Local election results 2024 LIVE: Sadiq Khan calls for General Election as he WINS third term as London mayor, while Tory West Midlands mayor Andy Street suffers a shock defeat after dramatic recount

Sadiq Khan has received enough votes to officially win re-election as London mayor for a third term.

It is the first time that a mayor has won three terms as the mayor of London.

In a written statement following the victory, Sir Keir Starmer said: 'This phenomenal result was beyond our expectations. People across the country have had enough of Conservative chaos and decline and voted for change with Labour.

'Our fantastic new mayor Richard Parker stands ready to deliver a fresh start for the West Midlands.

'My changed Labour Party is back in the service of working people, and stands ready to govern. Labour will turn the page after 14 years of Tory decline and usher in a decade of national renewal. That change starts today.'

A tearful Richard Parker started his victory speech by leading applause to Andy Street, as said he deserved 'great credit' for his work.

He said: 'Thank you to Andy - you have led this region through a number of great challenges and you deserve great credit for that.

'Whilst our politics are different we both have the best interests of the West Midlands at heart. '

He continued: 'This is the most important thing that I will ever do

'They recognised that a Labour mayor can make a positive difference in this region. You have put your trust in me and I will repay that trust.

'We will give this region the fresh start it richly deserves. I will stand up for all our councils in the face of unprecedented Tory cuts.

'It shows that people are calling for Labour and calling for change.'

Speaking after his loss, Andy Street paid tribute to what he believes is important about his role.

He said: 'Most importantly my thanks of course go to everybody who voted for me on Thursday and for the trust that they showed in me.

'That's perhaps the most important word in politics of all.'

He continued: 'It has been my honour to lead you for the last seven years. I hope I have done it with dignity and integrity.'

Labour’s Richard Parker beat Conservative Andy Street by 1,508 votes to become Mayor of the West Midlands.

Senior Labour sources have suggested that there are as little as 1,000 votes in the victory, the BBC says.

Speaking about the West Midlands result, political scientist Sir John Curtice told the BBC: 'It is a testament to Andy Street's personal popularity that albeit he may have lost narrowly - the fact that he has run Labour so close I think he can take quite some considerable credit for.

'Because we know that in the parallel Police and Commissioner election the Conservatives were quite some way behind.'

Labour candidate Simon Foster won the vote to become West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner ahead of the declaration for West Midlands Mayor earlier today.

He won by nearly 100,000 votes ahead of his Conservative rival. saying: 'The only honour and privilege greater than being elected by our fellow citizens is to be re-elected by your fellow citizens.'

Labour MP and shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth has sent his congratulations to Richard Parker as the West Midlands is still yet to declare its winner.

Labour's deputy national campaign co-ordinator and Lewisham MP Ellie Reeves posted on X: 'Congratulations @RichParkerLab.

'An incredible result and significant victory.

'Right across the country people have voted for change and the message is clear...

'It's time for a General Election and a Labour govt to get our country's future back.'

Labour won three of the eight police and crime commissioner elections declared on Saturday, gaining Cheshire from the Conservatives and holding West Midlands and Merseyside.

The Conservatives held Hertfordshire and Dorset comfortably, and had narrow wins in Warwickshire by just 306 votes, 0.26%, Thames Valley by 2,343 (0.52%) and Wiltshire by 2,233 votes (1.79%).

Labour gained nine PCCs from the Conservatives on Friday, as well as holding five.

The party now has 17 PCCs, the same as the Conservatives, with Plaid Cymru retaining Dyfed-Powys.

There are two results to be declared on Sunday, in Kent and Sussex.

These elections get much less attention than those for mayors, councils and the London Assembly - but could be significant as they include many of the shires that traditionally lean towards the Conservatives.

Labour's candidate for Mayor in the West Midlands has been pictured raising his arm in victory next to local MP Liam Byrne - despite the knife-edge results not having been result yet.

Sources say there could be as little as 2,000 votes between him and Andy Street as a recount of the election results continues.

With all 14 constituencies of the London Assembly declared, Labour had 10 seats, the Conservatives three and the Liberal Democrats one.

There were only seven votes between Lib Dems and Green Party in a victory for environmental party in the London mayoral elections.

In a nail-biting finish, Liberal Democrat Rob Blackie finished on 145,184 with 5.84% of the vote.

