in the north bad for labour, _ good for labour in the north bad for labour, but — good for labour in the north bad for labour, but it does not hold everywhere, because if you go to cumberland, this new unitary authority— cumberland, this new unitary authority in the north west of england, all these seats are notional, _ england, all these seats are notional, but none you can see lahour— notional, but none you can see labour have won this new council, 12 seats _ labour have won this new council, 12 seats gained, and what is really important — seats gained, and what is really important about this, what labour will take _ important about this, what labour will take heart from, is that this is a part— will take heart from, is that this is a part of— will take heart from, is that this is a part of the country with crucial— is a part of the country with crucial swing states that the conservatives only won in 2017, you might— conservatives only won in 2017, you might remember copeland, the canary in the _ might remember copeland, the canary in the coat— might remember copela

labour values. you are right, we have got a lot more to do, and we will keep doing that, because we want to earn back every possible vote and get votes for people who have never voted for us before, we want them to have trust in labour for the future, rather than this totally shambolic and shameful conservative government that is letting people down in the middle of a cost of living crisis. you letting people down in the middle of a cost of living crisis.— a cost of living crisis. you say it is a cost _ a cost of living crisis. you say it is a cost of _ a cost of living crisis. you say it is a cost of living _ a cost of living crisis. you say it is a cost of living crisis, - a cost of living crisis. you say it is a cost of living crisis, you - a cost of living crisis. you say it is a cost of living crisis, you are right it is the number one issue for pretty well every voter on the doorstep, and people might have thought, because it is a cost of living crisis and the conservatives one way or anothe

what is labour's big problem? i personally think they _ be. what is labour's big problem? i personally think they have - be. what is labour's big problem? i personally think they have an - be. what is labour's big problem? i personally think they have an issue | personally think they have an issue with the leader, sir keir starmer. keir starmer, he has a lot of assets as a leader, but one of his big downsides is he is not as able a communicator as some labour politicians, the real winning politicians, the real winning politicians like tony blair have beenin politicians like tony blair have been in the past, and i think for labour to be thinking on doing very well in 2024, they need a leader who can speak to what is now quite a diverse electoral coalition. it combines traditional working—class voters, quite affluent young voters in university towns, you've got to have somebody who says, this is what labour is for, this is our vision, this is what we stand for. at the moment, it feels to me that labour is a party that is trading off and reacting against some of the scandal

labour— labour are ahead in london, it is a labour city. — labour are ahead in london, it is a labour city, and he will be hit clinging — labour city, and he will be hit clinging onto some slivers of good news _ clinging onto some slivers of good news in _ clinging onto some slivers of good news in the shires and north, but it remains _ news in the shires and north, but it remains to— news in the shires and north, but it remains to be seen. even if he does -et remains to be seen. even if he does get through— remains to be seen. even if he does get through unscathed tonight, many hurdles— get through unscathed tonight, many hurdles coming up.— hurdles coming up. caroline, that sort of yardstick _ hurdles coming up. caroline, that sort of yardstick in _ hurdles coming up. caroline, that sort of yardstick in terms - hurdles coming up. caroline, that sort of yardstick in terms of - sort of yardstick in terms of judging the prime minister's future, how will that play out? ham; judging the prime minister's future, how will that play out?— how will that play out? harry is settin:

so you have switched to labour survive. so you have switched to labour from _ survive. so you have switched to labour from the _ survive. so you have switched to labour from the conservatives . survive. so you have switched to i labour from the conservatives in these local elections, i wonder how much the partygate saga was part of your thinking. much the partygate saga was part of yourthinking. it much the partygate saga was part of your thinking-— your thinking. it was part of it. it all added up- _ your thinking. it was part of it. it all added up. in _ your thinking. it was part of it. it all added up. in all— your thinking. it was part of it. it all added up. in all honesty - your thinking. it was part of it. it all added up. in all honesty we l your thinking. it was part of it. it i all added up. in all honesty we had to vote labour this time. southampton has always been seen as a political weather vane, a south coast battleground between labour and the tories. after only a year in charge the conservatives have been swiftly objected here and it is served starm

we have labour mp and a a labour council. i labour mp and a a labour council. the night — labour mp and a a labour council. the night will— labour mp and a a labour council. the night will belong _ labour mp and a a labour council. the night will belong to _ labour mp and a a labour council. the night will belong to labour. . labour mp and a a labour council. . the night will belong to labour. now let's pause, because durham constabulary are saying that they are now going to investigate the labour leader keir starmer over allegations he broke lockdown rules in april, by drinking beer with colleagues. this has had a lot of coverage in the last few days. police saying they have earlier this year carried out an assessment as to whether regulations had been breached and at the time they concluded no offence has been established. but following the receipt of new information, the police have reviewed that position and following the conclusion of pre—election period they have confirmed it is going to be an investigation into potential breaches of covid regulatio

