sunak, there very bad for rishi sunak, there would be some kind of cabal at the weekend. the would be some kind of cabal at the weekend. , , weekend. the interesting thing is when ou weekend. the interesting thing is when you speak— weekend. the interesting thing is when you speak to _ weekend. the interesting thing is when you speak to the _ weekend. the interesting thing is when you speak to the public, - weekend. the interesting thing is. when you speak to the public, there is this big appetite for change, people want the election to come, but they don't want that change to come in the form of another tory leadership contest, and i think the dangerfor the leadership contest, and i think the danger for the conservatives, we know the thing which has really damage them, is this sense that they are addicted to chaos, and the idea of another contest taking place over the summer, i think would play very badly. i actually think the past few weeks, the conservatives have shown that they actually have a forward—looking programme. they have talked about benefits, they've passed the rwanda legislation. but it is pretty fraught tonight. i - it is pretty fraught tonight. i think one of the problem is that rishi sunak had as it looked like he wasn't governing, and that is what people would say. i never see him, he looks weak. and so they have got a bit more on the front, a bit more

red meat for those backbenchers. find red meat for those backbenchers. and tell me, looking at labour's stock, looking at keir starmer particularly, looking at whether gazais particularly, looking at whether gaza is a factor in places like birmingham for example. i gaza is a factor in places like birmingham for example. i think the uirls effect birmingham for example. i think the girls effect we _ birmingham for example. i think the girls effect we will— birmingham for example. i think the girls effect we will have _ birmingham for example. i think the girls effect we will have to _ birmingham for example. i think the girls effect we will have to see, - birmingham for example. i think the girls effect we will have to see, i - girls effect we will have to see, i know _ girls effect we will have to see, i know that — girls effect we will have to see, i know that is something that strategists are keeping an eye out for tonight, and they are worried about_ for tonight, and they are worried about that, because labour doesn't want to— about that, because labour doesn't want to be — about that, because labour doesn't want to be losing votes anywhere, really. _ want to be losing votes anywhere, really. but — want to be losing votes anywhere, really. but i — want to be losing votes anywhere, really, but i think overall, labour is pretty— really, but i think overall, labour is pretty confident about the direction of travel and the trajectory, and yes, you know, let's say ben_ trajectory, and yes, you know, let's say ben houchen does win and andy street_ say ben houchen does win and andy street wins, it doesn't change the overall_ street wins, it doesn't change the overall trajectory which is the tories — overall trajectory which is the tories will argue that this is mid—term, but for the tories will argue that this is mid—term, but forthe public tories will argue that this is mid—term, but for the public this feels _ mid—term, but for the public this feels like — mid—term, but for the public this feels like end of term. this feels like there — feels like end of term. this feels like there is change coming. andi like there is change coming. and i actually think. _ like there is change coming. and i actually think, i _ like there is change coming. and i actually think, i would _ like there is change coming. if i actually think, i would ignore tees valley and the west midlands. you have popular mayors with popular brands. if there is one contest i think will give us the best indication of what might happen in a

general election, it is that new east midlands mayor, because there are lots of marginal seats in that area, there is no incumbent, it is pretty much a straight tory labour fight, so that is what i would have my eye on. fight, so that is what i would have my eye on-— fight, so that is what i would have my eye om— my eye on. and i would also said that blackpool— my eye on. and i would also said that blackpool south _ my eye on. and i would also said that blackpool south is _ my eye on. and i would also said| that blackpool south is important because — that blackpool south is important because that is another tory loss, and another labour gain, and all of that does. — and another labour gain, and all of that does, you know, the arithmetic in parliament makes it more difficult _ in parliament makes it more difficult for rishi sunak as well. but it— difficult for rishi sunak as well. but it is— difficult for rishi sunak as well. but it is going to be a really interesting... but it is going to be a really interesting. . ._ but it is going to be a really interesting... you will be up all niuht interesting... you will be up all night watching. _ interesting... you will be up all night watching. a _ interesting... you will be up all night watching. a lot _ interesting... you will be up all night watching. a lot of - interesting... you will be up all night watching. a lot of people | interesting... you will be up all. night watching. a lot of people will be, and we can go over now and see some of the preparations, because they will be going on a very shortly. we can see there is laura in the distance, limbering up, getting ready to go on air for what will i hope be a very good and exciting night. that's all from us tonight. victoria's back tomorrow. before we go, the phrase guitar hero is thrown around a bit loosely these days, but last night we learned of the death at the age of 86 of dwayne eddie.

