Tories on top in UK local polls

The Conservative Party put in its best performance in a decade in local elections in the UK, while the Labour Party was humiliated.

The results of Thursday’s local elections in the United Kingdom may or may not be reflected in the June 8 mid-term polls, but the ruling Conservative Party put in its best performance in a decade while Labour suffered several losses.

Counting takes place of votes cast in the Manchester Mayoral election at the Central Convention Centre in Manchester, northern England, on May 5, 2017. (AFP)

The Conservatives gained much ground, Labour was humiliated and the UK Independence Party was obliterated in the local elections, during which 4,851 seats were up for grabs in 88 councils: 32 in Scotland, 22 in Wales and 34 councils and unitary authorities in England.

All the results were expected later on Friday, but at noon, the Conservatives had control of 10 authorities and 786 seats, a net gain of 215. Labour had control of five authorities and 517 seats, a net loss of 159.

The Liberal Democrats had 195 seats, a net loss of 24, and UKIP failed to win any seat.

Labour, which lost control of Glasgow, Bridgend and Blaenau Gwent, said the results were "disappointing" weeks before the mid-term election.

Analysts said the Conservative Party appeared to have been the main beneficiary of a sharp decline in support for UKIP.

Defence secretary Michael Fallon told BBC the outcome was "very encouraging" for the Conservative Party, but denied that the June 8 election was in the bag. He said the local election results were not an "accurate prediction" of next month's polls.