Sturgeon says SNP majority ‘has at all times been a really, very lengthy shot’
Boris Johnson has rejected a second referendum on Scottish independence as “reckless and irresponsible,” as the primary set of election results in Scotland go away a SNP majority on a knife edge.
SNP chief Nicola Sturgeon stated she is going to push for indyref2 “when the time is correct”. The first minister claimed she would go forward with laws for a referendum – claiming Mr Johnson “must go to court docket” to dam one other vote.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer is to embark on a serious shake-up of Labour’s prime workforce after devastating election results, together with the loss of the Hartlepool by-election and the Tees Valley mayoral vote.
The Tories are assured of a “hat trick” of massive victories over Labour by successful the West Midlands mayoralty. Labour stated it was “too early” to say if London mayor Sadiq Khan has been re-elected.
Key Points
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SNP HOLD: Aberdeenshire East
So we’ve a consequence from Scotland sooner than anticipated. The SNP has held onto its constituency seat in Aberdeenshire East.
But the SNP’s share of the vote was down by 1.2 per cent – and the Tory vote up by 11 per cent. We discovered yesterday to not learn an excessive amount of of normal sample from vote share swings.
But there does appear to be a sample of tactical voting amongst pro-union voters. In this case Lib Dem voters appeared keen to again the Tories in a bid to take the seat from the SNP – and it nearly labored.
Adam Forrest8 May 2021 10:58
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Counts below manner: when can we get Saturday results?
Vote counting is continuous for a second day in Scotland’s election. With 48 constituency results declared on Friday, the SNP had 39 seats, Liberal Democrats 4, Conservatives three and Labour two.
We ought to begin getting extra results from extra constituencies from noon on Saturday, and the essential regional listing results may even begin being declared.
Counting is again below in Wales. With 52 of the 60 seats declared, Labour is on 30 seats. We ought to begin getting the remaining results from noon.
After successful the Hartlepool and the Tees Valley mayoralty, the Tories are additionally assured of recording a “hat trick” of massive victories over Labour by successful the West Midlands mayoralty – we should always discover out that consequence this afternoon.
We’re additionally anticipating results this afternoon from London – the place Sadiq Khan’s re-election not appears to be like assured. There may even be results from the mayoral elections in North Tyneside, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Salford, Greater Manchester, Bristol and the West of England.
Adam Forrest8 May 2021 10:30
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Labour reshuffle anticipated inside weeks
Keir Starmer is ready to embark on a serious shake-up of Labour’s prime workforce, with a reshuffle anticipated inside weeks.
Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds is assumed more likely to be probably the most high-profile sufferer – although allies informed The Independent her file on the economic system and the Greensill affair ought to save her from the axe.
As the recriminations proceed to fly, some figures have steered Starmer ought to transfer additional away from the Corbyn-sympathetic left with a reshuffle – whereas others have claimed it will now be essential to saved the celebration’s left onside.
One senior backbencher stated: “Keir must resolve whether or not he’s critical about desirous to be chief or not, as a result of if he does it’s going to take some powerful selections, together with who’s within the shadow cupboard, who’s in his workplace and who’s within the celebration construction.”
Our political editor Andrew Woodcock has extra:
Adam Forrest8 May 2021 10:04
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Looks like most Scots voted for pro-union events, says prime Tory
Scottish Tory frontbencher Murdo Fraser is assured his celebration will nonetheless be the second largest celebration within the Scottish parliament. “I don’t assume there’s any doubt of that in any respect,” he informed BBC Good Morning Scotland.
Fraser denied Nicola Sturgeon would have a mandate for indyref2 if the SNP and Scottish Greens type a majority, as anticipated.
“It appears to be like like the bulk of individuals who have forged their votes have forged them explicitly for events against a second independence referendum,” he stated.
Adam Forrest8 May 2021 09:49
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Lawyers will have a look at indyref2 query, says Tory minister
Tory cupboard minister George Eustice stated it was the “flawed time” to carry a second independence referendum in Scotland.
Asked whether or not the UK authorities would struggle a bid for a referendum within the courts, Eustice stated: “Look, I’m not a lawyer – legal professionals will have a look at these items and I believe it’s getting forward of ourselves.