if you know his music, you'll know his contribution. if you don't — well, sit back and enjoy his performance at the musicians hall of fame induction ceremony in 2008. of course, it has to be peter gunn. good night. applause. theme t0 peter gunn.

the polls closed just over an hour ago at ten o'clock in the local major and police and crime commissioner elections in england and wales and a by—election in blackpool south. it is the biggest test of political opinion ahead of the next general election, which is expected later this year. let me take you live to one of the counts. this is blackpool, where you can see the counters are waiting with bated breath for those ballot boxes to arrive. they are heading for the votes to be counted on that by—election. let me take you to harlow in essex again. the ballot

boxes will be heading into harlow in essex from the local elections that have been taking place. and finally for the moment let me take you to hartlepool. this is the scene. the counters in the left hand side of your screen beginning to count votes in hartlepool. we of course have correspondeds and reporters at all that counts around england that accounting tonight overnight. here in the newsroom, we have the coffee on the go, although not all the votes will be counted overnight, so we will have results, not only through the night, but there are more tomorrow and some indeed on saturday. so, who has been at the poles and where? there have been elections in 107 councils in england, that means more than 2660 c “p england, that means more than 2660 c up for grabs.

england, that means more than 2660 c upfor grabs. —— england, that means more than 2660 c up for grabs. —— seats. the conservatives and labour defending a similar number, just under 1000. the lib dems are defending just over 400, green partyjust over 100. elections for mayors have been taking place in london and nine other metro areas across england. mayors be chosen for the first time in the east midlands, the north—east and york and north yorkshire. voters will also choose the mayor of salford. and there are 37 police and crime commissioners which will also be chosen across england and wales, and we've already mentioned it, there is a westminster by—election in blackpool south. we will be there live in a moment. but first with what we can expect, here is our political editor chris mason. millions of decisions have been taken and thousands of aspiring decision—makers, politicians, white their fates. decision—makers, politicians, white theirfates. this is a patchwork set of elections running in and wales with a long tail of results. that goes on until saturday night. let's

talk councils in england. these purple splodges is for councillors are being elected to 107 councils, many in the north west of england, also in the midlands and in towns around london. this is the scene in harlow and essex, a classic spot for a tussle between the conservatives and labour. plenty of counting for them to do. results expected in the middle of the night. there have also been elections for police and crime commissioners in england and wales. they have been around for around 12 years and they hold the police to account. and let's talk too about mayers, there are 11 being elected around england. here's what's going on right now in hartlepool, where they are counting the cancer rates, as well as the contest to be the mayor of the tees valley, an enterprising zone there as they await the ballot papers and get going with the counting pretty soon.

last time the conservative ben houchen won the mayoral contest. while will he do this time? and there is a parliamentary by—election too at the home of the pleasure beach and the tower, blackpool. blackpool south electing a new mp. for the politicians, the spin is just beginning. the expectation management and where they would like to focus. the first result we will look for is the blackpool by—election, which is the blackpool by—election, which is the only— the blackpool by—election, which is the only result where rishi sunak and the _ the only result where rishi sunak and the government are really on the ballot _ and the government are really on the ballot paper so if we can gain that, it would _ ballot paper so if we can gain that, it would show real progress on the way to— it would show real progress on the way to the — it would show real progress on the way to the coming general election jealous— way to the coming general election jealous of— way to the coming general election jealous of the last time most of these _ jealous of the last time most of these seats were fought was in 2021, where _ these seats were fought was in 2021, where we _ these seats were fought was in 2021, where we had a vaccine bounce. that was our best — where we had a vaccine bounce. that was our best set _ where we had a vaccine bounce. that was our best set of— where we had a vaccine bounce. “trust was our best set of local elections since 2008. so that is a very high base. compared to that, it is going