And Zoe Garbett of the Green party had the same percentage - with 145,114 votes.

Labour candidate Richard Parker got 32,704 votes in Coventry, with Tory hopeful Andy Street on 23,237 - leaving the incumbent West Midlands Mayor ahead by more than 11,400, with Sandwell the only council yet to declare.

Birmingham Labour MP Jess Phillips has said that her party's delay in calling for a Gaza ceasefire has cost them votes in the West Midlands.

It comes after Independent candidate Akhmed Yakoob won third place in the Birmingham result after campaigning on Palestine.

A former frontbencher, Phillips broke ranks and quit to vote in favour of an SNP-led demand for an 'immediate ceasefire' in the Middle East last November.

'I’d be lying if I said if I said this hasn’t been an issue that hurt the Labour party in this election,' she told the BBC.

'This is a political issue that the people here care about.'

Asked if after his third term will be his last in London and whether he has 'ambitious for national politics', Mr Khan said: 'You speak to Mo Salah, once he scores a hat trick he doesn't celebrate a fourth, he waits and he enjoys the hat trick.

'Just wait and see.'

A Labour source hailed the win, insisting Mr Khan had 'done better than anyone could have expected' and gained ground on the Conservatives 'right across London'.

They said the mayor 'has been re-elected with by far the biggest direct mandate in the UK and the second biggest in Europe.

'He's deeply humbled and grateful that 1,088,225 Londoners lent him their vote and vows to deliver for every single Londoner - whoever they voted for,' the source added.

Conservative MP for Sutton Paul Scully, who stood unsuccessfully to be the Tory Mayor of London candidate, said his party had 'gifted' Khan the win and ran an 'incredibly underwhelming campaign' in the capital.

Slamming the Consevative campaign as 'really quite dysfunctional', he told Sky News: 'What we've ended up with is just a campaign where we just had people moaning about Sadiq Khan - and there's plenty to moan about.

'But we can't just rely on a negative campaign, standing alongside people wagging a finger and throwing rotten fruit at him.

'You've got to be on the stage, articulating a positive vision.'

Andy Street pulled in 37,345 votes in the Dudley borough, compared to 24,807 votes for Labour's West Midlands mayor candidate Richard Parker.

With results in Coventry and Sandwell yet to be declared, Conservative candidate Mr Street has a lead over Mr Parker of around 20,900.

Labour won heavily in both Coventry and Sandwell in this week's two-candidate Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Britain First supporters left the count after booing Sadiq Khan as he stepped up to the podium to deliver his victory speech.

But hitting out at the fringe group one member of the crowd heckles back: 'You lost to Count Binface!'

Nick Scanlon of Britain First won 20,519 (0.83%) of the vote - nearly 4,000 behind Count Binface, who recieved 24,260 (0.98%).

The wacky political figure - who claims to be a 5,072-year-old intergalactic space warrior - ran on a manifesto that included capping the price of croissants at £1.10 and granting Grade 1 listed status to Claudia Winkleman's fringe.

Count Binface said 'down with fascism, up with Ceefax' after discovering he had beaten Britain First's candidate Nick Scanlon.

He told reporters at City Hall: 'It looks like I have defeated Britain First in an election.

'Come on, you have to cheer about that...down with fascism, up with Ceefax, what can I say?'

Brian Rose (London Real Party) came last in the vote with 7,501 (0.3%) of the vote.

The West Midlands mayoral race could come to a difference of just 2,000 voters.

Senior sources on both sides of the battle told the BBC that the tight race could be down to the wire.

In the last half hour Labour's West Midlands mayor candidate Richard Parker polled almost 14,000 votes more than Andy Street in the Birmingham City Council area.

Sadiq Khan has said 'it's time' for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call a general election.

The London mayor said in his victory speech at City Hall: 'I pledge to have a constant focus on all the other issues that Londoners also care about: the rising cost of living, crime on our streets, homelessness, affordable housing.

'For the last eight years, London has been swimming against the tide of a Tory government, and now, with a Labour Party that's ready to govern again under Keir Starmer, it's time for Rishi Sunak to give the public a choice.

'A general election will not just pave the path to a new direction for our country, but it will make bold action Londoners want to see a reality.'

Tributes for Sadiq Khan have flooded in from Labour colleagues after his London victory.

Both Deputy Leader of the party Angela Rayner and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves posted photos of them hugging the politician - as they celebrated their 'good friend's' win.

