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Breakthrough in the North | Tide turns in Wales | Mixed night for Lib Dems | Red Box blog | Analysis | Graphic: the election battlegrounds
The Conservatives made sweeping gains across the country early today as voters gave Gordon Brown a huge rebuff in his first electoral test as Prime Minister.
David Cameron chalked up important successes in the North, the Midlands and the South, securing his top target of Bury in Greater Manchester and taking control of Nuneaton and Bedworth, and Southampton.
The Conservatives also took seats in Labour strongholds of Sunderland and Wigan.
Labour suffered one of its worst electoral humiliations, with its national share of the vote dropping to 24 or 25 per cent. The Tory share was projected at 43 or 44 per cent, better than its most optimistic predictions.
The margin was similar to the drubbing handed out to John Major in 1995 two years before Tony Blair entered Downing Street.
But it was also a mixed night for Liberal Democrats, projected to take only 25 per cent of the vote in Nick Clegg’s first elections in charge.
The Tories were heading for total gains of more than 200 seats and Labour’s losses were of a similar order.
The results will put further pressure on Mr Brown’s leadership after a dismal few months. His decision to abolish the 10p starting rate of tax was a substantial factor in Labour’s reverses.
The only possible consolation for Mr Brown was that Ken Livingstone seemed to have fared better than the polls had suggested. The main parties refused to call the London mayoral result after indications of a high turnout in the inner boroughs, which were expected to be more favourable to Mr Livingstone.
Tony Lloyd, chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party, said: “This is a very difficult night. It means Gordon Brown has got to listen.”
The result added up to Labour's worst electoral drubbing for 40 years with voters punishing Mr Brown for the 10p tax debacle and growing insecurity over the economy.
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This goverment are like the blind leading the blind, they don't have one politician in touch with the countries needs, if its not taxed yet it'll be taxed before the end of term, and why, to give the next goverment a bad start.
Look at what you're doing Mr Brown and put it right now!!!!
KEN S, SEDGEFIELD, DURHAM
My great fear is that Brown will now tax, borrow and spend in an attempt to win back voters.
As a chancellor he is not great; he did not see the results of his profligacy, did not save when he could and spent the UKs reserves. But then he has never held a REAL job, only history
M. Cawdery, Portadown, Co. UK, EU.
Gordon Brown has been like a credit card junkie, spend, spend spend over the last 11 years, far too much of it wasted. Now he can't pay the bill and he's left with a massive budget deficit. How can that be prudent?! The man's got to go.
Nick, London,
Politicians have lost sight of the fact that in this era of "political correctness" everyones hands are tied. Now families are discriminated against, & children can't be disciplined, teenagers get high on drink and drugs and society is powerless. Respect & Responsibility required.
Sya Simpson, Edinburgh, UK
At least tony blair had carisma .brown spent years being anti english now he is trying to be all nicey nicey. it doesnt ring true
charlie, chelmsford, essex
labour lost because he did away with the 10p tax band. Taxing the poorest workers and reducing tax on the rich. I would never have expected tghis of a labour government. The labour party needs to ditch Brown quickly or the conservatives will win the nrxt election.
David Kemp, Bolon,
Politicians need to determine and remedy the fact that only about 35% of registered voters even bothered to cast a vote.
Disgust, disenfranchisement, apathy, ignorance, whatever the reason - it must be addressed if we are to have a real democracy.
Consider proportional representation??
R Bingham, Lauzun, France
Labour lost because of what they've done over the last 10 years, not because of what David has done in the last few months!!
Bilderberg invited Cameron's right hand man to the conference back in June 2007, I predict that they will win the next national ellection due to this!!!!!!
Andy T, England, UK,
gordon says he's listening, but the message is that we want an election. so what exactly is he listening to? not us, for sure.
the tories don't offer much beyond not being labour, but an election would either establish brown properly or get rid of him. 2 years of lameduckedness in no good.
jem, london, uk
I reckon Alex Slamond should run the UK
roger, arundel , UK
Labour spent billions on health, education and public services, and of course the war. Very little of these monies found their way to where needed. Having plundered the war chest, there is no more funding and public services are as bad. Labour's drubbig is therefore not surprising.