to be difficult to achieve on that so that's the backdrop for the results we will see this evening. and a final part, a newish thing is the new photo id when you turn up to vote, it began in england, scotland and wales under this man, former prime minister borisjohnson. he was encouraging people to turn out today. and this morning he rolled up at his local polling station in 0xfordshire, and he was turned away because, yes, he had forgotten his id. he later returned with the right id. he later returned with the right id. his spokesman told the bbc, mr johnson voted conservative. 0ur political editor chris mason. as chris mentioned, we have the blackpool south by—election, that is counted overnight were the conservatives are defending a majority of just 3690. conservatives are defending a majority ofjust 3690. we go live to the count with helen. so, let's start off with the basics, remind us why we have a by—election in the first place. we

why we have a by-election in the first place-— first place. we are having this by-eleetion — first place. we are having this by-election because - first place. we are having this by-election because the - first place. we are having this i by-election because the former first place. we are having this - by-election because the former mp by—election because the former mp for this seat, scott benton, who was elected as a conservative here in 2019, he resigned and that was because he was facing a recall petition, he had been suspended from parliament for 35 days, suspended in the conservative party because he was filmed offering to lobby ministers in behalf of undercover journalists who are posing as gambling investors, so his resignation sparked this by—election and that is what we are seeing tonight. and that is what we are seeing toniaht. . , and that is what we are seeing toniaht. ., , , , ., ., tonight. clearly, this is going to be a huge _ tonight. clearly, this is going to be a huge target _ tonight. clearly, this is going to be a huge target for _ tonight. clearly, this is going to be a huge target for labour, - tonight. clearly, this is going to l be a huge target for labour, they tonight. clearly, this is going to i be a huge target for labour, they i assume are hoping to win it. there are very confident _ assume are hoping to win it. there are very confident here. _ assume are hoping to win it. there are very confident here. i - assume are hoping to win it. there are very confident here. i think - assume are hoping to win it. there are very confident here. i think to l are very confident here. i think to be honest, there is not a person here that doesn't think this is not going to be a labour seat by tomorrow morning. the conservatives are privately acknowledging they think they have lost it already even though we haven't even started counting the votes. boxes are in and they have started sorting them. we also have the police and crime

commissioner elections in this area too so those have to be sorted at the same time. so conservative sources are pretty downbeat and they think they have lost this. what we will be looking at is the scale of any win by labour, even though i think they are looking to win quite big. also looking at how reform uk perform. there predecessor party came 30th in 2019 with about 6% of the vote, think there will be hoping to do better than that. they think they have had a good day in terms of turnout, less so, they think: postal votes. but at the moment, they don't know if they have done enough to catch the conservatives and pushed him into a possible third place, neither they nor the conservative sources think at this stage that they have managed to do that. it is interestin: they have managed to do that. it is interesting with reform uk because the wellingborough by—election, they got around 13% they were calling nationally as around that level so it'll be interesting to see what

they manage to do another to eat into that tory vote, because that's one of the things we will be looking at at the general election. it is. at at the general election. it is, and it is also — at at the general election. it is, and it is also in _ at at the general election. it is, and it is also in the _ at at the general election. it is, and it is also in the more - at at the general election. if 3 and it is also in the more immediate term one of the things that conservative backbenchers will be looking at pretty closely to see how much of a threat faith think they might face from reform in their own constituencies. and in the wellingborough by—election, reform got about 30% of the vote, which was the best performance. but i think they will be looking for something at least around that level here. it's quite a different scenario, they have a very local candidate who is very well—known for wellingborough they had one of their party grandees standing. here they have a local candidate who is fairly well—known in the area, it's a pretty leave voting area if you think back to the brexit referendum, i think the national figure think back to the brexit referendum, i think the nationalfigure is think back to the brexit referendum, i think the national figure is about 68% leave. so is the inheritors of the brexit party if you like, it

