Local Elections 2012

41-hours after polls opened Boris is mayor and we can all go to bed

2012-05-04T19:34:10-04:00

So over 41 hours after polls opened on Thursday morning, Boris Johnson is mayor of London and we can all go to bed to dream analytical dreams about what the results mean for the country.

London Elects: 'Several Hundred' votes to be manually checked

2012-05-04T17:45:22-04:00

Probable ETA of a declaration is about an hour, hopefully less (please)

Statement on the count delays from London Elects...

2012-05-04T17:44:31-04:00

London Elects statement:

We have results in from 13 of the 14 constituencies in the Mayor of London and London Assembly election. The final constituency is Brent & Harrow. The Greater London Returning Officer has been in touch with the CRO for Brent & Harrow to establish the reason for a delay. All batches of ballot papers were registered and scanned. Two batches went to storage without some ballot papers being manually entered as required. Manual entry is required when a scanner cannot read a ballot paper – for example if a ballot paper is damaged. It is not an issue with the scanners. The issue was identified during the verification stage. These two batches are being re-processed. To make this happen as quickly as possible we have separated out into several smaller batches. This is why the progress screens appear to show a changing number of verified ballot papers. We will declare as soon as possible but it is obviously important that every vote is counted.

What's happening at City Hall?

2012-05-04T17:29:50-04:00

Well we don't entirely know. The latest is that at least two ballot boxes were found unscanned at the Brent count, and they're now being counted by hand, for some reason. There are rumours that Ken's team has asked for a full recount in Brent, which would delay things for another few hours. London elects thinks it'll be only another 20 mins, but they've been saying that for nearly two hours.

YouGov are calling it for Boris..

2012-05-04T14:44:42-04:00

@ tnewtondunn : The Sun's pollster Peter Kellner of YouGov calls it - "Boris has won. He has too big a lead for Ken to overturn".

Ken-supporting constituencies now coming in...

2012-05-04T13:24:28-04:00

It's leading to a sharp narrowing in the polls between the two candidates. On 1st preference votes Boris now has 44% and Ken 40% - 8 out of 14 constituencies have now declared.

London Mayoral Vote Getting Tight...

2012-05-04T12:07:30-04:00

Here's the latest. People are talking about 50/50 odds between Ken and Boris. The atmosphere at City Hall has changed dramatically in the past half hour.

Video: Huffpost chats to Jenny Jones at City Hall...

2012-05-04T11:53:15-04:00

Ed Miliband: We're coming back

2012-05-04T11:40:38-04:00

Ed Miliband, speaking in Southampton, has declared that Labour is "coming back". This comes after Labour took control of Southampton from the Conservatives. He railed against the "out of touch government in Westminster". "David Cameron promised change, not for the better but for the worse. Today in Southampton, it is a rejection of the economic failure of this government, and the unfairness of this government". he added He also boasted that Labour is "beating back" the SNP in Scotland. He recognised the low turnouts, saying it showed there was "still more to do".

Peter Bone MP - 'This is the beginning of the end of the coalition'

2012-05-04T11:35:23-04:00

Conservative MP Peter Bone has said that the PM has 'one hand tied behind his back'. "Worst of all, we've got the Liberals holding us back" he added The results signified the "beginning of the end of the coalition", he told the BBC. "We're seeing Boris winning as a Conservative in London, yet the Coalition losing against Labour. So the message must be let's come out of this coalition as soon as possible." he said

Bristol votes Yes to Elected Mayor (WATCH)

2012-05-04T11:28:24-04:00

Liam Byrne optimistic despite Birmingham no vote

2012-05-04T11:25:30-04:00

Liam Byrne, who quit the Shadow Cabinet in preparation for running for Birmingham Mayor, has just tweeted this

@ LiamByrneMP : A huge thanks to ALL who supported Yes2Mayor, Albert and me: our job now is to get 4-square behind our brilliant new Lbr council #brummayor

Birmingham Mayor No Vote - The Numbers

2012-05-04T11:22:43-04:00

@ SmithTonyD : Brum result: Leader 120,611, Mayor 88,085. 57.8 Per cent "no" #BrumVote12

Birmingham votes No to elected Mayors

2012-05-04T11:09:04-04:00

@ oflynnexpress : Brum votes No to a Mayor. Has anyone noticed people like voting No in refs? No2EU

Labour set to hold Glasgow majority?

2012-05-04T11:08:19-04:00

With 56 of 79 seats declared, Labour currently lead over the SNP by 29 to 20. Barring a major upset, Labour will resist the SNP advance in Glasgow.

@ suemacmillan : Labour holding its majority in Glasgow is a whopper of a result. Well done @scottishlabour

Huffpost chats to Siobhan Benita in City Hall..

2012-05-04T11:05:32-04:00

Labour's Ian Stewart elected Mayor Of Salford

2012-05-04T11:00:51-04:00

@ JenWilliamsMEN : Ian Stewart is mayor of Salford.

Labour park their tanks on David Cameron's lawn

2012-05-04T10:51:57-04:00

@ baddogOTM : Labour win CHIPPING NORTON! David Cameron, Rebekah Brooks, Elisabeth Murdoch, Steve Hilton + Jeremy Clarkson now have a LABOUR council.

Labour pass 700 councillor gains

2012-05-04T10:50:29-04:00

With 166 of 181 councils declared, Labour have gained more than 700 council seats.

Ashdown: LibDems should keep doing what they're doing

2012-05-04T10:48:52-04:00

Former Libdem leader Paddy Ashdown has said the Liberal Democrats should "keep on doing" what it is doing. Speaking to the BBC, Lord Ashdown said the party's mettle has been "tested" by the results. "The party's mettle has been tested, it has been tested before. We should keep on doing what we're doing" he said "It doesn't look as bad in terms of hanging onto our seats that we have got as it might have been." he added.