labour gains are overshadowed b news track. labour gains are overshadowed by news that — track. labour gains are overshadowed by news that cares _ track. labour gains are overshadowed by news that cares armour— track. labour gains are overshadowed by news that cares armour is - track. labour gains are overshadowed by news that cares armour is under. by news that cares armour is under investigation by durham police but allegations of lockdown rules last year. meanwhile... the local are jubilant as they gain almost 200 seats far more than any other party. the greens to make big gains. in northern ireland the nationalist party sinn fein looks set to be on course to make history winning the most seats for the first time in stormont. also tonight as russia tightens its grip on mariupol the family of troops under siege plead for their safe passage out. harry and meghan say they will attend platinum jubilee celebrations, the queen is decided they will not be appearing on the buckingham palace balcony in norwell prince andrew. and do stay with us because at half past 11 with you to be

labour are on their seats tonight. labour are on the u, their seats tonight. labour are on the up. at — their seats tonight. labour are on the up. at least — their seats tonight. labour are on the up, at least in _ their seats tonight. labour are on the up, at least in some - their seats tonight. labour are on the up, at least in some places. | the up, at least in some places. they have won westminster council for the first time ever, wandsworth, which had been conservative blue since the 1970s, and barnet, where keir starmer visited this morning. but outside london, it's not as rosy, with labour struggling to make gains. have you done enough outside london? this gains. have you done enough outside london? , , ., ., ,, london? this is a massive turning oint for london? this is a massive turning point for the _ london? this is a massive turning point for the labour _ london? this is a massive turning point for the labour party, - london? this is a massive turning point for the labour party, we - london? this is a massive turning point for the labour party,

labour party members is that i think some _ labour party members is that i think some people — labour party members is that i think some people have _ labour party members is that i think some people have thought - labour party members is that i think some people have thought it's- some people have thought it's a disaster— some people have thought it's a disaster for— some people have thought it's a disaster for the _ some people have thought it's a disaster for the government - some people have thought it's a disaster for the government at i some people have thought it's a . disaster for the government at the moment, — disaster for the government at the moment, therefore _ disaster for the government at the moment, therefore it's _ disaster for the government at the moment, therefore it'sjust- disaster for the government at the moment, therefore it'sjust so- disaster for the government at the l moment, therefore it'sjust so easy for labour— moment, therefore it'sjust so easy for labour to — moment, therefore it'sjust so easy for labour to be _ moment, therefore it'sjust so

labour gain, and one thing is similarlya labour game. in labour gain, and one thing is similarly a labour game. in crawley labour had been neck and neck with the conservatives until today and they have gone ahead and gained it now. let's look at what has been happening in worthing. good news for labour, they have hit the winning post, with 20 seats, needing 19 to win, and although they are still counting it is worth looking at... i beg your pardon... at what has happened to the sea change. the conservatives have lost three, the lib dems have lost one, to the advantage of labour, and as always they share change, the overall share, labour rather higher than the conservatives, but it is the change in the shade of the votes since last time the seats were thought that is interesting, and look at that, labour storming ahead, 12 percentage points up at the expense of the conservatives and liberal democrats. so holds those thoughts about the differences in performance in the north of england and the south of england, because i want to show you a

it's a good day for the scottish labour party. after almost a decade, we are seeing labour firmly back on the pitch, we are making gains across the country, we are firmly in a good, strong second—place. but let me be clear to people across scotland, i don't aspire for the labour party to be in second place. the scottish conservative leader, though, is seeking shelter from the storm. douglas ross had called for borisjohnson to resign before changing his mind when russia invaded ukraine. but he is still trying to pin the blame on number ten for losing more than 60 councillors. the public have been very clear, they have sent a message here in scotland and across the united kingdom that they are not happy with the prime minister, they are not happy with partygate and, as i say, many of them just stayed at home on thursday. it is not that they have switched parties, theyjust didn't come out to vote and we as a party across the united kingdom will look at that. the greens almost doubled their tally, hailing a record result, while the

how awkward is this getting four labour? i how awkward is this getting four labour? ~ , ., _, keir starmer. he was followed from his front door this morning being asked questions about his position all the way to west dunbartonshire where he was keen to try and trump it with labour gains. he wanted to talk about their successes labour had yesterday, he wanted to talk about where labour had made inroads, he wanted to talk about a turning point for stock instead, he is now being hounded by questions about what he's going to do if he is fined by durham police. this relates back to a gathering that took place in the run—up to a by—election last year. he was filmed in an office of one of his mps, a constituency office of one of his mps drinking a beer. he has said repeatedly that he is confident no rules were broken. initially, durham police looked and assessed there have been no offence committed. yesterday, they announced that they were investigating following significant new evidence. i think this is awkward timing because it overshadows the election result. it als

