Labour retaining majority in Slough is a 'great result,' says MP
The Labour Party has retained its majority in Slough.
Slough Labour Group had 11 councillors out of 14 voted in, with the party gaining a seat in Upton.
Two seats in Foxborough and Langley Kederminster were lost to the Conservatives and councillor Madhuri Bedi retained her seat, but this time as an Independent.
Reacting to the win, Slough MP Tan Dhesi said: “I am extremely grateful for the good people of Slough for continuing to bestow their trust.
“Within the very difficult national context, I think it is a great result for the Slough Labour Party and we will continue to work hard on your behalf."
Slough Borough Council is now made up of 35 Labour, five Conservative, and two Independent councillors.
Conservatives retain majority in West Oxfordshire
The Conservatives have retained their majority on West Oxfordshire District Council.They lost one seat overall, the Liberal Democrats gained a seat, Labour stay on eight seats and the first Green Party councillor has been elected to the council.
Andrew Prosser took a seat in Witney North off the Conservatives.
Conservatives hold Cherwell District Council
There were no big surprises at Cherwell count with all parties holding their seats.
The results leave the Conservatives in control of the council with 31 seats, Labour hold onto nine and the Liberal Democrats three.There are four independent seats and one for the Green Party.
Analysis: 'Pretty disastrous' result for the Tories
Bethan Nimmo
Political reporter, BBC Radio Oxford
Even though Oxfordshire County Council went into this
election as no overall control and comes out of it the same,
that really doesn’t tell the full story.
For the Conservatives to have lost nine seats, including
leader Ian Hudspeth’s division of Woodstock, is pretty disastrous.
On the other hand, it was undeniably a very good day for the
Liberal Democrats and Greens who picked up eight and three seats, respectively.
Going forward, it is not clear who will be running the council
– there will certainly have to be a coalition of some sort to make a majority.
It is further complicated by a legal challenge of
the result in the Banbury Ruscote ward by Labour, where the party unexpectedly lost a
seat to the Conservatives.
If that is overturned, it would leave the Conservatives and
Liberal Democrats with exactly 21 seats each.
Oxfordshire County Council stays no overall control
The results are in for the Oxfordshire
County Council elections and it remains no overall control.
The Conservatives remain the largest party -
but only by one seat, having lost nine.
Labour has also confirmed it is mounting a
legal challenge after unexpectedly losing a seat in Banbury to the
Conservatives.
If that result is overturned, the Liberal Democrats and
Conservatives would both have 21 seats.
Here are the final results, compared to the
2017 election.
Conservatives: 22 (-9)
Lib Dems: 21 (+8)
Labour: 15 (+1)
Green: 3 (+3)
Independent: 1 (-3)
Henley Residents Group: 1
'I'm really disappointed', says Hudspeth as he bows out
Speaking after losing his seat in the Oxfordshire County Council elections, Ian Hudspeth said: “Obviously I’m really disappointed.
"I’ve loved representing the residents of Woodstock for the past 16
years, I felt that I’d done a good job for them.
"But obviously they’ve decided
they want change and I accept it because I’m a democrat and I believe in the
democratic process."
Analysis: Nightmare scenario for Tories
Bethan Nimmo
Political reporter, BBC Radio Oxford
This is turning
into a nightmare scenario for the Conservatives.
Not only are they losing
ground to the Liberal Democrats in key seats like Otmoor, Faringdon and
Eynsham, now they've also lost their leader.
Ian Hudspeth has
headed up the authority since May 2012 - through turbulent times, including
multimillion-pound cuts.
His defeat will
send shockwaves through the local Conservative party.
And it's at a
time when they are likely to come out of the election as the largest party - but
without an overall majority.
That means they will have to team up with other parties and independents if they want to
continue running the council.
But with results going as they are, they may
even lose control to a coalition of opposition parties.
Tory leader of Oxfordshire County Council loses seat
The Conservative leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Ian
Hudspeth, has lost his seat to the Liberal Democrats.
He has been leader of the authority since May 2012.
The council is currently No Overall Control and the Tories
have lost three seats to the Liberal Democrats so far in this election.
Tensions are running high in Southampton as the election count is under way.
A number of wards across the city turned blue leaving Labour and the
Conservatives with 22 seats each.