Labour's West Midlands mayor candidate Richard Parker polled almost 14,000 votes more than Andy Street in the Birmingham City Council area.

Mr Parker received 80,251 votes in the city, followed by Mr Street (66,296) and a strong showing of 40,923 votes for independent pro-Gaza candidate Akhmed Yakoob.

In Walsall, Mr Street polled 24,735 votes, Mr Parker 18,097 and Mr Yakoob 8,451.

Sadiq Khan said his 'determination to ensure London leads from the front with world-leading green action remains as strong as ever'.

It comes after a campaign where his controversial green policies have been a bed of contention - especially the Ultra Low Emission Zone ringing the capital.

He said: 'Today's not about making history, it's about shaping our future. A future where children can be nourished with free school meals and breathe cleaner air, where all Londoners are given the support and helping hand they need to fulfil their potential, and where our social fabric is strengthened and our diverse communities cherished and celebrated.

'My determination to ensure London leads from the front with world-leading green action remains as strong as ever.

'We've already made great strides cleaning up our air and will continue to tackle pollution, whether it's found on our streets or in our rivers.'

Susan Hall's Campaign Spokesman told MailOnline: 'We fought a campaign on common sense conservative principles, and defied the polls.

'Hard work, grit and determination, embodied by our candidate, Susan Hall, boosted our vote significantly above the parties polling in this great City.

'Our message overperformed, our candidate won over hundreds of thousands of Londoners with a plain-speaking, honest campaign.'

Sadiq Khan thanked his family for their support, but apologised for them facing 'protests by our home' and 'threats' after securing a third term as Mayor of London.

Mr Khan said: 'A special thank you goes to my mum, everything she's done for me. I love you. And to my amazing wife, Saadiya, and our daughters Anisah and Ammarah, for their strength and support throughout all these years.

'I know there have been times when this job has taken a toll on you. But that's not right, or fair.

'Some of the stuff on social media, the protests by our home, the threats. It's upsetting, it's frightening and it's wrong. I'm truly sorry for putting you through this.

'But I also know, you share my belief as hard as it can be sometimes, this work is worth doing because it means being able to give to other families the same life-changing opportunities that this wonderful city has extended to ours. I love you all so much.'

Returning Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said it was the 'honour of my life' to hold the position.

But he raged against opposition campaigns, which he claimed featured 'fear-mongering' and 'non-stop negativity'.

He said: 'We faced a campaign of non-stop negativity. But I couldn't be more proud that we answered fear-mongering with facts.

'Hate with hope and attempts to divide with efforts to unite.

'We ran a campaign that was in keeping with the spirit and values of this great city. A city that regards our diversity not as a weakness, but an almighty strength - and one that rejects right, hard-wing populism and looks forward, not back.'

Speaking after her Mayoral loss, Conservative candidate Susan Hall said: 'The thing that matters to [Londoners] most and to me is reforming the Met and making London safe again.

'I hope Sadiq makes this his top priority. He owes it to the families of those thousand people who have lost lives to knife crime under his mayoralty.

'And I hope too that he stops patronizing people like me who care. This isn't an episode of The Wire. This is real-life, on his watch.

'I will continue to hold Sadiq to account and stand up for the hard-working families, to motorists and to women.

'I love London, and I urge Sadiq to try harder to make it better, for all our sakes.'

Pictured: Britain First candidate Nick Scanlon heckles as Mayor of London and Labour Party candidate Sadiq Khan speaks

The official number of votes for each candidate in the Mayor of London election has just been declared.

Sadiq Khan received 1,088,225 votes.

Susan Hall received 812,397 votes.

Tory MP for Sutton Paul Scully, who stood unsuccessfully to be the Conservative Mayor of London leadership candidate, said his party had 'gifted' Khan the win and ran an 'incredibly underwhelming campaign' in the capital.

A full recount has been ordered in the West Midlands, where the mayoral race is currently 'too close to call'.

There had been fears that incumbent Conservative Andy Street had lost by fewer than 3,000 votes, prompting reports his team had asked for a recount.

Counters had previously been doing bundle checks.

Labour sources have said the Conservatives have called for the full recount, which if true could indicate the Tories are not pleased with the result.

A full recount is likey to take a few hours.

Simon Foster has been re-elected as West Midlands police and crime commissioner.