Ali, London,
Hardly surprising really when Brown has taken £5 billion a year for ten years from your pensions and has just given it to the banks . Thats right , those people you give your money to every month , who charge you for doing that and remember this bit , they do nothing with your money that helps you.
Nick Dixon, Sutton Coldfield, England
FINALLY! get these socialists who have let the welfare state balloon to an enormous size out asap. you tax the british people into oblivion and espouse big government and guess what? crime is WAY up, the NHS is in shambles the cost of living is among the highest in the developed world. way to go!
Alex, London, England
this government has recreated the dependent lumpenproletariat class in the worst way possible and they support this enormous welfare state by taxing the general population into oblivion. give the people of this country their money back...giving it to this government is like setting fire to it.
Alex, London, England
AJ Sheridan, USA:
I don't think you have a limit on how long a member of government can stay in office either as I'm sure successive presidents can have the same set of cronies. You only limit the President and in case you hadn't noticed Tony Blair is gone and Gordon Brown for better or worse is in
PK, London,
For the last century the only thing that socialist governments have achieved, the world over, is poverty. They are economically and sociologically illiterate. What does anyone expect? Why should they not fail here when they are simply dogmatically following precedent.
Steve, Cambridge,
Paul from Newcastle - hats off to you. Well said. We are fed up of the nanny state!!
Ali, London,
Well done! Now do not make a mess of it, kick Labour out!
steve tea, manchester, cheshire
If Gordon wants to see the Tories take the next election, he should stay on as PM. It's guaranteed that Cameron will win.
B. Veenemans, Newark,
The only time Laour showed any signed of listening were before 1997, sinc ethen they have been a disaster but let spin cover up their mss and we all believed them. Now we have all learned to be cynical and don't belive a word they say. They only know how to tax and we are all sick of it!
Robert Marshall, London,
Surely this is further evidence that Gordon Brown does not have a mandate to be in power and a general election should be held in the very near future.
Phillip, London,
There is no way that Gordon Brown can 'refresh' the 'party' - does he not realise that the party is over?
Alan, Fleet, UK
If you go around taking the credit for years of growth and properity, even when its obvious that was not the whole story, then you cannot be surprised when the electorate blame you when things get tough
Tony, Cardiff,
Doesn't it ultimately come down to one thing that (irrespective of class or creed) decent, hard working, honest people are sick to the pits of their stomachs of being victimised and patronised by this arrogant, mediocre and unfit for purpose sham?
Rob B, Warfield, England
I'm still very confused how labour got ANY votes. I doubt the conservatives will be able to do any better, but you have to at least let the government of the day know they have to perform well and not just take the michael out of us if they want to retain power.
Julian, shrewsbury, uk
Labour got exactly what it deserved but am I the only person left feeling depressed by the thought that when Brown and Co are kicked out all we'll have to look forward to is another decade or more of Tory 'me, me, me' politics and misrule. Am I the only one who can remember the last Tory Government?
Justin , London,
Politicians rarely win elections - they usually lose them. Brown just lost the next General Election.
24m motorists just said so.
John, Northampton, England
The worst is yet to come,labour know they are out at the next election, my guess is they will leave the country in a nasty state for the new guy.
mark , liverpool, UK
This is the beginning of the end labour have lost the controlling swing and core vote.. All together now.. Things can only get better.. It seems that people can not afford to vote (new) labour- when blair left the husk of the new labour was laid bare for all to see- never any clear vision.
James , Edinburgh, UK
So people have voted for the real Conservatives rather than the Conservatives in red ties, what difference does it make really? They both stand for screwing over the poor, one just claims to do it by mistake.
What is the point?
Nicki, Basingstoke,
So, someone believes we have it better than we've ever had it and, it's all due to Labour. We live in a house of cards built with massive debt and, it's all falling down. Taxes at their highest level ever, pensions destroyed, prices rocketing for everything... Gordon's financial miracle!!!
Lou, London, UK
My great fear is that Brown will now tax, borrow and spend in an attempt to win back voters.
