across the line, so we have not seen any seats gained _ across the line, so we have not seen any seats gained and _ across the line, so we have not seen any seats gained and we _ across the line, so we have not seen any seats gained and we have - across the line, so we have not seen any seats gained and we have a i across the line, so we have not seen any seats gained and we have a first| any seats gained and we have a first past the _ any seats gained and we have a first past the post— any seats gained and we have a first past the post parliamentary- past the post parliamentary election. _ past the post parliamentary election. it— past the post parliamentary election, it is _ past the post parliamentary election, it is very- past the post parliamentary election, it is very unlikely, j past the post parliamentary- election, it is very unlikely, but hold _ election, it is very unlikely, but hold on. — election, it is very unlikely, but hold on. this _ election, it is very unlikely, but hold on, this is _ election, it is very unlikely, but hold on, this is important, i election, it is very unlikely, but hold on, this is important, the| hold on, this is important, the consequence _ hold on, this is important, the consequence is— hold on, this is important, the consequence is that _ hold on, this is important, the consequence is that it - hold on, this is important, the consequence is that it eats i hold on, this is important, the| consequence is that it eats into hold on, this is important, the i consequence is that it eats into the conservative — consequence is that it eats into the conservative support, _ consequence is that it eats into the conservative support, so— consequence is that it eats into the conservative support, so that i consequence is that it eats into thej conservative support, so that leads me to _ conservative support, so that leads me to conclude _ conservative support, so that leads me to conclude that _ conservative support, so that leads me to conclude that a _ conservative support, so that leads me to conclude that a vote - conservative support, so that leads me to conclude that a vote for- conservative support, so that leads me to conclude that a vote for the. me to conclude that a vote for the reform _ me to conclude that a vote for the reform party— me to conclude that a vote for the reform party is— me to conclude that a vote for the reform party is effectively- me to conclude that a vote for the reform party is effectively a - me to conclude that a vote for the reform party is effectively a vote i reform party is effectively a vote for keir _ reform party is effectively a vote for keir starmer. _ reform party is effectively a vote for keir starmer. you— reform party is effectively a vote for keir starmer.— reform party is effectively a vote for keir starmer. you do not have a divine right — for keir starmer. you do not have a divine right to _ for keir starmer. you do not have a divine right to rule. _ for keir starmer. you do not have a divine right to rule. you _ for keir starmer. you do not have a divine right to rule. you are - divine right to rule. you are absolutely _ divine right to rule. you are absolutely right. _ divine right to rule. you are absolutely right. that i divine right to rule. you are absolutely right. that is i divine right to rule. you are absolutely right. that is the divine right to rule. you are i absolutely right. that is the way the numbers— absolutely right. that is the way the numbers work— absolutely right. that is the way the numbers work as _ absolutely right. that is the way the numbers work as it - absolutely right. that is the wayi the numbers work as it happens. absolutely right. that is the way- the numbers work as it happens. that is not _ the numbers work as it happens. that is not the _ the numbers work as it happens. that

is not the same — the numbers work as it happens. that is not the same thing _ the numbers work as it happens. that is not the same thing is _ the numbers work as it happens. that is not the same thing is to— the numbers work as it happens. that is not the same thing is to say- the numbers work as it happens. that is not the same thing is to say that i is not the same thing is to say that we do _ is not the same thing is to say that we do not — is not the same thing is to say that we do not need _ is not the same thing is to say that we do not need to— is not the same thing is to say that we do not need to address - is not the same thing is to say that we do not need to address the i is not the same thing is to say that i we do not need to address the issues that are _ we do not need to address the issues that are important _ we do not need to address the issues that are important to _ we do not need to address the issues that are important to those _ we do not need to address the issues that are important to those voters i that are important to those voters and as— that are important to those voters and as tim — that are important to those voters and as tim suggested, _ that are important to those voters and as tim suggested, we - that are important to those voters and as tim suggested, we are i that are important to those voters i and as tim suggested, we are focused on this, _ and as tim suggested, we are focused on this, getting — and as tim suggested, we are focused on this, getting inflation _ and as tim suggested, we are focused on this, getting inflation down, - on this, getting inflation down, people — on this, getting inflation down, people want— on this, getting inflation down, people want taxation _ on this, getting inflation down, people want taxation done, i on this, getting inflation down, people want taxation done, we | on this, getting inflation down, i people want taxation done, we have reduced _ people want taxation done, we have reduced national— people want taxation done, we have reduced national insurance - people want taxation done, we have reduced national insurance by- people want taxation done, we have reduced national insurance by one . reduced national insurance by one third. _ reduced national insurance by one third. it _ reduced national insurance by one third. it is — reduced national insurance by one third, it is worth _ reduced national insurance by one third, it is worth £900 _ reduced national insurance by one third, it is worth £900 per- reduced national insurance by one third, it is worth £900 per year. l third, it is worth £900 per year. what _ third, it is worth £900 per year. what do — third, it is worth £900 per year. what do you _ third, it is worth £900 per year. what do you say— third, it is worth £900 per year. what do you say to _ third, it is worth £900 per year. what do you say to voters - third, it is worth £900 per year. what do you say to voters and l third, it is worth £900 per year. i what do you say to voters and what you say to tim who is really saying, it is just too late? let's say they are the right policies, but tim called it a course correction, and we know that for a variety of reasons, that the tax burden has gone up, that is a choice by the conservative government, the tax burden has gone up to its highest level, you have cut national insurance. the tax thresholds mean that people are paying higher levels on tax. �* . ., , that people are paying higher levels on tax. a . , ., that people are paying higher levels ontax. a . , . . . that people are paying higher levels on tax. n . , . . . ., ~ on tax. actually, an average work isn't, they — on tax. actually, an average work isn't. they are — on tax. actually, an average work isn't, they are paying _ on tax. actually, an average work isn't, they are paying the - on tax. actually, an average work isn't, they are paying the lowest. isn't, they are paying the lowest

since _ isn't, they are paying the lowest since the — isn't, they are paying the lowest since the 1970s. _ isn't, they are paying the lowest since the 1970s. we _ isn't, they are paying the lowest since the 1970s.— since the 1970s. we are talking about very _ since the 1970s. we are talking about very recent _ since the 1970s. we are talking about very recent changes, i since the 1970s. we are talking j about very recent changes, and since the 1970s. we are talking i about very recent changes, and then we have immigration, promises to bring it down, just in terms of legal migration, record highs of 740,000, and the point is you have said one thing but you have done another. what is going to change? i another. what is going to change? i think we are doing a number of things— think we are doing a number of things on— think we are doing a number of things on tax. _ think we are doing a number of things on tax, partly— think we are doing a number of things on tax, partly why - think we are doing a number of things on tax, partly why the l think we are doing a number of. things on tax, partly why the tax burden_ things on tax, partly why the tax burden rose _ things on tax, partly why the tax burden rose and _ things on tax, partly why the tax burden rose and it— things on tax, partly why the tax burden rose and it is— things on tax, partly why the tax burden rose and it is now- things on tax, partly why the tax| burden rose and it is now coming down _ burden rose and it is now coming down because _ burden rose and it is now coming down because it _ burden rose and it is now coming down because it is _ burden rose and it is now coming down because it is in _ burden rose and it is now coming down because it is in the - burden rose and it is now coming down because it is in the dna- burden rose and it is now coming down because it is in the dna ofl burden rose and it is now coming. down because it is in the dna of the conservative — down because it is in the dna of the conservative party, _ down because it is in the dna of the conservative party, to _ down because it is in the dna of the conservative party, to believe - down because it is in the dna of the conservative party, to believe in - conservative party, to believe in low conservative party, to believe in tow taxes. — conservative party, to believe in low taxes, this _ conservative party, to believe in low taxes, this is _ conservative party, to believe in low taxes, this is because - conservative party, to believe in low taxes, this is because of- conservative party, to believe in low taxes, this is because of the £400 _ low taxes, this is because of the £400 billion— low taxes, this is because of the £400 billion worth _ low taxes, this is because of the £400 billion worth of _ low taxes, this is because of the £400 billion worth of support i low taxes, this is because of the i £400 billion worth of support that we provided — £400 billion worth of support that we provided to _ £400 billion worth of support that we provided to the _ £400 billion worth of support that we provided to the economy, - £400 billion worth of support that we provided to the economy, like| we provided to the economy, like rishi _ we provided to the economy, like rishi sunak— we provided to the economy, like rishi sunak when _ we provided to the economy, like rishi sunak when he _ we provided to the economy, like rishi sunak when he was - we provided to the economy, like . rishi sunak when he was chancellor and be _ rishi sunak when he was chancellor and be was — rishi sunak when he was chancellor and be was very— rishi sunak when he was chancellor and he was very popular, _ rishi sunak when he was chancellor and he was very popular, he - rishi sunak when he was chancellor and he was very popular, he saved. rishi sunak when he was chancellor. and he was very popular, he saved us mass _ and he was very popular, he saved us mass unemployment _ and he was very popular, he saved us mass unemployment and _ and he was very popular, he saved us mass unemployment and got - and he was very popular, he saved us mass unemployment and got us - and he was very popular, he saved us. mass unemployment and got us through that very— mass unemployment and got us through that very difficult _ mass unemployment and got us through that very difficult stage. _ mass unemployment and got us through that very difficult stage. 50 _ mass unemployment and got us through that very difficult stage.— that very difficult stage. so why is he so unpdpuiar _ that very difficult stage. so why is he so unpopular as _ that very difficult stage. so why is he so unpopular as prime - that very difficult stage. so why is i he so unpopular as prime minister? it is even more important today, this is— it is even more important today, this is what— it is even more important today, this is what harold _ it is even more important today, this is what harold wilson - it is even more important today, this is what harold wilson said, i it is even more important today, | this is what harold wilson said, a week— this is what harold wilson said, a week is— this is what harold wilson said, a week is a — this is what harold wilson said, a week is a tong _ this is what harold wilson said, a week is a long time _ this is what harold wilson said, a week is a long time in _ this is what harold wilson said, a week is a long time in politics, i this is what harold wilson said, ai week is a long time in politics, we have _ week is a long time in politics, we have a _ week is a long time in politics, we have a highly— week is a long time in politics, we have a highly volatile _ week is a long time in politics, we have a highly volatile electorate . have a highly volatile electorate and we — have a highly volatile electorate and we have _ have a highly volatile electorate and we have weeks _ have a highly volatile electorate and we have weeks and - have a highly volatile electorate and we have weeks and months| have a highly volatile electorate . and we have weeks and months to have a highly volatile electorate - and we have weeks and months to go before _ and we have weeks and months to go before the _ and we have weeks and months to go before the next— and we have weeks and months to go

before the next general— and we have weeks and months to go before the next general election - and we have weeks and months to go before the next general election and i before the next general election and is tim _ before the next general election and is tim suggested, _ before the next general election and is tim suggested, we _ before the next general election and is tim suggested, we are _ before the next general election and is tim suggested, we are pushing i before the next general election and i is tim suggested, we are pushing and pursuing _ is tim suggested, we are pushing and pursuing the — is tim suggested, we are pushing and pursuing the right _ is tim suggested, we are pushing and pursuing the right policies _ is tim suggested, we are pushing and pursuing the right policies that - pursuing the right policies that people — pursuing the right policies that people want. _ pursuing the right policies that people want, and _ pursuing the right policies that people want, and we - pursuing the right policies that people want, and we have - pursuing the right policies that people want, and we have got| pursuing the right policies that . people want, and we have got to pursuing the right policies that - people want, and we have got to now focus _ people want, and we have got to now focus outward — people want, and we have got to now focus outward and _ people want, and we have got to now focus outward and get _ people want, and we have got to now focus outward and get the _ people want, and we have got to now focus outward and get the message l people want, and we have got to now| focus outward and get the message is over and _ focus outward and get the message is over and get— focus outward and get the message is over and get a — focus outward and get the message is over and get a great— focus outward and get the message is over and get a great manifesto- over and get a great manifesto together _ over and get a great manifesto touether. ., , over and get a great manifesto touether. . , , ., ,., together. the reality is, the reason the conservatives _ together. the reality is, the reason the conservatives have _ together. the reality is, the reason the conservatives have given - together. the reality is, the reason the conservatives have given us - together. the reality is, the reason| the conservatives have given us the highest rates of personal taxation is because they are incapable of growing the economy and a low growth economy has led into a high tax economy has led into a high tax economy that has also led to public services collapsing, so almost every area, the conservative government has failed, what we saw yesterday was notjust has failed, what we saw yesterday was not just voters has failed, what we saw yesterday was notjust voters recording away from the conservative failure, but conservative voting switching from the tories to the labour party because keir starmer has changed the labour party and voters see that is the way they can change the country. in harlow, the leader of the labour party— in harlow, the leader of the labour party went — in harlow, the leader of the labour party went down _ in harlow, the leader of the labour party went down there _ in harlow, the leader of the labour party went down there on - in harlow, the leader of the labour party went down there on the - in harlow, the leader of the labour party went down there on the eve i in harlow, the leader of the labourl party went down there on the eve of the election— party went down there on the eve of the election on— party went down there on the eve of the election on wednesday- party went down there on the eve of the election on wednesday with - the election on wednesday with angeta — the election on wednesday with angeta ravner. _ the election on wednesday with angeta ravner. a _ the election on wednesday with angela rayner, a big _ the election on wednesday with angela rayner, a big rally, - the election on wednesday with angela rayner, a big rally, and| the election on wednesday with . angela rayner, a big rally, and he said we _ angela rayner, a big rally, and he said we have — angela rayner, a big rally, and he said we have got _ angela rayner, a big rally, and he said we have got to _

angela rayner, a big rally, and he said we have got to win _ angela rayner, a big rally, and he said we have got to win places - angela rayner, a big rally, and he| said we have got to win places like hartow _ said we have got to win places like hartow if _ said we have got to win places like hartow if we — said we have got to win places like harlow if we are _ said we have got to win places like harlow if we are going _ said we have got to win places like harlow if we are going to - said we have got to win places like harlow if we are going to get - said we have got to win places like harlow if we are going to get intol harlow if we are going to get into number— harlow if we are going to get into number ten~ _ harlow if we are going to get into numberten. what— harlow if we are going to get into number ten. what was _ harlow if we are going to get into number ten. what was the - harlow if we are going to get intoi number ten. what was the result? harlow if we are going to get into - number ten. what was the result? you did not— number ten. what was the result? you did not win _ number ten. what was the result? you did not win tfeu— number ten. what was the result? you did not win. ., , a , did not win. you can pick these results to _ did not win. you can pick these results to cover _ did not win. you can pick these results to cover your _ did not win. you can pick these - results to cover your embarrassment but these are some of the best results for local elections that the labour party has had in a generation. it labour party has had in a generation.— labour party has had in a generation. labour party has had in a aeneration. , , ., generation. it is interesting that ou said generation. it is interesting that you said that — generation. it is interesting that you said that the _ generation. it is interesting that you said that the voters - generation. it is interesting that you said that the voters on - generation. it is interesting that you said that the voters on the i you said that the voters on the doorstep in parts of the country are saying we are going to switch our vote to the labour party because keir starmer has changed the labour party, and yes, he has changed the labour party, but what are you going to do so radically different to what the conservatives are now doing? you have signed up to pretty well, let's but the illegal immigration scheme to one side, but in terms of tax and spend, they are not going to experience anything randomly wood radically different to the conservatives.— radically different to the conservatives. ~ ., ., ., , conservatives. we are going to set u . conservatives. we are going to set u- gb conservatives. we are going to set up gb energy. _ conservatives. we are going to set up gb energy, where _ conservatives. we are going to set up gb energy, where we _ conservatives. we are going to set up gb energy, where we will- conservatives. we are going to set up gb energy, where we will have | up gb energy, where we will have private and public energy to direct to wave and solar power to take