labour have overturned 44 years of conservative rule. labour — 44 years of conservative rule. labour 35, _ 44 years of conservative rule. labour 35, the conservatives 22 and one independent. the outgoing leader of the _ one independent. the outgoing leader of the council, the conservative, has been — of the council, the conservative, has been talking to the bbc and said that some _ has been talking to the bbc and said that some of the issues that came up on the _ that some of the issues that came up on the doorstep included people's concerns— on the doorstep included people's concerns about the cost of living. he said _ concerns about the cost of living. he said as— concerns about the cost of living. he said as an administration they have _ he said as an administration they have taken— he said as an administration they have taken action to deal with that. he said _ have taken action to deal with that. he said they had cut the council tax, _ he said they had cut the council tax. frozen _ he said they had cut the council tax, frozen rounds and reduced builds— tax, frozen roun

he wanted to talk about the successes that labour had yesterday, wanted to talk about where labour had made inroads in it being a turning point and instead he is now being hounded by questions about what he's going to do if he is fined by durham police and remember the it was a gathering that took place in the run—up to a by—election last year and he was filmed in an office of one of his mps, a constituency office of one of his mps drinking a beer. he has said repeatedly that he is confident the rules were broken. initially durham police looked at this and said they assessed no offence had been committed and then yesterday they announced that they were investigating following significant new evidence so i think this is awkward timing because it overshadows the election results and it also completely neutralises the line of attack that he has been employing on borisjohnson for his own behaviour in numberten, borisjohnson, the chancellor rishi sunak and pm's wife have fines for attending gatherings in downing street and the met is also considering further fines for other events in do

whether the labour leader, sir- police in durham are investigatingl whether the labour leader, sir cara starmer, _ whether the labour leader, sir cara starmer, broke— whether the labour leader, sir cara starmer, broke lockdown - whether the labour leader, sir cara starmer, broke lockdown rules- whether the labour leader, sir cara starmer, broke lockdown rules onl whether the labour leader, sir cara| starmer, broke lockdown rules on a visit during — starmer, broke lockdown rules on a visit during which _ starmer, broke lockdown rules on a visit during which he _ starmer, broke lockdown rules on a visit during which he drank- starmer, broke lockdown rules on a visit during which he drank beer- starmer, broke lockdown rules on a visit during which he drank beer in i visit during which he drank beer in mp's_ visit during which he drank beer in mp's office — visit during which he drank beer in mp's office. the _ visit during which he drank beer in mp's office. the force _ visit during which he drank beer in mp's office. the force initially- mp's office. the force initially decided —

bridgend is eight labour again, cardiff is a labour hold, but what i can tell you is the majority has increased at the expense of the conservatives, so similar voting patterns. blaenau gwent is a labour again. wrexham remains a plaid council. all three of these hung councils before fulsome in the conservatives have lost monmouthshire, and let us look at what happened there in the more detail. this was a conservative council five years ago, when these seats were last of her election, and they won several seats back that. let's have a look and see what's happened to the complexion of the council. there you go, a straightforward handover, straightforward ha ndover, relu cta ntly, straightforward handover, reluctantly, from the conservatives to labour, so a good result for labour, they did not win the council, they have not gained control of it, but they have inflicted real damage on the conservatives there.- inflicted real damage on the conservatives there. reeta, thanks very much. — conservatives there. reeta, thanks very much. and _ conservatives there. reeta, thanks very much, and a

the labour leadership are cau~ht u- in happened? the labour leadership are caught up in their _ happened? the labour leadership are caught up in their own _ happened? the labour leadership are caught up in their own affair, - happened? the labour leadership are caught up in their own affair, with - caught up in their own affair, with durham police now saying that labour have been sent questionnaires relating to that one event where keir starmer was pictured with a beer, and the labour party have said all along this was a work event and no rules were broken but now labour, the police investigation is now pushing forward there, as well. thanks forjoining us. access to family doctors is fast becoming one of the biggest problems for the nhs according to patients' groups, while some areas of england are having to cope with much lower numbers of gps per head than other areas. new analysis by the nuffield trust for the bbc has found that demand for gp services continues to rise at a time when more doctors are switching to part—time worki

hastings you can see was actually a labour authority but this was one of the labour losses and why did they lose it? because the greens took three seats directly from the labour party. it is not the greens are posing an a central problem for the labour party but they are nibbling away in several local authorities, several places, itjust goes to show the labour party cannot afford to forget the green party is there and while they are bringing down the conservatives, there are threats to labour as well. let's talk about the lib dems because they had the best night of all. let's look at somewhere like somerset, this was a new authority in the south—west of england and the reason that the lib dems will be so pleased about this is it potentially indicates that they are a force to be reckoned with in some of those at southwest heartlands. had the equivalent county council equivalent to this council back in 2009, conservative controlled since then, lib dems now have a majority of 12 seats and they repeated that very strong performance not only in their leave areas like somerset, but also in