London mayoral candidate Count Binface has arrived for the declaration for London's Mayor, at City Hall in London.

Labour's Sadiq Khan won a record third term after defeating Conservative challenger Susan Hall.

Mayor of London Lib Dem Candidate Rob Blackie said: 'Thank you to everybody for voted for me and the @LondonLibDems team.'

Bundle checks are ongoing in the majority of the areas for the West Midlands, where it is too close to call between the Tories' Andy Street and Labour's Richard Parker.

Labour is hoping to unseat Mr Street, who has been mayor since 2017. He is hoping to win re-election for his third term in office.

A bundle check is not the same as a reecount, but that remains a possibility with the race so close.

Counting has been underway for the council and police and crime commissioner (PCC) elections that took place in England and Wales on Thursday.

Most of the results are now in, but some are due to declare at the weekend and the final figures won't be known until Sunday afternoon.

Labour has won big in the mayoral elections, holding London, South Yorkshire, Liverpool and Greater Manchester.

The Party is hoping to unseat the Conservatives ' Andy Street in the West Midlands. That race is currently too close to call.

These are some of the key battlegrounds as the Conservatives have faced a woeful showing across the board.

The Conservatives' Susan Hall has won in Havering and Redbridge in the race to be London Mayor.

She received 82,859 votes, while Labour's Sadiq Khan got 50,780 votes.

In Stroud, a Lid Dem/Green/independents coalition controlled the last council.

Labour has been trying to secure more influence ahead of the General Election.

In a positive sign for Labour, the Party won 20 council seats at this local election, although like in the last poll, there was no party majority.

Full results:

Green: 22

Labour: 20

Conservative: 7

Liberal Democrat: 2

Susan Hall has won in Croydon and Sutton with 78,790 votes. Labour's Sadiq Khan came second with 59,482 votes.

Sadiq Khan has won in Barnet and Camden with 70,984 votes.

In second place, Conservative candidate Susan Hall received 57,465 votes.

Although the Prime Minister has not yet announced when the next General Election will be, he will need to call one by January 2025.

Parliament will automatically be dissolved on December 17, exactly five years after the 2019 election, unless Rishi Sunak calls an election before then.

The latest date for an election is 25 days after that - January 28, 2025. However, with elections traditionally held on Thursdays, it is likely the last possible date considered will actually be January 23.

Many predict an autumn election. This would give the government's Rwanda scheme time to kick in but not be so close to winter when the NHS is likely to be under increased pressure.

The bookies agree. Betfair's odds suggest the most likely month is November, at 4/5, followed by October (7/2) and December (13/2).

Labour's Oliver Coppard has said he will 'join millions of people across the north in calling out this Government for their failure to level up our country' as he retained his job as South Yorkshire Mayor.

Mr Coppard said: 'Elections are the vehicle, not the destination. And today you've offered me not just your consent, but your blessing to continue on the journey we started to pursue the change we so desperately need across South Yorkshire, wherever it may be, to give every single person across Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield, the chance to stay near and go far and to join millions of people across the north in calling out this Government for their failure to level up our country, to do what is right for the whole of our country.

'I promise never to take your support for granted, never to do anything other than to apply the values on which I was elected to the decisions I will be asked to make on your behalf.

'And to always think first of those who all too often come last. Whether you voted for me or not, whether you stayed home or campaigned for another candidate, whether you are my biggest fan, or my greatest detractor, if you call South Yorkshire your home, then I am proud to be your mayor and I will work every day to give you the life, the opportunity and the region you deserve, to do everything in my power to restore the pride, the purpose and the prosperity of South Yorkshire.'

Re-elected mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham (pictured with his family) has said his win is 'overwhelming' and 'humbling'.

He received more than 420,000 votes. He won 63.4 per cent of the votes cast.

He told Sky News: 'The country needs pretty profound change ... we need now to get on with delivering it.'

Susan Hall has won in Ealing and Hillingdon.

She received 75,396 votes while Sadiq Khan got 73,257.

Labour's Tracy Brabin has been re-elected to serve a second term as mayor in West Yorkshire.

She was the first-ever West Yorkshire mayor and received 275,430 votes.

It means she won 50.4 per cent of the votes. Before coming mayor in 2021, Brabin was previously elected as MP for Batley and Spen in 2016 after the murder of Jo Cox.

