Tories local election breakthrough
Updated on 02 May 2008
The Tories breakthrough across England and Wales hammering Labour. Does Gordon Brown get it? Gary Gibbon reports.
Is Gordon Brown fighting for his political future? He has admitted a 'disappointing' night for Labour - others will be less charitable.
Labour has lost hundreds of seats and several councils across England and Wales - the Tories have broken in to the northern exclusion zones where they were dead for years.
Share of Vote
Conservative : 44 per cent
Lib Dem: 25 per cent
Labour: 24 per cent
And analysis by this programme shows that it was in Labour's heartlands that it was particularly hit by the Conservatives - which could spell doom at the general election.
The prime minister blamed economic conditions out of his control but promised to learn the lessons from defeat. The Conservative's David Cameron called it a "big moment", and a vote of positive confidence in his party.
Councillors
Conservative: +256
Labour: -331
Lib Dem: +34
With all the local council results now in, the Conservatives have picked up 44 per cent of the vote, well ahead of the Liberal Democrats with 25 per cent and Labour in third place with just 24 per cent - their lowest share in living memory.
The Conservatives have over 250 more councillors. Labour has lost more than 330, with the Lib Dems making some gains.
Our political editor Gary Gibbon reports now on a disastrous day for Labour - and for Mr Brown.