control of our energy in this country, clean and green energy, creating newjobs, cutting bills for businesses and households, more jobs, cheaper bills, help with the cost of living, jobs for children in the future, that is a positive offer and people came out yesterday, not just because they are sick and tired of conservative failure, but they want the change labour is offering and they see labour completely different to the one that lost four years ago. they are rejecting the conservatives. north yorkshire now has a labour mayor, that is not an area where labour has ever done well in before but it now has a labour mayor. in before but it now has a labour ma or. ., ., ., , mayor. you mentioned net zero but it was not long — mayor. you mentioned net zero but it was not long ago _ mayor. you mentioned net zero but it was not long ago before _ mayor. you mentioned net zero but it was not long ago before your- mayor. you mentioned net zero but it was not long ago before your party i was not long ago before your party came _ was not long ago before your party came out— was not long ago before your party came out with _ was not long ago before your party came out with a _ was not long ago before your party came out with a £28 _ was not long ago before your party came out with a £28 billion - was not long ago before your party. came out with a £28 billion unfunded commitment — came out with a £28 billion unfunded commitment which _ came out with a £28 billion unfunded commitment which was _ came out with a £28 billion unfunded commitment which was totally - commitment which was totally recktess — commitment which was totally recktess and _ commitment which was totally reckless and had _ commitment which was totally reckless and had to _ commitment which was totally reckless and had to row- commitment which was totally reckless and had to row back i commitment which was totally. reckless and had to row back on commitment which was totally - reckless and had to row back on that in terms _ reckless and had to row back on that in terms of— reckless and had to row back on that in terms of say, _ reckless and had to row back on that in terms of say, we _ reckless and had to row back on that in terms of say, we will _ reckless and had to row back on that in terms of say, we will not - reckless and had to row back on that in terms of say, we will not be - in terms of say, we will not be spending — in terms of say, we will not be spending that _ in terms of say, we will not be spending that money- in terms of say, we will not be spending that money after- in terms of say, we will not be spending that money after all. in terms of say, we will not be i spending that money after all. if” you spending that money after all. you remember, liz truss spending that money after all.“ you remember, liz truss crashed spending that money after all._ you remember, liz truss crashed the economy. she sent interest rates

soaring so the cost of borrowing went up. your party crashed the economy, so my mortgages of my constituents have been sent soaring. interest rates are beginning to come down _ interest rates are beginning to come down. ., ., ., ., mortuaae down. hold on. coming down? mortgage rates are softening. _ down. hold on. coming down? mortgage rates are softening. you _ down. hold on. coming down? mortgage rates are softening. you tell— down. hold on. coming down? mortgage rates are softening. you tell that - rates are softening. you tell that to someone _ rates are softening. you tell that to someone coming _ rates are softening. you tell that to someone coming out - rates are softening. you tell that to someone coming out of- rates are softening. you tell that to someone coming out of a - rates are softening. you tell that| to someone coming out of a fixed rate deal now, that is not true. some of these things happened because — some of these things happened because of— some of these things happened because of the _ some of these things happened because of the energy - some of these things happened because of the energy crisis - some of these things happened| because of the energy crisis and some of these things happened - because of the energy crisis and the war in— because of the energy crisis and the war in ukraine _ it is beginning to slow but in terms of the pain people felt is pretty embedded. you said something earlier which is conservative mps in areas where the councils have gone, in key areas across the country, whether it is in thurrock, rushmoor or hartlepool and you said they will have to ask themselves some big questions. is one of those questions

about rishi sunak staying on as leader to the general election? it is. he is a decent man, good man but i is. he is a decent man, good man but idon't _ is. he is a decent man, good man but idon't think— is. he is a decent man, good man but i don't think he is very good potitics~ _ i don't think he is very good politics. what we haven't been able to do _ politics. what we haven't been able to do is— politics. what we haven't been able to do is define labour 18 months and two rishi _ to do is define labour 18 months and two rishi sunak's leadership. we don't _ two rishi sunak's leadership. we don't know what the cost of labour is. don't know what the cost of labour is if— don't know what the cost of labour is if the _ don't know what the cost of labour is. if the election is a reference on the — is. if the election is a reference on the tories, the tories absolutely tose _ on the tories, the tories absolutely tose we _ on the tories, the tories absolutely lose. we have to turn it into a choice — lose. we have to turn it into a choice we _ lose. we have to turn it into a choice. we have to know what rishi sunak— choice. we have to know what rishi sunak would do with the majority. i bet if _ sunak would do with the majority. i bet if we _ sunak would do with the majority. i bet if we asked all of us around the table _ bet if we asked all of us around the table to— bet if we asked all of us around the table to write down what he would do, table to write down what he would do. we _ table to write down what he would do, we would know. does he want to build _ do, we would know. does he want to build houses? invest in vocational education — build houses? invest in vocational education. he has wasted the majority— education. he has wasted the majority in parliament and there have _ majority in parliament and there have been— majority in parliament and there have been no big reforms. the tory mps this— have been no big reforms. the tory mps this weekend need to say to themselves, is this going to change, if we keep— themselves, is this going to change, if we keep the prime minister in place. _ if we keep the prime minister in place. is — if we keep the prime minister in place, is he suddenly going to become — place, is he suddenly going to become good at politics? of course, he isn't _ become good at politics? of course, he isn't if— become good at politics? of course, he isn't. if they stick with him the same _ he isn't. if they stick with him the same results will keep happening.

there _ same results will keep happening. there is— same results will keep happening. there is no— same results will keep happening. there is no sense of momentum? no, there isn't- — there is no sense of momentum? no, there isn't- it — there is no sense of momentum? no, there isn't. it is _ there is no sense of momentum? no, there isn't. it is necessary for them — there isn't. it is necessary for them to— there isn't. it is necessary for them to ask these questions. asking them to ask these questions. asking the question is, do you accept the idea of— the question is, do you accept the idea of a _ the question is, do you accept the idea of a challenge to rishi sunak's leadership, which would look absurd, arguabtv. _ leadership, which would look absurd, arguably, to the electorate, even andrea _ arguably, to the electorate, even andrea jenkins, conservative mp who has publicly put in a letter of no confidence sometime ago, simon clarke _ confidence sometime ago, simon ctarke is— confidence sometime ago, simon clarke is another from the tees valley— clarke is another from the tees valley area. clarke is another from the tees valley area-— clarke is another from the tees valle area. �* , ., ., , valley area. but they are the only two we know _ valley area. but they are the only two we know about _ valley area. but they are the only two we know about publicly. - valley area. but they are the only two we know about publicly. butl valley area. but they are the only - two we know about publicly. but even andrea jenkins, to me, it felt like she was saying it is too late to change the leader. she said something like, we have got to work with what we've got. do accept that is the only option? this with what we've got. do accept that is the only option?— is the only option? this is the last chance, if the _ is the only option? this is the last chance, if the tory _ is the only option? this is the last chance, if the tory party - is the only option? this is the last chance, if the tory party doesn't i chance, if the tory party doesn't move _ chance, if the tory party doesn't move in— chance, if the tory party doesn't move in the _ chance, if the tory party doesn't move in the next few days, and it is unlikely— move in the next few days, and it is unlikely they will, then rishi sunak is safe _ unlikely they will, then rishi sunak is safe for— unlikely they will, then rishi sunak is safe for the general election. the people most glad of that is the labour— the people most glad of that is the labour party. they recognise in

rishi _ labour party. they recognise in rishi sunak, someone who hasn't cut through— rishi sunak, someone who hasn't cut through to _ rishi sunak, someone who hasn't cut through to voters. 18 months into his leadership, there should be some si-n his leadership, there should be some sign things— his leadership, there should be some sign things are getting better politically. they are not. the swing in blackpool south is almost as bad as any— in blackpool south is almost as bad as any of— in blackpool south is almost as bad as any of the by—elections we've had in this— as any of the by—elections we've had in this parliament. if the tory partv— in this parliament. if the tory partv go _ in this parliament. if the tory party go into the general election with rishi — party go into the general election with rishi sunak as leader, they can expect— with rishi sunak as leader, they can expect the _ with rishi sunak as leader, they can expect the kind of pounding local councillors have received overnight. ithink— councillors have received overnight. i think there is a lot of conservative mps who do think it is now too late. i did put it to somebody and said, it would be very difficult thing for you to do and they said it would make them look ridiculous. it doesn't rule out it happening because it has been done before. a lot of them are now saying, especially the message to those mps who came in in 2019, there is quite a lot of anger from some of the mps who have been there for longer. they say if you go around trashing the brand and the party publicly, how can you expect voters

to swing the party? i do wonder now because there is only a few months to go, most tory mps will say, we go into this fight and it is damage limitation. 0n the back of what vicky has been saying, let's look at solihull. conservatives have held it. they have won enough seats to hold onto it. it looked as if it was a little bit shaky in terms of the conservative holding it and in an important area in the country, the west midlands. do you want to respond to what you have heard? i think the prime minister's position is secure. ., ~ , , . is secure. you think it is secure? absolutely. _ is secure. you think it is secure? absolutely, there _ is secure. you think it is secure? absolutely, there is _ is secure. you think it is secure? absolutely, there is no - is secure. you think it is secure? absolutely, there is no massivel absolutely, there is no massive ground swell amongst my colleagues for any of that and i think i would know if there was. we are right to unite. where tim is right is taking the fight to labour. part of that is what does labour stand for? they have this ming vase strategy, they have this ming vase strategy, they have this ming vase strategy, they have this leader they will protect

and tiptoe across the slippery floor, not saying a thing and keep a low profile... it is working. general election is a different terrain to the elections we are having a. labour will be held to scrutiny and we will expect answers from labour. if scrutiny and we will expect answers from labour-— from labour. if we can show you, milton keynes. — from labour. if we can show you, milton keynes, labour— from labour. if we can show you, milton keynes, labour have - from labour. if we can show you, i milton keynes, labour have gained. bucks, it was hung, you have gained it. another indication of the labour party building back in those areas. we are seeing this trend up and down the countrv~ _ we are seeing this trend up and down the country. the we are seeing this trend up and down the count . , ., we are seeing this trend up and down the country-— the country. the question was about the country. the question was about the general — the country. the question was about the general election. _ the country. the question was about the general election. i _ the country. the question was about the general election. i did _ the country. the question was about the general election. i did hear- the country. the question was about the general election. i did hear you | the general election. i did hear you tellin: me the general election. i did hear you telling me how _ the general election. i did hear you telling me how good _ the general election. i did hear you telling me how good the _ telling me how good the conservatives were doing. why don't we get _ conservatives were doing. why don't we get a _ conservatives were doing. why don't we get a prime minister outside 10 downing _ we get a prime minister outside 10 downing street this afternoon and called _ downing street this afternoon and called a _ downing street this afternoon and called a general election. what these _ called a general election. what these results say to me is this is a country— these results say to me is this is a country desperate for change. we are pointing _ country desperate for change. we are pointing to _ country desperate for change. we are pointing to places where you may have _ pointing to places where you may have done — pointing to places where you may have done a little bit better than

elsewhere. let's give the british public— elsewhere. let's give the british public a — elsewhere. let's give the british public a chance... elsewhere. let's give the british public a chance. . ._ elsewhere. let's give the british public a chance... your leader said ou had public a chance... your leader said you had to — public a chance... your leader said you had to win... _ public a chance... your leader said you had to win... we _ public a chance... your leader said you had to win... we have - public a chance... your leader said you had to win... we have had - public a chance... your leader said you had to win... we have had five conservative _ you had to win... we have had five conservative prime _ you had to win... we have had five conservative prime ministers - you had to win... we have had five conservative prime ministers in . conservative prime ministers in eight _ conservative prime ministers in eight years, the public want a new prime _ eight years, the public want a new prime minister but not another tory. the point _ prime minister but not another tory. the point that we need to be addressing that reform, migration. illegal immigration, at the moment there is not enough discussion of there is not enough discussion of the fact that firstly there are one the fact that firstly there are one the policy is showing a deterrent. we have talked so much about rwanda. we have talked so much about rwanda. we haven't talked about labour�*s position on it. labour are saying we will now assess them and it is tantamount to some kind of amnesty for tens of thousands of illegal migrants. i for tens of thousands of illegal mi . rants. ~ for tens of thousands of illegal miarants. ~ ., migrants. i think the 'udgment on this government _ migrants. i think the 'udgment on this government the _ migrants. i think the judgment on this government the people - migrants. i think the judgment on this government the people are l this government the people are judging this government on their own terms. thank you to tim montgomery. i have enjoyed being with you. let’s

i have en'oyed being with you. let's talk to i have enjoyed being with you. let's talk to my colleague _ i have enjoyed being with you. let's talk to my colleague in _ i have enjoyed being with you. talk to my colleague in weymouth, jenny kumar. i think we are waiting for a result, hopefully coming in quite soon from dorset?- for a result, hopefully coming in quite soon from dorset? yes, we are in weymouth, _ quite soon from dorset? yes, we are in weymouth, the _ quite soon from dorset? yes, we are in weymouth, the count _ quite soon from dorset? yes, we are in weymouth, the count for- quite soon from dorset? yes, we are in weymouth, the count for the - in weymouth, the count for the dorset council has just begun. you can see on the table behind me, the first six wards are being counted and the turnout is about 35%. in 1% it was 49%. i was speaking to the lib dems leaders on the conservative leaders here and this is really a true blue area between the conservatives and the lib dems. the lib dems have told me they are confident they will become the largest group. not quite sure of the size and how big their win will be,

whether they will have to work with other parties. other party such as the greens and independents have said they will work collaboratively with other parties if the opportunity arose. i conservative have been more muted, they said it is too early to tell what the situation will be. i have been speaking to the mp for north dorset, simon haw. he told me that he feels the party is under pressure here but not totally swamped. we should find out, the counting hasjust not totally swamped. we should find out, the counting has just started and we are expecting the overall results at around seven o'clock. we should have a clearer idea of where things are heading in the next few hours. the campaign has been really interesting. the lib dems have really thrown a lot at this. their leader, sir ed davey has been here virtually every week campaigning. they have basically, for the past two years been focusing on winning

here. door knocking, leafleting and they have had a lot of resources placed on that on the ground here. they are hoping they can replicate here, some of the winds they have seenin here, some of the winds they have seen in by—elections and council elections in nearby areas. one of the ct, the parliamentary seat, the west dorset seat is one of their key seats they are hoping to gain in the general election. the conservatives here, their campaign has been quite different in the sense that they very much focused on local issues and called themselves the local conservatives and almost distanced themselves from the national party. the leader said early on in the campaign when he was asked by the national party, by mps whether they could help and he said, stay away. we are focusing a local campaign and they have been on the doorsteps giving the message they have done

well with the financial management, effective service delivery. they are hoping that can cut through but the lib dems are hoping they can overturn what was a conservative majority here. conservatives had a strong cold here in this area, both in parliamentary local elections for decades. at the lib dems are hoping they can win here and that will bode well for the general election. absolutely, on the basis of ed davey�*s repeated visits. jenny kumar in weymouth, thank you. the results from then coming in until seven o'clock. nicky, let's chat about the edible democrats. we have this result from brentwood in essex. it was a hung council and it remain so. the conservatives will be pleased they haven't lost it. they are on 19 seats, 20 would have been required for a majority so it is in no overall control again. the liberal democrats have gained a seat and it has put them up to 17 but the