Andy Burnham has been re-elected as the mayor of Greater Manchester with 420,749 votes.

The Conservatives' Laura Evana came in second with 68,946 votes.

Susan Hall pipped Sadiq Khan to a win in Brent and Harrow by just 8,000 votes.

The Conservative candidate received 66,151 votes while Labour's Khan received 58,743.

It is a surprising swing of 1.2 per cent Labour to Conservative.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has criticised the Government's 'regressive voter ID laws'.

Speaking after he was re-elected, he said: 'To those who were unable to have their voices heard because of the Government's regressive ID laws, I understand your disappointment, I met many people on the doorstep who couldn't vote and I think its wrong to deny a single person their democratic right to vote.

'But today the people in our area have not only spoken, they've hollered at the top of their voices, with two simple and clear messages: To the Government, enough is enough, and locally, Labour is delivering in power.'

The Lib Dems are set to win more seats at local council elections than the Conservatives.

Currently, Labour have won 1,128 seats, the Lib Dems 520, the Tories 508, independents 227 and the Greens 179.

It's a big win for Sir Ed Davey's party, although polling expert Sir John Curtice said the results were probably more to do with the issues the Tories are having rather than the prowess of the Lib Dems.

Labour has held Warrington council and increased its majority with an additional six councillors elected.

The Lib Dems gained four new councillors.

The Conservatives collapsed, with its number of councillors going from 11 to just one.

Labour’s Rushanara Ali (pictured), MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, said the Party is 'delighted' the results declared so far in the London mayoral race today.

She slammed the Conservative candidate Susan Hall's mayoral campaign as a 'nasty, divisive, vicious, extremist campaign'.

Ms Ali added the results demonstrated the 'work [Khan has] done, the inclusive vision that he has had and has implemented across London'.

Labour is closing in on a London mayoral victory for Sadiq Khan.

That is despite a revolt in Bexley and Bromley, where the Conservatives' Susan Hall crushed her Labour opponent in the vote.

Hall received 111,216 votes to Khan's 48,952. It is a zero per cent wing in comparison to the result in 2021.

Even so, it is thought the result in the anti-Ulez area is unlikely to affect the overall result of the capital's mayoral race.

The count is underway in Greater Manchester at the Salford Community Stadium.

The result of Greater Manchester's mayoral election is expected to be declared at around 4pm.

Polling expert John Curtice has forecasted a win for Sadiq Khan in the London mayoral race.

The BBC has predicted that Labour's Khan will receive 43 per cent of the vote with Susan Hall of the Conservatives receiving 33 per cent.

A win for Khan would mark the first time a mayor has won three terms.

Labour's Ken Duvall has won the Greenwich and Lewisham seat for the London Assembly.

He received 80,101 votes, while Karin Tearle of the Greens got 28,294 with Tory Kieran Terry in third with 25,960.

Full results:

Ken Duvall (Lab) 80,101

Karin Tearle (Grn) 28,294

Kieran Terry (C) 25,960

Mark Simpson (Ref) 13,405

Josh Matthews (LD) 11,975

And that's another win for Sadiq Khan in the Enfield and Haringey London constituency where he has received 82,725 votes.

The Conservatives's Susan Hall trailed with just over half his votes, having received 41,389.

Labour sources appear confident of a victory for Sadiq Khan in London.

Just four of 14 constituencies have declared their results for the capital's mayoral contest.

Mr Khan is so far leading with 350,453 votes to Tory challenger Susan Hall's 165,301.

The total turnout in the election is 2,495,621, with less than half of the results yet to be declared.

Mr Khan needs to win a simple majority of ballots cast, as the rules for the mayoral race were changed to a first-past-the-post voting system.

Back in London and Sadiq Khan has won another constituency. The Labour candidate has won 77,011 votes, narrowly beating the Conservatives' Susan Hall, who received 68,856.

Sky News is reporting that Labour has claimed victory in the Greater Manchester mayoral race.

Party sources say Andy Burnham is set to be re-elected for a third term.

Results are coming in thick and fast now. Sadiq Khan has gained another victory, this time in the London borough of the North East.

He won 127,455 votes, while the Conservatives' Susan Hall received 34,099.

That's four London boroughs that have now declared, all have been won by Khan.