As a chancellor he is not great; he did not see the results of his profligacy, did not save when he could and spent the UKs reserves. But then he has never held a REAL job, only history
M. Cawdery, Portadown, Co. UK, EU.
It is now time for Cameron to join the real world and get some solid policies under his belt. Listen to the people and sort out the EU and their disastrous legislation which now controls much of what happens in this country without let or hindrance from Govt.
M. Cawdery, Portadown, Co. UK, EU.
Eric, Southwick: Why is it, after defeats like this, apologists take the attitude that it is the voting public, in their millions, that must be out of touch/mistaken etc, and lament that "if only reality would check in". Perhaps, heaven forbid, reality needs to set in with the politicians?
Paddy, London, UK
A.J. For the same reason that members of Congress in the US don't have term limits. They pass the laws and are not going to limit themselves to a few short terms. It's about power, privilege and ego. Look at how long some of the US senators and representatives have been in office, up to 40 yrs.
terry, roxbury, USA
to see how ripped off the brits are actually being take a nice hard look at the income tax bands in the U.S.
they aren't taxed at their "high" rate of 35% until they are earning 180,000 GBP. the brits are taxed at 40% starting at 36,000, get these socialists out so this country can flourish again
Alex, London, England
I want a Labour government, I just don't want THIS Labour government.
Ella, London,
Why don't trhey have term limits in Britain on how long a member of Parliament can stay in office, rather than a life time appointment that it is (and has always been) at present. 10 years and out. Our President can only (thank goodness) serve two terms of four years,.
A J Sheridan, Miami , USA
As far as I could see, very few people voted yesterday. Do the results mean anything?
Dvaid Warner, Milton Keynes, England
The sooner GB and the rest of the incompetents that comprise this government goes the better. Labour failed to listen to their own grass roots voters and are now reaping the rewards. The issues of stealth taxes, immigration, NHS failures, pertrol prices and down right lies has now bitten them back
Maddy, Swindon,
Listen and Learn Mr. Brown - hand in your resignation today.
Peter, London,
Funny the smoking ban not mentioned as a cause?
Politicians have not understood the strength of feeling this ban has brought about amongst smokers and friends/families.
Even half of smokers (5+mill) could swing the next election. Politicians, take heed, legalise separate ventilated smoking rooms.
Ian , Bristol, England
We don't want 'courage and conviction'. We want the tax rising measures from the last two budgets to be expunged. And as a professional and supposedly intelligent polititian Gordon Brown shouldn't have to 'listen and lead'. He should know what the population NEEDS. Any less is just incompetence.
Alex, York,
"Philip London
Inflation at 2%"
What England is this that has inflation at 2% ? Please teleport me there now !
Daniel, margate, kent
This is the first time in my life that I have NOT voted for the Labour Party. I feel penalised because I work hard, keep up to date with new technology and ideas and pay my way. Thanks to Gordon Brown I have even less money in my pay packet than one year ago.
Pepper, Brighton, England
Very few politicians actually listen (or even care) about what we think. For them to say they'll now do this is breathtaking arrogance.
All the party speakers can now do is point to the opposition and (like schoolchildren) bleat that 'they're no better than we are'
Pathetic.... TIME TO GO
Andy, Chester,
It is time we learnt to get away from Party Politics and vote for independent candidates who have been resident in your area and not shipped in to safe seats for us to legitemise them by paying for a house and office. Then that would force the politicians to come up with a new Modus Operendi
Dave Madley, Alicante, Spain
Because we are actually dealing with a highly capable good man.........I believe Gordon will defeat the out of touch distortive toffs at the next General Election and wipe that stupid smirk off Osbornes face.................REALITY will checkin as the months progress and the public will wakeup
Eric, Southwick, England
I get tired of the pre-1997 era being dragged up to crucify the Tories. Some people have short memories or are bankrupt of pre-1979 history. The Winter of Discontent; wage increases r 20%+ still below inflation despite Clegg Reports;bodies in morgues for weeks, rubbish on streets, strikes anytime.
Lawrence, Birmingham, UK
The way this country is run is nothing like democratic.
We have an unelected prime minister from a party who won 24% of yesterdays vote. At this stage a general election should be forced upon the government. The people of this country are quite clearly unhappy with the current government.