conservatives would have loved to have won the council. let's show you battled on. the conservatives have lost that to no overall control. they have lost it with labour gaining a lot of support being lost to the conservatives. labour is on 18, the tories on 13. pretty true blue area traditionally conservative, independents on 11. if we show you the sea change, it is a big drop for the conservatives, down 12. up six for labour and the independents. just before i come to the liberal democrats, vicky, let's pick up on this result, they lost 12 seats in basildon? i mean, that will be very disappointing in that part of the world in essex? this i be very disappointing in that part of the world in essex?— of the world in essex? as i have acce ted of the world in essex? as i have accepted as _ of the world in essex? as i have accepted as soon _ of the world in essex? as i have accepted as soon as _ of the world in essex? as i have accepted as soon as i _ of the world in essex? as i have accepted as soon as i came - of the world in essex? as i have accepted as soon as i came on i of the world in essex? as i have | accepted as soon as i came on to your panel, this is a tough set of

results for us, no doubt about it. but equally there are things such as tees valley where labour, right in the heartlands, all five of those boroughs, ben houchen one. places like carlow, the leader of the opposition went down and said, we have to win harlow. i totally accept this as being difficult, my heart goes out to those hard—working councillors who have done wonderful work. we know locally conservative councils deliver better services at a lower cost... councils deliver better services at a lower cost. . ._ a lower cost... you 'ust heard indoors that_ a lower cost... you 'ust heard indoors that the _ a lower cost... you just heard indoors that the conservative | a lower cost... you just heard i indoors that the conservative ran a lower cost... you just heard - indoors that the conservative ran a local campaign away from the national party. local campaign away from the national party-— local campaign away from the national party. just to make the oint national party. just to make the point here. _ national party. just to make the point here. he _ national party. just to make the point here, he ran _ national party. just to make the point here, he ran as— national party. just to make the point here, he ran as a - national party. just to make the - point here, he ran as a conservative and we have been campaigning with conservative branding. the and we have been campaigning with conservative branding.— conservative branding. the first time i saw _

conservative branding. the first time i saw the _ conservative branding. the first time i saw the word _ conservative branding. the first | time i saw the word conservative behind _ time i saw the word conservative behind him was after he ran. he didn't— behind him was after he ran. he didn't even— behind him was after he ran. he didn't even mention rishi sunak during _ didn't even mention rishi sunak during the — didn't even mention rishi sunak during the whole campaign. when --eole during the whole campaign. when people went _ during the whole campaign. when people went into _ during the whole campaign. when people went into the _ during the whole campaign. when people went into the polling booth and the ten went down, it will have had the conservative party logo. i have to tell you in interviews, ben houchen himself has said there were a lot of people who voted for him and that helped him win with his personal appeal but they will not vote conservative at the general election. ~ ., ., election. when we win we are told somethin: election. when we win we are told something else — election. when we win we are told something else is _ election. when we win we are told something else is going _ election. when we win we are told something else is going on - election. when we win we are told something else is going on and . election. when we win we are told i something else is going on and when we lose... it something else is going on and when we lose... . , ., ., something else is going on and when we lose... . , ., ,., ., ., we lose... it means labour have had treat we lose... it means labour have had great results- _ we lose. .. it means labour have had great results. labour— we lose... it means labour have had great results. labour would - we lose... it means labour have had great results. labour would win - great results. labour would win every _ great results. labour would win every single constituency. you are takin: too every single constituency. you are taking too much _ every single constituency. you are taking too much for— every single constituency. you are taking too much for granted. - every single constituency. you are| taking too much for granted. don't talk over each _ taking too much for granted. don't talk over each other, _ taking too much for granted. don't talk over each other, the - taking too much for granted. don't talk over each other, the viewers cannot here. talk over each other, the viewers cannot here-— cannot here. people come out of their homes _ cannot here. people come out of their homes and _ cannot here. people come out of their homes and voted. - cannot here. people come out of their homes and voted. the - cannot here. people come out of. their homes and voted. the result cannot here. people come out of- their homes and voted. the result of that would—be labour winning every one of— that would—be labour winning every one of the _ that would—be labour winning every one of the constituencies in the area _ one of the constituencies in the area where ben houchen is the mayor.

and he _ area where ben houchen is the mayor. and he also— area where ben houchen is the mayor. and he also ran without mentioning the word _ and he also ran without mentioning the word conservative or rishi sunak in any— the word conservative or rishi sunak in any of— the word conservative or rishi sunak in any of his— the word conservative or rishi sunak in any of his and speeches. that the word conservative or rishi sunak in any of his and speeches.— in any of his and speeches. that is not true. mark _ in any of his and speeches. that is not true. mark harper _ in any of his and speeches. that is not true. mark harper came - in any of his and speeches. that is not true. mark harper came on - in any of his and speeches. that is | not true. mark harper came on and showed you some think with the word conservative, so that is simply not to. ~ ., ., ., , to. we were told and we have been re -aortin to. we were told and we have been reporting over— to. we were told and we have been reporting over the _ to. we were told and we have been reporting over the campaign - to. we were told and we have been reporting over the campaign he - to. we were told and we have been reporting over the campaign he did | reporting over the campaign he did not play up, let's put that in terms of conservative national party and rishi sunak. i did say i was going to come to vicky about the liberal democrats and they will. but we haven't heard from howard cox for a while. just to talk briefly about the london mayoral election. the assumption is it is sadik khan's to hold onto, what is your thoughts? i would have thought he is going to win this. the conservative did well and there was me. i entered into this knowing i wouldn't win. but our

journey to the general election, reform is coming across the country because we have just had our best by—election results. that is a sort of thing that is happening and we are polling rather nationally now in the polls based on these results. as far as london is concerned, i am hoping we will get three or four candidates and then we can hold, i assume sadiq khan to account because the tories have let him get away with ruining the capital. he the tories have let him get away with ruining the capital.- with ruining the capital. he has ruined the _ with ruining the capital. he has ruined the capital, _ with ruining the capital. he has ruined the capital, steve? - with ruining the capital. he has ruined the capital, steve? it i with ruining the capital. he has ruined the capital, steve? it is| with ruining the capital. he has| ruined the capital, steve? it is a bi ask ruined the capital, steve? it is a big ask to _ ruined the capital, steve? it is a big ask to go — ruined the capital, steve? it is a big ask to go for— ruined the capital, steve? it is a big ask to go for your _ ruined the capital, steve? it is a big ask to go for your third i ruined the capital, steve? it is a big ask to go for your third term j ruined the capital, steve? it is a i big ask to go for your third term as london _ big ask to go for your third term as london mayor, ken livingstone didn't pull london mayor, ken livingstone didn't putl it— london mayor, ken livingstone didn't putl it off _ london mayor, ken livingstone didn't pull it off. are london mayor, ken livingstone didn't ull it off. . i. london mayor, ken livingstone didn't ullitoff.�* . london mayor, ken livingstone didn't ull it off. . . pull it off. are you concerned sadiq khan might — pull it off. are you concerned sadiq khan might lose. _ pull it off. are you concerned sadiq khan might lose. there _ pull it off. are you concerned sadiq khan might lose. there is - khan might lose. there is speculation— khan might lose. there is speculation this _ khan might lose. there is speculation this is - khan might lose. there is speculation this is going i khan might lose. there is| speculation this is going to khan might lose. there is i speculation this is going to be closer— speculation this is going to be closer than— speculation this is going to be closer than that. _ speculation this is going to be closer than that. we - speculation this is going to be closer than that.— speculation this is going to be closer than that. we will see when the net closer than that. we will see when they get counted. _ closer than that. we will see when they get counted. i _

closer than that. we will see when they get counted. i was _ closer than that. we will see when they get counted. i was on - closer than that. we will see when they get counted. i was on the i they get counted. i was on the doorstep — they get counted. i was on the doorstep in my constituency yesterday and there was plenty of support _ yesterday and there was plenty of support for sadiq. i think you'll be closer— support for sadiq. i think you'll be closer than— support for sadiq. i think you'll be closer than some of the polls have made _ closer than some of the polls have made it _ closer than some of the polls have made it. the message on the dust it was people — made it. the message on the dust it was people like the free school lunches — was people like the free school lunches proposal. at was people like the free school lunches proposal.— was people like the free school lunches proposal. at the issues of knife crime? _ knife crime? all talk at once. i was with sadiq in croydon a few days— i was with sadiq in croydon a few days ago— i was with sadiq in croydon a few days ago when he announced an increase — days ago when he announced an increase in— days ago when he announced an increase in extension of the programme which invest money into community— programme which invest money into community projects to support young people _ community projects to support young people at— community projects to support young people at risk of getting involved in violence. people at risk of getting involved in violence-— in violence. this is after years of him being _ in violence. this is after years of him being london _ in violence. this is after years of him being london mayor. - in violence. this is after years of him being london mayor. he i in violence. this is after years ofj him being london mayor. he set in violence. this is after years of. him being london mayor. he set it u. i him being london mayor. he set it up- i know — him being london mayor. he set it up- i know is _ him being london mayor. he set it up- i know is my — him being london mayor. he set it up. i know is my experience i him being london mayor. he set it up. i know is my experience as i him being london mayor. he set it up. i know is my experience as a i up. i know is my experience as a format— up. i know is my experience as a formal council leader we cut violent formal council leader we cut viole nt crime _ formal council leader we cut viole nt crime when — formal council leader we cut violent crime when i was leader of lambeth councit— crime when i was leader of lambeth council in _ crime when i was leader of lambeth council in the late naughties. we did the _ council in the late naughties. we did the same things sadiq is doing now, _ did the same things sadiq is doing now, intervene early and don't close

young _ now, intervene early and don't close young people off the crime escalator before _ young people off the crime escalator before the _ young people off the crime escalator before the criminality gets too serious — the conservatives will say voting for putting is a vote for the labour party. i for putting is a vote for the labour pa . p, , for putting is a vote for the labour pa . . , . party. i hear this time and time aaain. party. i hear this time and time again- you _ party. i hear this time and time again. you said _ party. i hear this time and time again. you said it _ party. i hear this time and time again. you said it earlier. i party. i hear this time and time again. you said it earlier. the i again. you said it earlier. the simple — again. you said it earlier. the simple fact— again. you said it earlier. the simple fact is, _ again. you said it earlier. the simple fact is, we _ again. you said it earlier. the simple fact is, we have - again. you said it earlier. the simple fact is, we have a i again. you said it earlier. the i simple fact is, we have a mayor in london _ simple fact is, we have a mayor in london who— simple fact is, we have a mayor in london who has _ simple fact is, we have a mayor in london who has been _ simple fact is, we have a mayor in london who has been dishonest, i london who has been dishonest, andm _ london who has been dishonest, and... p. london who has been dishonest, and... ., ., �* , london who has been dishonest, and... ., ., �*,, london who has been dishonest, and... ., ., k, and... hang on. let's be careful about any _ and... hang on. let's be careful about any allegations. - and... hang on. let's be careful about any allegations. i'm i and... hang on. let's be careful| about any allegations. i'm happy and... hang on. let's be careful. about any allegations. i'm happy to discuss it. yes, _ about any allegations. i'm happy to discuss it. yes, but _ about any allegations. i'm happy to discuss it. yes, but it _ about any allegations. i'm happy to discuss it. yes, but it will— about any allegations. i'm happy to discuss it. yes, but it will be - about any allegations. i'm happy to discuss it. yes, but it will be me i discuss it. yes, but it will be me in trouble. _ discuss it. yes, but it will be me in trouble, not _ discuss it. yes, but it will be me in trouble, not you! _ discuss it. yes, but it will be me in trouble, not you! let's - discuss it. yes, but it will be me in trouble, not you! let's keep i discuss it. yes, but it will be mej in trouble, not you! let's keep it broadly, in terms of the claim. i respect what you are saying, point taken. _ respect what you are saying, point taken. but — respect what you are saying, point taken, but certain— respect what you are saying, point taken, but certain policies- respect what you are saying, point taken, but certain policies have i taken, but certain policies have been _ taken, but certain policies have been put — taken, but certain policies have been put in _ taken, but certain policies have been put in place _ taken, but certain policies have been put in place based - taken, but certain policies have been put in place based on i taken, but certain policies havej been put in place based on very dated. — been put in place based on very dated, including _ been put in place based on very dated, including health- been put in place based on very dated, including health care i been put in place based on veryl dated, including health care and fatality— dated, including health care and fatality data. _ dated, including health care and fatality data, that _ dated, including health care and fatality data, that sort _ dated, including health care and

fatality data, that sort of- dated, including health care and fatality data, that sort of thing, i fatality data, that sort of thing, and there — fatality data, that sort of thing, and there a _ fatality data, that sort of thing, and there a public— fatality data, that sort of thing, | and there a public consultation, extending — and there a public consultation, extending to _ and there a public consultation, extending to the _ and there a public consultation, extending to the m25 _ and there a public consultation, extending to the m25 ulez, i and there a public consultation, extending to the m25 ulez, butl and there a public consultation, i extending to the m25 ulez, but he ignored _ extending to the m25 ulez, but he ignored it. — extending to the m25 ulez, but he ignored it. i— extending to the m25 ulez, but he ignored it, i could _ extending to the m25 ulez, but he ignored it, i could go _ extending to the m25 ulez, but he ignored it, i could go on _ extending to the m25 ulez, but he ignored it, i could go on forever. i ignored it, i could go on forever. that— ignored it, i could go on forever. that didn't — ignored it, i could go on forever. that didn't cost _ ignored it, i could go on forever. that didn't cost you _ ignored it, i could go on forever. that didn't cost you at _ ignored it, i could go on forever. that didn't cost you at the - ignored it, i could go on forever. i that didn't cost you at the uxbridge by—election. —— that did. the that didn't cost you at the uxbridge by-election. -- that did.— by-election. -- that did. the issue there, by-election. -- that did. the issue there. unlike _ by-election. -- that did. the issue there, unlike bristol— by-election. -- that did. the issue there, unlike bristol and _ by-election. -- that did. the issue there, unlike bristol and bradford, there, unlike bristol and bradford, the government offered them funding, for a scrappage scheme but they did not offer— for a scrappage scheme but they did not offer london a penny, and i thought— not offer london a penny, and i thought that wasjust not offer london a penny, and i thought that was just to undermine the mayor— thought that was just to undermine the mayor of london. canl thought that was just to undermine the mayor of london.— thought that was just to undermine the mayor of london. can i come in? let's be the mayor of london. can i come in? let's be clear— the mayor of london. can i come in? let's be clear about _ the mayor of london. can i come in? let's be clear about this. _ the mayor of london. can i come in? let's be clear about this. sadiq i let's be clear about this. sadiq khan has been a disasterfor london. you need to have some evidence. knife crime is one thing which has gone up, the war on motorists, particularly affecting the outer london boroughs, it'll be interesting to see how they vote, the pay mile, and other assault on motorists. you have had your say.