Sadiq Khan has won the mayoral vote in West Central, with 54,481 votes. It becomes the third London borough to declare its mayoral vote

Conservative Susan Hall received 43,405 votes while Zoe Garbett of the Greens came away with 5,984 votes.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram is continuing to speak to crowds in the city following his re-election today, saying:

With 103 of the 107 councils having declared so far, there are only a few left to announce their results.

Here's how many each party has won so far:

LAB - 48 (+8)

CON - 6 (-12)

LD - 12 (+1)

GRN - 0

OTHER - 37 (+3)

The re-elected Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of 'squatting in Downing Street' foillowing his victory earlier today. He said:

Labour's Oliver Coppard has been re-elected Mayor of Sheffield with almost 140,000 votes.

He first won election in 2017 and will now serve his second term.

Full results:

South Yorkshire mayor:

Con: 44,945

SDP: 20,835

Lab: 138,611

Green: 37,142

LD: 31,002

Sheffield city council:

Con: 12,082

SDP: 6,443

Lab: 66,962

Green: 24,579

LD: 16,250

Sadiq Khan won 83,792 votes in Greenwich and Lewisham, the second London borough to declare its mayoral vote, with Conservative Susan Hall on 36,822 and Zoe Garbett of the Greens third with 11,209.

That is a 4.5 per cent from Conservative to Labour.

Labour's Steve Rotheram has been elected as the mayor of Liverpool for the third time.

Mr Rotheram was first elected in 2017, when the role was first created, and was re-elected today as expected.

The turnout was 23.7 per cent, with 272,721 votes cast out of a possible 1,149,736.

Full results:

Liverpool City Region

Jade Marsden (Con) 27,708 (68%)

Steve Rotheram (Lab) 183,932 (10%)

Rob McAllister-Bell (LD) 21,366 (9.8%)

Tom Crone (Green) 26,417 (7.9%)

Ian Smith (Ind) 11,032 (4.1%)

The first count has returned in London in Merton and Wandsworth.

There was a swing of 5.1 per cent from Conservative to Labour.

Labour has five per cent more than the last election, while the Tories have five per cent less.

Sadiq Khan received 84,725 votes, while Susan Hall got 50, 097.

The Conservatives do not deserve to be in power 'for a moment longer', Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said in a fresh challenge to Rishi Sunak following his party's local election defeats.

Speaking in Mansfield on Saturday morning alongside the new Labour mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, Labour leader Sir Keir said: 'I think the message here is very, very clear, and I think across the East Midlands there has been a sending of that message to the Government, which is we are fed up with your division, with your chaos, with your failure.

'Fourteen years, and I am sorry, I don't care which political party you support, if you leave your country in a worse state then when you found it 14 years later you do not deserve to be in Government for a moment longer.'

Labour's Steve Rotheram is expected to be re-elected as the mayor of Liverpool.

Mr Rotheram has had two terms in office already, since he was first elected in 2017.

The turnout was 23.7 per cent, with 272,721 votes cast.

The question that remains is which candidate will come second. Both the Greens and the Lib Dems are hopeful.

There are suggestions there may be upsets in Stroud and Epping Forest.

Labour are expected to keep their large majorities in North Tyneside, Salford and Warrington.

In Stroud, a Lid Dem/Green/independents coalition controls the council at the moment.

Labour has been trying to secure more influence ahead of the General Election as it only has four councillors there currently.

Meanwhile, although the Tories have had a majority in Epping Forest for 17 years, since 2007, independents may be doing better than expected.

There has been strong support for independents and early ward-level results indicate that support may have transferred to seats on the council.

The result for Epping Forest is expected at 12.30pm and the declaration for Stroud at 4pm.

By happenstance, I ran into a friend – a wealthy, life-long Labour supporter and donor – in the last few days.

In a brief exchange, he observed there was much to be fixed for the next government, in particular health and public services. Then came the stinger.

That could only happen if Labour raised taxes. Never mind that revenues, at 37.9 per cent of national output, are at record peacetime levels.

Now that Labour has reasserted its ballot-box superiority in municipal polls and the South Blackpool by-election, it will be hard to escape an intense focus on what a Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves party will do in power.

But it is what Reeves is not telling us, rather than public pronouncements, which should alarm hard pressed voters.

Read more from ALEX BRUMMER here:

Sir Keir Starmer said he remains confident Sadiq Khan can win a third term as the Labour mayor of London.

