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Election results

No, I have not been up blogging all night!

I went to bed fairly early and just woke up to make a cup of tea and couldn't get back to sleep. However, what results to wake up to!

According to the latest BBC projections:

Conservative 44% - 4% higher than last year and eight new councils
Labour 24% - the worst figure in 40 years
Lib Dem 25% - 1% lower than last year, 4% lower than 2004 BUT pushing Labour into second place

I think we can now put the doubters to bed regarding the Conservative revival, especially in terms of winning seats in the North of England. This result is Labour's worst in decades. More importantly, this momentum will continue to build up to the next election.

The key now is to firm up the policies that will form the base for the next Conservative Government and ensure that we are elected not because we are not Labour, but because we offer a coherent agenda for the future.

In Wales, the main headlines to date are as follows;

- Labour has lost control of Merthyr, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Flintshire councils

- The Conservatives have won the Vale of Glamorgan Council, with further gains for the Conservatives in Monmouthshire and Flintshire, including the return of Alison Halford to frontline politics in the latter council

- Plaid failed to win their expected control of Ceredigion with their PPC and local party leader, Penri James, losing his seat in the process

- Lib Dems look likely to be close to gaining overall control of Cardiff Council with further gains in Newport and Swansea

- Llais Gwynedd win their first seats in Meirionydd, with the results for the rest of Gwynedd out later this morning.

For the Welsh Conservatives, we continue to move forward and I am looking forward to results from Conwy in particular, but also the other parts of rural Wales where I expect further gains to be made.

Where now for Labour?

Certainly, the so-called 'Rhodri Morgan' effect has all but disappeared in Wales and no amount of 'clear red water' has saved them. It will be interesting to see how the party progresses, especially with its leadership election looming. Money on Leighton Andrews to win?

For Plaid Cymru, it has not been a good night.

By hitching their wagon to Labour in the Assembly, they have certainly not gained as much as they would have done in the past. Despite having, as their spin doctors would have it, the "three best ministers" in the cabinet, this has not translated into success at the polling stations. Having lost one party leader, there may be a couple of other high profile losses in Gwynedd when further results are announced later this morning.

With Labour in turmoil, will they now re-examine their position in Wales, especially as it is now likely that Labour will not be able to deliver further devolution if they are thrashed at the next General Election?

Finally, congratulations to Gwilym Euros on winning his seat in Gwynedd. He will do a great job for Blaenau Ffestiniog during the next four years I am sure (and I doubt that he won because this Conservative supported him!!)

Will be on Radio Cymru at 12pm to discuss the results.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Labour need to wake up Merthyr threw out a lot of complacent Labour councillors, independents now in charge. They have lost their heart land. Plaid what a joke, they snubbed the Valleys and are also loosing their heartland that's what you get for "sleeping with the enemy".
I so hope we get some action in politics now
Tories have done well in Wales-congrats to Nick Bourne and his team of AMs and supporters.
Major lessons for Brown he needs to either step up to the mark or go.
I wonder what London will say
May 02, 2008 9:58 am
Anonymous said…
BUT pushing Labour into second place

...third place
May 02, 2008 11:00 am
Anonymous said…
Valley's mam. We will still be the second party in terms of Councillors and have picked up a lot of Councillors in RCT and Carmerthen, from Labour. We are also still easily the biggest party in Gwynedd and we will be up about 30 or so Councillors nationally. Not so bad really, well compared to Labour who have had an absolute disaster. Frankly, your opinions are subjective enough to be a considered a joke.
May 02, 2008 3:24 pm
Anonymous said…
I believe that Plaid have actually matched the ir best ever result in terms of Councillors and are also in government (via coaliton) in more Councils than ever before.

The Tories, the Libs and Plaid can all claim success with some justification. Labour cannot.
May 02, 2008 4:23 pm
Anonymous said…
anonies you are in denial Plaid did shit. Wake up
May 02, 2008 9:01 pm
Ian Titherington said…
Plaid did badly in Gwynedd and Swansea, but are still the largest party in Gwynedd. In almost all other areas they improved their position and now have more Councillors than they have had in their history.
If that's shit, then I hate to think what terminology you would use for Labour.
May 02, 2008 9:29 pm
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