the additional costs that he has loaded onto motorists, the surcharge, if you put those things together, and you do not want to sadiq khan, the problem is, when you have putting in the mix, a number of people who would otherwise vote to head of sadiq khan actually end up seeing him get elected —— when you have reform uk in the mix. i seeing him get elected -- when you have reform uk in the mix.- seeing him get elected -- when you have reform uk in the mix. i said to susan hall. — have reform uk in the mix. i said to susan hall. can _ have reform uk in the mix. i said to susan hall, can we _ have reform uk in the mix. i said to susan hall, can we work— have reform uk in the mix. i said to susan hall, can we work together? l susan hall, can we work together? she has— susan hall, can we work together? she has not— susan hall, can we work together? she has not responded. _ susan hall, can we work together? she has not responded. we - susan hall, can we work together? she has not responded. we could i susan hall, can we work together? i she has not responded. we could have been working _ she has not responded. we could have been working together— she has not responded. we could have been working together to _ she has not responded. we could have been working together to get - she has not responded. we could have been working together to get rid - been working together to get rid of sadig _ been working together to get rid of sadig khan — been working together to get rid of sadiq khan tou— been working together to get rid of sadi: khan. ., ., ., , sadiq khan. you would have it still stood in the _ sadiq khan. you would have it still stood in the election, _ sadiq khan. you would have it still stood in the election, that's i sadiq khan. you would have it still stood in the election, that's the i stood in the election, that's the point. stood in the election, that's the oint. �* ., , ., stood in the election, that's the oint. �* ., ., ., , point. but would you not have stood if susan hall — point. but would you not have stood if susan hall had _ point. but would you not have stood if susan hall had agreed _ point. but would you not have stood if susan hall had agreed to - point. but would you not have stood if susan hall had agreed to some i if susan hall had agreed to some policies... igate

if susan hall had agreed to some olicies. .. ~ ., ., if susan hall had agreed to some policies- - -— policies... we have not had that discussion- _ policies. .. we have not had that discussion. i— policies... we have not had that discussion. i want _ policies... we have not had that discussion. i want to _ policies... we have not had that discussion. i want to get - policies... we have not had that discussion. i want to get rid i policies... we have not had that discussion. i want to get rid of. discussion. i want to get rid of sadig — discussion. i want to get rid of sadig khan _ discussion. i want to get rid of sadiq khan and _ discussion. i want to get rid of sadiq khan and i— discussion. i want to get rid of sadiq khan and i want - discussion. i want to get rid of sadiq khan and i want to- discussion. i want to get rid of sadiq khan and i want to do. discussion. i want to get rid of. sadiq khan and i want to do that, and i_ sadiq khan and i want to do that, and i may— sadiq khan and i want to do that, and i may have _ sadiq khan and i want to do that, and i may have been _ sadiq khan and i want to do that, and i may have been persuaded. i and i may have been persuaded. howard — and i may have been persuaded. howard cox. _ and i may have been persuaded. howard cox, the _ and i may have been persuaded. howard cox, the reform - and i may have been persuaded. howard cox, the reform uk i and i may have been persuaded. - howard cox, the reform uk candidate, for the london mayoralty, thanks for joining us. to pick up on that, the result will be tomorrow. talking about the polls closing, and it is first past the post? the about the polls closing, and it is first past the post?— about the polls closing, and it is first past the post? the labour lead was overestimated _ first past the post? the labour lead was overestimated the _ first past the post? the labour lead was overestimated the last - first past the post? the labour lead was overestimated the last time i was overestimated the last time around and it ended up being a bit closer, and there is whisperings which are no more than that, some of it is based on the impact of ulez on the outer london boroughs and a lot of anger about that and whether that has switched the votes of people which might not otherwise have gone to the conservatives but may have done. but it is speculation the because nobody knows. it is traditionally _ because nobody knows. it is traditionally the _ because nobody knows. it is traditionally the case - because nobody knows. it is traditionally the case that the inner london boroughs tend to be labour voting and the outer one is more conservative, although

conservative mayor was borisjohnson for two terms. it doesn't look as though it will still be sadiq khan but maybe it will be a close run thing. it but maybe it will be a close run thin. ., , ., thing. it would be a spectacular win for the conservatives _ thing. it would be a spectacular win for the conservatives if _ thing. it would be a spectacular win for the conservatives if they - thing. it would be a spectacular win for the conservatives if they were i for the conservatives if they were to take the city, and the big thing about borisjohnson, he was able to win as a conservative in a very traditionally labour base but there is a big distinction between the outer parts of london and inside. the liberal democrats say they are pretty strong in some of those powers as well.— pretty strong in some of those powers as well. they are in the south-west _ powers as well. they are in the south-west of _ powers as well. they are in the south-west of london. - powers as well. they are in the south-west of london. now i powers as well. they are in the south-west of london. now on j powers as well. they are in the i south-west of london. now on the south—west of london. now on the liberal democrats, dorset first of all, and also they have failed to take brentwood in essex which they were optimistic about. that would have been a big victory for them. yes, it would have been. it would have been a very good day, if they had won that, and they were hoping to do better in dorset, but what is happening there, we talk about the

blue wall the red wall, there are not as many direct competitions between the lib dems and the conservatives this time around but the nightmare scenario for the conservatives is the lib dems, because they are targeting quite a small number of seats, actually, but they are going to do that, that their strategy, they build a support and target the parliamentary seats and target the parliamentary seats and the danger for the conservatives is they end up having labour fighting them and then winning in lots of those areas and the lib dems taking from other areas. itruihat lots of those areas and the lib dems taking from other areas.— taking from other areas. what about in the south-west? _ taking from other areas. what about in the south-west? south-west i in the south—west? south—west england in your neck of the woods, mel stride, because there has been a big change in politics because many of those areas were traditionally liberal democrat and then there was the eu referendum on many of them voted to leave and the party suffered as a result —— and many of them. is that begin to dissipate, when we look at places like dorset?

it is a bit but labour will say they are starting to come back a bit in the south—west of england, having been pretty much driven out, actually. been pretty much driven out, actuall . , ., been pretty much driven out, actuall. , ., , , been pretty much driven out, actuall. , ., i, ., actually. plymouth yesterday was a aood actually. plymouth yesterday was a good example- _ actually. plymouth yesterday was a good example. the _ actually. plymouth yesterday was a good example. the city _ actually. plymouth yesterday was a good example. the city until- actually. plymouth yesterday was a good example. the city until two i good example. the city until two years _ good example. the city until two years ago— good example. the city until two years ago was run by the conservatives but yesterday labour won every— conservatives but yesterday labour won every single scene apart from one. _ won every single scene apart from one. it _ won every single scene apart from one, it would unseatjohnny won every single scene apart from one, it would unseat johnny mercer. the conservatives will be looking anxiously at those results in plymouth. anxiously at those results in plymouth-— anxiously at those results in pl mouth. ., . , ,, , plymouth. colleagues like johnny mercer, veterans _ plymouth. colleagues like johnny mercer, veterans minister, i plymouth. colleagues like johnny mercer, veterans minister, in - plymouth. colleagues like johnny l mercer, veterans minister, in areas like plymouth, but also other conservative mps, now find themselves surrounded, without sounding too threatening, by labour councils, and in those parliamentary constituency areas, how nervous are they going to be? they must be worried? we they going to be? they must be worried? ~ ., ., ., ., , . worried? we have got some fantastic conservative — worried? we have got some fantastic conservative mps _ worried? we have got some fantastic conservative mps who _ worried? we have got some fantastic conservative mps who i _ worried? we have got some fantastic conservative mps who i work - worried? we have got some fantastic conservative mps who i work closely | conservative mps who i work closely with, _ conservative mps who i work closely with. in _ conservative mps who i work closely with. in dorset—

conservative mps who i work closely with, in dorset and _ conservative mps who i work closely with, in dorset and devon _ conservative mps who i work closely with, in dorset and devon and - with, in dorset and devon and cornwall, _ with, in dorset and devon and cornwall, we _ with, in dorset and devon and cornwall, we are _ with, in dorset and devon and cornwall, we are working - with, in dorset and devon and cornwall, we are working very�* with, in dorset and devon and - cornwall, we are working very hard locally. _ cornwall, we are working very hard locally, and — cornwall, we are working very hard locally. and it— cornwall, we are working very hard locally, and it went _ cornwall, we are working very hard locally, and it went from _ cornwall, we are working very hard locally, and it went from a - cornwall, we are working very hard locally, and it went from a real- locally, and it went from a real stronghold _ locally, and it went from a real stronghold that _ locally, and it went from a real stronghold that the _ locally, and it went from a real stronghold that the lib - locally, and it went from a real stronghold that the lib dems i locally, and it went from a real. stronghold that the lib dems had locally, and it went from a real- stronghold that the lib dems had to the stronghold — stronghold that the lib dems had to the stronghold being _ stronghold that the lib dems had to the stronghold being broken - stronghold that the lib dems had to the stronghold being broken and - stronghold that the lib dems had to the stronghold being broken and we have seerr— the stronghold being broken and we have seen some _ the stronghold being broken and we have seen some signs— the stronghold being broken and we have seen some signs of— the stronghold being broken and we have seen some signs of it - the stronghold being broken and we have seen some signs of it being. have seen some signs of it being broken _ have seen some signs of it being broken in — have seen some signs of it being broken in by—elections_ have seen some signs of it being broken in by—elections but- broken in by—elections but everything _ broken in by—elections but everything is _ broken in by—elections but everything is to _ broken in by—elections but everything is to play- broken in by—elections but everything is to play for, l broken in by—elections but. everything is to play for, and broken in by—elections but- everything is to play for, and in seats— everything is to play for, and in seats like — everything is to play for, and in seats like mine, _ everything is to play for, and in seats like mine, it— everything is to play for, and in seats like mine, it is— everything is to play for, and in seats like mine, it is not- seats like mine, it is not immediately— seats like mine, it is not immediately clear- seats like mine, it is not immediately clear who l seats like mine, it is not. immediately clear who the seats like mine, it is not— immediately clear who the challenge is, actually, — immediately clear who the challenge is, actually, whether— immediately clear who the challenge is, actually, whether it _ immediately clear who the challenge is, actually, whether it is _ immediately clear who the challenge is, actually, whether it is labour- is, actually, whether it is labour or the _ is, actually, whether it is labour or the liberal— is, actually, whether it is labour or the liberal democrats. - is, actually, whether it is labour or the liberal democrats. me i is, actually, whether it is labour or the liberal democrats. we have not talked about _ or the liberal democrats. we have not talked about the _ or the liberal democrats. we have not talked about the green - or the liberal democrats. we have not talked about the green party l not talked about the green party very much because they will be challenging and they will be challenging and they will be challenging you in some council areas on the left of the labour party, and may be because your ground policy to invest £28 billion in climate change policy which has been reversed, 5 billion is what you are looking at, and not immediately if you win the election, so that is going to be a strong challenge to you? going to be a strong challenge to ou? ., ,., ., , , going to be a strong challenge to ou? ., ., , , ., ~ you? the labour party will be making the bi est you? the labour party will be making the biggest offer _ you? the labour party will be making the biggest offer from _ you? the labour party will be making the biggest offer from any _ the biggest offer from any mainstream party on climate and nature _ mainstream party on climate and nature ever so there is a very good offer— nature ever so there is a very good offer for—

nature ever so there is a very good offer for the — nature ever so there is a very good offer for the labour party for those voters _ offer for the labour party for those voters but — offer for the labour party for those voters but we will take on and we will compete with every party that is standing against us and of course we will— is standing against us and of course we will try— is standing against us and of course we will try to win. we will not try to do— we will try to win. we will not try to do deals — we will try to win. we will not try to do deals to get other parties to stand _ to do deals to get other parties to stand down. | to do deals to get other parties to stand down-— to do deals to get other parties to stand down. ., �* ~ ~ ,, stand down. i don't think mel stride would do a deal _ stand down. i don't think mel stride would do a deal with _ stand down. i don't think mel stride would do a deal with reform - stand down. i don't think mel stride would do a deal with reform uk - would do a deal with reform uk either. ~ ., ~ either. we will take the next reneral either. we will take the next general election, _ either. we will take the next general election, it - either. we will take the next general election, it will - either. we will take the next general election, it will be . either. we will take the next general election, it will be a | general election, it will be a choice — general election, it will be a choice between having a continuing conservative government and five more _ conservative government and five more years of this chaos or turning the page _ more years of this chaos or turning the page and writing a new story with keir— the page and writing a new story with keir starmer as a labour prime minister~ _ with keir starmer as a labour prime minister. ., ., , ., , ., minister. how does that square with the £28 billion — minister. how does that square with the £28 billion unfunded _ minister. how does that square with i the £28 billion unfunded commitments that you have made a u—turn on? liz that you have made a u-turn on? liz truss that you have made a u—turn on? liz truss crashed the economy and borrowing — truss crashed the economy and borrowing to invest can grow the economy— borrowing to invest can grow the economy but borrowing to splurge which _ economy but borrowing to splurge which is _ economy but borrowing to splurge which is what liz truss did crash the economy, the rate of borrowing went up— the economy, the rate of borrowing went up so— the economy, the rate of borrowing went up so you cannot justify it any

more _ went up so you cannot 'ustify it any more. ~ , , ., went up so you cannot 'ustify it any more. ~ , ,, ., ~ ., more. why did you make the page at the time? interest _ more. why did you make the page at the time? interest rates _ more. why did you make the page at the time? interest rates were - more. why did you make the page at the time? interest rates were at - more. why did you make the page at the time? interest rates were at 1% l the time? interest rates were at 1% at that point- _ the time? interest rates were at 1% at that point. liz _ the time? interest rates were at 1% at that point. liz truss _ the time? interest rates were at 1% at that point. liz truss sent - at that point. liz truss sent the interest— at that point. liz truss sent the interest rates spiralling. you have added _ interest rates spiralling. you have added a _ interest rates spiralling. you have added a premium to constituents of mine who _ added a premium to constituents of mine who are paying on a mortgage and that— mine who are paying on a mortgage and that is— mine who are paying on a mortgage and that is why so many people have voted _ and that is why so many people have voted for _ and that is why so many people have voted for change.— voted for change. there has been a chance in voted for change. there has been a change in nuneaton. _ voted for change. there has been a change in nuneaton. we _ voted for change. there has been a change in nuneaton. we were - voted for change. there has been a l change in nuneaton. we were talking to our reporterjoshua, and labour were cheering and they have gained nuneaton on the conservatives. another significant win in warwickshire. going from the conservatives, 20 seats required for majority and they have got it. there is the result. look at the seats that have changed hands, the number of them. labour gaining 15 seats in

the conservatives are losing iii, one of them has gone to the greens. —— and the conservatives. it is of them has gone to the greens. -- and the conservatives.— and the conservatives. it is part of a story which we are _ and the conservatives. it is part of a story which we are seeing - and the conservatives. it is part of a story which we are seeing across the country— a story which we are seeing across the country which is labour is doing well in _ the country which is labour is doing well in those areas where there are lrellwether— bellwether seat, key battlegrounds that we _ bellwether seat, key battlegrounds that we need to win to form a majority— that we need to win to form a majority at the next general election, and the same story is happening. election, and the same story is happening-— election, and the same story is haueninu. . , , . ., , happening. why is harlow different? i have never— happening. why is harlow different? i have never seen _ happening. why is harlow different? i have never seen somebody - happening. why is harlow different? i have never seen somebody dress l happening. why is harlow different? l i have never seen somebody dress up in so many— i have never seen somebody dress up in so many fig leaves. if you are so confident, — in so many fig leaves. if you are so confident, calla in so many fig leaves. if you are so confident, call a general election. you are _ confident, call a general election. you are the — confident, call a general election. you are the one saying it's a foregone conclusion. i you are the one saying it's a foregone conclusion.- you are the one saying it's a foregone conclusion. i did not say that. gentlemen, _ foregone conclusion. i did not say that. gentlemen, we _ foregone conclusion. i did not say that. gentlemen, we have - foregone conclusion. i did not say that. gentlemen, we have still. foregone conclusion. i did not say| that. gentlemen, we have still got time for these _ that. gentlemen, we have still got time for these discussions. - that. gentlemen, we have still got time for these discussions. the . time for these discussions. the oint time for these discussions. the point about _ time for these discussions. the point about the _ time for these discussions. the point about the greens, we are hearing — point about the greens, we are hearing that _ point about the greens, we are hearing that the _ point about the greens, we are hearing that the conservative l point about the greens, we are . hearing that the conservative pcc point about the greens, we are - hearing that the conservative pcc in leicestershire _ hearing that the conservative pcc in leicestershire has _ hearing that the conservative pcc in leicestershire has hung _