Speaking to reporters in Mansfield, the Labour leader said: 'Sadiq Khan was absolutely the right candidate. He has got two terms of delivery behind him and I am confident that he has got another term of delivery in front of him.

'But look, if you look across the country, I am standing here in Mansfield in the East Midlands where we have won a significant victory in the mayoralty here, but that is the pattern across the country.

'We have been winning in Blackpool in a by-election with a 26 per cent swing, we have won in York and North Yorkshire, true blue Tory territory, and here in the East Midlands where there are very many constituencies that matter hugely in that general election.

'All of this is done with a purpose. I want a Labour Government to serve our country.

'This is effectively the last stop on the journey to the general election and I am really pleased to be able to show we are making progress, we have earned the trust and confidence of voters and we are making progress towards that general election.'

Sir Keir Starmer said his party with 'turn the page on decline' as he set out his stall for the general election.

In Mansfield, alongside the new Labour mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward, the Labour leader, said: 'It now is upon us to deliver that change to each of those people that put their faith in us in the vote here in the East Midlands and we will do so with a positive case for the country.'

He listed Labour's plans to 'pick up the NHS', make sure the streets are safe, build affordable homes, and provide secure jobs.

Sir Keir said: 'That falls to us, because today is the day that we celebrate the beginning of the turning of the page, one of the last milestones now as we go into that general election.'

He added: 'Let's turn the page on decline and usher in national renewal with Labour.'

The Conservatives no longer deserve to be in power, Sir Keir Starmer said, as he celebrated a Labour mayoral victory in the East Midlands.

Speaking in Mansfield (pictured) Labour leader Sir Keir said: 'I think the message here is very, very clear, and I think across the East Midlands there has been a sending of that message to the Government, which is we are fed up with your division, with your chaos, with your failure.

'Fourteen years, and I am sorry, I don't care which political party you support, if you leave your country in a worse state then when you found it 14 years later you do not deserve to be in Government for a moment longer.'

The turnout figures for the London Mayoral election have revealed huge numbers have voted in typically anti-Ulez areas.

The average turnout across London was 40.5 per cent, with 2,495,621 people of the 6,162,428 electorate going to the polls.

Labour worries of a shock defeat will only be worsened by the turnouts in Greater London, where many residents have been vehemently opposed to Sadiq Khan's Ulez expansion.

In Bexley and Bromley the turnout was 48.38 per cent, while in Havering and Redbridge it was 42.98 per cent.

Croydon and Sutton had a 42.27 per cent turnout and Ealing and Hillingdon saw 42.98 per cent.

Ulez cameras have been sprayed, damaged and removed in many of the outer boroughs of London by anti-Ulez group the Blade Runners (pictured).

Defiant Rishi Sunak insisted Tories have 'everything to fight for' today as hopes rise that West Mids mayor Andy Street can hold on despite local elections carnage.

Putting a brave face on grim results, the PM admitted that voters are 'frustrated' but argued that Keir Starmer has not sealed the deal.

Mr Sunak is willing Mr Street to join Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen in securing a third term this afternoon, with the outcome thought to be on a knife edge.

Lord Houchen's success has seemingly helped Mr Sunak quell a fresh coup bid from rebels, most of whom who have now conceded the leader will not change before the general election.

The counts are in full swing for the London mayoral election this morning.

It will likely take a few hours before it becomes clear who the winner will be.

It is believed that could be around 1.30pm, although an official declaration will probably be later than that.

As Labour fears grow over an election loss in London, the bookies have been changing the odds for Sadiq Khan winning a record third term.

Yesterday morning Khan was 1/25, this morning he is down to 1/10.

Meanwhile, Conservative rival Susan Hall was an outsider at 19/1 yesterday but is now at just 7/1.

If Khan wins this year, he will become the first London mayor to serve three terms in office.

Betfair spokesman Sam Rosbottom said: 'While Sadiq Khan remains the firm favourite to win the London Mayoral Election, Betfair Exchange punters aren't completely ruling Susan Hall out and she remains a contender in the market, suggesting there could be some doubts creeping in.'

As crunch time approaches for the London mayoral race, Labour worries are mounting over whether there might be a shock loss in the capital.

Labour has faced backlash among some of its supporters for its stance on the Israel-Hamas war and the ongoing situation in Gaza.

The i's political correspondent Eleanor Langford told BBC 5 Live: 'Three's a lot of anxiety over the Mayoral race in London.

