Local elections results as they happened: SNP gains and Lib Dem resurgence as Tories take a bruising
Nicola Sturgeon hailed the seismic result and tweeted: “National/city trends aside, this result is seismic. For years, Pollokshields was the only Tory seat in Glasgow and it seemed we would never take it.”
Elsewhere in the city, leader Susan Aiken was overtaken by the Scottish Greens on first preference votes in the Langside ward.
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Hide AdMeanwhile across Scotland and the UK it was a damaging night for the Conservatives.
Alex Salmond’s Alba party have failed to secure any councillors
Local elections results LIVE: 2022 Scottish council elections as they happened
An SNP-Green coalition was today being tipped as the most likely outcome of Edinburgh’s council election as the counting of votes got under way.
The count is taking place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and results for each of the city’s 17 wards will be announced at intervals throughout the day, with the full picture expected to be known by late afternoon.
BREAKING: Westminster Council has changed hands to Labour for the first time in its history as it turns into a devastating night for the Conservatives in London.
Labour has taken control of Westminster City Council in London for the first time since its creation in 1964.
Well it’s fair to say it’s been a rather heavy morning with lots to take in. Already we have seen some political mud slinging as Conservative councillors lay the blame squarly at the feet of Boris Johnson... and the day has only just begun!
As I sit here on my second cup of Nescafe Original, it’s hard not to long for the simpler times when all we cared about was dogs at polling stations... simpler times...
The leader of the Labour group of Barnet council, which looks set to be another Labour gain, said this was less of a reflection on enthusiasm for his party and more a reflection of disillusionment with the Tories.
Barry Rawlings told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I’ll be honest, it’s not us being wonderful.
“I think a lot of Conservatives haven’t voted this time, I think they feel alienated from No 10 and that they are, I don’t know, they’ve been disappointed with Boris Johnson and so not voting and I think that’s made a difference as well.”
Boris Johnson faced a backlash from local Tory leaders as his party lost major London authorities to Labour and suffered setbacks across England.
Sir Keir Starmer’s party further strengthened its grip on the capital, taking the totemic Tory authority in Wandsworth, making a significant breakthrough in Barnet and closing in on Westminster City Hall.
As dozens of Tory councillors lost their seats against a backdrop of the row about lockdown-busting parties in No 10 and the cost-of-living crisis, local Conservative leaders criticised the Prime Minister.
Early indications in England
After official results were declared from 62 councils, the Tories had lost control of four authorities and suffered a net loss of 97 seats, Labour had a net gain of two councils and 52 councillors, the Lib Dems had gained a council and 40 seats while the Greens had put on 19 councillors.
Good morning - here’s a look at the national picture if you are just joining us.
There have been some loses for the Conservatives and gains for the Lib Dems and Labour across England.
– Labour lost Hull to the Liberal Democrats.
– Labour gained Southampton from the Conservatives.
– The Tories lost Worcester to no overall control.
– The Conservatives lost West Oxfordshire, which contains David Cameron’s former Witney constituency, to no overall control.
– Voters in Bristol decided to abolish the post of mayor in a referendum.
– In Rutland, where there was not even an election, council leader Oliver Hemsley quit the Conservative group.
- Votes will start to be counted later in more counties in England, Scotland and Wales.