hearing that the conservative pcc in leicestershire has hung on, - hearing that the conservative pcc in leicestershire has hung on, but - leicestershire has hung on, but interestingly. _ leicestershire has hung on, but interestingly, the _ leicestershire has hung on, but interestingly, the labour- leicestershire has hung on, but interestingly, the labour vote l leicestershire has hung on, but . interestingly, the labour vote has been _ interestingly, the labour vote has been hit by— interestingly, the labour vote has been hit by a _ interestingly, the labour vote has been hit by a surge _ interestingly, the labour vote has been hit by a surge for— interestingly, the labour vote has been hit by a surge for the - interestingly, the labour vote hasl been hit by a surge for the greens, so this— been hit by a surge for the greens, so this is— been hit by a surge for the greens, so this is the — been hit by a surge for the greens, so this is the interesting _ been hit by a surge for the greens, so this is the interesting thing - so this is the interesting thing about— so this is the interesting thing about the _ so this is the interesting thing about the green _ so this is the interesting thing about the green party, - so this is the interesting thing about the green party, very. about the green party, very difficult _ about the green party, very difficult under— about the green party, veryl difficult under parliamentary elections _ difficult under parliamentary elections for— difficult under parliamentary elections for mps _ difficult under parliamentary elections for mps and - difficult under parliamentary elections for mps and very. difficult under parliamentary - elections for mps and very difficult for them _ elections for mps and very difficult for them to— elections for mps and very difficult for them to win _ elections for mps and very difficult for them to win seats _ elections for mps and very difficult for them to win seats but - elections for mps and very difficult for them to win seats but what is i for them to win seats but what is interesting — for them to win seats but what is interesting and _ for them to win seats but what is interesting and what _ for them to win seats but what is interesting and what happens - for them to win seats but what is . interesting and what happens when you have _ interesting and what happens when you have one — interesting and what happens when you have one party— interesting and what happens when you have one party that _ interesting and what happens when you have one party that seems - interesting and what happens when you have one party that seems to l interesting and what happens whenl you have one party that seems to be very far— you have one party that seems to be very far ahead, — you have one party that seems to be very far ahead, in _ you have one party that seems to be very far ahead, in this _ you have one party that seems to be very far ahead, in this case - you have one party that seems to be very far ahead, in this case labour, i very far ahead, in this case labour, looking _ very far ahead, in this case labour, looking like — very far ahead, in this case labour, looking like they _ very far ahead, in this case labour, looking like they are _ very far ahead, in this case labour, looking like they are a _ very far ahead, in this case labour, looking like they are a long - very far ahead, in this case labour, looking like they are a long way - looking like they are a long way ahead _ looking like they are a long way ahead of— looking like they are a long way ahead of everyone else, but. looking like they are a long way - ahead of everyone else, but everyone then thinks, _ ahead of everyone else, but everyone thenthinks. i— ahead of everyone else, but everyone then thinks, i can _ ahead of everyone else, but everyone then thinks, i can use _ ahead of everyone else, but everyone then thinks, i can use my— ahead of everyone else, but everyone then thinks, i can use my vote, i- then thinks, i can use my vote, i actually— then thinks, i can use my vote, i actually want _ then thinks, i can use my vote, i actually want to _ then thinks, i can use my vote, i actually want to vote _ then thinks, i can use my vote, i actually want to vote for - then thinks, i can use my vote, i actually want to vote for the - then thinks, i can use my vote, i. actually want to vote for the greens so how _ actually want to vote for the greens so how the — actually want to vote for the greens so how the smaller— actually want to vote for the greens so how the smaller parties - actually want to vote for the greens so how the smaller parties do - actually want to vote for the greens so how the smaller parties do in- actually want to vote for the greens so how the smaller parties do in a l so how the smaller parties do in a general— so how the smaller parties do in a general election— so how the smaller parties do in a general election and _ so how the smaller parties do in a general election and the - so how the smaller parties do in a general election and the way- so how the smaller parties do in a general election and the way in i general election and the way in which _ general election and the way in which they— general election and the way in which they can _ general election and the way in which they can affect _ general election and the way in which they can affect the - general election and the way in l which they can affect the chances general election and the way in - which they can affect the chances of other— which they can affect the chances of other partiesm _ which they can affect the chances of other parties. . ._ other parties... let's have a look at the result _ other parties... let's have a look at the result therefore _ other parties... let's have a look at the result therefore the - other parties... let's have a look at the result therefore the police and crime commissioner for leicestershire. the conservative has held it, rupert matthews, although it was very close. and there you can

see the green party candidate, quite away behind but also doing well and may be eating into some of the support because to —— people do vote differently in local elections sometimes. this is the vote share. 13% for the greens. the smaller parties with a big showing, but it is true, it may be different at a general election when of course one of the main parties are the most likely to form a government. we can now get the latest news update. here's a summary of the bbc news. results are coming in from the local council elections in england but it is clear the conservatives have suffered heavy losses while labour have made big gains. in another blow

for the conservatives they also lost the blackpool south parliamentary by—election, labour taking the seat with a swing of 26% from the tories, the third biggest swing in post—war by—election history. he is our political correspondent. —— here. the prime minister touring catterick military base with very little to laugh about. trying to defend his party's laugh about. trying to defend his pa rty�*s losses after a laugh about. trying to defend his party's losses after a dismal set of results. . ., . , party's losses after a dismal set of results. , ., , , , results. obviously it is disappointing - results. obviously it is disappointing to - results. obviously it is disappointing to lose l results. obviously it is - disappointing to lose good, hard—working conservative councillors but we still have lots of results to come as well and there are things i would point to. harlow, for example where keir starmer held a rally saying it was a place he had to win to be on track to win a general election.— general election. that hasn't happened- — general election. that hasn't happened. the _ general election. that hasn't| happened. the conservatives general election. that hasn't - happened. the conservatives did deprive labour of a win in harlow but they still lost five seats and they are considering that a success. the party pinned its hopes ben

houchen remaining the tees valley mayor. he wasn't even wearing a rosette. he did thank the prime minister in a later show of unity. but warned people want to see more from his party. but warned people want to see more from his party-— from his party. they want more progress. _ from his party. they want more progress. we — from his party. they want more progress, we need _ from his party. they want more progress, we need to _ from his party. they want more progress, we need to give - from his party. they want more| progress, we need to give them from his party. they want more - progress, we need to give them the excuse to vote for us and we haven't quite given them that excuse yet. for labour, the celebrations are more widespread, winning two more a morality is as well as securing a seismic win in the blackpool south by—election, a victory symbolic of the successor throughout the night. we are winning votes across the country and that reflects a change labour party with a positive case to take to the country. the labour party with a positive case to take to the country.— take to the country. the party also manared take to the country. the party also managed several _ take to the country. the party also managed several significant - take to the country. the party also| managed several significant council wins, taking rushmore in hampshire and west sussex for the first time ever. but in oldham, five

independent candidates standing on a pro—gaza platform deprive the party of its majority, a trend that may be replicated in areas with the high muslim population. the counting is farfrom muslim population. the counting is far from over muslim population. the counting is farfrom over and it will go on into the weekend, but as always a narrative is emerging and here in westminster, the story of these results is bound to impact how mps are feeling about their prospects ahead of a general election. the reform party, recording their best ever by—election result in blackpool, almost pushing the conservatives into third place will do little to calm backbench jitters. what is becoming clear is basically, as more people hear about us, about reform we are becoming the real opposition to the labour party in the north, in the midlands, in wales. we are on the way up and it is clear the tories are on their way down. . ,. is clear the tories are on their way down. , ,. ., , . down. the message from the liberal democrats is — down. the message from the liberal democrats is similar. _ down. the message from the liberal democrats is similar. they _ down. the message from the liberal democrats is similar. they are - down. the message from the liberal democrats is similar. they are still l democrats is similar. they are still waiting for the results from many of

their main targets. ads, waiting for the results from many of their main targets.— their main targets. a lot of lifelon: their main targets. a lot of lifelong conservative - their main targets. a lot of| lifelong conservative voters their main targets. a lot of- lifelong conservative voters are looking — lifelong conservative voters are looking at this conservative government and they do not recognise it any— government and they do not recognise it any more _ government and they do not recognise it any more. they don't speak for them _ it any more. they don't speak for them and — it any more. they don't speak for them and they are pulled by the sleaze _ them and they are pulled by the sleaze and scandal that emanates from westminster. the sleaze and scandal that emanates from westminster.— sleaze and scandal that emanates from westminster. the greens may be on course for — from westminster. the greens may be on course for their _ from westminster. the greens may be on course for their best _ from westminster. the greens may be on course for their best night - from westminster. the greens may be on course for their best night ever, - on course for their best night ever, although the results are not in. the greens are — although the results are not in. tue: greens are now although the results are not in. t'ta: greens are now a although the results are not in. tta: greens are now a national although the results are not in. t'ta: greens are now a national force, winning seats in local government in all corners of the country. but winning seats in local government in all corners of the country.— all corners of the country. but for some, conservatives _ all corners of the country. but for some, conservatives their - all corners of the country. but for- some, conservatives their expression says it all. many thinking they will have to put on a brave face ahead of the general election campaign. hannah miller, bbc news. a 15 year—old boy has been found guilty of murdering teenager alfie lewis in leeds last year. the boy stabbed 15—year—old alfie in horsforth in november. the two week trial at leeds crown court heard his killer, who can't be named due to his age, was armed with a kitchen knife concealed in his trousers. members of the british special forces, have told a public inquiry,

that the sas committed multiple murders in afghanistan. the inquiry is examining allegations that the sas committed scores of executions and murdered innocent civilians, including women and children, during arrest raids in afghanistan between 2010 and 2013. donald trump's criminal trial over hush money payments to an adult film star has resumed in new york. the judge began today's proceedings, clarifying that the former president has a right to testify in his trial. yesterday, mr trump claimed his gagging order prevented him from doing so. in brazil, floods have killed dozens of people following the collapse of a damn after days of heavy rain. over a million people are now without power and clean water, since the storms began over the weekend. the collapse of a hydro—electric dam following days of heavy rains triggered massive flooding. more than 60 people are still believed to be missing. a chinese spacecraft has taken off this afternoon,

aiming to become the first mission to collect rock and soil samples from the far side of the moon — which is not visible from earth. it's an uncrewed aircraft, but could pave the way for china's ambitions to put a person on the moon by 2030. the 53—day mission aims to bring around two kilograms of lunar samples to earth for analysis. mark clattenburg has stood down from his role as a referee analyst at nottingham forest, after admitting he had become "more of a hindrance than a help" to the club. the former referee has been at the centre of two major controversies involving the club since he took on the advisory role in february, first speaking out over a drop ball incident in a match against liverpool and then criticising the officiating in another game. now back to elections 2024 with jo coburn.

welcome back in what has been an extremely busy afternoon. 0ur welcome back in what has been an extremely busy afternoon. our new gas, political editor of the spectator. but we are going to talk to carla, the co—leader of the greens in bristol, an area where he wanted to make progress. we are going to try and persevere even if the sound is a little bit unstable. carla, just before i get you to answer, i am going to tell viewers and guests state of the parties, that includes where you are as a green party. if we have a look, labour, 709 councillors and they have added 115. the conservatives have added 115. the conservatives have lost 272 councillors and are on 273. on course to lose half of their councils which will be around 500 because there are still a lot of council to declare. lib dems are up

44 and the greens are on 66 councillors. they are up 30. carla, your reaction and response broadly to have the greens have performed? it is early days because many of our target areas are due to be declared later this afternoon or on saturday. but it is already fantastically promising results, we have broken through onto several new councils, including newcastle which was the first results. sefton and we have strengthened our presence on a number of the 16 council all all over england and wales, south tyneside in the north—east, peterborough and exeter in the south—west. we are looking here at some of the figures that are coming through, said john curtis as saying the greens are averaging 11% in wards they are fighting. that is up 1% wards they are fighting. that is up i% on last year and slightly up on their best ever performance in local elections in 2019. underlining what

you have said, you have gained a couple of seats on a lot of councils put nowhere making big gains, do you accept that? t put nowhere making big gains, do you acce -t that? ~ ., put nowhere making big gains, do you accet that? ~ . ., ., accept that? i think a lot of the councils where _ accept that? i think a lot of the councils where we _ accept that? i think a lot of the councils where we have - accept that? i think a lot of the councils where we have the - accept that? i think a lot of the - councils where we have the potential to make gains will be coming up later on. as we have been saying in the run—up to the local elections, the run—up to the local elections, the council is to watch will be places like stroud, lister and hastings. in all three of those places we are part of the administration but our sense from speaking to voters on the doorstep as they like what they see and they want more greens elected. one of the councils is right here, my home city of bristol. we are not currently in administration but we do have the largest party by just administration but we do have the largest party byjust one seat going into these elections. we may or may not get an outright majority. that'll been incredibly good day if we get that but i'm expecting to see gains. he we get that but i'm expecting to see rains. . we get that but i'm expecting to see rains. , , gains. he will be disappointed if ou have gains. he will be disappointed if you have only — gains. he will be disappointed if you have only got _ gains. he will be disappointed if you have only got to _ gains. he will be disappointed if you have only got to get - gains. he will be disappointed if you have only got to get one - gains. he will be disappointed if i you have only got to get one more

seatin you have only got to get one more seat in bristol and you don't become majority party?— majority party? bristol is a very luralistic majority party? bristol is a very pluralistic city. _ majority party? bristol is a very pluralistic city. in _ majority party? bristol is a very pluralistic city. in the _ majority party? bristol is a very pluralistic city. in the last - majority party? bristol is a very pluralistic city. in the last local| pluralistic city. in the last local elections in 2021, the people of bristol elected a cross—party council and we are expecting the same this time. given that bristol is switching from a directly elected mayor system to a committee system and we are going into these elections already as the largest party, we think there is a very good chance we will be part of the administration. if so, that will be the first call city, the first of the first call city, the first of the large cities in the uk that has greens in power. the the large cities in the uk that has greens in power.— greens in power. the issues for smaller parties _ greens in power. the issues for smaller parties like _ greens in power. the issues for smaller parties like the - greens in power. the issues for smaller parties like the is - greens in power. the issues for| smaller parties like the is better representation, broadly speaking, in local elections, but very difficult to break through at a national level. caroline lucas is standing down, brighton green mp at the next election. do you have any ambition, real ambition evident she will win a seat at the general election? qt

seat at the general election? of course, seat at the general election? qt course, and the polls seat at the general election? t>t course, and the polls back that up. the polls are consistently predicting here in bristol central where i am the parliamentary candidate. they are predicting a green win or predicting a labour win with a close margin. in other words it is a clear labour green margin here in bristol central. it is clear with the conversations we have had with the conversations we have had with bristol residents, people understand it is a green labour marginal and they don't have to vote tactically and the vast majority of voters in bristol want to see the end of a conservative government but they are very attracted to the idea of getting more green mps elected, because they recognise the choice they have in bristol is between a likely labour government, where it is 100% labour and keir starmer can continue to u—turn on policies every few weeks or a labour government with a handful of greens who can hold them to account.— hold them to account. carla, you said it yourself, _