Votes for the final four wards are now being counted and the final results
are expected to be announced in the next couple of hours.
It comes as 16 seats at Southampton City Council are up for grabs.
So far Labour retained seats in Bargate, Bevois, Freemantle and
Portswood but lost Bitterne, Coxford, Millbrook, Peartree and Redbridge to
the Tories.
Votes for Shirley, Sholing, Swaythling and Woolston are currently being
counted.
Among the councillors who have just been elected there are Jeremy Moulton,
the former leader of the Conservatives who lost his seat in the 2018 elections, and Amanda Guest, who campaigned against the proposed closure
of Kentish Road respite centre.
Meanwhile, Dave Shields, former cabinet member for stronger communities
and Darren Paffey, former cabinet member for children learning and
education, retained their seats in Freemantle and Bargate respectively.
There are 48 seats in total with 25 needed for a majority.
Covid restrictions delay Portsmouth results
by Fiona Callingham, Local Democracy Reporter
BBCCopyright: BBC
A year since local elections nationwide were postponed for 12 months, Covid-19 is still having an effect on how democracy is carried out.
In Portsmouth the polling, verification and counting have been spread out over three days – rather than the usual 24-hour rush that sees results coming through in the early hours of the morning.
And social distancing measures have had an impact on how the counting is carried out.
In pre-Covid days the results for all 14 wards in Portsmouth would be counted in one room – the auditorium at the Guildhall.
But this time around the count was spread across four rooms and split into three shifts to ensure the safety of those involved.
Chief executive of Portsmouth City Council and its returning officer, David Williams, said: "It has been a very different experience this year.
"Obviously it’s not just the count, it’s the set-up at the polling stations and making sure all staff have PPE.
"We also need to make sure all the voters are properly protected throughout the process.
"It means the count is distributed across rooms. Usually it has a buzz about it, with the room full of candidates and agents.
"This is a much more subdued affair.
‘But I’m pleased to say it’s gone incredibly efficiently and well.
"A huge credit goes to the hours and hours of work by the amazing staff."
Overall, voter turnout on the Island for the authority’s election was 36.93% - down by almost 4% on the previous 2017 election.
With boundary changes, made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England ahead of this year’s May elections, it is not quite as straight forward to say who has won, lost or gained seats.
However, the once-ruling Conservative party lost seven seats and won back three but failed to gain a majority with only 18 successfully won seats.
Two of the Conservative seats fell to the Green Party, with new councillors Claire Critchison (Chale, Niton and Shorwell) and Joe Lever (Carisbrooke and Gunville), who have both previously stood before for the authority, taking the places.
Speaking after the decision, Ms Critchison said: “It was a bit of a surprise, being a two-horse race, but we went with it and I am really pleased the residents of the ward wanted me to do it.”Another new face will be in Binstead and Fishbourne, where Independent Ian Dore took the seat from Conservative hopeful Ed Hopper and Simon Cooke.
Former Isle of Wight Council leader, Jonathan Bacon, is also back, gaining his seat in Brading and St Helens.
Conservative Martin Oliver won the Mountjoy and Shide ward for the party, defeating well-known Independent Shirley Smart by 159 votes.
In a head-to-head Labour versus Conservative battle, for Cowes North, the former parliamentary candidate Richard Quigley turned the ward red, gaining the ward from the blues, by 35 votes.
Gaining a single seat, the new Vectis Party leader Daryll Pitcher took Wootton Bridge from Conservative Barry Abraham, with a 175-vote lead.
The Island Independent Network also got a second seat in County Hall, with Karen Lucioni winning Ryde Monktonmead from the Conservatives earning a 161-vote gap over second place.
In newly-formed wards Central Rural and Ryde South East, Conservatives Suzie Ellis and Warren Drew took the seats.
No one party has a majority of seats at the moment, with talks thought to have been started to determine a coalition and a way ahead between the parties for a new make-up of the local authority.
Live Reporting
All times stated are UK
BBCCopyright: BBC 
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This is at Spiceball Leisure Centre in Banbury, where the announcement will be. But the count is taking place in 13 places across the region.
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Read moreLabour retaining majority in Slough is a 'great result,' says MP
The Labour Party has retained its majority in Slough.