last time in these local elections the labour— labour? last time in these local elections the labour party- labour? last time in these local elections the labour party was. elections the labour party was pushed — elections the labour party was pushed into— elections the labour party was pushed into third _ elections the labour party was pushed into third place, - elections the labour party was pushed into third place, and l elections the labour party was pushed into third place, and it| elections the labour party was - pushed into third place, and it lost control— pushed into third place, and it lost control of— pushed into third place, and it lost control of glasgow, _ pushed into third place, and it lost control of glasgow, a _ pushed into third place, and it lost control of glasgow, a council- control of glasgow, a council now run by— control of glasgow, a council now run by the — control of glasgow, a council now run bythe snp, _ control of glasgow, a council now run by the snp, in _ control of glasgow, a council now run b

sir keir starmer of the labour leader giving his - the labour leader giving his response to what we've heard from darren police today speaking in central london. let's turn to specific election results. we heard earlier today from the prime minister, he gave his reaction to the conservative party results as they stood at that point up and down the country. let's hear a little bit of what boris johnson country. let's hear a little bit of what borisjohnson had to say. this what boris johnson had to say. this has been a — what borisjohnson had to say. t�*i 3 has been a tough night for conservatives in some parts of the country and in other parts of the country and in other parts of the country were actually moving forward. for midterm it's quite interesting that it's a mixed set of results. i think the lesson that i take is, you rightly quote the view from the door say, but the lesson is, we've got to get on with the stuff that matters, we've got to keep delivering on our agenda. part ofthe keep delivering on our agenda. part of the prime — keep delivering on our agenda. part of the

the second point is about labour, labour it through— point is about labour, labour it through the kitchen sink at glasgow. they have _ through the kitchen sink at glasgow. they have benefited hugely from the collapse _ they have benefited hugely from the collapse of the tory boat from 2017, yet, collapse of the tory boat from 2017, yet. they— collapse of the tory boat from 2017, yet, they still haven't managed to defeat _ yet, they still haven't managed to defeat the snp either in terms of numbers— defeat the snp either in terms of numbers or in terms of the share of the vote _ numbers or in terms of the share of the vote i— numbers or in terms of the share of the vote. i think we've won glasgow on both— the vote. i think we've won glasgow on both counts now. i know that labour— on both counts now. i know that labour will— on both counts now. i know that labour will be deeply disappointed at this— labour will be deeply disappointed at this outcome because they thought they could _ at this outcome because they thought they could beat the snp here. i also think that _ they cou

the labour year without being challenged. tie: labour seats year without being challenged. tte: labour seats that year without being challenged. tt9 labour seats that the year without being challenged. tt9: labour seats that the tories year without being challenged. t“t9 labour seats that the tories took her looking vulnerable and according to the polling, that they will be worried in the by elections are going to be very important and you think the guardian has overstepped or is itjust impossible to say what the numbers are. is it true that the prime minister the conservatives may have put their own that is in because as a rule, once the government puts her own medicine, once the threshold is crossed, everyone is since it is automatically notified and against the government the advantage. yes. the government the advantage. yes, exactl and the government the advantage. yes, exactly and that's _ the government the advantage. yes, exactly and that's been _ the government the advantage. t9: exactly and that's been happening for a while, actually. there will be mps who with n

. _ hope for labour. you know him personally. we _ hope for labour. you know him personally, we had _ hope for labour. you know him personally, we had a _ hope for labour. you know him personally, we had a little - hope for labour. you know him personally, we had a little bit l personally, we had a little bit about some of his background, his personal story. what can you add to that and why did that matter to him? the thing to understand about anthony and people who know better than i do, he grew up in public housing with a single mother. he recently came —— the reason he came in to politics was how does this affect someone like my mum who is a disability pensioner, who struggled all her life? he has come into politics to make a difference to people like his own mother, and as he mentioned in his speech, a government with kindness to people who need it and understand that, that would be central to everything in his politics as prime minister. caring for people who need help. thank you very much indeed. opposition parties are demanding that the pri

in all honesty, we had to vote labour this time, yeah. southampton has always been seen as a political weather vane, a south coast battleground between labour and the tories. after only a year in charge, the conservatives have been swiftly ejected here, and it is sir keir starmer�*s activists who are beaming today. further east along the coast, labour also took control of worthing and crawley, but the biggest political ripples in this part of england were felt in somerset. well done! i wasn't expecting that! winning a council that had been run by the conservatives for the last 13 years. i think people have just had enough of all the duplicity, and it is about time, really. i am delighted, absolutely delighted. i think it does send a message to central government that people, local people want to feel empowered and supported. the lib dems gained seats across southern tory heartlands, as well as taking hull from labour in the north of england, which is where the conservatives mostly held off labour's challenge in places like hartlepool, w