should be quite photographer them but at this stage, we just don't know whether they have managed to outperform how they have in previous years certainly, they seem pretty pleased this evening with their performance. we will have to see what that translates to in figures stop the other parties, the lib dems, it's not somewhere where they have a strong result. we have talked a lot about labour and the conservatives and reform because they are seen as the three main challengers. for the lib dems, this is really a seat they feel that they challenge info there is a green candidate and there are some independents but i think the feeling is that this isn't really the sort of area they have been targeting, this is being more left to labour and the conservatives and reform. and it wouldn't be a by—election without a candidate from the monster raving loony party! it without a candidate from the monster raving loony party!— raving loony party! it wouldn't, that is true. _ raving loony party! it wouldn't, that is true. we _ raving loony party! it wouldn't, that is true. we have _ raving loony party! it wouldn't, that is true. we have howling i raving loony party! it wouldn't, i that is true. we have howling laud hope, he hasn't appeared yet. i

think i heard him say summer this was something like the 34th or fifth by—election he has stood in but they are a bit of a fixture of british elections are british by—elections. so they are indeed standing here this evening. i think anyone else from around the world if they were watching, there would wonder what it was about. but we sort of get it here with our sense of humour. you are going to be there on that, i wonder if there is any catering, do you have the coffee on? you going to stay awake? well, i'm going to try my hardest! well, i'm going to try my hardest! we are going to try and find some coffee once we have finished talking to you and we have a big pile of chocolate. i to you and we have a big pile of chocolate-— to you and we have a big pile of chocolate. ., , ., chocolate. i always ask when there is a by-election, _ chocolate. i always ask when there is a by-election, what _ chocolate. i always ask when there is a by-election, what sort - chocolate. i always ask when there is a by-election, what sort of - chocolate. i always ask when there is a by-election, what sort of time | is a by—election, what sort of time are you expecting a result? is a by-election, what sort of time are you expecting a result? again, at the moment _ are you expecting a result? again, at the moment that _ are you expecting a result? again, at the moment that is _ are you expecting a result? again, at the moment that is quite - are you expecting a result? again, at the moment that is quite fluid, | at the moment that is quite fluid, partly because they have to verify the police and crime commissioner votes first, but initially we were told summer between 2am and 5am. i think the thinking is that it might be slightly towards 2am but these

things are always really fluid and you don't get much of a sense until a few hours in. it's going to be pretty light. i a few hours in. it's going to be pretty light-— a few hours in. it's going to be re liaht. . ., ., i. pretty light. i am going to let you no and pretty light. i am going to let you go and get _ pretty light. i am going to let you go and get your— pretty light. i am going to let you go and get your cover _ pretty light. i am going to let you go and get your cover and - pretty light. i am going to let you go and get your cover and top - pretty light. i am going to let you go and get your cover and top up | pretty light. i am going to let you i go and get your cover and top up on the chocolate and i know you will be back throughout the night in the election special a little later with laura. helen, thank you. i want to take you back to the live pictures from harlow. this is one of the local elections that are being counted. we are getting some news from simon dedman, the bbc essex political reporter in harlow. he says that the main parties are saying it is looking close. labour and the conservatives telling him that it does look quite close in that it does look quite close in that bellwether town of harlow. the conservatives currently control harlow district council. it's conservative leader says he feels the council could come down to a few votes. saying it's a massive election, it feels really close but we will see how the night and i

should say, all 33 seats are up this year after the boundaries were redrawn. the political make—up of the council of the month, 21 conservative and 12 labour. the conservatives won a majority in 2021 and have held it since. a senior labour source telling bbc essex that it is looking close, party activists start to arrive at the count at harlow leisure zone. the conservative leader saying it's not a great secret that the conservatives are not in a great price and they have a massive job to do but they feel on a local basis thatis do but they feel on a local basis that is happening. so that's the picture in harlow. we should say, just going to mention that the count in hull has been delayed, because there has been an evacuation. the verification of ballot boxes one underway but there was an alarm which sounded so everyone has been evacuated at the hull guildhall.

