Labour suffers big council losses

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7372860.stm

Labour is on course to suffer its worst performance in at least 40 years in the local elections in England and Wales.

BBC research suggests the party has fallen into third place nationally with 24% of votes, with the Conservatives on 44% and Lib Dems on 25%.

So far Labour has lost more than 160 seats with the Tories gaining 147.

Labour's chief whip Geoff Hoon told the BBC there was "no crisis" for Prime Minister Gordon Brown in the lead-up to the next general election.

'Exceptional results'

The margin is similar to the drubbing received by Tory Prime Minister John Major in council elections in 1995, two years before he was ejected from Downing Street by Tony Blair.

Elections expert John Curtice, of Strathclyde University, said: "It looks quite possible that by the time all the results are declared some time on Friday afternoon, Labour will have suffered at least 200 net losses, widely regarded before polling day as the worst possible outcome that could befall the party."

So far the Tories have a net increase of more than 140 councillors and a 4% higher share of the national vote than at last year's local polls.

Such a share in a general election would have the potential to give the party a Commons majority of 138.

Shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: "These are exceptional results and this could be the lowest Labour share of the vote in the modern history of local elections¿ This is a big step forward."

'Not greatest night'

The Tories have gained control of several councils including Southampton, Bury, Harlow and Maidstone.

BBC analysis suggests Labour's vote appears to have fallen most heavily in its traditional heartlands - confirming MPs' fears the 10p tax row has damaged their core support.

Ministers were trying to put a brave face on the results and pledging to listen to voters' concerns.

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: "Nobody is going to pretend this is our greatest night.

"Generally I think that we would recognise that these elections have been conducted in the context of people feeling exposed and feeling anxious about the state of the economy and its impact on them."

Mr Hoon said: "There's no crisis. This isn't something that's going to affect the fundamental stability of the government.

"We have to go on making the difficult decisions the country requires."

Former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy said he hoped for a "solid" set of results, adding: "It is not impossible because Labour I think are in very great difficulty."

Deputy leader Vince Cable said: "The important thing is that we've beaten Labour into third place."

London contest

More than 4,000 seats on 159 councils were up for grabs in Thursday's elections, as well as the London mayoralty and assembly.

All seats are up for election in the 22 Welsh unitary authorities.

The London mayoral result, due on Friday evening, looks extremely close, following a gruelling contest between Conservative Boris Johnson and Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone.

Their fate, along with that of Lib Dem contender Brian Paddick, will be closely watched for signs of how popular their parties are nationally.

Meanwhile, a BBC opinion poll suggests Tory leader David Cameron is seen as more effective than Mr Brown or Mr Clegg.

Of 1,005 people who took part in the poll, 68% said Mr Cameron was an asset to his party, compared with 43% for Mr Clegg and 42% for Mr Brown.

Mr Brown's reputation for economic competence has also taken a blow.

At this time last year 48% said that Labour could be trusted to run the country's economy, little different from the 53% who did so in 2002. But this year the figure has fallen to 32%.

However, only 36% said they trust the Conservatives to run the economy - 10 points down on last year, and little better than the figure of 32% recorded for the party in 2002.

[DB1100]

Is anybody surprised?

[Vulcan]

At the moment they are 358 seats lost. Goodbye 'Bottler' Brown. It's no good saying 'lessons will be learned' & 'we have heard what people have said' and other platitudes that politicians mouth every time an election result is not what they wanted, that's the price you pay for ignoring the voters and pushing your own agenda.

[Night Tonic]

Totally agree. Lack of vote on the EU is yet ANOTHER failure.

[Vulcan]

Totally agree. Lack of vote on the EU is yet ANOTHER failure.

WOW!, I'll have to watch out, I agree with Night Tonic

[Night Tonic]

Actually, we probably agree on a lot of things Vulcan although I can't see Labour being anyones flavour of the month. Too many things they've fluffed and it has no direction at all. Brown's statement was about as dull as you can get. All this crap about 'listening' - since when??

[Vulcan]

Actually, we probably agree on a lot of things Vulcan although I can't see Labour being anyones flavour of the month. Too many things they've fluffed and it has no direction at all. Brown's statement was about as dull as you can get. All this crap about 'listening' - since when??

Can't help but agree with you. Still seems as though they are not listening, just heard McNulty the Home Office Minister on Sky saying 'we need to get the message across to the people', so no sign of a change in direction yet.
That might change if Livingstone loses the London Mayor election. Lots of marginal Labour MP's must be feeling very insecure at this time, so they will be pushing for a change in direction/leader maybe?

[DGP1]

we need to get the message across to the people'

Have we not heard that before

[dounome]

I for one will never vote labour again.

[Night Tonic]

These days the three main parties seem to be working from a 'blueprint for world order' and reliant on a phrase book for official statements. Brits seem to favour characters with something 'real' about them. Thats probably why Clinton and Charles Kennedy are so popular. This lot look like scared rabbits in every appearance they make - like they'll be shot in the back at any minute. We can accept downturns in monetary terms, s**t happens, but when you don't take a blind bit of notice of your voters on important stuff, people soon make their feelings known.

[johnnyp]

I voted Lib-Dem in my local elections,a Labour vote is a waste as the council is split with the tories,but come general election time i may have to vote against the Labour party for the first time ever.

[prowler]

Just shows where Scotland leads others follow!
To be honest core Labour supporters have been leaving the party in droves in recent years.
If they don't rediscover traditional labour values, they are dead in the water.
The tory deserters were always going to return to the Tory Party when they had a real alternative.
New Labour is BULLSHIT.

[Night Tonic]

Brown said he wouldbe ringing councillors who won seats to thank them.

That won't take long then.

[johnsonrmc]

Gordon Brown says it has been a "bad and disappointing" election for Labour, as the party suffers its worst council results in at least 40 years.

Well said Gordon old boy?... Listen? when have you ever done that?..... I, because of what you have allowed to be done to the workers at R/M went out of my way to vote against you. Goodbye O/Labour at the General Election.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

395 seats lost as I type - I think Broon has to fall on his sword just for the sake of the party. Pundits were saying it would be bad for Labour if they lost more than 200 - well they are nearly double that.

The issues that cost him I think in order of importance.

1. 10p Tax Row
2. No vote over EU Treaty/Constitution
3. Post Office Closures
4. Credit Squeeze.
5. Not being in touch (such as comments during all recent strikes).
6. Public Workers Pay policy.
7. His slow handling of the NR saga.

Can anyone else add to the list.