Phil Burton, Walsall, England
Where've you been hiding? Now the fight's begun.
Brown, you're toast...
John, London,
We need a Gov't with poiticians vote with thier conscience, work for the good of the country and are not dictated to by thier political leaders. Are there any out there? Didn't think so. Remember, how do you know when a politician is lying - thier lips are moving. None of 'em are any good!
Ron, Milton Keynes, Bucks
The Tories haven't won anything - they only found what Labour lost.
Mark Sheppard, Retford, UK
I've an 18 year old Labour member and even I can see Labour's lost the plot. Brown out, Miliband in.
Danny, Lancaster, England
Inflation at 2%?
What world do you live in
Food, Petrol, Gas, Tax, all inflating at 10-15% PA for years
Interest rates at 5%?
Tell that to the door to door credit merchants who charge 50%
Dominic, Manchester, UK
Hopefully this is the beginning of the end for this spiteful, vindictive, deceitful and totally untrustworthy government.
Samuel, Sheffield, UK
More people have a better standard of living in this country than at any other time and its getting better for more people all the time. So what do we do? We try to hand power back to the very party that nearly destroyed this country!!! Be very careful what you ask for - you may just get it.
Mark Sheppard, Retford, UK
And when Brown is finally kicked out in the next General Election let's have a full enquiry into the scandal of the expenditure that Labour has squandered. These people need to be made fully accountable.
Richard Wyld, Effingham, UK
great news
riccardo, brussels,
So Labour will soon come to the end of their long reign and the Tories will take over.Then after ten years or so, they will have screwed up the country so we go back to Labour... & so on & so on...
We need non consensus politics, braver voters and a system of PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION!!
Sally, Ruislip, UK
The most dangerous people for this country are the deluded souls with short memories who think that the Conservatives would or will do any better.
John Williams, Cardiff, Wales
All self inflicted, imagine how badly they would have done if Cameron actually had any policies!
Martin, Tenerife,
1) Brown hit the pension funds.
2) Company pension schemes become closed to new employees.
3) Company pension schemes in trouble.
4) Grangemouth management tightens their scheme.
5) Strike
6) Petrol shortages, country loses oil revenue
Conclusion: Bad move Gordon, hitting pensions.
Ian, Fife,
as an american in britain i was worried the brits had lost their fighting spirit and were going to sit back and let themselves be taxed into oblivion with nary a complaint. well done guys, the faster they are out the better!
Alex, London, England
thankyou gordon, not only will you lose your seat in the next general election, but you have also helped lead Scotland to independence. keep doing more!!!!
matt, brighton,
These results are more indicitive of the party that surrounds Gordon Brown, rather than his own abilites.
Paul Flannery, Glasgow,
Rome and London the leadership goes to the right I wish you to do the same at next general elections with the Tories sending out the Labours.
Roberto Castellano, Salsomaggiore, Italy
Is this what Government Ministers call a "Reality Check"?
Neil, Gloucestershire, England
No doubt Gordon Brown will claim he is contrite following the drubbing, he will also claim he will change and listen to the people. It's too late Gordon! Eleven years of Labour rule has wrecked our country, another two will leave many working class in the gutter. Call a General Election now!
R.B., Leicester,
Why should Brown care really? He's guaranteed his job with all the expenses and gilt edged pensions for 2 years when he will be able to take a top job in the city and leave all the problems for the Tories to sort out
Phil, Rugby, England
How are the Tories going to be any better? Same politicians, same old spin, same old problems, just a different logo.
The democratic process in this country needs a serious rethink now, before things get worse.
GO, Bracnell, Berkshire, UK
Right. Now the onus is on the Cons to come up with a policy. Any policy will do. Oh, and a half decent leader wouldn't hurt either. So, a half decent Tory with a policy... From this lot? Dream on!
If this doesn't wake up Labour, nothing will. Gordon "Ivory Tower" Brown - LISTEN TO US, PLEASE.