that is the first time for labour there. labourtook that is the first time for labour there. labour took back control two of the council is a last time around. they were unable to take the third one and they lost one as well due to a local issue. some of the other stories of the day yesterday were plaid cymru, who have gone from one council to controlling four but their overall vote share is down and they have lost six seats. i think they have lost six seats. i think the question for them will be if they can�*t take seats and hold onto voters in traditional labour heartlands, how will they be able to push forward in the next senedd in the general election? the other story, the lib dems taking ten seats in mid wales and the greens for the first time in wales are gaining eight seats across wales, the first time they have had so many in local elections. that was the picture in wales. in west dunbartonshire we heard from our scotland correspondent, alexandra mackenzie. gains in scotland from the snp but also for labour, the liberal democrats and for the greens. a very different

for labour, results were good but not great. the parties gains here in cumbria and beyond tainted breaking covid regulations. well, as they've explained a number of times we were working in the office, we stop for something to eat. no party, no breach of the rules. the police obviously, have got theirjob to do and we should let them get on with it, but i'm confident no rules were broken. labour needed a stronger showing to prove government could be within their reach. i'm not saying we would win the general election tomorrow but we are saying is we are on our way. it gives us great hope and we are really encouraged and i will be honest with you in the shadow cabinet we were having presentations about how well we might do and what we could expect this is most definitely the top end. some races are just too close to call. heads or tails deciding one ward in monmouthshire in wales where labour gain from conservative losses. the scottish national party consolidated their position as the dominant force in scotland. yet more trouble f

i think labour will do well out of- think labour will do well out of that, _ think labour will do well out of that, although _ think labour will do well out of that, although there _ think labour will do well out of that, although there is- think labour will do well out of that, although there is the i think labour will do well out ofl that, although there is the risk, think labour will do well out of- that, although there is the risk, as george _ that, although there is the risk, as george has— that, although there is the risk, as george has said, _ that, although there is the risk, as george has said, that— that, although there is the risk, as george has said, that some - george has said, that some conservative _ george has said, that some conservative voters - george has said, that some conservative voters stay i george has said, that some i conservative voters stay home george has said, that some - conservative voters stay home but that will— conservative voters stay home but that will help _ conservative voters stay home but that will help labour _ conservative voters stay h

i don't think the labour party will back us. | think the labour party will back us. i don't think keir starmer or with street england, the new bleed, will go on the telly and say these workers deserve a pay rise and it will be like this —— the new breed. they will say trite words are like there has to be settlement, we encourage both parties to get ready table. what about the the deputy, angela rayner? i table. what about the the deputy, angela rayner?— table. what about the the deputy, angela rayner?_ you angela rayner? i like angela. you 'ust to angela rayner? i like angela. you just to give _ angela rayner? i like angela. you just to give her — angela rayner? i like angela. you just to give her money. _ angela rayner? i like angela. you just to give her money. we - angela rayner? i like angela. you just to give her money. we do - angela rayner? i like angela. you just to give her money. we do notj just to give her money. we do not give any politician many, we give campaign money, we give people that identify with what we identify with, support physical mat

labour needed a stronger showin: broken. labour needed a stronger showing to _ broken. labour needed a stronger showing to prove _ broken. labour needed a stronger showing to prove government - broken. labour needed a stronger i showing to prove government could broken. labour needed a stronger - showing to prove government could be within their reach.— within their reach. we're not saying we would win _ within their reach. we're not saying we would win the _ within their reach. we're not saying we would win the general— within their reach. we're not saying we would win the general election i we would win the general election tomorrow. but what we're saying is that we are on our way. but it gives us great hope, and we are really encouraged. and i'll be honest with you — in the shadow cabinet, when we were having presentations about how well we might do and what we might expect, this was most definitely at the top end. expect, this was most definitely at the top end-— the top end. some races are too close to call. _ the top end. some races are too close to call,

they have the british labour party if you like, the westminster labour party, has a lot to thank the welsh labour party to continue their return to form. everyone climb downed a bit but conceptus down 86 seats, they lost over 40% of the seats, they lost over 40% of the seats they were defending. and just having a look at some of those results in detail. there was a good slew of seats the conservatives one of the labour party. six net gains from the labour party. six net gains from the labour party across wales, mainly in north wales, they one of the labour party in the general election. they are looking very vulnerable. most of those seats did not alter the conservative party at the senate elections and they are making a comeback. 0ne elections and they are making a comeback. one of the seats was bridgend, they won, the conservative party in 2019, the first time in a long while. up ten and the conservatives down 12. we saw that in a lot of places around wales. something we have not talked about so much because they are still counting the votes, the one part of the country are still c

