The Conservatives suffered a major loss in South Gloucestershire and no longer have overall control of the council. Counts for North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset are still taking place.
And it has been a similarly dismal picture for the Tories across the country, with the party losing control of many safe areas in the UK.
Rishi Sunak's Tories have already lost over 100 council seats across England as millions of votes continue to be counted in the 2023 local elections. The Conservatives have lost control of three councils and dozens of councillors as Labour and the Liberal Democrats picked up seats.
READ MORE: Local Elections 2023 for South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and BANES
In Labour's first big victory, the party scooped control of Plymouth with a massive 45% of the vote share - compared to just 25% for the Tories. Local Tory MP and minister Johnny Mercer admitted it had been a "terrible" night for the Conservatives - but defended the Prime Minister.
"I think there has been a number of factors at play. I think, locally, it has been very difficult. The Conservative Group here has been through a very difficult time," he said.
The polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice said "the Conservatives cannot be sure they won't end up losing 1,000 seats" in an early analysis.
A Labour spokesperson has stated the party is confident the outcome will "represent its best result since 1997".
Speaking early this morning, they said: "Based on the results declared so far, we are confident Labour will have an equivalent vote share lead of at least eight points which would represent our best result since 1997. If Labour had an 8% lead in a general election we would win a majority government, taking into account anticipated recovery in Scotland."
Speaking to Bristol Live, the former South Gloucestershire Council leader, Toby Savage, said it has been a disappointing night.
He said: "It's a disappointing night but the local Tories are outperforming the national party."
With full results from 53 of the 230 councils where elections were being held:
– The Tories have lost five councils and suffered a net loss of 137 councillors.
– Labour has gained control of two councils and put on 111 councillors.
– The Liberal Democrats have a net gain of 43 councillors.
– The Green Party has gained nine councillors.
UP NEXT:
- Local Elections 2023 will see Conservatives lose control of South Gloucestershire predicts expert
- Local Elections 2023: All the places the South Gloucestershire Council election could be won
- May local elections: South Gloucestershire Council dates and candidates list in full
- Why pencils are used at polling stations and not pens