Slough Labour Group had 11 councillors out of 14 voted in, with the party gaining a seat in Upton.
Two seats in Foxborough and Langley Kederminster were lost to the Conservatives and councillor Madhuri Bedi retained her seat, but this time as an Independent.
Reacting to the win, Slough MP Tan Dhesi said: “I am extremely grateful for the good people of Slough for continuing to bestow their trust.
“Within the very difficult national context, I think it is a great result for the Slough Labour Party and we will continue to work hard on your behalf."
Slough Borough Council is now made up of 35 Labour, five Conservative, and two Independent councillors.
Conservatives retain majority in West Oxfordshire
The Conservatives have retained their majority on West Oxfordshire District Council.They lost one seat overall, the Liberal Democrats gained a seat, Labour stay on eight seats and the first Green Party councillor has been elected to the council.
Andrew Prosser took a seat in Witney North off the Conservatives.
Conservatives hold Cherwell District Council
There were no big surprises at Cherwell count with all parties holding their seats.
The results leave the Conservatives in control of the council with 31 seats, Labour hold onto nine and the Liberal Democrats three.There are four independent seats and one for the Green Party.
Analysis: 'Pretty disastrous' result for the Tories
Bethan Nimmo
Political reporter, BBC Radio Oxford
Even though Oxfordshire County Council went into this election as no overall control and comes out of it the same, that really doesn’t tell the full story.
For the Conservatives to have lost nine seats, including leader Ian Hudspeth’s division of Woodstock, is pretty disastrous.
On the other hand, it was undeniably a very good day for the Liberal Democrats and Greens who picked up eight and three seats, respectively.
Going forward, it is not clear who will be running the council – there will certainly have to be a coalition of some sort to make a majority.
It is further complicated by a legal challenge of the result in the Banbury Ruscote ward by Labour, where the party unexpectedly lost a seat to the Conservatives.
If that is overturned, it would leave the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats with exactly 21 seats each.
Oxfordshire County Council stays no overall control
The results are in for the Oxfordshire County Council elections and it remains no overall control.
The Conservatives remain the largest party - but only by one seat, having lost nine.
Labour has also confirmed it is mounting a legal challenge after unexpectedly losing a seat in Banbury to the Conservatives.
If that result is overturned, the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives would both have 21 seats.
Here are the final results, compared to the 2017 election.
Conservatives: 22 (-9)
Lib Dems: 21 (+8)
Labour: 15 (+1)
Green: 3 (+3)
Independent: 1 (-3)
Henley Residents Group: 1
'I'm really disappointed', says Hudspeth as he bows out
Speaking after losing his seat in the Oxfordshire County Council elections, Ian Hudspeth said: “Obviously I’m really disappointed.
"I’ve loved representing the residents of Woodstock for the past 16 years, I felt that I’d done a good job for them.
"But obviously they’ve decided they want change and I accept it because I’m a democrat and I believe in the democratic process."
Analysis: Nightmare scenario for Tories
Bethan Nimmo
Political reporter, BBC Radio Oxford
This is turning into a nightmare scenario for the Conservatives.
Not only are they losing ground to the Liberal Democrats in key seats like Otmoor, Faringdon and Eynsham, now they've also lost their leader.
Ian Hudspeth has headed up the authority since May 2012 - through turbulent times, including multimillion-pound cuts.
His defeat will send shockwaves through the local Conservative party.
And it's at a time when they are likely to come out of the election as the largest party - but without an overall majority.
That means they will have to team up with other parties and independents if they want to continue running the council.
But with results going as they are, they may even lose control to a coalition of opposition parties.
Tory leader of Oxfordshire County Council loses seat
The Conservative leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Ian Hudspeth, has lost his seat to the Liberal Democrats.
He has been leader of the authority since May 2012.
The council is currently No Overall Control and the Tories have lost three seats to the Liberal Democrats so far in this election.
Around half of seats are still to declare.
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Just one seat changes hands, with the Green Party winning by 10 votes.
Read moreSouthampton City Council final wards counted
Maria Zaccaro
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tensions are running high in Southampton as the election count is under way.
A number of wards across the city turned blue leaving Labour and the Conservatives with 22 seats each.
Votes for the final four wards are now being counted and the final results are expected to be announced in the next couple of hours.
