As expected, Labour took a mid-term hit in the local elections. However, they were not as bad as many expected, with Labour gaining a percentage point compared to last year, and again doing particularly well in West Yorkshire, gaining seats in Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Calderdale and taking North Lincolnshire Council.

Little press comment on how badly UKIP did. With a record number of candidates, this was supposed to be their breakthrough to be a national party, but they performed dismally....

Their Eurosceptic friends from the BNP were also disapppointed.