Local elections: Tories lose control of Trafford Council
The council is now under no overall control.
Last updated 4th May 2018
After 14 years of Tory rule - Trafford Council has tipped into no overall control.
Conservative Council Leader Sean Anstee has described it as a 'disappointing night, with a few highlights', whilst Trafford Labour leader Andrew Western said the result was a 'sea change' and showed that local issues were at the forefront of voters' minds.
Labour gained seats previously held by the Conservatives in Davyhulme East, Davyhulme West, Brooklands, and Flixton whilst the Green Party secured two seats in Altrincham.
Sean Anstee said: “It’s disappointing but we need to reflect and learn and try to come back fighting next year. We need to reflect on the result we’ve had.
"It was positive for us to win Village and retain Timperley and Ashton on Mersey, but some seats we have lost are quite significant. It’s difficult for us to take, but we need to understand why that was the case, and regroup and reflect on the result."
Nationally, Labour lost Nuneaton and Bedworth council, an area that often indicates the colour of the government at general elections, as well as Derby, with both falling to no overall control.
The Conservatives gained Basildon and Peterborough, which had both been under no overall control.
Support for Ukip has collapsed with the party winning just two seats nearly seven hours into counting.
Labour sources insisted the results so far showed it had consolidated its vote since the general election and said the Ukip vote was following the results of the national poll, with around two thirds going Tory and one third Labour.
The Liberal Democrats gained control of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, a heavily Remain voting area, from the Conservatives.
Conservative former party chairman Grant Shapps, who has been highly critical of Prime Minister Theresa May's leadership, said No 10 and Tory headquarters had "got their act together''.
Most councils are counting votes overnight but others will declare results during the day on Friday.
Across England, more than 4,000 seats were contested in around 150 councils, including all 32 London boroughs, as well as every ward in Manchester, Birmingham Leeds and Newcastle.
Voters in some areas piloting controversial ID trials were reportedly unable to cast their ballot