hold them to account. carla, you said it yourself, if _ hold them to account. carla, you said it yourself, if you _ hold them to account. carla, you said it yourself, if you want - hold them to account. carla, you said it yourself, if you want the l said it yourself, if you want the conservatives out, as many of your supporters want to see, they will vote for the labour party at the general election, not the greens? tt general election, not the greens? tt is clear we are going to have a new government after the next general election. but whoever forms the government, it will be better, in my opinion than in the opinion of many voters in bristol, in suffolk where my co—leader adrian is standing and elsewhere. if there are a small group, next generation of green mps there to help the government to account and push them to be bolder on the areas where they are not so strong. if it is a labour government it will be things like climate. the labour party you turned on the headline climate pledge a few months ago. it will be on things like decent investment in public services like the nhs. the greens are the only party willing to be honest with voters that we need to make the tax system fairer and ask those with the broader shoulders to pay more so we

can invest in good quality public services for everyone. we are the only party that would bring the water companies back into public ownership to deal with the damages of decades of privatisation have done. and voters across the country and across the political spectrum are appreciating, they share values and support policies and they want to see more greens elected. thank ou ve to see more greens elected. thank you very much _ to see more greens elected. thank you very much for _ to see more greens elected. thank you very much forjoining _ to see more greens elected. thank you very much forjoining us. - to see more greens elected. thank| you very much forjoining us. steve, the accusation that keir starmer has flip—flopped on a number of issues, he certainly you on a number of issues, obviously mentioning the £28 billion pledge by the labour party in terms of climate change policies. when he stood as leader he also talked about campaigning on increases in taxation for the top 5% of earners, which would raise some money that could be put into public services. why haven't you stuck with

that, with that pledge because carla was saying, public services, she feels, are starved of investment. i know the conservative party would say differently, but they need more investment? the say differently, but they need more investment?— say differently, but they need more investment? ., , . , . investment? the conservatives have riven this investment? the conservatives have given this country _ investment? the conservatives have given this country the _ investment? the conservatives have given this country the highest - investment? the conservatives have given this country the highest level. given this country the highest level of personal taxation since the second world war. we will grow the economy and we will fund public services that way. listening to the green party there, the minor parties and independents do better in local elections, but if you look at the one vote we had today which was part of a national election, blackpool south, the greens on the lib dems both lost their deposit. in a national election it will be a choice between more of the same with the conservatives all turning the page with the labour party. where the greens do run cities, just very briefly, where they were councils, i went to visit brighton and the resident said to me the streets were so full of litter that the greens had given a whole new meaning to the

phrase of a dirty weekend in brighton. they are not good at running councils. when the votes matter in a national election, they tend to lose their deposit. the next election is a choice between more of the same, chaos with the conservatives or change with labour. putting up taxes on high earners would raise money?— putting up taxes on high earners would raise money? growing the economy raise — would raise money? growing the economy raise money _ would raise money? growing the economy raise money and - would raise money? growing the economy raise money and that i would raise money? growing thej economy raise money and that is would raise money? growing the - economy raise money and that is how you want to do it, labour is not in the business of further punishing people the conservatives have hurt enough. people the conservatives have hurt enouah. �* . people the conservatives have hurt enouah. v ., ~ people the conservatives have hurt enouah. �*, . ~ ., enough. let's talk to the conservative _ enough. let's talk to the conservative leader - enough. let's talk to the conservative leader of i enough. let's talk to the - conservative leader of basildon. basildon has gone into no overall control, what is behind that result? andrew, can you hear me? i'm not sure he can. maybe we will try you again injusta sure he can. maybe we will try you again injust a minute. sure he can. maybe we will try you again injusta minute. we sure he can. maybe we will try you again injust a minute. we can see you but we cannot hear you. let's remind viewers of the result. the

conservatives have lost basildon and 18 seats, conservatives with 13, independent candidates with 11. labour have gained six. the conservatives have lost 12 and the other six have gone to independent candidates. the conservatives have lost to no overall control. katie there has been a pattern of losses right across the country, and a lot of it was expected, of course, and i know we had the ben houchen victory as the tees valley mayor but when you look at where the conservatives have lost councils directly to labour, what is the mood like in the conservative party? those tory mps who might be looking nervously around their constituencies and

thinking, i might be at risk. t thinking, i might be at risk. i don't think the mood is that good and because _ don't think the mood is that good and because it _ don't think the mood is that good and because it was _ don't think the mood is that good and because it was priced - don't think the mood is that good and because it was priced in - don't think the mood is that good and because it was priced in that| don't think the mood is that good. and because it was priced in that it was going — and because it was priced in that it was going to — and because it was priced in that it was going to be _ and because it was priced in that it was going to be a _ and because it was priced in that it was going to be a difficult - and because it was priced in that it was going to be a difficult night. was going to be a difficult night but it— was going to be a difficult night but it is— was going to be a difficult night but it is always _ was going to be a difficult night but it is always a _ was going to be a difficult night but it is always a different - was going to be a difficult nightj but it is always a different thing to say— but it is always a different thing to say you — but it is always a different thing to say you are _ but it is always a different thing to say you are going _ but it is always a different thing to say you are going to - but it is always a different thing to say you are going to expect i but it is always a different thingj to say you are going to expect a but it is always a different thing - to say you are going to expect a bad result— to say you are going to expect a bad result and _ to say you are going to expect a bad result and then _ to say you are going to expect a bad result and then to _ to say you are going to expect a bad result and then to look— to say you are going to expect a bad result and then to look at _ to say you are going to expect a bad result and then to look at one - to say you are going to expect a bad result and then to look at one whichj result and then to look at one which could _ result and then to look at one which could apply— result and then to look at one which could apply to — result and then to look at one which could apply to your _ result and then to look at one which could apply to your area _ result and then to look at one which could apply to your area and - result and then to look at one which could apply to your area and then i could apply to your area and then you do— could apply to your area and then you do the — could apply to your area and then you do the maths. _ could apply to your area and then you do the maths. the _ could apply to your area and then you do the maths. the ben- could apply to your area and then i you do the maths. the ben houchen victory. _ you do the maths. the ben houchen victory. that— you do the maths. the ben houchen victory, that has— you do the maths. the ben houchen victory, that has given _ you do the maths. the ben houchen victory, that has given rishi - you do the maths. the ben houchen victory, that has given rishi sunak. victory, that has given rishi sunak a bit _ victory, that has given rishi sunak a bit of— victory, that has given rishi sunak a bit of breathing _ victory, that has given rishi sunak a bit of breathing space, _ victory, that has given rishi sunak a bit of breathing space, but- victory, that has given rishi sunak a bit of breathing space, but what| victory, that has given rishi sunakl a bit of breathing space, but what i am most _ a bit of breathing space, but what i am most struck— a bit of breathing space, but what i am most struck by _ a bit of breathing space, but what i am most struck by is _ a bit of breathing space, but what i am most struck by is the _ a bit of breathing space, but what i am most struck by is the silence i a bit of breathing space, but what i am most struck by is the silence ofj am most struck by is the silence of most _ am most struck by is the silence of most tory— am most struck by is the silence of most tory mps. _ am most struck by is the silence of most tory mps, we _ am most struck by is the silence of most tory mps, we are _ am most struck by is the silence of most tory mps, we are not - am most struck by is the silence of most tory mps, we are not havingl most tory mps, we are not having many _ most tory mps, we are not having many come — most tory mps, we are not having many come out _ most tory mps, we are not having many come out either— most tory mps, we are not having many come out either way. - most tory mps, we are not having many come out either way. that l most tory mps, we are not havingj many come out either way. that is speaking _ many come out either way. that is speaking to— many come out either way. that is speaking to a _ many come out either way. that is speaking to a few— many come out either way. that is speaking to a few privately- many come out either way. that is| speaking to a few privately because they do _ speaking to a few privately because they do not — speaking to a few privately because they do not feel— speaking to a few privately because they do not feel they— speaking to a few privately because they do not feel they have - speaking to a few privately because they do not feel they have the i speaking to a few privately because they do not feel they have the full i they do not feel they have the full picture. _ they do not feel they have the full picture. so — they do not feel they have the full picture. so do _ they do not feel they have the full picture. so do i _ they do not feel they have the full picture, so do i think— they do not feel they have the full picture, so do i think rishi - they do not feel they have the full picture, so do i think rishi sunakl picture, so do i think rishi sunak is in _ picture, so do i think rishi sunak is in imminent— picture, so do i think rishi sunak is in imminent danger? - picture, so do i think rishi sunak is in imminent danger? no, i picture, so do i think rishi sunak is in imminent danger? no, but. picture, so do i think rishi sunakl is in imminent danger? no, but it would— is in imminent danger? no, but it would be— is in imminent danger? no, but it would be a— is in imminent danger? no, but it would be a stretch _ is in imminent danger? no, but it would be a stretch to _ is in imminent danger? no, but it would be a stretch to say - is in imminent danger? no, but it would be a stretch to say he i is in imminent danger? no, but it would be a stretch to say he is i is in imminent danger? no, but it| would be a stretch to say he is out of the _ would be a stretch to say he is out of the woods — would be a stretch to say he is out of the woods because _ would be a stretch to say he is out of the woods because a _ would be a stretch to say he is out of the woods because a lot - would be a stretch to say he is out of the woods because a lot of- would be a stretch to say he is out of the woods because a lot of the| of the woods because a lot of the mps say— of the woods because a lot of the mps say to— of the woods because a lot of the mps say to me _ of the woods because a lot of the mps say to me that _ of the woods because a lot of the mps say to me that they - of the woods because a lot of the mps say to me that they are i of the woods because a lot of the i mps say to me that they are waiting to see _ mps say to me that they are waiting to see what — mps say to me that they are waiting to see what the _ mps say to me that they are waiting to see what the results _ mps say to me that they are waiting to see what the results are - mps say to me that they are waiting i to see what the results are tomorrow and wait _ to see what the results are tomorrow and wait until— to see what the results are tomorrow and wait until sunday, _ to see what the results are tomorrow and wait until sunday, and _ to see what the results are tomorrow and wait until sunday, and i- to see what the results are tomorrow and wait until sunday, and i don't i and wait until sunday, and i don't think— and wait until sunday, and i don't think there — and wait until sunday, and i don't think there is _ and wait until sunday, and i don't think there is a _ and wait until sunday, and i don't think there is a huge _ and wait until sunday, and i don't think there is a huge regicide i and wait until sunday, and i don't think there is a huge regicide or. think there is a huge regicide or mood _ think there is a huge regicide or mood but— think there is a huge regicide or mood but there _ think there is a huge regicide or mood but there is _ think there is a huge regicide or mood but there is a _ think there is a huge regicide or mood but there is a feeling i think there is a huge regicide or mood but there is a feeling that these _ mood but there is a feeling that these results _ mood but there is a feeling that these results are _

mood but there is a feeling that these results are pretty - mood but there is a feeling that these results are pretty bad i mood but there is a feeling that l these results are pretty bad when you look— these results are pretty bad when you look only _ these results are pretty bad when you look only at _ these results are pretty bad when you look only at the _ these results are pretty bad when you look only at the councils i these results are pretty bad when you look only at the councils and i you look only at the councils and they _ you look only at the councils and they are — you look only at the councils and they are towards _ you look only at the councils and they are towards the _ you look only at the councils and they are towards the worse i you look only at the councils and they are towards the worse endl you look only at the councils and i they are towards the worse end of ekpectations— they are towards the worse end of expectations and _ they are towards the worse end of expectations and those _ they are towards the worse end of expectations and those i- they are towards the worse end of expectations and those i have i they are towards the worse end of. expectations and those i have spoken to including _ expectations and those i have spoken to including some _ expectations and those i have spoken to including some ministers, - expectations and those i have spoken to including some ministers, and i expectations and those i have spoken to including some ministers, and it i to including some ministers, and it is best— to including some ministers, and it is best to _ to including some ministers, and it is best to have _ to including some ministers, and it is best to have some _ to including some ministers, and it is best to have some time - to including some ministers, and it is best to have some time to- to including some ministers, and iti is best to have some time to reflect before _ is best to have some time to reflect before coming — is best to have some time to reflect before coming out— is best to have some time to reflect before coming out with _ is best to have some time to reflect before coming out with statementsl is best to have some time to reflect i before coming out with statements on what you _ before coming out with statements on what you think — before coming out with statements on what you think the _ before coming out with statements on what you think the tory _ before coming out with statements on what you think the tory party - before coming out with statements on what you think the tory party should l what you think the tory party should do next _ what you think the tory party should do next ln — what you think the tory party should do next. . what you think the tory party should do next. , ., , . do next. in terms of the silence, it is interesting. _ do next. in terms of the silence, it is interesting, we _ do next. in terms of the silence, it is interesting, we have _ do next. in terms of the silence, it| is interesting, we have experienced that as well, and we heard from tim montgomery earlier, a conservative party watch it saying that he thinks rishi sunak should go, but we have not heard that publicly from tory mps. what do you think will change in terms of the results between now and the end of play tomorrow? is there anything that tory mps are hoping is going to change the narrative?— hoping is going to change the narrative? , ,, ., ., ., narrative? andy street tomorrow in terms of the _ narrative? andy street tomorrow in terms of the west _ narrative? andy street tomorrow in terms of the west midlands, - narrative? andy street tomorrow in terms of the west midlands, of- terms of the west midlands, of course, — terms of the west midlands, of course, and _ terms of the west midlands, of course, and labour— terms of the west midlands, of course, and labour sources- terms of the west midlands, of- course, and labour sources suggest they think— course, and labour sources suggest they think the — course, and labour sources suggest they think the tories _ course, and labour sources suggest they think the tories could - course, and labour sources suggest they think the tories could hold i they think the tories could hold that which— they think the tories could hold that which would _ they think the tories could hold that which would be _ they think the tories could hold that which would be a _ they think the tories could hold that which would be a boost, ii they think the tories could hold - that which would be a boost, i spoke to one _ that which would be a boost, i spoke to one mp_ that which would be a boost, i spoke to one mp who — that which would be a boost, i spoke to one mp who said, _ that which would be a boost, i spoke to one mp who said, and _ that which would be a boost, i spoke to one mp who said, and the - to one mp who said, and the speculation— to one mp who said, and the speculation on— to one mp who said, and the speculation on london - to one mp who said, and the speculation on london is- to one mp who said, and the speculation on london is a l to one mp who said, and the| speculation on london is a bit to one mp who said, and the - speculation on london is a bit too much, _ speculation on london is a bit too much, because— speculation on london is a bit too much, because no— speculation on london is a bit too much, because no one _ speculation on london is a bit too