Ken Livingstone's team - admitting defeat?

2012-05-04T10:18:40-04:00

According to the Guardian, Ken Livingstone's team are privately conceding defeat. They reportedly also think Boris Johnson will increase his majority.

Penguin Beats LibDems in Edinburgh

2012-05-04T10:08:29-04:00

A council candidate dressed as a penguin called Professor Pongoo has received more votes than the Liberal Democrats in Edinburgh. Professor Pongoo (real name Mike Ferrigan) was an independent candidate who had pledged to wear the penguin outfit to every council meeting if he was elected.

Labour leading in London-wide Assembly vote

2012-05-04T10:01:28-04:00

From the votes counted so far, Labour are on 44%, Conservatives are on 33% and the Greens are on 8%. The LibDems dwell at 7% while Ukip are on 5%.

Worth another watch: Harriet Harman last night on Watson And Ken

2012-05-04T09:58:13-04:00

Harman castigated Watson for his "hold your nose and vote for Ken" comment - and was a bit hesitant to agree that Ken had been the right candidate in the first place...we thought.

Nigel Farage accepts UKIP will 'Under-perform' In London

2012-05-04T09:57:17-04:00

Clearly annoyed, Farage has arrived at City Hall and says that the ballot paper fail was UKIP's fault, not London Elects. But he's blaming it on UKIP's poor performance. They're currently trailing in 6th place behind Siobhan Benita

Farage fury at Ukip 'cockup'

2012-05-04T09:34:55-04:00

Ukip leader Nigel Farage is reportedly furious that his party's candidate for Mayor of London, Lawrence Webb, was listed on the ballot paper as Fresh Choice for London. He says it was a 'cockup which undoubtedly cost UKIP votes' and could have helped Boris Johnson's bid for four more years at City Hall.

LISTEN to Tory MP Stuart Jackson with a warning for Cameron

2012-05-04T09:30:53-04:00

listen to ‘Stewart Jackson on Wato’ on Audioboo

Also here is a round-up from HuffPost of Tory dissent following the local elections drubbing. A few themes emerge. Many Tories think House of Lords reform is a distraction - a couple but don't like gay marriage, but the overwhelming narrative is there needs to be a growth strategy.

BNP: complete wipeout

2012-05-04T09:30:24-04:00

In an update to previous news about the BNP's difficulties, it has emerged that the party has lost every single one of the 12 seats it has been defending.

Daily Mirror's Maguire predicts a Livingstone loss

2012-05-04T09:23:03-04:00

@ Kevin_Maguire : Looks like Labour will win London but lose the Mayoralty, getting most votes/seats in the Assembly but Blue Boris beats Red Ken

SNP win control of Dundee

2012-05-04T09:16:13-04:00

@ StewartHosieMP : 16 out of 16 #SNP win outright control of Dundee

"I TRENDED ON TWITTER so awesome': schoolgirl elected Labour councillor

2012-05-04T09:09:46-04:00

A schoolgirl has become one of the youngest councillors in the country after winning a seat on Plymouth City Council. Kate Taylor, who was standing for Labour, won her Devonport seat with a majority of 839 as her party won control of the council last night from the Conservatives. After the teenager won, she 'trended' on Twitter. "Yea, when my result came in, my username was tweeted so many times it trended for all of a couple of minutes :p," she wrote. "Wait hold up a second. One last thought. I TRENDED ON TWITTER TONIGHT? So awesome."

Bristol votes for elected mayor

2012-05-04T09:07:07-04:00

Bristol is the first of the 10 English cities to return a vote in favour of elected mayors. After four cities rejected the idea, Bristol has voted in favour of it. Five cities have yet to declare. The Bristol tally went: FOR having Mayor - 41,032 FOR keeping Leader instead - 35,880

Two London areas close to declaring 1st Prefs for Mayor..

2012-05-04T09:02:36-04:00

They are Merton & Wandsworth and Bexley & Bromley - on 93 and 94% of votes verified, according to London Elects.

Evening Standard Front Page..

2012-05-04T08:59:54-04:00

Not quite calling it for Boris, but pretty close..

Peter Hain hails 'fantastic' result

2012-05-04T08:58:55-04:00

Former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has praised the "fantastic" local election results

Is the SNP going to have to re-cork their champagne?

2012-05-04T08:58:28-04:00

@ jimmurphymp : So far so good for Labour in Glasgow but a lot of votes still to be counted. SNP may have to re-cork their champagne.

83 votes can make all the difference...

2012-05-04T08:55:03-04:00

@ GiselaStuart : 83 #Tory votes are keeping 3 Tory Councillors in position in #Weoley Castle.

Hemming: How do you polish a turd?

2012-05-04T08:52:59-04:00

Lib Dem MP John Hemming had this earthy explanation, when speaking to the BBC, for the failure of the campaign to get people to vote ‘yes’ to the idea: “How do you polish a turd?”. “They don’t like the idea of concentrating all the power in one individual’s hand – particularly when they don’t know what all the powers will be.” he added

Is the SNP "f****d" in Glasgow?

2012-05-04T08:46:28-04:00

@ MichaelLCrick : Ian Davidson, Lab MP for Glasgow SW on Glasgow results: "This is astonishing. The SNP have been well f*****!"

Is Bristol voting yes for an elected mayor?

2012-05-04T08:43:21-04:00

@ jonkay01 : BBC West reporting there "appears" to have been a "yes" vote for a #Bristol mayor. Formal declaration shortly.

SNP are making gains in Dundee

2012-05-04T08:35:43-04:00

@ StewartHosieMP : That's 12 out of 12 #SNP candidates elected in Dundee so far.