Mike L, Chippenham, Wilts
war,spin,NHs , 10p tax,mass Migration, draconian measures on the sick,Student fees,Crime up, Northern rock,broken army underfunded,billions on billions spenton spin and advisors ,supercasinos, regneration schemes that wreck old communities, lack of NHS dentists etc etc MrBrown new Labour just GO
shaun, stoke on trent, staffordshire
Perfectly put Paul from Newcastle, but, you missed the fact that Gordy has also ruined our pensions, but, not his of course. His pension's nice and safe like all other politicians. Nice final salary scheme there for them, at our expense.
ON YOUR BIKE GORDON.
CHRIS, Bournemouth,
Mr Brown tells us our high petrol costs are caused by global forces yet each country in Europe pays the same price for a barrel of oil. This price is then topped up with UK Duty and VAT making it the most expensive in Europe.
It is this double talk on every subject that makes him
unelectable.
Tony Campbell, Northampton, UK
If you think Brown has done badly in Englandshire and Wales then just wait for the general election results where I fully expect both Brown and Darling to loose their seats in Scotland...
DickW, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
It doesn't matter who you vote for, they are all out for themselves, without exception.
Michael Clarke, Windsor, England
So the Labour party want to listen to find out what's wrong? Well, listen to this:
Tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax tax and more tax.
Gareth, Crowhorne, UK
Oh dear! What a blow - and Harman on the tele again this morning eating 'umble pie and saying how they must listen to the electorate (just like Brown was saying less than a year ago)! Well they didn't and they don't and they got what they deserved. They are completely out of touch.
Oxford Don, Oxford, UK
"In all my years, i have seen a more dysfunctional government than this."
Which is the one have you seen, Dave of Lincoln?
iain carstairs, bedford, uk
A victory for deceit and distortion of reality by the tory mind, newspaper propoganda reaching new depths...thats how I see the gains of yesterdays election
Eric, Southwick, England
Rising Crime and a total lack of justice, Immigration control non existant and 18 Billion spent on the NHS when you still wait 4hrs in A+E to be seen to, yet all Gordon Brown seems to worry about is global warming and plastic carrier bags! The sooner New Dishonest Labour packs its bags the better!
Mark Horobin, London,
Smoke ban, Stealth taxes, EU ref., Smoke ban, Education crisis, NHS crisis, Smoke ban, Immigration crisis, Pensions theft, Smoke ban, Economic crisis, State control, Smoke ban, Lies, Spin, Deceit, Snouts in troughs Smoke BAN - How many more reasons are there? Labour- Just get out!!
winstonian, Darlington, UK
With only 24% of national concensus, and an unelected PM ,shouldnt there now be a general election????
Matt, Naples, Italy
This vote wasn't so much for the Tories but as a warning to Brown. The swing away from the Lib Dems shows this. I think Cameron will have to continue the fight and a few policies would help....if you don't mind Tories.
judy, Liverpool, England
It won't cause Brown any sleepless nights; apparently he hasn't slept properly since becoming PM.
Didn't turn out to be the 'dream job' he expected then?
Perhaps 'nightmare' is an apt description. Well, that's how the voter's see it; Brown, 'dead man walking', worst Prime Minister ever.
Dave Reynolds, York, England
Last local election Tony Blair said we're listening and then did nothing.
Gordon, if you want the socialist vote, we need radical policies now!
jeremy, Ovingham, UK
Niles from San Diego
Your government being conservative hasn't turned Europe off, it's just that Bush is an ass, with none of the intelligence or sensitivity needed to rule the world's most powerful country.
Had enough of GB's taxes
Anwar, Bromsgrove,
He sold Gold reserves rock bottom, stealth taxed us all with hidden taxes and now is hitting the workers in the pocket - Good Ridence - tax and spend Gordon
Simon , Epsom, Surrey
Looks like car drivers and smokers did bother to go out and vote. Bye bye Nanny state bye bye.
Cromwell, Leeds, England
So what did our unelected Prime Minister expect having reneged on a Manifesto Commitment (EU ConTreaty); hammered the low paid with a tax increase; done nothing to help with domestic fuel/petrol price rises - just planning to tax it more; loaded road tax on older cars; raised NI. We've had enough!