'[I'm] sure Sadiq Khan has been losing sleep over it.'

The local elections for this year have proved to be torrid for the Conservative party as Labour have made hundreds of crucial gains in key election battlegrounds.

Rishi Sunak suffered the indignity of seeing a Labour mayor win in his own constituency.

The Prime Minister is braced for further pain as more results trickle in over the weekend which could increase pressure on his leadership of the Conservative Party and the country.

Elections expert Professor Sir John Curtice said the Tories could be on course to lose 500 councillors in 'one of the worst, if not the worst' performances by the party in 40 years.

To see which parties won in your area, follow our interactive map below to reveal all the changes in England's political makeup.

Sadiq Khan's bid for a third term as London mayor is hanging in the balance today as insiders warn the election is too close to call.

Votes are set to be counted in the capital with Labour on high alert for Tory candidate Susan Hall to pull off a shock upset.

Polls in the run up to the ballot on Thursday had shown Mr Khan with a comfortable lead of between 10 and 22 points.

However, jitters started spreading through Labour circles yesterday amid rumours of a spike in turnout in outer London - typically dominated by Conservative voters and where anger about the ULEZ expansion has been most fierce.

Official turnout figures last night suggested it had been higher in outer London and lower in inner London - Mr Khan's normal stronghold.

Supporters of Mr Khan are worried that he could have been damaged by a wider trend of Muslim voters shunning Labour over Keir Starmer's strong support for Israel.

Former frontbench Labour MP Diane Abbott has claimed Labour's alleged dismissal of supporters' concerns about Gaza is 'shameful'.

Abbott lost the Labour whip in April last year after she said Irish people, Jews and Travellers don't experience racism as black people do.

Today she said: 'Labour dismisses concerns of its supporters about genocide in Gaza. Claims only Muslims care. Shameful. #FreePalestine'

Labour MP Jess Phillips has appeared to mock the Conservatives' response to their disastrous results in the local elections as 'weird'.

In a Tweet this morning she wrote: 'Is there some psychological study that was done that politicians have read that says, "you will win more votes if you act really cheery and borderline unhinged when faced with massive losses."

'Does it convince voters in the future if you insist the sky is purple. It's weird.'

She added: 'Can we not just say, I'm upset about this, I wish it had been different and I'll crack on making it so?'

The Tories have claimed a vote for the Reform Party is effectively a vote for Labour.

The data seems to back that up. Psephologist John Curtice pointed out that in the the areas Reform ran, the Tories were down 17 per cent on average while in areas they didn't rub, the Conservative vote was only down 11 per cent.

Science minister Andrew Griffith (pictured) told BBC: 'If you vote for reform, you are going to get a Labour government, a Labour council, a Labour mayor.

'You are going to get Keir Starmer in No 10 and an illegal immigrant amnesty.'

Although declaration times may vary, these are times when the remaining results are expected to come in:

Mayoral elections

West Midlands: 3pm

London: 4.30pm

Salford: 5pm

Council elections

Warrington: 4.30pm

Salford: 5pm

Rishi Sunak is braced for the result of key mayoral elections in London and the West Midlands, after the Conservatives were trounced in the first day of local election results.

As Friday's result declarations closed, the Conservatives had suffered a net loss of 371 seats, and lost control of 10 councils.

Despite widespread losses, the Prime Minister appeared to take solace from the Tories' win in the Tees Valley mayoral election.

All eyes will now turn to mayoral contests in London and the West Midlands, the results of which will be declared on Saturday.

Labour incumbent Sadiq Khan is now believed to have a closer-than-expected contest with Tory challenger Susan Hall in the capital, while a narrow contest is also likely for West Midlands Tory mayor Andy Streets (pictured).

Labour insiders have claimed that the mayoral election for London is on a knife edge, as bookies have slashed their odds on a shock defeat for Sadiq Khan.

Labour jitters were already spreading over Sadiq Khan's prospects in London amid claims of low turnout and a Gaza backlash.

Polls ahead of the election on Thursday suggested the incumbent, Khan, was on track for a comfortable victory over his Tory rival.

The final surveys gave him a lead of between 10 and 22 points. Yet rumours have been circulating today that it could be significantly closer, with senior figures pointing to the impact of Gaza on other results across England.

Mr Khan has faced intense scrutiny over his record on law and order during the campaign.