much, because no one actually i speculation on london is a bit too. much, because no one actually has any idea, _ much, because no one actually has any idea, but— much, because no one actually has any idea, but if_ much, because no one actually has any idea, but if susan— much, because no one actually has any idea, but if susan hall- much, because no one actually has. any idea, but if susan hall somehow did it. _ any idea, but if susan hall somehow did it. that— any idea, but if susan hall somehow did it, that would — any idea, but if susan hall somehow did it, that would change _ any idea, but if susan hall somehow did it, that would change the - did it, that would change the conversation _ did it, that would change the conversation to— did it, that would change the conversation to such - did it, that would change the conversation to such a - did it, that would change the - conversation to such a degree... although — conversation to such a degree... although there _ conversation to such a degree... although there is _ conversation to such a degree... although there is no _ conversation to such a degree... although there is no real- conversation to such a degree... i although there is no real evidence so far. , . , . so far. yes, that is a wild card. you can _ so far. yes, that is a wild card. you can talk— so far. yes, that is a wild card. you can talk about _ so far. yes, that is a wild card. you can talk about the - so far. yes, that is a wild card. i you can talk about the mayoral so far. yes, that is a wild card. - you can talk about the mayoral races but they— you can talk about the mayoral races but they are — you can talk about the mayoral races but they are not _ you can talk about the mayoral races but they are not representative - you can talk about the mayoral races but they are not representative in - but they are not representative in the fact _ but they are not representative in the fact that _ but they are not representative in the fact that most _ but they are not representative in the fact that most of _ but they are not representative in the fact that most of the - but they are not representative in l the fact that most of the candidates are running — the fact that most of the candidates are running on— the fact that most of the candidates are running on personal— are running on personal representations, - are running on personal representations, and i are running on personal. representations, and they are running on personal- representations, and they are a are running on personal— representations, and they are a bit more _ representations, and they are a bit more independent. _ representations, and they are a bit more independent. mps— representations, and they are a bit more independent. mps find - representations, and they are a bit more independent. mps find that i representations, and they are a bit. more independent. mps find that hard to do _ more independent. mps find that hard to do so _ more independent. mps find that hard to do so it— more independent. mps find that hard to do so it is— more independent. mps find that hard to do. so it is looking _ more independent. mps find that hard to do. so it is looking at _ more independent. mps find that hard to do. so it is looking at what - more independent. mps find that hard to do. so it is looking at what the - to do. so it is looking at what the national— to do. so it is looking at what the national swing _ to do. so it is looking at what the national swing is— to do. so it is looking at what the national swing is going _ to do. so it is looking at what the national swing is going to - to do. so it is looking at what the national swing is going to be - to do. so it is looking at what the national swing is going to be and| national swing is going to be and what _ national swing is going to be and what does — national swing is going to be and what does it— national swing is going to be and what does it look— national swing is going to be and what does it look like _ national swing is going to be and what does it look like in- national swing is going to be and what does it look like in terms i national swing is going to be andi what does it look like in terms of the n1oven1ent— what does it look like in terms of the movement in— what does it look like in terms of the movement in the _ what does it look like in terms of the movement in the vote - what does it look like in terms of the movement in the vote and i what does it look like in terms of. the movement in the vote and that what does it look like in terms of- the movement in the vote and that is what we _ the movement in the vote and that is what we will — the movement in the vote and that is what mps will be _ the movement in the vote and that is what mps will be studying _ the movement in the vote and that is what mps will be studying a - the movement in the vote and that is what mps will be studying a bit - what mps will be studying a bit ctosen — what mps will be studying a bit ctosen if— what mps will be studying a bit ctosen ifyou _ what mps will be studying a bit closer. if you are _ what mps will be studying a bit closer. if you are andy- what mps will be studying a bit closer. if you are andy street, | what mps will be studying a bit - closer. if you are andy street, that would _ closer. if you are andy street, that would be _ closer. if you are andy street, that would be a — closer. if you are andy street, that would be a boost _ closer. if you are andy street, that would be a boost if— closer. if you are andy street, that would be a boost if he _ closer. if you are andy street, that would be a boost if he wins, - closer. if you are andy street, that would be a boost if he wins, to - would be a boost if he wins, to rishi _ would be a boost if he wins, to rishi sunak. _ would be a boost if he wins, to rishi sunak, but _ would be a boost if he wins, to rishi sunak, but that - would be a boost if he wins, to rishi sunak, but that is- would be a boost if he wins, to rishi sunak, but that is not- would be a boost if he wins, to| rishi sunak, but that is not the most _ rishi sunak, but that is not the most important _ rishi sunak, but that is not the most important thing - rishi sunak, but that is not the most important thing when - rishi sunak, but that is not thei most important thing when you rishi sunak, but that is not the - most important thing when you think about— most important thing when you think about a _ most important thing when you think about a general— most important thing when you think about a general election. _ most important thing when you think about a general election. katie - most important thing when you think about a general election.— about a general election. katie says there is silence _ about a general election. katie says there is silence broadly, _ about a general election. katie says there is silence broadly, within - about a general election. katie says there is silence broadly, within the| there is silence broadly, within the tory party, wanting to see what the result will actually be, but rishi sunak is not out of the woods yet in terms of a challenge? i do

sunak is not out of the woods yet in terms of a challenge?— terms of a challenge? i do not see an appetite _ terms of a challenge? i do not see an appetite for _ terms of a challenge? i do not see an appetite for regicide, _ terms of a challenge? i do not see an appetite for regicide, that - terms of a challenge? i do not see an appetite for regicide, that is - an appetite for regicide, that is absolutely true. i sit in the cabinet surrounded by cabinet ministers who are united behind the prime ministerfrom all ministers who are united behind the prime minister from all wings of the party, and i think the party knows that the way forward is to unite and to face outwards and talk about the successes we are having and now bringing taxes down, national insurance, getting inflation under control, the illegal migration situation, the work we are doing and the success in the early stages of that. �* . . , the success in the early stages of that. �* , , , , that. let's see if the unity is evident in — that. let's see if the unity is evident in basildon. - that. let's see if the unity is evident in basildon. we - that. let's see if the unity is| evident in basildon. we tried that. let's see if the unity is - evident in basildon. we tried once before and we are going to try again with andrew baggott, the conservative leader of basildon council. it has been lost to an —— a no overall control, so what you think is behind the result? fine think is behind the result? one of the main things _ think is behind the result? one of the main things behind _ think is behind the result? one of the main things behind the - think is behind the result? one of the main things behind the result| think is behind the result? one of. the main things behind the result is immense _ the main things behind the result is immense dissatisfaction— the main things behind the result is

immense dissatisfaction with - immense dissatisfaction with parliamentarians _ immense dissatisfaction with parliamentarians actually - immense dissatisfaction with . parliamentarians actually trying immense dissatisfaction with - parliamentarians actually trying to outscore _ parliamentarians actually trying to outscore each _ parliamentarians actually trying to outscore each other _ parliamentarians actually trying to outscore each other with - parliamentarians actually trying to outscore each other with the - outscore each other with the political _ outscore each other with the political points, _ outscore each other with the political points, trying - outscore each other with the political points, trying to - outscore each other with the political points, trying to do| outscore each other with the - political points, trying to do each other— political points, trying to do each other down— political points, trying to do each other down and _ political points, trying to do each other down and stab _ political points, trying to do each other down and stab each - political points, trying to do each other down and stab each other i political points, trying to do eachl other down and stab each other in the ttack— other down and stab each other in the back rather— other down and stab each other in the back rather than _ other down and stab each other in the back rather than run— other down and stab each other in the back rather than run the - the back rather than run the country. _ the back rather than run the country. and _ the back rather than run the country, and time _ the back rather than run the country, and time and - the back rather than run the country, and time and time | the back rather than run the - country, and time and time again peopte _ country, and time and time again people said — country, and time and time again people said to— country, and time and time again people said to me, _ country, and time and time again people said to me, if— country, and time and time again people said to me, if you - country, and time and time again people said to me, if you get- country, and time and time again people said to me, if you get the| people said to me, if you get the opportunity— people said to me, if you get the opportunity to— people said to me, if you get the opportunity to raise _ people said to me, if you get the opportunity to raise this - people said to me, if you get the opportunity to raise this with - opportunity to raise this with people — opportunity to raise this with people who _ opportunity to raise this with people who matter, - opportunity to raise this with people who matter, say- opportunity to raise this with people who matter, say that| opportunity to raise this with - people who matter, say that essex man is _ people who matter, say that essex man is not — people who matter, say that essex man is not going _ people who matter, say that essex man is not going to— people who matter, say that essex man is not going to vote _ people who matter, say that essex man is not going to vote for- people who matter, say that essex man is not going to vote for them i man is not going to vote for them untit— man is not going to vote for them until they— man is not going to vote for them until they get _ man is not going to vote for them until they get it _ man is not going to vote for them until they get it sorted. _ man is not going to vote for them until they get it sorted. they say| until they get it sorted. they say they should _ until they get it sorted. they say they should never— until they get it sorted. they say they should never have - until they get it sorted. they say they should never have got - until they get it sorted. they say they should never have got rid . until they get it sorted. they say| they should never have got rid of boris _ they should never have got rid of borisjohnson _ they should never have got rid of borisjohnson in _ they should never have got rid of boris johnson in the _ they should never have got rid of boris johnson in the first - they should never have got rid of borisjohnson in the first place, i borisjohnson in the first place, and we — borisjohnson in the first place, and we actually _ borisjohnson in the first place, and we actually want _ borisjohnson in the first place, and we actually want to - borisjohnson in the first place, and we actually want to see - borisjohnson in the first place, and we actually want to see a l borisjohnson in the first place, - and we actually want to see a leader who shows _ and we actually want to see a leader who shows some _ and we actually want to see a leader who shows some leadership - and we actually want to see a leader who shows some leadership who - and we actually want to see a leader who shows some leadership who is i who shows some leadership who is elected _ who shows some leadership who is elected try— who shows some leadership who is elected by us, _ who shows some leadership who is elected by us, that _ who shows some leadership who is elected by us, that is— who shows some leadership who is elected by us, that is what - who shows some leadership who is elected by us, that is what they . who shows some leadership who is| elected by us, that is what they are telling _ elected by us, that is what they are telling me — elected by us, that is what they are telling me trite _ elected by us, that is what they are tellin: me. ~ . ., elected by us, that is what they are telling me— elected by us, that is what they are tellin: me. . . ., ., telling me. we have someone from the cabinet here — telling me. we have someone from the cabinet here to — telling me. we have someone from the cabinet here to answer _ telling me. we have someone from the cabinet here to answer that, _ telling me. we have someone from the cabinet here to answer that, mel- cabinet here to answer that, mel stride, why did you get rid of boris johnson? . ., ., , johnson? there were a lot of things that happened _ johnson? there were a lot of things that happened and _ johnson? there were a lot of things that happened and in _ johnson? there were a lot of things that happened and in the _ johnson? there were a lot of things that happened and in the end - johnson? there were a lot of things that happened and in the end there | that happened and in the end there was not a government that held together, so that is what happened in that situation, but the reality now is we have a prime minister who

is clearly focused on the priorities of the british people, we know the cost of living crisis has been very difficult and that is why we provided a huge amount of support, getting inflation down to around 3%, getting inflation down to around 3%, getting real wages going for each of the last nine months and getting employment levels high and getting unemployment low. it employment levels high and getting unemployment low.— unemployment low. it has not risen in basildon. — unemployment low. it has not risen in basildon, though. _ unemployment low. it has not risen in basildon, though. where - unemployment low. it has not risen in basildon, though. where andrewi in basildon, though. where andrew is right is what — in basildon, though. where andrew is right is what we _ in basildon, though. where andrew is right is what we need _ in basildon, though. where andrew is right is what we need to _ in basildon, though. where andrew is right is what we need to do _ in basildon, though. where andrew is right is what we need to do as - in basildon, though. where andrew is right is what we need to do as a - right is what we need to do as a party, is to look outward, and as the general election comes into view, and interesting, the interview with carla denyer, she mentioned the £28 billion u—turn. let’s with carla denyer, she mentioned the £28 billion u-turn._ £28 billion u-turn. let's focus on the conservatives _ £28 billion u-turn. let's focus on the conservatives because - £28 billion u-turn. let's focus on the conservatives because we - £28 billion u-turn. let's focus on| the conservatives because we are talking about the conservative leader. are you reassured what you have heard from mel stride? it is have heard from mel stride? it is not needed _ have heard from mel stride? it is not needed that _ have heard from mel stride? it is not needed that you need to convince. _ not needed that you need to convince. it— not needed that you need to convince, it is— not needed that you need to convince, it is the _ not needed that you need to convince, it is the people i not needed that you need to convince, it is the people of| convince, it is the people of basildon, _ convince, it is the people of basildon, and _ convince, it is the people of basildon, and they- convince, it is the people of basildon, and they were - convince, it is the people of| basildon, and they were very convince, it is the people of- basildon, and they were very clear and very—

basildon, and they were very clear and very consistent _ basildon, and they were very clear and very consistent about - basildon, and they were very clearl and very consistent about immense dissatisfaction _ and very consistent about immense dissatisfaction as— and very consistent about immense dissatisfaction as what _ and very consistent about immense dissatisfaction as what they - and very consistent about immense dissatisfaction as what they see - and very consistent about immense dissatisfaction as what they see as i dissatisfaction as what they see as parliamentarians— dissatisfaction as what they see as parliamentarians not— dissatisfaction as what they see as parliamentarians not being - dissatisfaction as what they see as parliamentarians not being very. parliamentarians not being very parliamentarian _ parliamentarians not being very parliamentarian and _ parliamentarians not being very parliamentarian and putting - parliamentarians not being very. parliamentarian and putting their own interest _ parliamentarian and putting their own interest above _ parliamentarian and putting their own interest above the _ own interest above the country and they want _ own interest above the country and they want to — own interest above the country and they want to see _ own interest above the country and they want to see people _ own interest above the country and they want to see people pulling - they want to see people pulling together— they want to see people pulling together and _ they want to see people pulling together and they— they want to see people pulling together and they want - they want to see people pulling together and they want to - they want to see people pulling together and they want to see i together and they want to see teadership— together and they want to see leadership abilities— together and they want to see leadership abilities and - together and they want to see leadership abilities and a - together and they want to see i leadership abilities and a prime minister— leadership abilities and a prime minister who— leadership abilities and a prime minister who has— leadership abilities and a prime minister who has the _ leadership abilities and a prime minister who has the courage . leadership abilities and a prime| minister who has the courage of leadership abilities and a prime - minister who has the courage of his own convictions— minister who has the courage of his own convictions and _ minister who has the courage of his own convictions and will— minister who has the courage of his own convictions and will follow- own convictions and will follow through — through on what he has got to deliver but— through on what he has got to deliver but right _ through on what he has got to deliver but right now- through on what he has got to deliver but right now that - through on what he has got to deliver but right now that is l through on what he has got to. deliver but right now that is not what _ deliver but right now that is not what they— deliver but right now that is not what they are _ deliver but right now that is not what they are seeing _ deliver but right now that is not what they are seeing and - deliver but right now that is not what they are seeing and that l deliver but right now that is not| what they are seeing and that is deliver but right now that is not - what they are seeing and that is why they have _ what they are seeing and that is why they have got — what they are seeing and that is why they have got rid _ what they are seeing and that is why they have got rid of— what they are seeing and that is why they have got rid of us. _ what they are seeing and that is why they have got rid of us. the- they have got rid of us. the parliamentary _ they have got rid of us. the parliamentary party - they have got rid of us. parliamentary party will they have got rid of us.- parliamentary party will take they have got rid of us— parliamentary party will take away from these results that it has been tough in some ways, but the take will be that unity is absolutely what we now need, we need to redouble our efforts to get across to things that we are doing, we will have a manifesto in due course for the general election, to talk more about what we are going to be doing beyond the next general election but getting the cost of living issues under control, getting inflation down and getting real wages up and tackling small boats and doing all