Cameron is 'on notice' - Tory MP

2012-05-04T08:33:46-04:00

Tory MP Stewart Jackson has said that the Prime Minister needs to raise his game. "He’s on notice and he does need to raise his game, and focus on bread and butter issues like jobs and mortgages"

BNP leader on electoral wipeout - 'no surprise, no disgrace'

2012-05-04T08:30:15-04:00

@ nickgriffinmep : Hammered by Labour - same as everyone. No surprise, no disgrace.

Baroness Warsi: It was a difficult night

2012-05-04T08:24:49-04:00

Conservative chairman Baroness Warsi has admitted "It was a difficult night, purely from where we started off in 2008. And let's be honest, the last six weeks haven't been fantastic for the government." She says Conservative councillors have "lost the opportunities to serve their communities". Meanwhile, former LibDem leader Lord Ashdown described the results as "grim".

Does David Cameron need a Willie?

2012-05-04T08:16:09-04:00

One Tory MP thinks so...

@ ShippersUnbound : Eleanor Laing says Cameron needs a Willie Whitelaw figure. Who can this close friend of Dr Liam Fox mean?

Ed Balls: Results are not just 'mid-term blues'

2012-05-04T08:13:07-04:00

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls has been speaking to the BBC. He hailed the results as "good ... but they show that we've got more to do". Balls said he wants to get turnout up in the future. He also said the election results were "not just mid-term blues" and Labour "can make tough decisions with spending and get the economy moving".

@tom_watson: Boris Johnson is 'amazing'

2012-05-04T08:06:36-04:00

Speaking to the BBC just now, Labour's campaign chief Tom Watson seemed to rehearse Labour lines about the London mayoral race. "If Ken does lose I actually think it's more of a vote of confidence in Boris Johnson. He's a very charismatic man ... The Labour vote in the assembly is more important ... Let me give credit to Boris Johnson. He's an amazing man."

Conservative Mayoral Candidate defeated by polar bear

2012-05-04T08:04:50-04:00

We're not talking about Boris Johnson, but the mayoral candidate in Liverpool. Tony Caldeira, Conservative candidate in Liverpool mayoral poll came 7th - behind a candidate dressed as a Polar Bear.

Is Boris Johnson's top aide about to leave?

2012-05-04T08:00:09-04:00

Guto Harri, communications director to the Tory mayor, may be leaving Team Boris. According to the Guardian, he has been deluged with job offers. Some have an interesting idea on where he may be going...

@ OliverCooper : Guto Harri leaving Boris's City Hall team to join News International as Comms Director. If there's anyone that can do THAT job, it's Guto.

LibDem defeated by six-foot penguin!

2012-05-04T07:48:46-04:00

In lighter news, a LibDem council candidate (and a Green challenger) have lost out to the independent Professor Pongoo, a six-foot penguin. They were contesting the Pentland Hills ward for the City of Edinburgh Council

SNP - halted in their tracks in Scotland?

2012-05-04T07:44:59-04:00

Professor John Curtice has told the BBC that the SNP advance looks to be faltering, at least outside of Glasgow. Additionally, Prof Curtice suggested that the Labour vote may turn out higher than the SNP's. First Minister Alex Salmond said: "In Scotland, from the results we've got so far, the SNP are making furtehr advances and that must be a good thing" "If you hear some of the cheers coming from Aberdeenshire, that has been SNP cheers" "In Aberdeenshire the SNP will certainly be the leading party" "It looks like we'll do even better [across Scotland] in 2012"

Is Brian Paddick on course to come fifth?

2012-05-04T07:41:44-04:00

@ IsabelOakeshott : LibDem sources believe Paddick will come fourth or even fifth #ArmaCleggon

Power Cut At Mayoral Vote Count

2012-05-04T07:40:41-04:00

Electronic vote counting at one of the count centres in the capital was delayed by more than an hour today following a power cut, officials have said. The process of scanning ballot papers at Alexandra Palace count centre in north London had been due to start at 8.45am, but did not get under way until 10.15am due to the temporary loss of power. The site is one of three centres across London, including Excel and Olympia, where vote counting for the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections is taking place.

Tory council leader defeated by 48 votes. By Ukip.

2012-05-04T07:27:36-04:00

@ IainDale : The leader of Tory controlled Tun Wells Council has been beaten by 48 votes. By UKIP.

Jack Straw: People are seeing the 'real' David Cameron

2012-05-04T07:24:46-04:00

Former home secretary Jack Straw said that voters were beginning to see the "real" David Cameron and were "not terribly keen" on him. He said: "It is a matter of record that I didn't vote for Ed Miliband for leader but I think he is doing increasingly well. But I also think the scales are falling from people's eyes about Mr Cameron, who has enjoyed quite high ratings above his own party for some time. But since the budget people have seen the real David Cameron and the real George Osborne and they are not terribly keen on what they see."

Labour pass 500 in gains

2012-05-04T07:16:17-04:00

According to the BBC, Labour has crossed the 500 mark in councillor gains.

Sunderland LibDem says Clegg should 'open his eyes'

2012-05-04T07:08:31-04:00

Sunderland's only Lib Dem called on Nick Clegg to “open his eyes” as he lost his seat at the polls. Mr Dixon lost his Millfield seat to Labour stalwart Bob Price as Sunderland Lib Dems slumped behind minority parties in some wards. “I was half expecting to lose,” he said. “But it is disappointing none the less. “I put it down to the Nick Clegg and his cronies in Government. It’s definitely all down to the national issues and it’s a shame people have not voted on the local issues.”

David Cameron says 'sorry' (WATCH)

2012-05-04T07:04:30-04:00

David Cameron has apologised to the many Conservative councillors who have lost their seats

Nick Clegg 'very sad' (WATCH)

2012-05-04T07:02:26-04:00

Boris and Ken caption competition!