Donna Walker, Effingham, England
Broken promises on the EU referendum, non-doms rolling in bonuses while the poor starve, NHS budgets slashed to pay for glitzy PFI projects no-one wants, 20 billion pounds for the Olympics no-one wants, our own culture trashed, and the armed forces broken. Good Bye Gordon.
Philip, Lancaster,
The unfortunate truth however is that the results are a vote against the Labour Govt, not for the Tories. Shame that you have to vote one way to remove another party. Hardly a mature democratic system. I'm not a party voter BTW
The Tories made these gains by default
Lloyd, UK,
Is it just me that understands there is no such thing as an elected Prime Minister? We elect a ruling party and whoever is its leader becomes PM. This has always been the case. Oh and Bill Peter, the London results were always scheduled to be counted today and will be known this evening.
Guy Clapperton, London, UK
Bill Peter, your comment about the Brown being the British Mugabe just highlights your total ignorance. Iflation at 2%, interest rates at 5, no murder of his people - very similar to Zimbabwe!! Cop on sunshine
Philip, London,
wilson's turn, heath's turn, callaghan's turn, thatchers turn, blair's turn
Now there's been a long enough gap for people to forget about the tories disastrous last turn, it's to be their turn again, after labour's current catastrophic misrule
A two party state capitalism isn't a real democracy.
simon prichard, somerset, england
Attack the motorist, as Brown has done, and you will suffer electoral wipeout, with nary a Green to help you.
David Cameron, take note!
Jim Carr, UK,
You English you have no clue how to rebel
You will end up with the same politicians different brand name con/lab...........and ordinary Tom get's screwed either way.
DOPES
Dan, Liverpool, uk
The news is The Tories have won by default; Labour has lost. and its Governmemt is tired and out of touch.
It is becoming known as THE TAX AND TAX AGAIN PARTY.
Its solution to every problem.
Bernard Parke, GUILDFORD,
wow... just listen to all the spinning from the whiney losers... anything but admit they've lost to the better side... just admit it... the tories have kicked labour to the kerb...
paulc, gloucester,
This is what happens when someone thinks he has a God given right to be our leader, take our money, tell us what we can and can't do.... Paul of Newcastle you summed it up perfectly... we want our lives and our country back.
Gordon and cronies with your big expenses... we wan't you gone!
Phil A, Headley, Hampshire
If you socialists are complaining about a drubbing at the polls, just wait until the muzzies get done with you.
BTW, don't call us, we'll call you.
Robert de Jong, Vineland, NJ, United States of America
Maybe now Labour will realise the cash cow has now had enough of being milked.
Suggest: Reduce petrol tax, reduce cigarette and alcohol duty, recind this pathetic new car license tax, return our pension tax. Oh, and let there be a few pubs where you can have a cigarette after work with a pint!
Pete, St Albans, England
Paul from Newcastle - Please ! Go On ! Theres lots more people could add. ! Uncontrolled Immigration ruining Britain, crumbling NHS, The Rich and Poor divide ignored, all flying in the face of what Labour used to stand for. In all my years, i have seen a more dysfunctional government than this.
Dave, Lincoln,
Under no circumstance should Brown stand down!
The conservatives need him to be their opponent going into an election. We do not want a fresh communist face to win over our countries ill educated sheep.
peterj, Malvern,
Gordon Brown - National Embarrassment - it's time to go. You have looted our pensions, increased income tax (but called it National Insurance - they'll never twig that one...) and now you can hear the pips squeaking. Sound good?
Nick B, Khao Lak, Thailand
If NuLabour get 24% of the vote and Mugabe got 43% of the vote that makes Mugabe more popular than Gordon Brown.
Mr G, Leeds, UK
Brown is not down and out yet. Two years is a long time in politics and local council elections let people vent without meaning very much. Labour will come back stronger than ever and Brown will rule for the next decade
Wilbur Watson, Bangor,
The only reason theses results can be so bad for Gordon is that before 1997 the Tories weren't controlling much more than a damp paper bag in the Outer Hebrides. Of course it's bad, but in many ways it's just equalising the earlier rout of the Conservatives under Major.