It comes as 16 seats at Southampton City Council are up for grabs.
So far Labour retained seats in Bargate, Bevois, Freemantle and Portswood but lost Bitterne, Coxford, Millbrook, Peartree and Redbridge to the Tories.
Votes for Shirley, Sholing, Swaythling and Woolston are currently being counted.
Among the councillors who have just been elected there are Jeremy Moulton, the former leader of the Conservatives who lost his seat in the 2018 elections, and Amanda Guest, who campaigned against the proposed closure of Kentish Road respite centre.
Meanwhile, Dave Shields, former cabinet member for stronger communities and Darren Paffey, former cabinet member for children learning and education, retained their seats in Freemantle and Bargate respectively.
There are 48 seats in total with 25 needed for a majority.
Covid restrictions delay Portsmouth results
by Fiona Callingham, Local Democracy Reporter
A year since local elections nationwide were postponed for 12 months, Covid-19 is still having an effect on how democracy is carried out.
In Portsmouth the polling, verification and counting have been spread out over three days – rather than the usual 24-hour rush that sees results coming through in the early hours of the morning.
And social distancing measures have had an impact on how the counting is carried out.
In pre-Covid days the results for all 14 wards in Portsmouth would be counted in one room – the auditorium at the Guildhall.
But this time around the count was spread across four rooms and split into three shifts to ensure the safety of those involved.
Chief executive of Portsmouth City Council and its returning officer, David Williams, said: "It has been a very different experience this year.
"Obviously it’s not just the count, it’s the set-up at the polling stations and making sure all staff have PPE.
"We also need to make sure all the voters are properly protected throughout the process.
"It means the count is distributed across rooms. Usually it has a buzz about it, with the room full of candidates and agents.
"This is a much more subdued affair. ‘But I’m pleased to say it’s gone incredibly efficiently and well.
"A huge credit goes to the hours and hours of work by the amazing staff."
Southampton City Council results so far
Maria Zaccaro
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Deselected councillor wins Oxford seat
Bethan Nimmo
Political reporter, BBC Radio Oxford
Linda Smith for Labour has been elected to the Lye Valley seat on Oxford City Council.
Interestingly, she was previously deselected from her seat in Blackbird Leys - she said it was an organised operation by Momentum (which they denied).
New faces for Isle of Wight Council
Louise Hill
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Voters on the Isle of Wight have voted in a new set of councillors to lead the council.
Overall, voter turnout on the Island for the authority’s election was 36.93% - down by almost 4% on the previous 2017 election.
With boundary changes, made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England ahead of this year’s May elections, it is not quite as straight forward to say who has won, lost or gained seats.
However, the once-ruling Conservative party lost seven seats and won back three but failed to gain a majority with only 18 successfully won seats.
Two of the Conservative seats fell to the Green Party, with new councillors Claire Critchison (Chale, Niton and Shorwell) and Joe Lever (Carisbrooke and Gunville), who have both previously stood before for the authority, taking the places.
Speaking after the decision, Ms Critchison said: “It was a bit of a surprise, being a two-horse race, but we went with it and I am really pleased the residents of the ward wanted me to do it.”Another new face will be in Binstead and Fishbourne, where Independent Ian Dore took the seat from Conservative hopeful Ed Hopper and Simon Cooke.
Former Isle of Wight Council leader, Jonathan Bacon, is also back, gaining his seat in Brading and St Helens.
Conservative Martin Oliver won the Mountjoy and Shide ward for the party, defeating well-known Independent Shirley Smart by 159 votes.
In a head-to-head Labour versus Conservative battle, for Cowes North, the former parliamentary candidate Richard Quigley turned the ward red, gaining the ward from the blues, by 35 votes.
Gaining a single seat, the new Vectis Party leader Daryll Pitcher took Wootton Bridge from Conservative Barry Abraham, with a 175-vote lead.
The Island Independent Network also got a second seat in County Hall, with Karen Lucioni winning Ryde Monktonmead from the Conservatives earning a 161-vote gap over second place.
In newly-formed wards Central Rural and Ryde South East, Conservatives Suzie Ellis and Warren Drew took the seats.
No one party has a majority of seats at the moment, with talks thought to have been started to determine a coalition and a way ahead between the parties for a new make-up of the local authority.