2012-05-04T07:01:53-04:00

It's caption competition time! What are Boris and Ken saying to these shoes? Have a look.

Vince Cable: LibDem performance was 'poor'

2012-05-04T06:58:17-04:00

Speaking just now on BBC News, Business Secretary Vince Cable said the LibDem results were "poor, but pretty much the same as last year" "The main difference is the Conservatives shared the pain" he added He lamented that "a lot of good councillors have suffered due to people's reaction to central government". He said that people had chosen to "take out their frustrations on local councillors"

(Pictures) Nick Clegg looking sad

2012-05-04T06:49:06-04:00

Nick Clegg says he is "very sad " at the local election losses. It seems, from this entire gallery of images, that Clegg often looks gloomy.

Is Hague to blame for Ukip success?

2012-05-04T06:41:07-04:00

@ DenisMacShane : Hague helped oxygen UKIP by incessantly repeating myths, lies about Europe, incomers for 15 years. UKIP is militant wing of Hague Toryism

Talk about sending politicians a message...

2012-05-04T06:39:20-04:00

@ bryony_gordon : just seen spoilt ballot paper that had "you made me pregnant you bastard" written next to a candidate

Glasgow Update: Tories jubilant as lone councillor survives

2012-05-04T06:37:00-04:00

Looking up to Scotland, the results have slowly started to trickle in. From what we know already about Glasgow, Labour are narrowly ahead of the SNP with 7 councillors to 5. The real battle will be to see if the SNP can gain total control of Glasgow Council. Meanwhile, the Tories are delighted that their one seat in Glasgow has survived - with Cllr David Meikle successfully defending his seat.

BNP faces total wipeout

2012-05-04T06:33:28-04:00

From the results so far, the BNP has lost nine out of nine seats. There are three more seats the BNP are defending with results yet to come in. The party's sole representative in Burnley has been defeated and in other areas the BNP's vote is down by as much as 50%. Nick Lowles from anti-racist campaign Hope not Hate said: "It is been a disastrous night for the BNP. They have lost councillors, failed to regain seats they won in 2008 and generally their vote is well down on previous elections."

Mark Pritchard MP on last night's defeats for the Tories...

2012-05-04T06:32:55-04:00

He tells HuffPost :

"This should be a wake-up call for all those who think diluting orthodox conservatism will bring electoral success."

Nigel Farage: Ukip is making 'steady progress'

2012-05-04T06:26:50-04:00

Nigel Farage has been quietly confident this morning on BBC News. He said that his party was making "steady progress" as the results come out.

Tory MP demands massive recalibration by Cameron...

2012-05-04T06:25:43-04:00

HuffPost just spoke to a Tory MP who says their vote has held up okay in their patch, but they insist David Cameron must have a rethink now about strategy: "To be honest much of it is to be expected, but at the same time our party's focus has been on the Mayoral election and Boris. So I'm not surprised at what's happened nationwide. "The Queen's Speech next week has got to be major, and one that makes clear how we will recalibrate the economy. We cannot carry on talking about the reform of the House of Lords. We are in a recession and that has to be the only focus of this government."

Does the rejection of city Mayors spell problems for police commissioners?

2012-05-04T06:06:11-04:00

@ alantravis40 : Rejection of more city mayors + low turnout leaves serious questions over this November's first ever election of police commissioners

Boris takes early lead in London Mayor race

2012-05-04T06:04:31-04:00

As counting got under way in London, Conservative Boris Johnson was establishing the kind of lead this morning which could see him returned to City Hall for a second term as mayor ahead of Labour rival Ken Livingstone. Election organiser London Elects was not releasing precise figures for ballot papers counted, but graphs on its website showed a clear early advantage for Mr Johnson in first-preference votes - though almost certainly not enough to take him over the 50% threshold needed to avoid a second-round run-off against Mr Livingstone.

LATEST IMAGE: Siobhan Benita doing very well

2012-05-04T05:57:35-04:00

The latest graph from London Elects - still early days but Siobhan Benita's performance is already looking like a big story in the Mayoral election

Ed Miliband hails Labour victory in Birmingham

2012-05-04T05:53:05-04:00

Miliband has just arrived in Birmingham to congratulate activists on their victory in Birmingham as they take control of the council. With 20 Labour gains, Miliband said Labour would 'start off where we left in 2004'. 'This government promised change, and they've made things worse, and not better' he added

Unison's Dave Prentis hits out at the coalition

2012-05-04T05:42:43-04:00

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis says the results are a sign that voters are fed up with the coalition. "For every day that the coalition has been in power 625 jobs have been axed from our public services, bringing misery to hundreds and thousands of families. The voting results today show that the country has had enough of the coalition's austerity Britain, and of no-hope, dead-end policies that have dragged the country back into recession"

(PICTURE) London elections results coming in, with Boris ahead.

2012-05-04T05:34:29-04:00

There's a long way to go, and these are only first preference votes, but from the data being supplied by London Elects, we can make some early observations.. Boris has a double digit lead over Ken Siobhan Benita is polling very well, neck and neck with the Green party and Brian Paddick But these are VERY early results - and we note that Brent and Harrow and Enfield and Harringey have not started counting yet - both of these would expected to lean towards Ken.

Cameron says "sorry"

2012-05-04T05:08:09-04:00

Just in from the Press Association: David Cameron said that he was “sorry” for all the “hard-working Conservative councillors” who lost their seats.

Sarah Teather: This was inevitable, not as bad as last year though

2012-05-04T04:54:29-04:00

Speaking to Sky News the Lib Dem Education minister says the Lib Dem drubbing "is to be expected". "It looks as though the picture isn't quite as bad as last year. This year I think voters are starting to see we've achieved a great deal in government. Perhaps by the end of the Parliament they'll begin to see the results of the things that we've delivered."

