The Conservative party have made early gains, as results begin to trickle in from the local elections held yesterday across the UK.
So far the Conservative party have gained control of five councils, a positive sign for Theresa May’s party in the upcoming General Election. As expected, Labour have fared less well, losing two councils in the first sets of results from local and mayoral elections.
Labour also lost control of Blaenau Gwent and Bridgend but retained Cardiff and Newport and increased its majority in Swansea. The shadow Welsh secretary Christina Rees MP commented:
“Although there are still results coming in, it’s clear from what we know so far that the predicted Tory advance in Wales has simply failed to materialise.
“We have defied the pundits to deliver some extremely strong results across Wales – holding Cardiff, Newport, Torfaen and Neath Port Talbot, retaining control with gains in Flintshire and, against a Tory onslaught, increasing our majority in Swansea.”
In a blow to Nigel Farage, UKIP is facing an almost total wipeout. According to the BBC, UKIP’s share of the vote could be as low as 3 percent; down from between 22 percent and 23 percent in the same elections four years ago.
The Green party, however, had more success; whilst the Conservatives won’t feel threatened, the party have still gained 10 seats so far in England, up five, including its first councillor in the Isle of Wight, Michael Lilley.
Many authorities, including all those in Scotland, will not begin counting until Friday morning. A total of 4,851 council seats were up for grabs in 88 councils – all of those in Scotland and Wales and 34 in England – five weeks before the general election.