Labour claimed on Friday that early results from the local polls in England show it is on course to win the next General Election.
The contests were the first to be fought under new rules requiring voters to carry photographic ID, and the elections watchdog said “regrettably” some people were turned away from polling stations as a result.
Labour gained control of Plymouth, where the Tories had run a minority administration, then did the same in Stoke-on-Trent, another general election battleground.
In Hertsmere, where Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is MP, the Tories lost control of the council, with 13 councillors voted out while Labour gained seven and the Lib Dems six.
Tamworth, Brentford, North West Leicestershire and East Lindsey also fell from Tory administrations to no overall control.
Labour replaced the Tories as the largest party in Hartlepool and Worcester.
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Labour takes over Medway for first time since 1998
Labour has taken overall control of Medway Council for the first time since 1998 after winning 30 of its 59 seats.
With six seats still to be declared, the Tories are on 22 and there is one independent, but Labour now cannot be caught.
Tories lose control of five councils, Labour gains two
Good morning.
Results have been coming in overnight after voters took to the polls on Thursday in England’s local elections.
With results declared from 51 of the 230 councils, the Conservatives had lost control of five councils, while Labour had gained two.
The Tories had lost 134 seats, with Labour gaining 107, the Liberal Democrats gaining 42 and the Greens gaining nine.
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