the labour leader, keir starmer, congratulated party members in barnet, one of those three. he said the results were evidence the party had changed. this is a massive turning point for the labour party — from the depths of 2019, we are back on track now for the general election, showing the change we've done, the hard change to be done over the last two years — what a difference it has made. and in cumberland, you know, very important win last night in key constituencies for the next general election, same in southampton. many more results to come today. but ijust want to thank our brilliant team... applause the snp has finished as the biggest party in scotland's elections. labour beat the conservatives into second place for the first time in a scottish election in six years. well, i'm thrilled at the snp's result. i mean, it is a quite incredible outcome. we have not only won the election, i think our eighth consecutive election victory since i've been leader of the snp, but we've won overwhelmingly. i think we're going to end up about 12—13 percentage points ahead of

how awkward is this getting four labour? l how awkward is this getting four labour? .. , how awkward is this getting four labour? ,, , ., _, keir starmer. he was followed from his front door this morning being asked questions

i am a _ the labour party. i am a socialist and i have got a set of principles based on traditional labour values. there are factions in your union. some of them do.— there are factions in your union. some of them do. some of them take orders from — some of them do. some of them take orders from bodies _ some of them do. some of them take orders from bodies outside _ some of them do. some of them take orders from bodies outside of - some of them do. some of them take orders from bodies outside of my - orders from bodies outside of my union. i'm not interested in that, and i tell them very directly. fire and i tell them very directly. are ou and i tell them very directly. are you embarrassed by some of the things your colleagues in the rmt are for? ~ , ., ., things your colleagues in the rmt are for? ~ , . ., ., , are for? when they are at the table with me, are for? when they are at the table with me. they _ are for? when they are at the table with me, they deal— are for? when they are at the table with

labour still have a little rebuilding to do, they are not quite there yet. and... giles, i don't know— not quite there yet. and... giles, i don't know if— not quite there yet. and... giles, i don't know if you _ not quite there yet. and... giles, i don't know if you can _ not quite there yet. and... giles, i don't know if you can hear- not quite there yet. and... giles, i don't know if you can hear me - not quite there yet. and... giles, i don't know if you can hear me but| not quite there yet. and... giles, i | don't know if you can hear me but i would just interrupt you because you are breaking up. so i think we will have a chat with aubrey and while we are doing that try and reconnect to are doing that try and reconnect to a bit of a better line with you so sorry to interrupt what we got the gist of what you rose and i suppose aubrey i need to ask you what is yoursense, do aubrey i need to ask you what is your sense, do you think we are going to have an early election? giles is not wrong. you might think that it's _ giles is not wrong. you might think that i

_ conservative party, and left of some labour governments we've had in the past _ labour governments we've had in the past it's_ labour governments we've had in the past its not— labour governments we've had in the past. it's not in that sense a free market— past. it's not in that sense a free market conservative party any more, despite _ market conservative party any more, despite the _ market conservative party any more, despite the fact that those leading the conservative party will all say they are — the conservative party will all say they are devoted use of margaret thatcher~ — they are devoted use of margaret thatcher. but they are much further to the _ thatcher. but they are much further to the left _ thatcher. but they are much further to the left than either her or ed mcmillan — to the left than either her or ed mcmillan were. the question i'd like to ask is, _ mcmillan were. the question i'd like to ask is, which she tell us the source from which she got this great story? _ source from which she got this great story? perhaps we can find out what exactly _ story?

there are other questions for labour to go. there are other questions for labour to. the full story. the mail on sunday has got the schedule which is quite clearly 19 minutes set aside for beer and curries. normally this wouldn't matter. this is hardly the offence of the century. but wouldn't matter. this is hardly the offence of the century.— offence of the century. but these are not normal— offence of the century. but these are not normal political- offence of the century. but these are not normal political times i offence of the century. but these are not normal political times in | are not normal political times in this curry for now does matter. here's a memo published two published by the mail and send it. no mention of beer but it does say someone arrange a take away. compare that to keir starmer telling itv... critics argue this suggest something spontaneous, starmer denies being misleading. in terms of the law, whether this was preplanned is not theissueis whether this was preplanned is not the issue is whether it was reasonably necessary for work purpose

even at this point _ all the way to labour even at this point as— all the way to labour even at this point. as we set as well, the hangover— point. as we set as well, the hangover of brexit still lingers and we know— hangover of brexit still lingers and we know that a lot of those st albans — we know that a lot of those st albans and other related areas, that's— albans and other related areas, that's where the conservatives have -ot that's where the conservatives have got difficulties. as of the lib dem is there _ got difficulties. as of the lib dem is there as — got difficulties. as of the lib dem is there as an opportunity. that's interesting — is there as an opportunity. that's interesting. there's also this issue that boris— interesting. there's also this issue that borisjohnson is really facing now with — that borisjohnson is really facing now with conservative parties difficulty— now with conservative parties difficulty in appealing to a law of the old — difficulty in appealing to a law of the old guard. this idea that more people _ the old guard. this idea