Loz, London, UK
Serves Brown right - he doesn't listen and his mind set is that New Labour will rule forever. Perhaps this result will wake him up or even shake him up !!!! Don't hold your breath though !!!!
Ian Payne, WALSALL,
Hopefully, the begining of the end. Makes me wonder if the UK is willing to accept that high taxes and big governments simply don't work. Now if the Tories could promise that...
Patrick Bateman, London,
It wasn't Cameron, a weak and weedy nobody. This was entirely self inflicted and so well deserved.
Bill Q, Derby,
Cameron hasn't "inflicted" anything upon the Labour party - it is all self-inflicted.
Martin, Newmarket, Suffolk
The Conservatives haven't won anything, Labour have handed it to them on a plate. The Back Bench rebellions, constant infighting and lack of leadership from Brown are their downfall. If Labour want to regain any credibility with the Nation they have to put their house in order. Brown must go!
David, Aberdeen,
The poison chalice left by Tony Blair has finally killed its intended victim, Gordon Brown. The message is stark. He must resign now. We must hold a General Election, form a new Government and turn the country around. The British people deserve nothing less.
Charlie Oakley, Winchester, England
The Tories have 'won' by default because they are just as bad as NuLab and just as enslaved to the City of London. Here in Coventry the Tories have lost overall control of the council.
Paul, Coventry,
Let's wait for the excuses from Labour...
"we're going to start listening" - sorry, you've had over 10 years to listen.
"we're going to learn from this" - I think it's clear you'll never learn.
"the result is just a protest by people upset by the global economy" - yeah, right.
Chris K, Cheltenham, UK
If Labour think it's just the 10p tax fiasco which is the problem, then they have their heads buried further in the sand than I feared.
Arthur, Newcastle,
' Cameron inflicts' ... Actually Cameron did very little . This was all Labours own work , although they still did better than I thought they would . Chickens and roost spring to mind .
Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,
Mismanagement of the economy, and London results not announced. Brown the British Mugabe.
Bill Peter, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Well, Niles, you have to recall that "conservative" in England is somewhat left of "Democrat" in the US. Bush is more or less equivalent to the BNP. Brown is an unelected leader who behaves like King Canute. That's why he's failed today.
clive warner, Monterrey, Mexico
Congratulation Britain , keep on fighting Labour and Lib Dems new Euro Treaty. Call for a Referendum on Europe now!!!
e_widiner, shanghai, peoples republic china
Gordon Brown is finished. My only hope is that he will recognise that it not only in his interests however more importantly it is in the interests of the country and the people whom he serves that he steps down today. He has clearly been over promoted and has "No Vision" for UK plc. Your fired!
Rupert, London, UK
These results are reinforcing what we all felt from the start about Gordon. How can a man so obviously lacking in leadership qualities, and who has spent much of the last 10 years plotting against his leader, be fit to be Prime Minister? Get him out before the damage to the country is irreparable.
Ian P, London, UK
down down brown is down..(sung to tune of well known status quo song)
or as they would sing it in scotland: doon doon broon is doon
ally, mexico city, mexico
We in the US keep being told by our liberal politicians that our conservative administration has damaged our relationship with Europe. Yet, Germany, France and the UK turn out the socialists and Italy reaffirms its conservative. What lesson should we take from that?
Niles, San Diego, CA, USA
Paul ofe newcastlehas it all and if they think its about the 10p tax issue they are fooling themselves, Brown is an unelected PM who is failing in his job.
James, Southampton,
Bye bye Gordon -- good ridance...
Bob Brown, Carlsbad, USA, California
Labour got what they deserved. We are sick to death of being taxed on everything, fined for everything, spied on by cctv's, and listening to lies. The smoking ban, the cancellation of the promised election, the EU non-vote, the 10p tax disaster, the bin taxes, car taxes...need I go on?
Paul, Newcastle, United Kingdom
You're going down, Gordon Brown.
Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan
I wonder if the best result for the Cons is Boris to get the most first preferences by a long way, but to lose out to Ken on the second prefs. Then he wouldn't get to be a risk in the election year to Dave,s landslide in next year's general election.
David B, LARKHALL, UK