Local elections LIVE: Rishi Sunak braced for major Tory losses as rebels circle

4 mins ago00:11 Christian Calgie

The first result of the night is in.

Meir North, a ward in Stoke on Trent, saw a Labour hold.

Lab: 53.9% (+0.8)

Independent: 24.8% (-4.1)

Con: 21.3% (+3.3)

One down, more than 2000 to go.

13 mins ago00:02 Christian Calgie

23 mins ago23:52 Christian Calgie

Both Labour and the Conservatives are brieing that Sir Keir will achieve victory in the Blackpool South by-election this evening.

Labour sources say they are 'confident'

They argue that anything above a 12.5% swing "shows Labour on course for a clear majority".

Activists also report that a "large number" of former Tory voters said they’ll be voting Labour for the first time.

Tory minister Chris Heaton-Harris says he wouldn't expect voters to reward the Conservative Party given the circumstances of the by-election.

24 mins ago23:51 Christian Calgie

The SNP and Humza Yousaf were torn apart by a former Conservative advisor on Question Time this evening.

Anita Boateng rinsed the SNP’s record in Government amid ongoing turmoil following Mr Yousaf’s resignation.

Watch the passionate rant here.

2 hours ago22:37 Christian Calgie

Conservative central office is apparently "chipper" this evening, and some even think Susan Hall could beat Sadiq Khan.

Theo Usherwood, LBC's former political editor, has said that "As the polls close, they’re 'utterly convinced Susan Hall has won London, whilst Andy Street keeping his job in the West Midlands is on a 'knife edge'".

Meanwhile one Tory activist who spent today campaigning with Susan Hall has told The Express the Tory candidate also thinks she could win, largely due to low turnout of Labour voters.

Earlier this evening Sadiq Khan pleaded with his voters to turn out and vote, concerned they could let the Tories slip through and win.

2 hours ago22:29 Christian Calgie

The Electoral Commission has said most voters” were able to cast their ballots despite many experiencing ID requirements for the first time.

A spokesman said: "

A number of new measures from the Elections Act were in force at these elections, including voter ID for the first time in Wales and parts of England. The electoral community has been working hard to prepare voters for these changes. Most voters who wanted to vote were able to do so".

Earlier today Boris Johnson made headlines when it emerged he had been turned away from voting as he forgot to bring his ID - despite his Government being responsible for introducing the laws.

2 hours ago22:04 Christian Calgie

Responding to polls closing for this year’s local elections, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

“The message across the country today was loud and clear. Voters want an end to this appalling Conservative government.

“People are sick of the Conservative party’s endless infighting, unaffordable mortgages, an NHS in freefall and filthy sewage being pumped into their rivers and seas.

“They want change and they want to see the end of Rishi Sunak’s Conservative party in office. That is why, up and down the country, so many lifelong Conservative voters backed the Liberal Democrats today, because they know Liberal Democrat councillors will never take them for granted and fight for the issues they care about.”

2 hours ago22:00 Christian Calgie

Commenting on the close of polls, Labour's Pat McFadden says he is "proud of the positive campaign we have run, focused on turning the page after fourteen years of decline under the Conservative Party".

“These elections have been about offering change. We have set out our plan to get Britain building again, take back our streets, and bring opportunity to every corner of the country, while the Conservatives have once again stayed silent on the issues that matter.

“The most important election of the night is the historic by-election in Blackpool, caused by yet more Tory chaos and scandal. It’s the only election today where voters have had the opportunity to directly reject Rishi Sunak’s party in Westminster.

“It’s going to be a long night and the full picture of results from local elections may not be clear until over the weekend, but we expect to see Labour gains that show we’re making progress in the places we need to win the next general election.”

3 hours ago21:17 Christian Calgie

The polls have just closed for 2024's local elections, and over two days of counting and results announcing will now begin.

Stay tuned for all breaking news, results, reaction and fallout here.

You will also be able to see the full results, and find your local results here using our elections widget.

The first results are due in around 12:30 in Eastbourne, followed by more in the North East from 1am.

The key election result tonight to watch out for is the Blackpool South by-election, which was sparked by the resignation of former Tory MP Scott Benton.

That'll come in around 4am.

Other big results, including metro mayor races in Teesside and the West Midlands will be out on Friday lunchtime, and Sadiq Khan's fate announced on Saturday lunchtime.