in wales labour made signficant gains. here's our political editor laura kuenssberg — her report contains some flashing images. ok, this is going well. trademark optimism, despite shedding councils and losing nearly 400 councillors too. from the safety of a primary school classroom in his constituency, the prime minister didn't seem downcast. that's very good, that blue there. he lost iconic london councils, giving away comfortable conservative ground. and what are we going to have when we have the party? anger at downing street parties and his fine for breaking the law... there you go. ..did not translate into the catastrophe some conservatives had feared. it's mid—term and it's certainly a mixed set of results. and we've had a tough night in some parts of the country, but on the other hand, in other parts of the country, you're still seeing conservatives going forward not in london, where his labour rival had big reasons to smile this morning, winning over territory held by the tories for decades. we've just done it!

to labour here in west dunbartonshire. they took overall control but there are still some way behind the snp. —— they are still way behind. and now to our wales correspondent, tomos morgan, who's in cardiff. the tories did worse in wales than over the border. alongside than the greens, they had a great day, recording the highest number of councillors ever in a local election. plaid cymru also doing well, oddly down on the number of seats across wales. i think what it reflects is the senedd election last year, where mark drakeford's government exceeded expectations. we have seen the same thing over the last few days. time will tell if that does happen. if you'd like to find the result in your area, head to the bbc news website or app and enter your postcode. you'll also find plenty of election analysis, and the latest reports from our teams around the country. to other news, ukraine says it has recaptured five villages north—east of kharkiv, as it continues a counter—offensive against russian forces. the ukrainian m

remember when labour came to power— policy? remember when labour came to power in _ policy? remember when labour came to power in 1997, gordon brown made the bank independent, and they had been hailed _ bank independent, and they had been hailed until now is the right policy to follow — hailed until now is the right policy to follow i— hailed until now is the right policy to follow. i think the mail is raising _ to follow. i think the mail is raising questions, and this question has been _ raising questions, and this question has been raised within the conservative party as to whether the stewardship of andrew bailey is worth— stewardship of andrew bailey is worth having, and whether he's providing — worth having, and whether he's providing the right leadership. and i providing the right leadership. and i suspect— providing the right leadership. and i suspect this daily mail campaign will go _ i suspect this daily mail campaign will go on — i suspect this daily mail campaign will go on if measures are not shown to he _ will go on if measures are not shown to be t

. ~ , , ., labour leader. as you said, still a bi if, we labour leader. as you said, still a big if. we do _ labour leader. as you said, still a big if, we do not _ labour leader. as you said, still a big if, we do not have _ labour leader. as you said, still a big if, we do not have details - labour leader. as you said, still a i big if, we do not have details about whether he will be fined but it feels like a game of brinksmanship, this. lt feels like a game of brinksmanship, this. , , , feels like a game of brinksmanship, this. , , this. it is intensely political as well. this. it is intensely political as well- keir— this. it is intensely political as well. keir starmer _ this. it is intensely political as well. keir starmer was - this. it is intensely political as i well. keir starmer was incredibly critical of the prime minister over the events that went on in downing street over the fine boris johnson received for attending a birthday party in the cabinet room, where the cabinet normally meet, there w

yeah, the labour market. it is wrong to i the labour market. it is wrong to see say— the labour market. it is wrong to see say that 20% is the labour market — see say that 20% is the labour market. we have a tight labour market — market. we have a tight labour market i— market. we have a tight labour market. i think the last time we were _ market. i think the last time we were here. _ market. i think the last time we were here, italked market. i think the last time we were here, i talked about the uncertainty around the end of the furlough — uncertainty around the end of the furlough scheme. in terms of the timing _ furlough scheme. in terms of the timing of— furlough scheme. in terms of the timing of our decision making thati million _ timing of our decision making thati millionjobs remaining on the furlough _ millionjobs remaining on the furlough scheme right to the end, which _ furlough scheme right to the end, which was — furlough scheme right to the end, which was well in excess of what we had expected it to be. and that we h

labour is demanding an emergency — more. labour is demanding an emergency budget _ more. labour is demanding an emergency budget to - more. labour is demanding an emergency budget to tackle i more. labour is demanding an emergency budget to tackle a | more. labour is demanding an - emergency budget to tackle a crisis thatis emergency budget to tackle a crisis that is only likely to worsen in the coming months. with the economy already shrinking, the risk of a full—blown recession this year is on the rise. andy verity, bbc news, cheshire. the metropolitan police have issued more than 50 new fines for breaches of covid rules in downing street and other government buildings. these fixed penalty notices are in addition to more than 50 handed out last month, including to borisjohnson and chancellor rishi sunak. neither mrjohnson nor his wife carriejohnson are among those to be fined this time. our political correspondent ben wright reports. are you shocked at the scale of lawbreaking in number ten, are you shocked at the scale of lawbreaking in numberten, prime minister? how

