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As it happenedended

Local elections - as it happened: Corbyn insists Labour ‘ready for an election', despite missing top London targets

All the latest updates, as they happened

Lizzy Buchan,Ashley Cowburn
Friday 04 May 2018 17:45 BST
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Local Elections 2018: The results so far

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Labour has urged the government to scrap controversial ID pilots, which saw some voters turned away during local elections in England.

Parties faced mixed results at the polls, although Jeremy Corbyn insisted Labour was "absolutely ready" for a general election, despite failing to deliver on its pledge to snatch key councils from the Tory clutches.

While Labour made gains in areas like Plymouth and Trafford, it was unable to win the Tory "crown jewels" in London, such as Wandsworth and Westminster.

The party had hoped to seize Kensington and Chelsea from the Tories in the wake of public outcry over the Grenfell Tower tragedy but failed to do so, while its chances in Barnet - which has a large Jewish population - may have been damaged by the recent antisemitism row.

The Conservatives capitalised on the near-collapse of Ukip, and gained control of councils in Peterborough, Southend and Basildon, with a small swing in their favour outside London.

Elsewhere, the Liberal Democrats won several councils - including target seats of Richmond-upon-Thames and Kingston-upon-Thames - while the Greens elected a string of new councillors.

 

Nickie Aiken, Conservative leader of Westminster City Council, accused Labour of "dirty politics".

As Labour gained four seats in the council, Ms Aiken said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the result.

"Labour thought they could take Westminster City Council, and the people of Westminster sent a very clear message that Westminster would remain Conservative."

Ms Aiken added: "The Labour Party threw everything they had at us today.

"We had hordes of Momentum supporters throughout Westminster, particularly in the south, and the people of Westminster sent them the message 'We do not like your politics'."

Kristin Hugo4 May 2018 05:00

Labour MP from Ilford North, Wes Streeting, is still up as the count in his local area goes on!

Kristin Hugo4 May 2018 05:23

So far the results have been better for the Tories than was anticipated and Labour has not quite lived up to expectations.

Kristin Hugo4 May 2018 05:28

Labour has retained control of Camden winning 43 seats with the Conservatives on six and the Liberal Democrats on one.

There is a recount in one ward, with the final result not expected until later on Friday

Kristin Hugo4 May 2018 05:32

Labour have retained control of Enfield, winning 42 seats with the Conservatives on 15, and six seats still to be declared. 

Kristin Hugo4 May 2018 05:44

State of parties after 10 of 32 London councils

Conservatives: 3 councils; 186 seats (-18)

Labour: 6 councils; 338 seats (+27)

LibDems: 1 council; 54 seats (-6)

Independent: 4 seats (-3)

Ratepayers and Residents: 3 seats

Kristin Hugo4 May 2018 05:46

Leading pollster Sir John Curtice, professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde, said there was little for the Labour Party to celebrate in the results.

He told BBC News: "There is very little in the way of Labour gains.

"Yes, they have denied the Tories control of Trafford but that's a very strong Remain area.

"Beyond that, there isn't very much for the Labour Party to celebrate."

Kristin Hugo4 May 2018 05:51

Carrie Symonds, the Conservatives Director of Communications, says the results are "brilliant news".

Kristin Hugo4 May 2018 05:55

Labour have retained control of Brent after winning 33 seats, with the Conservatives on three and 24 results still to come.

Kristin Hugo4 May 2018 06:07

State of parties after 88 of 150 councils

Conservatives: 27 councils (-1); 653 seats (-11)

Labour: 44 councils (-1); 1,072 seats (+28)

LibDems: 4 councils (+1); 317 seats (+49)

Green: 19 seats (+7)

UKIP: 2 seats (-35)

Independent: 52 seats (-40)

Liberal: 1 seat (-1)

Ratepayers and Residents: 14 seats (-4)

No overall control: 13 councils (+1)

Kristin Hugo4 May 2018 06:12

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