Lembit's tweet from earlier...

2012-05-04T04:52:31-04:00

@ lembitopik : Clegg must accept losses of 250+ requires immediate resignation or explanation why it's NOT necessary and how he'll recover party position

Does Lembit Opik's view on Nick Clegg really matter?

2012-05-04T04:51:47-04:00

The former MP has called for Nick Clegg to resign. It's fair to say Twitter has responded with indifference.

Liveblog: Cold comfort for Tories?

2012-05-04T04:42:36-04:00

@ owenlmeredith : Even after today, it looks like @Conservatives will have considerably more local councillors than @UKLabour and the #LibDems

Ed Miliband's reaction in full

2012-05-04T04:36:52-04:00

The Labour party have released these lines from their leader:

"I also want to say something to those people who voted for other parties and the many people who did not vote at all. "I will work tirelessly between now and the next General Election to win your trust. "I know we have more work to do to show we can change our country so that it works for you, for your sons and daughters who are looking for a job, for families feeling a squeeze in living standards, for everybody rather than just a few at the top. "David Cameron promised change but has failed to make things better. "People are hurting from this recession. People are suffering from a government that raises taxes for millions of families but cuts taxes for millionaires. "I am determined that we show people we can change people's lives for the better."

Nick Clegg might be sad but Ed M looks quite chirpy..

2012-05-04T04:33:57-04:00

WATCH: George Galloway's victory speech in Bradford..

2012-05-04T04:31:52-04:00

Not the best audio quality and quite long... but always entertaining (?)

Liveblog updates here throughout the morning..

2012-05-04T04:25:00-04:00

Was Thurrock really a major Labour victory..

2012-05-04T04:20:03-04:00

The headline is that they've taken the council from no overall control. But Tories there seem quite happy with the result - because Labour only won one ward and failed to get their top target ward, they say. They're more worried about the UKIP gain than Labour's we're told.

Ed Miliband cautious in victory...

2012-05-04T04:16:31-04:00

Speaking outside his home the Labour leader just told reporters: “We are a party winning back people’s trust, regaining ground, but there’s more work to do.”

A bookie gives its verdict

2012-05-04T03:52:34-04:00

The latest odds from William Hill:

TO WIN NEXT GENERAL ELECTION WITH OVERALL MAJORITY...6/4 Labour; 13/8 Hung Parliament; 9/4 Conservatives WHEN WILL NEXT GENERAL ELECTION TAKE PLACE?- 13/2 2012; 6/1 2013; 5/1 2014; 4/9 2015 NEXT TORY PARTY LEADER - 4/1 Boris Johnson; 9/2 George Osborne; 8/1 William Hague

Baroness Warsi's spat with Ukip..

2012-05-04T03:43:00-04:00

"Where Ukip is fielding candidates this time that the BNP did last time but they're not this time, I think that will have an impact." She added: "There are members of Ukip who are from all sorts of political parties, but it is an interesting mix there in terms of the number of candidates." Ukip spokesman Gawain Towler vented his anger at Lady Warsi's comments on Twitter, calling her a "bitch" to his 1,700 followers, some of whom criticised his "unparliamentary language". He's since deleted the tweet. The full story is here.

Nick Clegg: I am sad.

2012-05-04T03:41:16-04:00

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg says he's "really sad" at his party's election results after a bruising night for the coalition. Labour has racked up big gains at the expense of the Tories and Mr Clegg's party in English council contests.

"I am really sad that so many colleagues and friends, Liberal Democrat councillors, who have worked so hard, so tirelessly for so many years for communities and families in their local areas have lost their seats and I want to pay tribute to all the great work they have done. "I am determined that we will continue to play our role in rescuing, repairing and reforming the British economy. "It's not an easy job and it can't be done overnight but our duty is to boost jobs and investment and to restore a sense of hope and optimism to our country."

William Hague says gay marriage did not cost the Tories

2012-05-04T03:22:29-04:00

William Hague is rejecting Gerald Howarth's claim that policies such as gay marriage cost the Conservatives seats. "I don't think these elections results are about those issues," he just told the Today programme.

Harriet Harman says the rain kept turnout down

2012-05-04T03:20:06-04:00

Harriet Harman is on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. She said Labour was "back in touch and we're making progress". But she said the low turnout was somewhat down to the rain. She says people are less likely to vote "if there is not just drivel, but driving rain". She may have met "drizzle" rather than "drivel".

Just in - Labour win control of Cardiff council

2012-05-04T02:25:28-04:00

They have taken control from a Plaid/Lib Dem coalition. Labour will be delighted.

Did Gay Marriage plans affect Tory turnout?

2012-05-04T02:06:20-04:00

Gerald Howarth, a Tory defence minister, has claimed that the party's plans to introduce gay marriage contributed to the Tory losses in English and Welsh councils. Was that a factor? Really?

Louise Mensch - "Good But Not Great For Labour"

2012-05-04T02:01:01-04:00

@ LouiseMensch : Good morning. Good but not great for Labour, bad night for us. "Waiting 90 years for mid-term blues" for Lib Dems....

Did UKIP do enough damage to lose Tories councils?

2012-05-04T01:43:45-04:00

@ ChrisWimpress : Tory in Thurrock tells me the big story there is not the Labour win but a UKIP surge bleeding their votes away.

Andy Sawford from LGIU writes...

2012-05-04T01:24:13-04:00

He's sent HuffPost this analysis, having been up all night..

