Conservatives gain local votes.

13 May, 2006

On 4 May, 176 English local authorities went to the polls, including all 32 London boroughs and 14 councils on the borders of Greater London. Of the 46 London councils, 24 are now controlled by the Conservatives (which previously held 17) 7 by Labour (previously 15) and 6 by the Liberal Democrats (previously 5). 9 councils have no clear majority, including the Camden council, where Labour lost control for the first time in 30 years. The Green Party won 10 seats across the capital, while the far-right British National Party won 11 seats in the Barking and Dagenham borough council in Londons East End where Labour retained its majority. Local elections are seen as a one of the strongest indicators of party support outside a general election.