Local elections live: First results come in after millions vote across England

The Conservatives, defending 954 seats, are bracing themselves for heavy losses.

A total of 1,641 council seats are up for grabs in 23 local authorities across England.

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Runcorn:

Labour sources are saying there is a chance the Tories may have lost their deposit in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election.

While it was always expected that the Conservative Party would have a difficult night in Runcorn, receiving less than the required 5 per cent of the vote to have a deposit returned would be an extremely embarrassing result – and would only add fuel to Reform’s claims that they are the real opposition to Labour.

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Runcorn:

“It’s too tight to call” appears to be the saying of the night so far. Every single person you ask – whether its Labour campaign managers, Reform UK officials or count agents – they’re all saying the same thing.

Ahead of close by-elections, party officials are always attempting to manage expectations, so it’s unwise to put too much stock in any pre-briefing. But one thing is for certain, nobody feels comfortable enough in this race to give any steer either side.

There’s a high chance this means this evening’s result will come after multiple recounts.

With dozens of councils, mayoralties and a high-stakes parliamentary by-election in Runcorn and Helsby up for grabs, the results could reshape the political map in ways that will reverberate far beyond tonight.

So, which seats really matter? How much trouble are the Tories in? Can Reform turn headlines into votes? And how fragile is Labour’s new electoral coalition?

Join The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul live at midday today as he answers your questions on all the key contests, party strategies, and what the results tell us about Britain’s fast-changing political landscape:

Reform UK won three of the first five wards declared at Northumberland County Council, with Labour and the Conservatives picking up one each.

There are 67 seats on the council, with the Conservatives defending 33, Labour 18, the Liberal Democrats four and Greens two, while there were 10 independent councillors.

The Green Party is hoping for success in the local contests.

Co-leader Carla Denyer said: “We are taking seats from both the Conservatives and Labour up and down the country as voters, understandably, move away from the tired old parties that have let us all down.”

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Runcorn:

The Monster Raving Loony Party’s candidate has arrived at the by-election count hall.

The party has promised in its Runcorn manifesto to build a “space port”, replace border force employees with GP receptionists and raise money for the government by turning Downing Street into a hair salon.

The Green Party have secured their first win of the night in Herne Hill, south London.

They secured 48.3 per cent of the vote to take the seat from Labour in Lambeth.

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Runcorn:

The turnout for the Runcorn and Helsby by-election is higher than expected, sitting at 46.33 per cent.

Count agents in Runcorn were expecting today’s turnout to sit at around 30 per cent, meaning the actual figure has far exceeded expectations.

This could hand a boost to Reform UK, as apathy is normally higher among those backing the party in power.