“We don’t assume there’s a case for one more referendum, notably now as we attempt to chart a manner out of the pandemic and get our economic system going once more.”
Kate Forbes, SNP MSP, responded: “George Eustice can say no matter he likes. It doesn’t change the truth that the folks of Scotland are placing their belief within the SNP and pro-independence events.”
Adam Forrest8 May 2021 09:27
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‘We will transfer on to having a referendum,’ says Sturgeon’s deputy
Scotland’s deputy first minister John Swinney has made clear the SNP plans to push forward with laws to stage a referendum on Scottish independence.
Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy informed BBC Breakfast he was “very assured” there can be a majority of pro-independence MSPs from the SNP and the Scottish Greens within the parliament.
“At the best second we are going to transfer on to having a referendum on independence – the folks of Scotland look to me to have voted emphatically for that,” he stated. “We will take ahead the laws to take action, to have a authorized referendum.”
Swinney additionally informed BBC Radio 4’s Today programme stated it was not sustainable for No 10 to refuse to agree to a different referendum. “Boris Johnson shouldn’t be some overlord of Scotland,” he stated.
Sturgeon has stated Johnson “must go to court docket” to dam laws for a referendum handed by the Scottish parliament.
Adam Forrest8 May 2021 09:19
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Starmer will ‘speed up’ modifications, says frontbencher
Labour’s Nick Thomas-Symonds stated there can be a coverage evaluate in a bid to reconnect with voters following the celebration’s disastrous Super Thursday election efficiency.
The shadow residence secretary folks within the celebration’s conventional heartlands “don’t now see Labour as answering” their considerations. “That’s now what we’ve to mirror on and why we’ve to vary.”
He informed BBC Breakfast: “Keir (Starmer) has began that course of of change over the previous 12 months … now it’s a query of shifting on, having that evaluate of our insurance policies.”
Thomas-Symonds additionally informed Sky News that Starmer would “speed up” modifications. The shadow minister defended Labour’s criticisms of “sleaze” in authorities and stated the celebration “completely have to carry the Conservatives to account”.
Adam Forrest8 May 2021 08:56
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At a look: key results to date
Results will proceed to return in on Saturday following Super Thursday’s elections. Here are some of the principle results to date:
– The Tories received the Hartlepool by-election, with Jill Mortimer seizing the seat from Labour with a majority of nearly 7,000.
– In Scotland, the SNP gained three seats – East Lothian from Labour, and Ayr and Edinburgh Central from the Tories. But the prospect of an outright majority stays on a knife edge.
– In Wales, Labour will maintain onto energy within the Senedd. After 52 of 60 seats had been declared, Labour had 30, the Conservatives had 12, Plaid Cymru had 9 and the Lib Dems had one.
– Tory Ben Houchen was re-elected as Tees Valley mayor by a landslide on the primary rely, taking nearly 73 per cent of the vote.
Counting continues in Scotland this morning
(PA)
Adam Forrest8 May 2021 08:42
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‘Too early to say’ if Sadiq Khan has received London, says Labour
It is “too early” to say if London mayor Sadiq Khan has been re-elected for a second time period, Labour has claimed.
A celebration supply informed The Independent that low turn-out and voter complacency for Labour has left the race “unsure,” including: “There are nonetheless half of London boroughs to rely and it’s too early to say something with any certainty at this stage.”
Earlier on Friday stories emerged saying that Shaun Bailey’s camp believes the Tory candidate can stage an enormous upset and win the competition.
Adam Forrest8 May 2021 08:27
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Labour set to win Senedd after shock results
Welsh Labour appears to be like set to win the Senedd election after the celebration fought off challenges from the Tories to key pink wall seats in North Wales.
Welsh chief Mark Drakeford has heralded “a rare set of results in extraordinary occasions” after a powerful displaying that bucked the pattern of the celebration nationwide.
By Friday night the celebration had held agency to its 27 constituency seats, shedding the Vale of Clwyd to the Tories whereas taking the Rhondda from Plaid Cymru – unseating the Welsh nationalist celebration’s high-profile former chief Leanne Wood within the course of.
The results of the Senedd’s 20 remaining regional seats are set to be introduced on Saturday, with Labour presently 5 quick of a majority.
Adam Forrest8 May 2021 08:20
