Local Elections 2013

[Kardan]

Just a thread to discuss the election results that will come in over the next few hours. The first result is in of the South Shields by-election, formerly held by David Milliband and Labour, won again by Labour, but UKIP came 2nd with 24%, Conservatives 3rd and the Lib Dems in a low 7th...

Looks like UKIP are looking quite decent from the first result... Let's see if it continues.

[Kardan]

I must say I'm quite shocked UKIP has done this well across much of the country. People may be protest voting now, but I think for the general election they should be considered a threat now, of course, that's the real test for UKIP now. Wouldn't surprise me if the conservatives decide to move towards that EU referendum a bit quicker now

Also, I remember discussing whether Farage should be given a spot during the election TV debates, back then I would have said no, but there's not much argument against giving him a place anymore.

As much as it pains me to say, well done UKIP Still not got the results from my county yet

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...elections.html

UKIP on the march: Nigel Farage hails 'wave of protest' sweeping the country as his party makes big gains in council elections

- UK Independence Party win 42 seats (still more to come through) in early council election results
- UKIP averaging around 26% across the country so far
- Farage says party has triumphed despite being 'abused' by main parties
- Conservatives lose control in Lincolnshire after UKIP take 16 seats
- Gloucestershire out of Tory control after Labour, UKIP and Lib Dem gains
- Ousted Tory councillors attack 'arrogant, out of touch' government
- Tory chairman Grant Shapps says 'we failed to get our message out'
- Government planning benefit curbs for immigrants to win back support

Mr Farage said the 'wave of protest' sweeping the country was long-lasting and predicted a UKIP MP in a marginal seat

Some pretty good pictures and graphics on that page, mainly of UKIP winning candidates.

UKIP supporters celebrate after Colin Guyton (second right) wins a seat on Gloucestershire County Council

UKIP have now passed the 50 mark my Twitter feed tells me, lots more councils to declare over this afternoon so it'll be a pretty slow day getting the results. Interesting side note that a distant relative of Guy Fawkes (Phillip Fawkes) has won his seat for UKIP.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...NTH-place.html

South Shields (David Milibands former seat) by-election results:

Labour 50.4%
UKIP 24.2% (didn't stand in 2010 here either)
Conservative 11.5%
Independent 5.4%
Independent Socialist Party 3.0%
BNP 2.9%
Liberal Democrats 1.4%
Monster Raving Loony 0.8%
Independent 0.2%

I'll post more as it comes through later. I have to say though, I love how the Tory Party is saying "we didnt get the message out properly" - as the comments on the articles say, no Mr. Shapps you did - just we don't like the message.

I also saw one Tory boy on my feed comment how if this was translated into a General Election it would result in 'only' a Labour majority of 4 - something the Tories couldn't even manage in 2010 despite not winning an election since 1992, despite having a supportive press attack Gordon Browns character, despite being against a tired government of 13 years.

[AgnesIO]

Been keeping a close eye on this.

As I said yesterday, the real test will be the general election. Certainly an interesting set of results, looking forward to comparing UKIP and the Lib Dems later after the next 17 results are declared.

Seen a few Conservatives calling for a leadership election quickly, so they can choose someone to guide them to the next election.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Results still slowly coming in, UKIP over the 70 seats mark so far.

Interesting reading that the three council divisions in former Tory leader Michael Howard's constituency fell to UKIP, and that in Witney Central (Witney being the seat of David Cameron) the Tories came third, with UKIP second and Labour taking the seat.

Former Conservative MEP and former Chair of the Welsh Conservatives defects to UKIP - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-22399978

UKIP also hold their only county council Ramsey with 67% of the vote.

James Kirkup ‏@jameskirkup 1m

That new Conservative line-to-take on UKIP: We respect and admire fruitcakes and racists, because they want what we want.

[Kardan]

My division results had a Conservative gain from Lib Dems who came 2nd, Labour 3rd, BNP 4th.

My girlfriends division had a UKIP gain from Conservative and UKIP had never run there before.

Leicestershire as a whole is a conservative hold.

[Chippiewill]

One thing that I've noticed from today is that Nigel Farage's smile is very creepy.

Congratulations to UKIP and it's pretty bad that Lib Dems got beat by BNP in the south shields election.

[-:Undertaker:-]

UKIP now on 144 councillors elected as of 5 o'clock, waiting for more results to come through.

15.50 Ukip has seen 117 councillors elected, of which 110 are gains, with 4 councils to declare. It has 634 second place candidates and only 32 candidates polling under 10 per cent, according to a Ukip spokesman.

Also read somewhere that its the first Local election or national election where the three 'main' parties have all polled under 30%. Something like that.

My favourite moment came out just before though, where it turns out (if anybody remembers) that Amy Rutland Labour girl who was on Question Time in the audience a few months ago and labelled UKIP and Diane James 'disgusting' - she's been beaten into third place in her ward and guess who won the ward? the purples.

More than 1,000,000 votes cast for UKIP.

Worth bearing in mind they got around 920,000 in the 2010 General Election - and that election was national, this one was confined to the English shires.

Where UKIP and Lib Dems both standing, we are 175,000 votes ahead of them.

Where UKIP and Labour both standing, we are 165,000 votes ahead of them.

[Chippiewill]

"Cameron on UKIP: 'No good insulting party people have chosen'" - bit of a spin around by the Conservatives
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22404562

[GommeInc]

Amazing results. UKIP came second in my area, and the Conservatives only just won it. Good on UKIP. The real test is the General Election, and given these results I think Farage must be involved in the Leader Debates closer the time. If anything, the Lib Dem Leader should be kicked out as they're hardly worth voting for these days.