The night belongs to Labour with spectacular gains right across the country. Councils like Derby, Southampton and Birmingham which were firmly in Labour's sights fell easily to them in the end and there were more unexpected gains like Dudley and the surprise surge from third place to take control in Cardiff. The Lib Dems were wiped out in many councils, faring particularly badly in the North West, but doing better in the South in contests with the Conservative, such as Portsmouth, which they held. The Conservatives held on to Swindon but lost most key contests and will hope to find comfort later today in the London Mayor election. Ed Miliband has hugely strengthened his leadership of the Labour Party having won more than the number of seats and councils that were predicted at the half way stage, with more counts to come today. Crucially though he will point to the correlation between council gains and the key marginals that Labour needs to win if it is to have a chance of forming the next government.

Bradford remains in no overall control...

2012-05-04T01:04:53-04:00

But Respect has gained five seats.

Blow for Labour in Bradford...

2012-05-04T00:33:18-04:00

JUST IN: George Galloway’s Respect Party has won the seat of Ian Greenwood, the Labour leader of Bradford Council.

Tories now lost seven seats in Sunderland..

2012-05-03T18:43:16-04:00

@ BBCRichardMoss : Labour have gained seven Conservative seats in Sunderland now. #bbcvote2012.

Reports the Lib Dems lose their only councillor in Sunderland

2012-05-03T18:40:16-04:00

@ thom_brooks : Sunderland's only Lib Dem councillor loses his seat #bbcvote2012

Did we just see Harriet Harman disown Ken AND Tom Watson?

2012-05-03T18:37:27-04:00

We'll get that video later and play it back!

Heading for a shocker of a low turnout in Lincoln...

2012-05-03T18:34:37-04:00

@ JamesTapsfield : Tories say turnout in Lincoln is lowest ever at 26%, and result close #pavote

Harman refuses to say whether Ken was the right Labour candidate #bbcqt

2012-05-03T18:31:44-04:00

This on BBC Question Time just now Although she does say Tom Watson was wrong to make his "hold your nose and vote Ken" comment. Interesting dichotomy! Harman says she will not comment because when the show was taped earlier, the poll hadn't closed

Tories having a bad night in Sunderland, we're hearing..

2012-05-03T18:29:23-04:00

@ BBCRichardMoss : Hearing that the Conservatives have now lost six seats in Sunderland. Very bad night for them so far. #bbcvote2012.

Photo: Cameron in Conservative HQ this evening

2012-05-03T18:27:24-04:00

Report from Glasgow suggests Labour 'confident'

2012-05-03T18:10:58-04:00

@ Alex__Stevenson : Labour team are feeling very confident their vote will hold up in Glasgow, despite SNP polling strongly. Could be close. #3may

Bradford expected to go to the wire?

2012-05-03T18:09:58-04:00

@ Tinglepolitics : Count underway in #Bradford-going to be a long night. Expected recounts pushing estimate of finish back to 4am - mayor 0800 #elections2012

Sunderland expected to swing even more to Labour...

2012-05-03T18:09:38-04:00

@ PaulTwinn : Substantial swing to Labour in Sunderland. #bbclocalelections

Labour expecting a NO in the Birmingham Mayoral referendum

2012-05-03T18:08:56-04:00

@ Labourpaul : Seems likely Birmingham has voted no to an elected Mayor. A shame.

While we're waiting, some Jeremy Hunt news..

2012-05-03T18:04:46-04:00

The Mail is reporting that Jeremy Hunt has failed to disclose some pretty significant donations from media companies before 2010. The Mail's Tim Shipman writes:

Labour MP Steve McCabe has demanded an investigation by John Lyon, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. The Culture Secretary is now planning to amend his entry in the Register of Interests to show that he took a donation worth £1,473.81 from advertising agency DDB UK in September 2009, another worth £1,435 from London media hangout the Groucho Club and a third in July that year from M&C Saatchi, the advertising firm set up by Tory donor and Conservative peer Lord Saatchi. That event cost £4,563.50 – a total of £7472.31.

The full story is here.

Reliable Labour source says voters in Croydon stayed at home..

2012-05-03T17:38:15-04:00

@ AndrewJPelling : Turnout down on 2008. #Croydon GLA election.

Ken's campaign manager: "It's been quite a ride"

2012-05-03T17:33:10-04:00

@ fletchersimon : The polls have closed. A personal word of thanks from me to everyone out there who's been part of this. It's been quite a ride.

Siobhan Benita tweets - will it be a breakthrough for her?

2012-05-03T17:32:47-04:00

@ Siobhan4Mayor : And now we wait and see....thank you so much to everyone who has supported me today and throughout the campaign. It's been fantastic.

An insider predicts the Lib Dems are in for a kicking..

2012-05-03T17:30:06-04:00

@ philipjcowley : I suspect by the end of this election, the Lib Dems will have lost a third of their councillors in just two years.

Labour hopeful in councils..

2012-05-03T17:09:09-04:00

@ JamesTapsfield : Labour source says early feedback suggests on course for "strong performance" in elections, including progress in Midlands and South #pavote

The polls have closed! Here's the latest...

2012-05-03T17:01:25-04:00

Some new analysis now the polls have closed:

For anoraks... how the BBC election map works!

2012-05-03T15:09:28-04:00

In case you ever wondered how Jeremy Vine does it... or even if you haven't, actually.

Bad weather in Nottingham, will it deter evening voters?

2012-05-03T15:01:42-04:00

@ johnbhess : Dreadful weather tonight in Nottingham+ Derby. It won't encourage voters

Nice London Vox Pop from Optimum Research..

2012-05-03T14:57:13-04:00

Team Boris taking nothing for granted...

2012-05-03T13:45:26-04:00

@ BackBoris2012 : Campaign Director Lynton Crosby "The poll leads have led some to think that Boris has won, this is not the case." Get out & vote! #backboris

5 Johnsons are better than 1?

2012-05-03T12:49:56-04:00

David Cameron may have unsettled some with the vision of having a "Boris" in every city, but now thanks to Boris' sister, we can see the whole Johnson family out in force.