more on that in the bbc newsline page which is up and running, which has input for all of our correspondence at the country. —— the bbc news live page. xiao, thank you forjoining us now. let's start for would be a good night and a bad night for the party. that's sort of the conservatives.— night for the party. that's sort of the conservatives. well, so often local elections _ the conservatives. well, so often local elections are _ the conservatives. well, so often local elections are about - the conservatives. well, so often local elections are about stories, | local elections are about stories, and inevitably because of the strange make up and mix of different councils and different contests up for grabs, everyone can point to something that will be spun as a good news story, but really when you look at the totals, that is what is important and i think if the conservatives lose more than around 500 individual council seats, but will represent a bad night for them and more than 600 would be really problematic indeed. then you have to look beyond that to individual contests. if they lose in tees valley, if they lose in the west

midlands or the mayoralty elections, there would be more bad news for the conservatives. 0n the flip side, if they can get within single digits of sadiq khan in london, it would present a good result there, but it will definitely be a mixed bag. i really, this is ultimately about expectation management. last time these contests were run was in may 2021. the conservatives had a lead in the polls nationally between 8% and 10%. now that figure has pretty much halved and labour holds a 20 point lead, so you would expect labour to do very well, but precisely how badly the conservatives manage remains to be seen. �* conservatives manage remains to be seen. ~ ., ., , ., , , seen. and on the conservatives, they hold the tees — seen. and on the conservatives, they hold the tees valley _ seen. and on the conservatives, they hold the tees valley and _ seen. and on the conservatives, they hold the tees valley and west - hold the tees valley and west midlands mayors, it will be crucial in the vote to keep hold of those for the tories.—

for the tories. that's right. that would be- -- _ for the tories. that's right. that would be... ok, _ for the tories. that's right. that would be... ok, we _ for the tories. that's right. that would be... ok, we seem - for the tories. that's right. that would be... ok, we seem to - for the tories. that's right. that i would be... ok, we seem to have for the tories. that's right. that - would be... ok, we seem to have lost xiao for some — would be... ok, we seem to have lost xiao for some reason. _ would be... ok, we seem to have lost xiao for some reason. we _ would be... ok, we seem to have lost xiao for some reason. we go - would be... ok, we seem to have lost xiao for some reason. we go back- would be... ok, we seem to have lost xiao for some reason. we go back to l xiao for some reason. we go back to him shortly. let me show you pictures from. back down in the south—west, which is where the lib dem is will be looking to do well in the south and south—west. let's go back to the count in blackpool, these are the pictures from blackpool, as helen said, those boxes are starting to come in. we will go back tojoe shortly. we have had some political reaction foot of the transport secretary mark harper was asked if it would be a good night for the conservatives and here's what he had to say. we will try to come back to that! 0k, here's what he had to say. we will try to come back to that! ok, let's go back tojoe. let's see if we can go back tojoe. let's see if we can go back tojoe, we have a re—established contact with him one

of the technical glitches which you expect on an election night with so many different sources coming into the bbc. we were talking about the mayors for the conservatives in tees valley in the west midlands. ben houchen and andy street both have very strong personal voters. most very strong personalvoters. most --eole very strong personalvoters. most people will— very strong personalvoters. most people will be — very strong personalvoters. most people will be somewhere - very strong personal voters. i’a'ifisii people will be somewhere between the two. what we expect to see is a close contest in both. it will be interesting to see if the conservatives hold onto one and labour win one, a score draw would go down well with both sets of fans. but if the conservatives lose both it is a bad night for them. we saw the pictures _ it is a bad night for them. we saw the pictures from _ it is a bad night for them. we saw the pictures from plymouth. - it is a bad night for them. we saw the pictures from plymouth. that| it is a bad night for them. we saw i the pictures from plymouth. that is the pictures from plymouth. that is the south—west, a stronghold for the liberal democrats. what will they be looking for in terms of how well they do?