of those things that matter to people what we need to do, and we need to be outward facing and take —— taking the labour party on because at the moment they are not being very open. is because at the moment they are not being very open. is it because at the moment they are not being very open-— because at the moment they are not being very open-_ wig i being very open. is it too late? wig is a lona being very open. is it too late? wig is a longtime _ being very open. is it too late? wig is a long time in politics _ being very open. is it too late? wig is a long time in politics but - is a long time in politics but without— is a long time in politics but without doubt— is a long time in politics but without doubt there - is a long time in politics but without doubt there needs i is a long time in politics but. without doubt there needs to is a long time in politics but - without doubt there needs to be far better— without doubt there needs to be far better communication _ without doubt there needs to be far better communication —— _ without doubt there needs to be far better communication —— a - without doubt there needs to be far better communication —— a week. without doubt there needs to be far better communication —— a week is| without doubt there needs to be fari better communication —— a week is a lon- better communication —— a week is a tong time _ better communication —— a week is a tong time in— better communication —— a week is a long time in politics. _ better communication —— a week is a long time in politics. if— better communication —— a week is a long time in politics. if they- better communication —— a week is a long time in politics. if they feel- long time in politics. if they feel they are — long time in politics. if they feel theyare being— long time in politics. if they feel they are being communicated i long time in politics. if they feel. they are being communicated with, that is— they are being communicated with, that is better, _ they are being communicated with, that is better, because _ they are being communicated with, that is better, because at— they are being communicated with, that is better, because at the - that is better, because at the moment— that is better, because at the moment they— that is better, because at the moment they feel— that is better, because at the moment they feel they - that is better, because at the moment they feel they are i that is better, because at the - moment they feel they are being communicated _ moment they feel they are being communicated at. _ moment they feel they are being communicated at.— moment they feel they are being communicated at. what is likely to ha - en communicated at. what is likely to ha en in communicated at. what is likely to happen in your _ communicated at. what is likely to happen in your area _ communicated at. what is likely to happen in your area at _ communicated at. what is likely to happen in your area at the - communicated at. what is likely to happen in your area at the general| happen in your area at the general election? based on the figures we have, and it has come up time and time again, have, and it has come up time and time again.— time again, and we have delivered time again, and we have delivered time and time _ time again, and we have delivered time and time again _ time again, and we have delivered time and time again with - time again, and we have delivered time and time again with no - time again, and we have deliveredl time and time again with no council tax and _ time and time again with no council tax and a _ time and time again with no council tax and a balanced _ time and time again with no council tax and a balanced council- time and time again with no council tax and a balanced council budget, i tax and a balanced council budget, but they— tax and a balanced council budget, but they have _ tax and a balanced council budget, but they have still _ tax and a balanced council budget, but they have still decided - tax and a balanced council budget, but they have still decided to - tax and a balanced council budget, but they have still decided to get l but they have still decided to get rid of— but they have still decided to get rid of us — but they have still decided to get rid of us based _ but they have still decided to get rid of us based on _ but they have still decided to get rid of us based on the _ but they have still decided to get rid of us based on the national. rid of us based on the national picture. — rid of us based on the national picture. so _ rid of us based on the national picture. so it— rid of us based on the national

picture, so it is— rid of us based on the national picture, so it is poor, - rid of us based on the national picture, so it is poor, and - rid of us based on the national picture, so it is poor, and i- rid of us based on the national. picture, so it is poor, and i know when _ picture, so it is poor, and i know when i _ picture, so it is poor, and i know when i did — picture, so it is poor, and i know when i did my— picture, so it is poor, and i know when i did my own— picture, so it is poor, and i know when i did my own figures, - picture, so it is poor, and i know when i did my own figures, it - picture, so it is poor, and i knowl when i did my own figures, it was potting _ when i did my own figures, it was potting at— when i did my own figures, it was polling at around _ when i did my own figures, it was polling at around 60% _ when i did my own figures, it was polling at around 60% in - when i did my own figures, it was polling at around 60% in favour . when i did my own figures, it was| polling at around 60% in favour of us but _ polling at around 60% in favour of us but i4% — polling at around 60% in favour of us but 14% said they _ polling at around 60% in favour of us but 14% said they would - polling at around 60% in favour of us but 14% said they would vote . us but 14% said they would vote conservative _ us but 14% said they would vote conservative if _ us but 14% said they would vote conservative if there _ us but 14% said they would vote conservative if there was - us but 14% said they would vote conservative if there was a - us but 14% said they would vote i conservative if there was a general election— conservative if there was a general election today _ conservative if there was a general election today which _ conservative if there was a general election today which is _ conservative if there was a general election today which is terribly - election today which is terribly tow _ election today which is terribly low. �* �* . ., low. andrew baggott, the conservative _ low. andrew baggott, the conservative leader - low. andrew baggott, the conservative leader of - low. andrew baggott, the - conservative leader of basildon council, thank you very much, and sorry for any audio issues. he sounds very let down, actually, quite angry. he sounds quite angry with national politicians about what is happening in basildon. it is is happening in basildon. it is difficult and _ is happening in basildon. it is difficult and i _ is happening in basildon. it is difficult and i know _ is happening in basildon. it 3 difficult and i know many conservative councillors who are very hard—working and it is deeply distressing when they lose their role and they are unable to carry on as they were before, helping their local constituents, i totally get that, but the message i have for andrew and others on the ground, we

understand what is happening, there have been some brighter spots in what has occurred and there is everything to play for but if we are going to succeed going forward we must continue to remain united and take the fight to labour, and as the general election comes closer, as we have seen with the u—turns we have been discussing on this panel, we can take the fight to labour and thatis can take the fight to labour and that is what we must do. taste can take the fight to labour and that is what we must do.- can take the fight to labour and that is what we must do. we do not have lona that is what we must do. we do not have long left _ that is what we must do. we do not have long left on _ that is what we must do. we do not have long left on the _ that is what we must do. we do not have long left on the selection - have long left on the selection programme and we have been waiting for enough data to come in from keyboards in these local elections to bring you the projected national share —— key wards. this is an estimate of the share of the vote the main parties would have won if across the uk as a whole voters had behaved in the same way as those who have voted in the that were contested by all —— in the wards

that were contested. and these are the figures. conservatives nine percentage points behind labour who are on 34%. other parties on a pretty high level, 24%. sirjohn curtice, what are the significance of these results? taste curtice, what are the significance of these results?— curtice, what are the significance of these results? we said for much of these results? we said for much ofthe of these results? we said for much of the previous _ of these results? we said for much of the previous 18 _ of these results? we said for much of the previous 18 hours _ of these results? we said for much of the previous 18 hours that - of the previous 18 hours that probably— of the previous 18 hours that probably we _ of the previous 18 hours that probably we were _ of the previous 18 hours that probably we were looking. of the previous 18 hours that probably we were looking at| of the previous 18 hours that. probably we were looking at a of the previous 18 hours that - probably we were looking at a set of performance — probably we were looking at a set of performance are _ probably we were looking at a set of performance are pretty _ probably we were looking at a set of performance are pretty similar- probably we were looking at a set of performance are pretty similar to i performance are pretty similar to last year. — performance are pretty similar to last year. and _ performance are pretty similar to last year, and it _ performance are pretty similar to last year, and it is _ performance are pretty similar to last year, and it is indeed - performance are pretty similar to last year, and it is indeed prettyi last year, and it is indeed pretty similar— last year, and it is indeed pretty similar to — last year, and it is indeed pretty similar to last— last year, and it is indeed pretty similar to last year. _ last year, and it is indeed pretty similar to last year. the - last year, and it is indeed pretty similar to last year. the leader. similar to last year. the leader of labour— similar to last year. the leader of labour over— similar to last year. the leader of labour over the _ similar to last year. the leader of labour over the conservatives, . similar to last year. the leader of- labour over the conservatives, much as the _ labour over the conservatives, much as the lead _ labour over the conservatives, much as the lead of— as the lead of last time, at least it is consistent with _ as the lead of last time, at least it is consistent with the - as the lead of last time, at least| it is consistent with the message of the polling, — it is consistent with the message of the polling, that _ it is consistent with the message of the polling, that the _ it is consistent with the message of the polling, that the lead _ it is consistent with the message of the polling, that the lead is - it is consistent with the message of the polling, that the lead is not - the polling, that the lead is not tikety— the polling, that the lead is not tikety to — the polling, that the lead is not likely to change, _ the polling, that the lead is not likely to change, and _ the polling, that the lead is not likely to change, and it- the polling, that the lead is not likely to change, and it looks i the polling, that the lead is not i likely to change, and it looks like the conservatives _ likely to change, and it looks like the conservatives and _ likely to change, and it looks like the conservatives and the - likely to change, and it looks like the conservatives and the labourj the conservatives and the labour party— the conservatives and the labour party are — the conservatives and the labour party are doing _ the conservatives and the labour party are doing slightly _ the conservatives and the labour party are doing slightly less - the conservatives and the labour party are doing slightly less well| party are doing slightly less well than they— party are doing slightly less well than they did _ party are doing slightly less well than they did last _ party are doing slightly less well than they did last time, - than they did last time, not least essentially— than they did last time, not least essentially because _ than they did last time, not least essentially because of _ than they did last time, not least essentially because of some - than they did last time, not least essentially because of some of. than they did last time, not least i essentially because of some of the

strong _ essentially because of some of the strong performances— essentially because of some of the strong performances by— essentially because of some of the strong performances by the - essentially because of some of the| strong performances by the greens and by— strong performances by the greens and by reform _ strong performances by the greens and by reform where _ strong performances by the greens and by reform where they- strong performances by the greens and by reform where they stood, l strong performances by the greens . and by reform where they stood, but more _ and by reform where they stood, but more disappointing _ and by reform where they stood, but more disappointing for— and by reform where they stood, but more disappointing for the _ and by reform where they stood, but more disappointing for the liberal- more disappointing for the liberal democrats — more disappointing for the liberal democrats and more _ more disappointing for the liberal democrats and more surprising i democrats and more surprising is that they— democrats and more surprising is that they are _ democrats and more surprising is that they are down to _ democrats and more surprising is that they are down to 17% - democrats and more surprising is that they are down to 17% which l democrats and more surprising is| that they are down to 17% which is 3% down— that they are down to 17% which is 3% down on— that they are down to 17% which is 3% down on last _ that they are down to 17% which is 3% down on last time _ that they are down to 17% which is 3% down on last time but - that they are down to 17% which is 3% down on last time but still - 3% down on last time but still pretty— 3% down on last time but still pretty much— 3% down on last time but still pretty much in _ 3% down on last time but still pretty much in line _ 3% down on last time but still pretty much in line with - 3% down on last time but still pretty much in line with the l 3% down on last time but still. pretty much in line with the kind 3% down on last time but still - pretty much in line with the kind of figures _ pretty much in line with the kind of figures they— pretty much in line with the kind of figures they have _ pretty much in line with the kind of figures they have been _ pretty much in line with the kind of figures they have been getting - pretty much in line with the kind of| figures they have been getting since the eu _ figures they have been getting since the eu referendum. _ figures they have been getting since the eu referendum. it— figures they have been getting since the eu referendum. it really- figures they have been getting since the eu referendum. it really is- figures they have been getting since the eu referendum. it really is for. the eu referendum. it really is for the eu referendum. it really is for the most — the eu referendum. it really is for the most part— the eu referendum. it really is for the most part a _ the eu referendum. it really is for the most part a picture _ the eu referendum. it really is for the most part a picture of- the eu referendum. it really is for the most part a picture of stasis. the most part a picture of stasis with no— the most part a picture of stasis with no dramatic— the most part a picture of stasis with no dramatic change, - the most part a picture of stasis with no dramatic change, with l with no dramatic change, with reasons— with no dramatic change, with reasons for— with no dramatic change, with reasons for all— with no dramatic change, with reasons for all parties - with no dramatic change, with reasons for all parties to - with no dramatic change, with reasons for all parties to ask. reasons for all parties to ask themselves. _ reasons for all parties to ask themselves, could _ reasons for all parties to ask themselves, could we - reasons for all parties to ask themselves, could we have. reasons for all parties to ask- themselves, could we have done better? — themselves, could we have done better? but— themselves, could we have done better? but equally, _ themselves, could we have done better? but equally, also, - themselves, could we have done better? but equally, also, still. better? but equally, also, still teaving — better? but equally, also, still leaving labour— better? but equally, also, still leaving labour in _ better? but equally, also, still leaving labour in pole - better? but equally, also, stilli leaving labour in pole position. better? but equally, also, still- leaving labour in pole position. sir john leaving labour in pole position. john curtice, thank you very leaving labour in pole position.“ john curtice, thank you very much. we only have a few moments left. not spectacular in terms of comparing the previous time, and this isjust an estimate, but 34% is pretty much where you work last time and it is

not getting to the 1996 pre—tony blair landslide. the not getting to the 1996 pre-tony blair landslide.— not getting to the 1996 pre-tony blair landslide. ~' , . blair landslide. the key thing about that is how labour _ blair landslide. the key thing about that is how labour is _ blair landslide. the key thing about that is how labour is performing . blair landslide. the key thing about that is how labour is performing in| that is how labour is performing in those _ that is how labour is performing in those key— that is how labour is performing in those key bellwether seat that we need to _ those key bellwether seat that we need to win to get a majority in a generat— need to win to get a majority in a general election because in those seats— general election because in those seats we — general election because in those seats we are performing better than anywhere _ seats we are performing better than anywhere else and that is why i believe — anywhere else and that is why i believe we are on track to form a majority — believe we are on track to form a ma'ori . . ,., . believe we are on track to form a ma'ori . ., ,., ., ., believe we are on track to form a ma'ori . . ,., . ., . , majority. labour have won the east midlands mayoralty. _ majority. labour have won the east midlands mayoralty. claire - majority. labour have won the east midlands mayoralty. claire ward i majority. labour have won the east midlands mayoralty. claire ward is| midlands mayoralty. claire ward is victorious. another loss for the conservatives. ben bradley, conservatives. ben bradley, conservative mp, leader of nottinghamshire council has not done enough, looking at the projected national share, that is equal to your lowest ever share, 25%. difficult day yesterday, for the conservatives, no doubt about that, but some elements of this that will give some cause for hope especially ben houchen and harlow, where keir starmer went down there the night before and said we have got to win

this, and they haven't. the way forward is to unite and to take labour on as we approach the general election and their platform becomes clearer, so we will have more to deal with. clearer, so we will have more to deal with-— clearer, so we will have more to dealwith. ~ . , ., . ~ deal with. we have 'ust had the bbc ro'ected deal with. we have 'ust had the bbc projected national _ deal with. we have just had the bbc projected national share _ deal with. we have just had the bbc projected national share putting - projected national share putting labour on 34% and the conservatives on 25%. that's all from us. thanks to all of you for keeping me company. you can continue to follow the results all weekend on bbc news. i'll be back with politics live as normal at 12:15 on tuesday on bbc two and iplayer. goodbye. hello and welcome to bbc news, i'm lewis vaughanjones. bnd between now and six o'clock, i'll bring you coverage and analysis of the local elections. results are still trickling in, but what we know so far seems to suggest a bad day

for the conservatives, a fairly good day for labour, and gains for the greens, the liberal democrats, and a host of independents elected. among the headlines — labour won control of councils in redditch, thurrock, hartlepool, and rushmoor in hampshire. but they lost oldham to no overall control. for the conservatives — there was a huge swing in their loss of the blackpool south by—election to labour. four councils were also lost. but their candidate ben houchen won the race in the tees valley to stay on as mayor. the liberal democrats have been targeting conservative areas in the south of england, hoping to establish a base to fight for those seats in the general election. unlike the other leaders, sir ed davey�*s media event was held in the south in winchester. complete with — as you can see — conservative dinosaurs, which he wants to consign to history. and the greens have seen their vote go up by around 17% in areas with large muslim communities. they've also done well in places where there is a high student population. sir keir starmer and rishi sunak have been talking to the media

about their parties�* fortunes.