Fake 'constituent' letter being used by Labour in London

2012-05-03T12:20:14-04:00

A constituent in West London has handed it in to the tellers at a polling station. They were annoyed because they genuinely thought it was from one of their local constituency association members, but only in the small print on the right hand side does it say 'printed and promoted by the Labour Party'

Dear Friend, For years I was a Conservative. I voted Tory. I volunteered at election time and I even worked for the Party. But this year I won't even be voting for them. Right now I can't give them my vote. Don't get me wrong, I like Boris, but he's let us down. I used to work for the Metropolitan Police, I believed his promises about cutting crime but as Mayor he's cut the police at a time when knife crime is on the rise. I'm angry about the budget. The government are upping the tax on pensioners and charities while they reduce it for millionaires. It's just not right. And on top of that, costs like Petrol and fuel bills continue to rise but the government do nothing. This year I'm sending a message to the Tory government that they can't take people for granted. I won't be voting Tory and I won't be voting Boris, Yours faithfully, Brett

Turnout as low as 10%?

2012-05-03T11:56:59-04:00

@ danielbyles : Turnout seems to be very low - as low as 10% so far in some places. Now the rain has stopped let's see whether there's an after work surge

SNP predicts Glasgow Council takeover

2012-05-03T11:38:04-04:00

Hamza Yousaf, the SNP's Glasgow MSP, has predicted that his party will win Glasgow Council. If that happens, it could be a devastating blow to the Labour Party's prospects once the results have all come in. Some describe it as the 'jewel in the crown' for Labour. Yousaf said: "We're getting a good reaction. My prediction is we will be two to three seats ahead of Labour. A majority is going to be tough but I think we will get the mandate we need to form an administration. "I'm getting great news from the west end [of Glasgow]. I'm hearing that the SNP are getting a lot of people on the ground."

Is turnout low because everyone is at work?

2012-05-03T11:34:04-04:00

@ paulwaugh : Anecdotally, turnout is low in London so far. Parties will be hoping picks up as ppl head home after work #elections2012

Another video from Ken Livingstone!

2012-05-03T11:17:23-04:00

Ken's campaign team have released an extra last-minute video, urging voters to get out and vote for him. Is it a sign of desperation or extra attentiveness? There may be added poignancy, given the polls, to Val Shawcross saying "the only thing we'd like is a little bit more sunshine"

Nick Clegg - pretty in pink - as he goes to vote

2012-05-03T10:00:33-04:00

Nick Clegg cast his vote today in his constituency. Some may appreciate the back-drop, mildly reminiscent of the Downing Street Rose Garden scene when the coalition started. Is Clegg being nostalgic about the good times?

Is McDonalds backing Boris Johnson?

2012-05-03T09:38:54-04:00

@ nickdebois : Good to see McDonalds giving away blue balloons to children today very @BackBoris2012 @andyhemsted -:)

Voters are increasingly inventive at winding up their MPs

2012-05-03T09:14:06-04:00

@ stellacreasy : for avoidance of doubt #awesomestow residents telling your MP various members of indie bands now live here is not a funny game....#mpwindups

Even Brian Paddick can't decide who to vote for

2012-05-03T09:12:28-04:00

@ UndergroundMgzn : Brian Paddick “still torn between Boris and Ken,” he tells reporters outside the polling booth. #mayor2012

Only 13 voters per hour in Exeter?

2012-05-03T09:10:41-04:00

One Exeter polling station seems to be managing the flow of voters all too comfortably...

@ TenaciousMitch : Averaging 13 people per hour at my poll station, why aren't people voting - apathy? Publicity? Frustration? #localelections #Exeter

Cambridge Council's Green group leader defects to Labour

2012-05-03T09:03:49-04:00

The leader of the Greens in Cambridge City Council has defected to Labour, on the day that voters go to the polls. Cllr Adam Pognowski said that he "wanted to be part of a bigger party that has real power to make a difference for people".

Barry Sheerman imagines a country run by Boris clones

2012-05-03T08:54:18-04:00

@ BSheermanMP : So David Cameron wants little Boris clones up & down the country @BBCNews A true nightmare scenario!

@eddieizzard: Don't vote for a balloon as London Mayor

2012-05-03T08:52:01-04:00

@ eddieizzard : Vote today for Ken Livingstone & Labour. People like Boris, like they like balloons. Don't let a balloon run London. Vote for Ken #ComeOnKen

Police called to polling station amid Tower Hamlets fracas

2012-05-03T08:39:34-04:00

Police have had to call in reinforcements at a Tower Hamlets polling station as a candidate claimed he had been harassed by activists from other parties. Chris Smith, London Assembly candidate for the Greens, said that one activist threatened to "punch his lights out" when he complained about a crowd handing out Respect and Labour leaflets outside St Matthias Primary, off Brick Lane. Caroline Kerswell, the Tory candidate in the Weaver ward’s by-election, witnessed the incident. She said: “We were standing here discussing electoral rules with them, then one guy threatened to punch his lights out. “They’ve been here since early in the morning and they’re very intimidating. People coming to vote are nervous. We want a clean election in Tower Hamlets because of the reports of corruption.”

Boris issues an election day appeal (WATCH)

2012-05-03T08:34:58-04:00

Boris has put out an election day appeal to Londoners, urging them to come out and support him.

Is this a clue for a low turnout?

2012-05-03T08:32:51-04:00

As people flock to the polls, suspicions are gathering that we may be in for record low turn-outs in some areas. It can be worth revisiting the recent study by the Hansard Society into political engagement. According to them, a record level of voters have been turned off politics and almost 20% of them said they would be "absolutely certain" to not vote in an election.