labour puts up taxes. what we want to do is take a sensible approach governed by the impact on investments and jobs, mr. speaker. that is the test of a strong economy. by having a strong economy that we'll be able to look after people as we have done during covid and as we will do in the aftershocks of covid. this week it was revealed that unemployment has come down to the lowest level since 1974. when i was 10 years old, mr. speaker. i don't know how old he was. but i was 10 years old. >> mr. speaker, hang on. last week he said we'll have a look at it. yesterday he voted against it. anyone picking out the places today would think they are for it now he says he's against it again. clear as mud. just to be fair it's not like the rest -- the same day the chancellor said it was something he was looking at, the justice sector said it would be disastrous. the business sector called it a bad idea. but also said it considered spanish-style windfall tax. one minute they are rolling it in. the next they are rolling

the interesting thing right now about the uk economy is that there is a labour shortage. so, in the early '80s, margaret thatcher could use high unemployment as a way of controlling inflation. people were desperate to go into jobs and would take low—paying jobs to just get back in. that mechanism is not available now. it's the opposite. they need to get people intojobs. crosstalk. which would drive the economy the people want to come from this, and the kind of economy that would make it more resilient to international pressures. it is a big dilemma. you might find some of the people who opted out of the labour market during covid coming back into it. do you think they will? they might do. this has been a feature of the covid economy is that people just stopped driving things like cabs and opted out of the economy. they might start to come back in. i think you are absolutely right when you make the china potht— because it isn'tjust that there is this huge shift happening with the war in ukraine, which undoes the global order, you've also got the end of, essentially, a

leader now hangs on the outcome _ as labour leader now hangs on the outcome of— as labour leader now hangs on the outcome of the police investigation? then, _ outcome of the police investigation? then, first _ outcome of the police investigation? then, first and foremost no rules were broken. i don't actually believe that those who are accusing me believe that rules were broken. they are trying to simply drag all politicians into a place where the public think we are all the same. putting out the bunting for uk businesses in downing street today, borisjohnson shows no sign of quitting over lockdown breaking parties in number 10. he's already been issued with one fine and the police are still investigating. and ministers have been reluctant to say that labour's leader should resign. he made a great deal of the fact that there were other investigations on other people under way when he probably knew all the time that he may also have potentially come in for investigation himself so that is absolutely a matter for him, and let's wait for the investigation to proceed to see what else mig

labour have demanded action from ministers. well, the bbc report has shown very disturbing images of abuse, and domestic abuse is a horrible crime, and i think given the seriousness of this, the home secretary needs to make sure that there is an independent assessment of the handling of this case, looking not just at the agent handling, but at the criminal investigation as well. speaking on the today programme, the deputy prime minister was asked about the failings we exposed. i've seen the bbc reporting of it, and no—one could find it anything other than harrowing and horrific. you know, mishal, that from the court case into this, as the judge made clear, that i can't comment on this because of the national security considerations. our investigation is generating serious questions about the value placed on women's safety by the state and m15. stay with us on bbc news. still to come. 100 instances of monkeypox have been reported, we will talk to the man chairing the investigation. this morning, an indian airforce plane carryi

labour are sa in: we have any other option. labour are saying we want — have any other option. labour are saying we want to _ have any other option. labour are saying we want to see _ have any other option. labour are saying we want to see all- have any other option. labour are saying we want to see all the - saying we want to see all the evidence, looking at that very quickly, there have been reports that sue gray, who has had a tough time getting hold of the evidence, in terms of the level of cooperation from the witnesses as well, have you had a feeling of how difficult those challenges have been for her? he: remit has been pretty challenges have been for her? h2 remit has been pretty much wide really. she has been given broad terms of reference for this inquiry and has been able to, it seems, speak to whoever she has needed to and had access to, what she has needed to reach the conclusions in her report. there may, when it comes some conclusions in their which suggests it's been difficult to get to the bottom of what happened and when. some of the people she will have been

and what about labour? are there any signs of a revival for the party in here in particularly what they used to call red clydeside? the council votes might be decided by friday evening. labour has been a dominant force for the last century in local elections. but it has a weakened grip and it ended up with overall control of oven the 22 local authorities. —— of only seven of the 22 local authorities. the significant role of independent candidates here in wales has risen. take a look at what happens to this area at the vale of glamorgan. could it turn from grey into a primary colour? this place has been taken by both labour and the conservatives before. once again here it is about local issues such as planning and schools and council tax bills. the role of national leaders might come into play whether it is mark drakeford the welsh labour first minister and boris johnson and his well in the pandemic and of course partygate. one other factor is 16 and 17—year—olds get the vote here. counting begins on