What are the key 50 councils to watch?

2012-05-03T08:14:13-04:00

When the polls close later tonight, those staying up to watch the results come in may want to pay attention to these councils.

A plea from LibDem Lansley

2012-05-03T08:00:28-04:00

@ AndrewLansley : Also, I'm not "that" Andrew Lansley, I'm the good one #VoteLansleyForStPauls #localelections2012 #Cheltenham @libdempress @libdemvoice

Boris Johnson's other counterpart - orangutans!

2012-05-03T07:16:33-04:00

While on the subject of Boris Johnson, there is a extensive gallery showing why London Mayor Boris Johnson is more similar than many to an orangutan.

An Epic Gallery Of Boris Johnson Looking Silly

2012-05-03T07:04:14-04:00

In recognition of today's local elections, we have decided to put together a special gallery of Boris Johnson looking daft. For those in need of a chuckle as you await the election results, take a look.

Ken - 'We are the underdogs'

2012-05-03T06:55:22-04:00

According to the last YouGov poll conducted for the Evening Standard, Boris Johnson is enjoying a six point lead over his Labour rival Ken Livingstone for City Hall. The poll finds that Boris would beat Ken in a run-off by 53 to 47 percent. However, Livingstone has remained optimistic despite the gloomy poll outlook. "Of course, we are the underdogs. The Tories were always going to benefit financially, in terms of media backing, and in terms of support from the most powerful. Though it doesn't carry the imprint of the Tory party, London's only daily paper [the Evening Standard] has now become a true blue freesheet."

Will local elections be a wash out?

2012-05-03T06:40:11-04:00

One of the lesser known issues about elections is the weather. As people may not be so inclined to go out and vote in bad weather, the voting results could defy expectations. So how will the rain affect things?

Don't sit on the fence...

2012-05-03T06:34:55-04:00

@ AndrewBloch : Great polling station sign #londonelects http://t.co/IrC0LpRh

It's BorKen!

2012-05-03T06:27:00-04:00

Boris and Ken are often said to be an inseparable duo in this campaign. Independent Mayoral candidate Siobhan Benita has taken to calling them 'BorKen'. Now, thanks to PokeHQ, that vision has been made real.

Two fingers for Ken

2012-05-03T06:20:37-04:00

Livingstone's campaigners certainly are dogged. So much so that one campaigner has suffered an injury on the campaign trail, having his fingers bit by a dog while delivering leaflets.

The councils Labour have their eye on...

2012-05-03T06:17:01-04:00

@ LabourList : Local elections: the councils Labour should watch http://t.co/1KYLL4pH

What will the early results tell us?

2012-05-03T06:01:01-04:00

Polls close at 10pm today in the council elections, and within as little as two hours a handful of quick-counting authorities will give an early taste of the long night - and day - to come. We've examined what locations will be declaring early and giving a good preview of the local election results here.

Cameron and Miliband go to the polls

2012-05-03T05:41:22-04:00

The Prime Minister and the Labour leader have gone out to vote Here is David and Samantha Cameron Meanwhile, here is Ed Miliband and his wife

Sieghart Backs Benita

2012-05-03T05:08:14-04:00

Independent columnist Mary Ann Sieghart has written in support of Siobhan Benita. Writing in today's Independent, she argued that Londoners need an independent "to break the stranglehold".

"There must be a better way, and we should demand it. If you live in London and are shocked by the unfairness of the system, you have a chance to say so on Thursday. Give your first-preference vote to Siobhan Benita and your second to Boris, Ken, Brian, Jenny or whoever, and you will double your influence. You will be able to vote for the candidate of your choice (as, barring miracles, Benita will be knocked out and her second preferences redistributed). But you will also be able to send a sharp message to the political and media barons that you cherish the idea of independents and you are determined that they should be given a fair run."

Former Tory MP Matthew Parris isn't backing Boris

2012-05-03T05:01:36-04:00

We've seen a notable number of senior Labour and Conservative figures refuse to back their candidates. Ken Livingstone has been attacked by Labour lords Sugar, Winston and Desai. Meanwhile former Tory defence secretary Michael Portillo has said he won't be voting for Boris Johnson. Now we can add another Tory to the list - former MP Matthew Parris. Writing today in the Times, he explains he'll be backing Siobhan Benita as a "vote against cynicism".

Paddick - copying Ken's playbook?

2012-05-03T04:56:56-04:00

Brian Paddick's latest video for the London Mayoral elections is two weeks old. It also stars Nick Clegg just reminding Londoners to register to vote.... so we thought it worth looking back at his broadcast. With the diverse cast of Londoners talking about why they support Paddick, doesn't the video remind you of another candidate's tear-jerker ?

Boris urges you to vote for him...two days ago

2012-05-03T04:53:11-04:00

Unlike the Ken campaign, the latest video from the Boris campaign was posted two days ago. For his campaign video, the London Mayor insists it is a "critical choice" today between voting to go "forwards" or back.

Ed Balls urges you to vote Ken

2012-05-03T04:50:25-04:00

In the latest video for the Livingstone campaign, Ed Balls has been chosen to front it instead of the Labour mayoral candidate. The Shadow Chancellor urges Londoners to "not let the Tories get away with it"

What will we know when?

2012-05-03T04:44:08-04:00

As well as local elections across England, Wales and Scotland there are also mayoral elections, mayoral referendums and the battle between Ken and Boris in London. The results will start to filter in from around midnight and will continue to come in all through the day on Friday. The Press Association has put together a helpful chart detailing what we can expect when.

Polling stations are open, don't panic!

2012-05-03T04:39:36-04:00

Welcome to our local elections liveblog. HuffPost hopes you have all voted, and if you haven't yet you have just over 12 more hours to get down to a polling station.